Hollywood Dogs »

The set is quiet as the actors get ready for the scene. The director shouts, "Action!" Buddy leaps up and sinks the ball into the basket. Score! What makes this actor so special? He's a Hollywood hound.

Take a walk down the red carpet with canine stars such as Lassie, Rin-Tin-Tin, Benji, and others. Find out how these celebrity dogs are discovered, how they train for their roles, and how they stay safe on the set.

Children's Literature

Part of the "Dog Heroes" series, this book explores a brief history of several Hollywood dogs including Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Benji, and Toto from The Wizard of Oz. Many fun facts are included. For example, the dog who played Toto was actually named Terry, and first starred in a Shirley Temple movie. She was at first considered too shy for the movies, but she looked so much like the drawings of Toto in The Wizard of Oz books that she was hired. Lassie, though a girl in the movies and TV show, was a series of male collies all related to the original Lassie from the 1943 film, Lassie Come Home. Why use males instead of females? Males have more fur, which looks better on camera. The first Rin Tin Tin was a homeless puppy rescued in Europe during World War I and was later trained to be a performer. Other famous dogs include Sandy (from the musical Annie), the golden retriever in Air Bud, the Saint Bernards used in Beethoven, and the dozens of puppies trained for the live action feature 101 Dalmatians. For people who want their pets to be movie stars, the experts say that dogs must be well trained and able to learn tricks easily, have lots of energy but be able to sit still, and have the right look for the part. This book includes a glossary, a page of "fun facts" and full color photographs.

Lassie to the Rescue     4
A Lucky Break     6
Star Treatment     8
From Homeless to Hollywood     10
Finding Shelter     12
Tricks of the Trade     14
Behind the Scenes     16
Stage Fright     18
Safety First     20
Live on Stage     22
Spots in the Spotlight     24
How to Become a Star     26
Just the Facts     28
Common Breeds: Hollywood Dogs     29
Glossary     30
Bibliography     31
Read More     31
Learn More Online     31
Index     32
About the Author     32