Best Dog Actors

Admit it, you go to see these movies for the dogs – not the human (or cartoon) actors or the plot! Sometimes the best actor in a movie is the dog! Check out this list of some of our favorite dog actors.

	Toto The “Wizard of Oz” star – a Cairn Terrier named Terry – was paid a handsome $125 per week for her work in the timeless film (more than some of the human actors made!). Her career took off and she ended up starring in 13 movies.
	Benji This popular series of films began in 1974 with a tale of a stray dog who ended up saving the day. Benji was played by a shelter dog named Higgens in the original movie, and later on his own pup Benjean played the character in “Benji” sequels. This beloved film represented one of the first on-screen uses of a dog as the primary character and depicter of various emotions throughout the plotline.
	Lady and the Tramp From, naturally, Disney’s landmark animated film “Lady and the Tramp”. It’s tough to deny the total adorableness of the famous pampered Cocker Spaniel and her mangy suitor Tramp.
	Old Yeller This hero of the film by the same name was literally a lifesaver throughout the entire movie. His heart-touching actions evoked tears from even the hardest of viewers, especially when his sacrifice led to his own demise.
	Beethoven The huge, lovable St. Bernard whose adventures with his family were chronicled throughout eight films between 1992 and 2014 was actually played by six different animals. The original Beethoven, a dog named Chris, starred in the first two films.
	Rin Tin Tin Rin Tin Tin was amazing German Shepherd who lived to the ripe old age of 14 was actually rescued by an American Soldier on the battlefields of WWI. His first films were silent, and he went on to become so beloved a movie star that in 1963 he received his very own star on the Walk of Fame.
	Marley We all know the heart-wrenching book-turned-movie features a rambunctious Labrador who keeps his owner captivated with his sweet personality. The part of Marley was actually played by an astonishing 18 different dogs.
	Chance and Shadow The sweet if hyper Chance, played by American Bulldog Rattler (voiced by Michael J. Fox) and wise old Golden Retriever Shadow, played by Ben (voiced by Don Ameche) make their way back to their family in a fun, charming, heartwarming way in the film “Homeward Bound”.
	Slink The Eeyoure-esque slinky dachshund from the wildly popular Disney Pixar film “Toy Story” is well-loved for his dry humor and deadpan lines such as “I may not be a smart dog, but I know what roadkill is” (a nod to Tom Hanks’ Forrest Gump character).
	Hooch Fan of this movie remember the enormous, beer drinking, house destroying French Mastiff from the Tom Hanks film “Turner and Hooch” was played by Beasley. Beasley was born in 1978 and passed away in 1992, with “Turner and Hooch” remaining as his only film legacy.
	Petey Last but certainly not least is this sweet little Pit Bull who played in the “Our Gang” series (which later become “The Little Rascals”) in the 1920s actually did have a ring around his eye. Petey was played by Pal the Wonder Dog, whose nearly complete eye ring was finished by Max Factor with the use of dye. Pal’s story has a sad ending, unfortunately, as in 1930 someone poisoned the little pup and he passed away. It was never known who committed this horribly cruel act, nor what their motivation was. Even though Pal only had a small part in one movie over the course of his career (a cameo appearance in “The Freshman”) he certainly deserves a mention.