What Kind of Dog Is Toto from the Wizard of Oz? Breed Information, Pictures, and Facts

The most-watched movie ever and among the most popular movies throughout the world, The Wizard of Oz is a cherished timeless with a classic story, extraordinary music, and renowned characters. From Dorothy’s well known ruby slippers to her journey over the rainbow and down the yellow brick roadway, this movie has actually ended up being an irreversible component in pop culture. Of course, among the most cherished and remarkable characters in The Wizard of Oz is Dorothy’s devoted canine buddy, Toto. Despite his little size and apparently simple character, Toto plays an essential function in the movie’s story. But what type of dog is Toto from The Wizard of Oz?

Who Is Toto?

The cherished character of Toto initially originated from L. Frank Baum’s kids’s book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In both the unique and the movie, Toto is a devoted buddy to Dorothy. Despite his little size, Toto is an effective driving force behind the plot of the book and the movie. Toto safeguards Dorothy versus the disagreeable Almira Gulch, and after that courageously leaves her clutches when she attempts to take him to the constable to be euthanized. He likewise fearlessly deals with the Wicked Witch of the West and assists to hinder her strategies to damage Dorothy and her pals. He even assists to unmask the effective wizard in Oz! 

In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Baum never ever particularly names what dog breed Toto is. The author explains him as a little black dog with little, twinkling eyes. The initial illustrator of the book, W. W. Denslow, drew the dog as a kind of little black terrier. When Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM Studios) wished to adjust Baum’s unique into a Hollywood movie they started trying to find a canine star who matched the book’s description and illustrations. 

What Kind of Dog Is Toto from the Wizard of Oz?

The canine star selected to depict Toto in The Wizard of Oz was a cairn terrier called Terry. Cairn terriers are little however tough dogs that have actually likely been around considering that a minimum of the 16th century. The breed came from on the Isle of Sky in the Scottish Highlands. It relates to the West Highland white terrier. 

Cairn terriers have remarkably big front feet that are really larger than their back feet. This assists them to dig and root out animals from concealing locations, specifically those concealing around stacked stacks of rocks, or cairns. These brave little terriers are popular for their persistence and decision in this task, in addition to in almost whatever else they do.

In reality, one story informs of a cairn terrier who was entrusted with cleaning otters out of the rock developments near the coast. The dog captured an otter in his teeth and declined to let go — even after the otter plunged into the sea! The dog’s owner dove into the water and discovered the solid terrier still sticking firmly to the otter. Whether or not the story holds true, it definitely highlights the relentless decision of this breed!

Appearance and Personality

Cairn terriers determine just 9 to 10 inches high at the shoulder and weigh 13 to 16 pounds. They can be found in almost every color other than for white, with soft undercoats covered by shaggy, medium-length external coats that are waterproof. Cairn terriers have compact bodies, upright ears that hold up naturally, and fairly brief legs.

In spite of their little size and adorably shabby look, cairn terriers are extremely energetic dogs and they need a great deal of workout. They were reproduced to go after foxes, otters, and other vermin, and they have a strong victim drive.

Some cairn terriers are likewise susceptible to digging or extreme barking, so they’re not an excellent option if you’re trying to find a peaceful small dog. However, these lively little pups still like to cuddle on event. They can make excellent buddies for households who take pleasure in great deals of play and vigorous strolls. Cairn terriers are likewise really smart and devoted, similar to Toto in The Wizard of Oz.

The Canine Star Who Brought Toto to the Big Screen

In the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, Toto was represented by a little black, female cairn terrier called Terry. Terry was born upon November 17, 1933, however regrettably, she had problem with potty training. Her initial owners disposed her off at the home of Hollywood dog fitness instructor Carl Spitz and never ever returned to declare her.

For the very first couple of weeks, Terry was distressed and terrified the majority of the time spending the majority of her time concealing away under Spitz’s bed. Because she was so shy and had problem with stress and anxiety, Spitz and his partner prepared to keep Terry as their own household pet. However, Terry ultimately started to heat up and reveal that she was an extremely wise little terrier. So, Spitz started bringing her with him to auditions at Paramount Studios.

Terry got her very first function in the 1934 movie, Ready For Love. That exact same year, she appeared in Bright Eyes together with Shirley Temple. Even though Terry was included in more than 15 movies for many years, her name never ever appeared in the credits. In reality, the only film she ever formally received credit for was The Wizard of Oz — and even then she was noted as “Toto” instead of Terry.

Becoming Toto in The Wizard of Oz

Terry was an incredible animal actor, and she even carried out all her own stunts! Although solid, she was still rather a small dog, which likewise implied that she might be rather delicate. A couple of years after her Hollywood launching, Terry was on set for The Wizard of Oz and among the Wicked Witch’s guards mistakenly stepped on her foot! The injury caused a couple of weeks of rest and recovery in the home of Judy Garland, who represented Dorothy in the movie. The popular starlet rapidly fell for the little dog, and even provided to purchase her when recording was done. However, Spitz declined to offer Terry. Turns out, the little dog was making $125 every week (around $2,700 in 2023), which was more than a number of her human co-stars!

When The Wizard of Oz opened in 1939, Terry went to the best at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. The movie was a struck with its ingenious usage of technicolor, musical and story aspects, and really remarkable characters. It ended up being a preferred for both critics and casual audiences alike and was even chosen for 6 Academy Awards. The Wizard of Oz ended up being so popular that a couple of years later on Spitz formally altered Terry’s name to Toto. According to the Library of Congress, The Wizard of Oz is still the most-watched Hollywood film to this day! 

Remembering Toto

Terry continued to act in numerous movies throughout her life time. Her boy Rommey likewise went on to end up being a Hollywood star too. Terry died on September 1, 1945. Spitz had her buried at his Ranch in Studio City, Los Angeles. Unfortunately, in 1958 the tomb was destroyed due to building and construction on the Ventura Freeway. However, a couple of years later fans got together and developed a charity event for a brand-new memorial to honor the renowned puppy. The Hollywood Forever Cemetery offered an unique VIP plot, and the artist Roman Gale shaped a life-sized statue. The memorial was devoted on June 18, 2011. Even the great-grandson of the book’s author went to the service to pay his aspects.

Up Next: