Heroic Dog Shows of the 1950's

[SoDesuKa]

There were at least two weekly television shows about a heroic dog. One was Rin Tin Tin, and the other was Lassie. I remember that in each episode each dog did something heroic and remarkable, but I can't think of an example.

Rin Tin Tin was set in Fort Apache, somewhere out west. The dog was paired with a boy who was somehow connected to the garrison out there. Did the dog battle the Indians? I can't remember.

Lassie was set in small town America, possibly even a farm. Each week Lassie rescued someone or something. How did the writers keep coming up with new material for each show?

Somehow these shows had to be hokey as hell. Were they?