Dances With Wolves
The 1990 “western epic” film starring Kevin Costner, “Dances With Wolves” is about a Union Lieutenant who is injured during the civil war and instead of having his leg amputated he decides on a “suicide by opposing forces” attempt (by charging on his horse towards confederate troops). His suicide attempt fails but the Union Army wins. He is later awarded a citation for bravery and is given the horse he rode on and his choice of any post he wants. He chooses to head out to the western frontier so he can see it before it is claimed and developed. There he meets up with local Native Americans as well as an unlikely companion – a wolf he named Two Socks since it looks like he is wearing socks on his paws.
True Blood: Sam Merlotte
Sam Merlotte, the owner of Merlotte’s, a diner in the town of Bon Temps, LA. As the series continues though the first season you learn that Sam is hiding a secret and it is later revealed that he is a shape shifter. While his talent is limited to animals he’s been with or seen, his preferred animal of choice is a collie (the actual collie is also seen walking up to Sam in an episode).
Dug and his pack from Up
Normally I do not intend to do animated films but Pixar’s “Up” really hits home with their dogs.
First, we meed Dug, a retriever (voiced by Bob Peterson). What’s unique about Dug is that he has a collar that converts his thoughts to words we (humans) can understand. Dug is a very typical retriever – in love with everyone he meets and wants to be their best friend. of course, Dug is also not the brightest dog you’ve ever met nor the most attractive but what he lacks in intelligence and looks he over-compensates in sweetness and personality. SQUIRREL! Continue reading
The Patriot
In the 2000 historical film, “The Patriot” General Cornwallis (Tom Wilkinson) had two pet dogs, both were Great Danes. Mars (played by Charity) and Jupiter (played by Vanilla). Of course, Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) adopts these two dogs and while Cornwallis states that they’ve probably been eaten – the next scene shows that Benjamin is treating them very well – feeding them meat (while the troops were low on food). Later in the film, Benjamin returns the dogs to Cornwallis only to call them back as he exits the gates – much to Cornwallis’ anger.
Great Danes are very large dogs (one of the largest breeds in existence) and were considered a status symbol in England royalty at the time (1700s).
Elizabeth McMullan and Kathleen Pirelli are credited for being the dog trainers on the set.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
In the 1986 cult-classic film, “Ferris Bueller’s Day off” there is a scene when principal Edward Rooney (played by Jeffrey Jones) tries to break into Ferris’ house to catch him playing hookey red handed. Of course, no one his home except The Bueller family’s dog – an unnamed Rottweiler who proceeds to chase Rooney out of the house. Later on, Rooney is able to knock the dog out with a floral arrangement that was delivered for the ailing Ferris (don’t worry – they just put the dog in a “play dead” command while they had the debris around him). Don’t worry, the dog did get his revenge when towards the end of the film, Ferris’ sister, Jeanie, slams a door shut with Rooney in the back yard. Of course, this wakes the dog up and you can hear a “vicious” attack going on behind the door with Rooney screaming.
Rottweiliers are commonly used in movies as “tough” dogs due to their bulky appearance and reputation when in reality a well bred and trained Rottie is actually a very sweet and cuddly dog but they can be protective of their family and can be trained to look aggressive.