Mixed breed dogs are the hot entertainment stars of today

Forget purebred dogs like Lassie, Beethoven, Toto, Buddy, Marmaduke, Chloe, Papi, Eddie, Asta, and all those 101 Dalmatians that were a boon to puppy mill breeders and pet shops.

Today’s top dog is the mixed breed.

Pudsey from Britain’s Got Talent is in Hollywood with his owner, Ashleigh. Pudsey has  a Las Vegas gig,  a book deal and an agent. And they get to fly in Simon Cowell’s luxury private jet.

Pudsey is a cross between a Border Collie, Chinese Crested and Bichon Frise.

 

Aleister, a rescued terrier mix, stars in Steve Carell’s new movie, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.

As the earth is about to be squashed by a giant meteor, (with no hokey Bruce Willis heroics in sight) Carrell wakes up from a failed suicide attempt to find a little dog with a note attached, “Sorry,” which he takes to be the dog’s name.

“Sorry enters the story right when Dodge has reached his lowest low and given up hope altogether,” explains writer/director Lorene Scafaria, herself a longtime dog owner. “He wakes up that morning and finds he has been given someone else’s burden, which becomes a responsibility that gives Dodge’s life meaning again." Source

They team up with Keira Knightley to go on a road trip during which Sorry manages to steal the scenes. According to Knightley:

"He had an amazing ability to find the camera. Even if he wasn't meant to be in a shot, you'd suddenly find him. It'd be my close-up and suddenly the dog would be right there licking my face." Source

 

One problem with using mixed breed dogs in movies is finding dogs that resemble the star to use as doubles. After scouring shelters they found Mulligan, a dog who was scheduled to be killed that day, and two more dogs who resembled them.

 

Search for a new Benji

The poster dog for shelter dogs turned movie star is Benji.

Brandon Camp, whose father created Benji nearly 40 years ago, and dog trainer Mark Forbes are conducting a nationwide search for a new Benji.

Using the power of the internet they have set up a Facebook page and will be looking on line and in shelters for a dog with the right star quality.

 

The new Benji must be mischievous, medium-sized, scruffy and street-smart with soulful eyes. Comfortable as hero or underdog, yet likely to be a stray. Must be a fast learner, able to charm millions and willing to work for food.

Comments

[John]

I think it's great that the floor is being opened up to 'mutts' and cross breeds - these dogs often come with some of the best quirks and characteristics.

[Gina@doggie bling]

Wow, I remember Benji from when I was just 12 years old and fell in love with that loveable mutt. We all went to the movie with my seven sisters. We will never forget Benji.

[Jodi]

I wonder if Benji could be played by a 90 pound GoldenLab?

[Linda]

We are seeing lots of pit bull and pit bull mixes here in our shelters...all just past puppy stage...makes me sick and sad.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

[dog training Calgary]

Queue of pet lovers is increasing and in this queue celebrity and stars are also taking interest because there are a lot of breeds of animal which are very cute and lovable and most of the star and celebrity do not have a large number of friends so pets are the best option for them.

[Pamela]

Great reminder that one reason pure breds are used so much is because it's easy to sub in one Golden Retriever for another. But it's harder to find doubles for a mixed dog.

Of course, with face recognition software and huge databases like Petfinder, it's gotten much easier.

I think there's a money making opportunity here for a dog-loving tech geek. :)

[Kristine]

How terrific that the casting of Aleister, a mixed breed, saw the rescue of three other dogs from a shelter. Now that is a pretty wicked deal. I hope the trend keeps up!

[Karen Friesecke]

I still shake my head in amazement that dog/trainer duo was considered the "best" talent in Britian. Sure they were good, but would people pay to see them do a show?

[yellowdoggranny]

dogs smogs..they need to remake Rhubarb as it was the best cat movie ever ever...

[cube]

It's a good trend. Certainly better than a multitude of people deciding on one breed and driving it into the ground.

My regret is that my animals aren't talented enough to rake in the big bucks.

[marksdorcel]

Fantastic storage that one objective authentic breeds are used so much is because it's easy to sub in one Amazing Retriever for another. But it's more complex to find increases for a mixed dog.

[Pup Fan]

Oh, Benji... how I adored all of those movies when I was younger! Perhaps even then, I was drawn to the mixed breeds. :)