What Kind of Dog Is Lassie? Breed Information, Pictures, and Facts

With her undeviating commitment, caring spirit, and long luscious locks, the character of Lassie has actually caught the creativity and hearts of audiences all over the world. This remarkable dog deals with every difficulty with guts and decision, whether she is saving a kitten from threat or reassuring her people by the fire. Today, Lassie has actually ended up being a lot more than simply a dog — she is a real canine legend. But what type of dog is Lassie? And where did her story start? Let’s take a more detailed take a look at this extraordinary dog and the breed that developed the ultimate Hollywood star. 

Who is Lassie?

Lassie is a cherished imaginary character who has ended up being a long-term icon in the American creativity. She has actually starred in books, films, radio, comics, toys, and television series for numerous years. This extraordinary dog is well-known for her intelligence, guts, and undying commitment. Her stories usually illustrate her saving individuals from threat or assisting somebody in requirement. 

Lassie initially appeared in Eric Knight’s narrative, “Lassie Come-Home”, released in the Saturday Evening Post in 1938. Two years later on, Knight broadened his narrative into a complete book, which informed the story of this extraordinary dog who travelled throughout numerous miles to be reunited with her young owner. Since then, a love for Lassie has actually spread out throughout the world, and she has actually ended up being a cherished character for dog fans all over.

What Kind of Dog Is Lassie?

Lassie is a stunning tricolored rough collie. Originally, Knight did not clearly offer Lassie’s breed in his 1938 narrative or his broadened 1940 unique, Lassie Come-Home. However, in 1943 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) recorded Lassie Come Home, with a rough collie called Pal playing the lead function. The film was such a hit that MGM made 6 more function movies everything about Lassie — and Pal played the titular function in every one! 

The Real-Life Dog Behind Lassie’s Legacy

Pal was one remarkable dog — however it took a while for his fate to be understood. Born on June 4, 1940, Pal had rather the heritage, with his origins tracing back all the method to the very first excellent collie in England called “Old Cockie”. However, although he was born to a few of the finest program collies of the time, Pal had a white blaze down his face and his eyes were too big for program requirements. Pal likewise liked to go after bikes and had a nasty routine of unmanageable barking. Since he did not satisfy the high requirements of the dog reveal world, Pall was offered as an animal rather of a program dog.

But Howard Peck saw possible in this 8-month-old rough collie puppy, so he bought him and handed him over to prominent Hollywood animal fitness instructor, Rudd Weatherwax. After strenuous training, Pal’s unmanageable barking was lastly under control. However, attempt as they might, his propensity to rush towards and go after bikes was unwavering. Peck was dissatisfied and chose he no longer wished to keep the dog. Instead, he handed Pal over to Weatherwax in exchange for the money that he owed the animal fitness instructor.

When MGM revealed that they would be shooting Knight’s 1940 unique, Pal — in addition to 1,500 other dogs — auditioned to play the function of Lassie. Unfortunately, nevertheless, when again Pal didn’t make it — however he was employed on as Lassie’s stunt double.

How Pal Became a Hollywood Legend

However, fate appeared to have something else in mind for Pal. The female collie employed to play Lassie declined to enter the rough waters of a river throughout among the film’s huge scenes — however Weatherwax and Pal existed. Pal swam throughout the river’s raving waters, pulled himself up onto the bank, and attempted to crawl as he lay on his side prior to dropping in a posture of total fatigue. The extraordinary dog carried out the whole impressive series superbly and never ever even stopped to shake the water off of his long fur coat!

With that, Pal replaced the female collie and ended up being the famous star, Lassie.  Originally Lassie Come Home was provided an extremely low budget plan and was going to be recorded in black and white. However, after Pal’s magnificent efficiency, the MGM Executives chose to toss more money into the movie, shooting it in technicolor and supplying complete marketing assistance and promotion. Pal, obviously, did not need a stunt double, as he had the ability to movie his takes with interest and unrivaled ability.

Lassie Come Home was such a mega-hit that MGM wound up shooting 6 more Lassie movies. Then in 1954, Pal ended up being the star of the acclaimed Lassie tv series. After shooting the very first 2 pilots of Lassie, Pal — now 14 years of ages — retired from program biz. His kid and lots of generations of his grand sons, nevertheless, continued to suffer. In truth, Pal’s tenth-generation grand son is still continuing his heartfelt tradition today!

The Rough Collie Breed

So the concern is, while Lassie was definitely an amazing dog, was she simply an imaginary character? Or, does the precious nature of Lassie have something to do with the dog’s breed also? It ends up that Lassie’s on-screen personality and capabilities fit exceptionally well with the qualities of real-life collies! 

Rough collies are medium to large-sized dogs that came from Scotland where they were utilized to herd sheep. They have a light and stylish build, growing 22 to 26 inches high and weighing 50 to 75 pounds. Their elegant and long fur coats are typically tricolored, with black, tan, and white. However, they can likewise have other colors like sable, merle, or blue. Each variation usually has white around the dog’s neck, the idea of its tail, and on its legs.

Collies grow off the stimulation of playtime, strolls, and remaining active. Like Pal, collies are exceptionally smart and excited to learn with mild training. In truth, when it pertains to training, collie pups shine intense at the top of their class — half the time they appear to be discovering techniques all by themselves! 

These extraordinary dogs likewise like flaunting their outstanding capabilities. Even in his aging, Pal — passionately nicknamed “The Old Man” — still accompanied his kid, Lassie Jr., for shooting every day and delighted in napping in a good comfortable bed behind the set. However, whenever Lassie Jr. was asked to act, Pal would get up and do the very same regular backstage! 

However, with that continuously buzzing brain of theirs, rough collies yearn for brand-new difficulties and interesting activities to keep them engaged. Keeping up with a rough collie will permanently keep you on your toes — however don’t stress, it will likewise continue to leave you with a happy smile on your face.

Rough Collie Behavior and Temperament

Renowned for their love of kids, collies make exceptional family buddies. These gorgeous herding dogs are extremely caring and excellent with kids, much like Lassie was with Timmy in the Lassie tv series.

Rough collies radiate a natural beauty and grace that makes them a real enjoyment to be around. In addition, not unlike Lassie, collies have actually hearts filled with undeviating commitment and commitment. These dogs are exceptionally “in tune” with their human buddies. 

In truth, among the important things that truly makes collies so unique is their off-the-charts understanding and compassionate understanding of individuals — lots of rough collie owners state that it’s like their dogs can check out minds! This observant and caring breed is the ideal prospect for treatment work and is a specialist when it pertains to bringing convenience and recovery to those in requirement. So, now you can see why the character of Lassie truly did require to be a rough collie!

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