Dogs, being mans best friend, are a natural partner in
Hollywood as well. For decades, dogs
have been sharing both the large and small screen with human companions,
capturing our hearts and standing the test of time. Many of these iconic dogs have long since
passed, but even today's children know who many of them are. Let's pay homage to some of the greatest
canine actors in television and film history.
#1: Hachiko
Hachiko, the name of the main canine character in the movie of the same name, was actually played by three different Akita's. This pup caught the hearts of many as the movie chronicles the happenstances of Hachiko's life after the death of his master.
#2: Bullseye (Oliver Twist)
There have been various pups to play the character Bullseye from the classic Dickens tale Oliver Twist. Most often portrayed by Bull Terriers, film adaptations of this book of pickpocket and orphan causes you to go from fearing Bullseye, to loving him in the end, in a way that only pups seem to be able to manage.
#3: Frank the Pug
Anyone who has seen the popular movie Men In Black are likely familiar with this alien in pug form, known only as Frank. This cute alien-cum-pug was so popular that he played more of a starring role in the sequel to the first film.
#4: Chance and Shadow (Homeward Bound)
This is a movie that touched the hearts of many animal lovers everywhere. These special pooches somehow got lost from their family in a temporary relocation , along with a kitty companion, and together, through trials and tribulations, Chance, Shadow, and Sassy (the cat), made it to their owners new homes, despite a ton of struggle and strife.
#5: Buck (Married with Children)
Buck is the lovable sheepdog from the popular sitcom, Married with Children. For nine years on the small screen, Buck captured our hearts and minds. He was "killed off" in the series and later reincarnated into a Cocker Spaniel, but the producers and fans loved Buck so much that during the final episode he was due to appear, a special "in memoriam" message was displayed on the screen.
#1: Hachiko
Hachiko, the name of the main canine character in the movie of the same name, was actually played by three different Akita's. This pup caught the hearts of many as the movie chronicles the happenstances of Hachiko's life after the death of his master.
#2: Bullseye (Oliver Twist)
There have been various pups to play the character Bullseye from the classic Dickens tale Oliver Twist. Most often portrayed by Bull Terriers, film adaptations of this book of pickpocket and orphan causes you to go from fearing Bullseye, to loving him in the end, in a way that only pups seem to be able to manage.
#3: Frank the Pug
Anyone who has seen the popular movie Men In Black are likely familiar with this alien in pug form, known only as Frank. This cute alien-cum-pug was so popular that he played more of a starring role in the sequel to the first film.
#4: Chance and Shadow (Homeward Bound)
This is a movie that touched the hearts of many animal lovers everywhere. These special pooches somehow got lost from their family in a temporary relocation , along with a kitty companion, and together, through trials and tribulations, Chance, Shadow, and Sassy (the cat), made it to their owners new homes, despite a ton of struggle and strife.
#5: Buck (Married with Children)
Buck is the lovable sheepdog from the popular sitcom, Married with Children. For nine years on the small screen, Buck captured our hearts and minds. He was "killed off" in the series and later reincarnated into a Cocker Spaniel, but the producers and fans loved Buck so much that during the final episode he was due to appear, a special "in memoriam" message was displayed on the screen.
#6: Beethoven
Who could forget this monster sized, drooling, destruction reigning pooch from the movie of the same name. This slobbering, person sized pooch captured the hearts of many and was the ultimate star of the film and sequels. Amongst those who are connoisseurs of dog film still see Beethoven as one of the most lovable dog actors of all time. And even when Chris, the Saint Bernard who played Beethoven passed away, they brought in another pooch in order to keep the popular series of films alive.
#7: Old Yeller
When most people think of the old movie, Old Yeller, they remember the incredibly sad ending this film had. But what this old film also did was show how well a well trained canine actor could capture the hearts and minds of those watching on the big screen. Old Yeller just went the show the powerful emotions that a canine actor can bring across to a viewing audience.
#8: Asta (The Thin Man)
At the beginning of this pooch's career, he was called Skippy and was relegated to mostly bit parts. However, it was his role as Asta in The Thin Man, that brought him such notoriety. After the popularity of his character, the pups name was officially changed to Asta, and he enjoyed a long career on the silver screen until retiring in 1940.
#9: Toto
Toto, the Cairn Terrier from the Wizard of Oz is probably one of the most well known canine actors aside from the beloved Lassie. He was originally known as Terry before having his named changed to his namesake. This well loved pooch though, had quite the rough start to his life, having been abandoned by his original family. He was rescued by a famous dog trainer who helped train him and get him his starring role. Even though he went on to play a number of different characters in later movies, none will ever be as well remembered as his portrayal of Toto.
#10: Rin Tin Tin
Rin Tin Tin is such a beloved dog that he has his own star on the Hollywood's Walk of Fame. The pooch, originally from France, came to the states with his master and began his film career by doing a high jump for a motion picture test. His first movie was such a hit that his status took off from there. Warner Bros. studio so valued their prized pooch that he had a personal chef, listened to music while eating (allegedly to aid in his digestion), and had a whopping 18 "body doubles" so as to keep him from becoming too overworked.
If you want to know more about specific dog breeds then feel free to check out seefido.com
Who could forget this monster sized, drooling, destruction reigning pooch from the movie of the same name. This slobbering, person sized pooch captured the hearts of many and was the ultimate star of the film and sequels. Amongst those who are connoisseurs of dog film still see Beethoven as one of the most lovable dog actors of all time. And even when Chris, the Saint Bernard who played Beethoven passed away, they brought in another pooch in order to keep the popular series of films alive.
#7: Old Yeller
When most people think of the old movie, Old Yeller, they remember the incredibly sad ending this film had. But what this old film also did was show how well a well trained canine actor could capture the hearts and minds of those watching on the big screen. Old Yeller just went the show the powerful emotions that a canine actor can bring across to a viewing audience.
#8: Asta (The Thin Man)
At the beginning of this pooch's career, he was called Skippy and was relegated to mostly bit parts. However, it was his role as Asta in The Thin Man, that brought him such notoriety. After the popularity of his character, the pups name was officially changed to Asta, and he enjoyed a long career on the silver screen until retiring in 1940.
#9: Toto
Toto, the Cairn Terrier from the Wizard of Oz is probably one of the most well known canine actors aside from the beloved Lassie. He was originally known as Terry before having his named changed to his namesake. This well loved pooch though, had quite the rough start to his life, having been abandoned by his original family. He was rescued by a famous dog trainer who helped train him and get him his starring role. Even though he went on to play a number of different characters in later movies, none will ever be as well remembered as his portrayal of Toto.
#10: Rin Tin Tin
Rin Tin Tin is such a beloved dog that he has his own star on the Hollywood's Walk of Fame. The pooch, originally from France, came to the states with his master and began his film career by doing a high jump for a motion picture test. His first movie was such a hit that his status took off from there. Warner Bros. studio so valued their prized pooch that he had a personal chef, listened to music while eating (allegedly to aid in his digestion), and had a whopping 18 "body doubles" so as to keep him from becoming too overworked.
If you want to know more about specific dog breeds then feel free to check out seefido.com
