Brought to America from Belgium in the late 1920s after having been trained as a working military dog in his home country, Muro found an outlet for his many skills in Hollywood. Film studios were quick to capitalize on his background, as well as the recent memory of the Great War, and publicized Muro as both canine royalty and a decorated war dog hero known as Count Muro purely for propaganda value.
A purebred Belgian Tervuren, Muro was surprisingly not the first Belgian Shepherd to take Hollywood by storm. That honor goes to Ranger, a Belgian Malinois who started acting in the mid-1920s. Still an early ambassador for his breed, Muro remains to this day the only major Belgian Tervuren movie star ever. Credited as both Muro and King in his films, he had as many titles and taglines as films, including: Dog Marvel; Emperor of All Dogs; and King the Wonder Dog.
Today, we can only guess at the true number of Muro’s films. Thankfully, he received top billing in a few surviving titles so we still have a record of some of Marvel Dog Muro’s daring deeds.
Untamed Justice (1929) (First known credit, although Muro was probably in small roles before it. This silent film may be one of the thousands that have been lost.)
The Phantom of the North (1929) (Another starring credit and a mostly lost film. Only the first 20 minutes of this film has been preserved.)
The Lone Trail (1932) (A feature film edit of the Sign of the Wolf serial.)
Do you know any more Count Muro films? Or the identity of his trainer? Please let us know!
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The Great Pyrenees, or Pyrenean Mountain Dog, is an icon of dogdom as well as dog films, mostly thanks to the immortal Belle. While there have been four Belle et Sébastien movies (listed below), there were also four different TV shows, making Belle a French Lassie. The TV series were: Belle et Sébastien (1965) from France, with 13 episodes; the follow-up Sébastien parmi les hommes (1968), also French with 13 episodes, now in color; the animated Meiken Jolie (1981–1982) from Japan with 52 episodes; and French-Canadian animated production Belle et Sébastien (2017).
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
The 12 Dogs of Christmas * Year: 2004 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
As the title implies, there are many dogs. The Great Pyrenees is not one of the stars, but seen a few times.
Animal Clinic * Year: 2004 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Only a briefly seen background dog at the vet clinic. Originally an Animal Planet made-for-TV movie.
Belle et Sébastien AKA: Belle & Sebastian * Year: 2013 * Country: France * Breed content: High
A beautiful film shot in the Alps and based originally on a French TV show from 1965, then adapted into a novel in 1966 by Cécile Aubry, about a boy and a Great Pyrenees, “Belle”, set to the backdrop of both the French Alps and World War Two. The first TV series contained thirteen half-hour episodes and was broadly released in the 1960s with an English dub for the BBC.
Belle et Sébastien, l’aventure continue AKA: Belle & Sebastian: The Adventure Continues * Year: 2015 * Country: France * Breed content: High
Sequel to Belle et Sébastien.
Belle et Sébastien 3, le dernier chapitre AKA: Belle and Sebastian, Friends for Life * Year: 2017 * Country: France * Breed content: High
Third in the Belle et Sébastien trilogy, now with kidnapped puppies in the mix.
Belle et Sébastien: Nouvelle génération AKA: Belle and Sebastien: The New Generation * Year: 2022 * Country: France * Breed content: High
A modernized adaptation of Belle et Sébastien, now only taking inspiration from the original 1965 show but set in the modern day with a new story. Yet to be released in North America.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta! * Year: 2012 * Country: Mexico/US * Breed content: Low
A background dog only.
C’era un castello con 40 cani AKA: There Was a Castle with Forty Dogs * Year: 1990 * Country: Belgium/France/Italy/Spain * Breed content: Low
An incredible dog movie including a Great Pyrenees among the pack, although not a main feature. Only released in Europe.
Dumb and Dumber * Year: 1994 * Country: US * Breed content: Unconfirmed
Finding Neverland * Year: 2004 * Country: UK/US * Breed content: Medium
“Porthos” was played by a female Great Pyrenees in makeup.
Ma-eum-i Doo-beon-jjae I-ya-gi AKA: Hearty Paws 2 AKA: Heart is… 2 * Year: 2010 * Country: South Korea * Breed content: Low
The story of a yellow Labrador Retriever searching for her kidnapped puppies, with only a brief appearance by a Great Pyrenees.
Milou en mai AKA: May Fools * Year: 1990 * Country: France/Italy * Breed content: Unconfirmed
Puppy Swap: Love Unleashed * Year: 2019 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
One of the dogs seen briefly in a run at the animal shelter. The main dogs are Pomeranians.
The Saltwater Moose * Year: 1996 * Country: Canada * Breed content: Low
A Pyr as the family dog, seen occasionally.
Sans Famille AKA: Without Family * Year: 2000 * Country: France/Germany/Czech Republic * Breed content: Medium
Oliver Twist meets Belle and Sebastian, with a wonderfully well-trained (by Pascal Tréguy and Étienne Serclerat) and placid Pyr. Adapted into a film from a French TV show and never released outside of Europe.
Santa Buddies * Year: 2009 * Country: US * Breed content: High
The merging film between the Air Buddies franchise and Santa Paws, including an adult and puppy Pyr along with the Golden Retriever puppies. Zeus plays the adult “Santa Paws”.
Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups * Year: 2012 * Country: Canada/US * Breed content: High
Third of these Christmas Great Pyrenees films, now with a whole family of Pyr puppies. Lady, daughter of Zeus, plays the mom. Lady was herself one of the featured mother dogs on Animal Planet’s Too Cute series with her own litter of puppies.
The Search for Santa Paws * Year: 2010 * Country: Canada/US * Breed content: High
Follow-up to Santa Buddies about the Pyr puppy.
Sourdough * Year: 1981 * Country: US * Breed content: High
Before Belle, there was the hermit in Sourdough who lives and travels in the northern wilderness with the very smart choice of two Great Pyrenees pack dogs as his only companions. I have an old VHS of this movie, which has never been released on DVD, but you can now see it online.
Within These Walls * Year: 2001 * Country: Canada/US * Breed content: Low
Only in the final scene.
Know more Great Pyrenees movies? Please send info to moviedogs@gmail.com. Thank you!
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The Leonberger can be seen in a few notable roles, always making a statement with their characters.
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
At Home in Mitford * Year: 2017 * Country: US * Breed content: Medium
A Hallmark TV movie featuring Berger as “Barnabas”.
The Call of the Wild: Dog of the Yukon * Year: 1997 * Country: Canada * Breed content: High
The only major starring role for a Leonberger. Although in Jack London’s original novel “Buck” is a Saint Bernard/Collie cross, a Leonberger was a better effort than the usual German Shepherd Dog in the part. Purebreds are often preferred by trainers and producers since it is easy for multiple dogs to play one character rather than matching the look of three or four mixed-breeds to play one dog. “Buck” was played by three Leonbergers.
Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever * Year: 2014 * Country: US * Breed content: Medium
Made-for-TV movie featuring “JoJo”, the “million dollar dog”, in a co-starring role with the famous Grumpy Cat.
Joyeuse retraite ! AKA: Happy Retirement * Year: 2019 * Country: France * Breed content: Low
With a Leonberger family pet.
The Secret of Moonacre * Year: 2008 * Country: Australia/France/Hungary/New Zealand/UK/US * Breed content: Low
Fantasy Leonberger “Wrolf” is more than he seems, helped by makeup and CGI.
Show Dogs * Year: 2018 * Country: UK/US * Breed content: Low
One of the many dozens of background dogs backstage at the dog show. Blink and you’ll miss him!
Think Like a Dog * Year: 2020 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
A Leonberger is part of the pack that the main dog rallies together.
Know more Leonberger movies? Please send info to moviedogs@gmail.com. Thank you!
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Here are non-red fox movies, such as gray foxes and Arctic foxes. Please let us know if you see others. Live-action narrative films only (no animation or documentaries). You’ll find the page for red fox films here.
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
Amanda and the Fox * Year: 2018 * Country: US * Fox content: Low
Although the cover art shows a red fox, there is none to be seen in this low-budget film; only a nervous Arctic fox kit (blue color morph) who has a handful of brief scenes.
The Call of the Wild * Year: 1972 * Country: France/Italy/Spain/UK/West Germany * Fox content: Low
The Arctic fox in this film is seen only briefly when two German Shepherd Dogs chase, knock him own, and he ultimately gets away.
The Courage of Lassie * Year: 1946 * Country: US * Fox content: Low
A gray fox meets a Collie puppy, but bounds away to climb a tree. The fox was controlled by the handlers to prevent escape with cords attached at the fox’s neck and wrist.
In Society * Year: 1944 * Country: US * Fox content: Low
A frightened gray fox features in the fox-hunting scene, trying to run against wires attached to the body and forelimbs, then has apparently been drugged in the next shot when Lou Costello holds the animal.
The Journey Home AKA: Midnight Sun * Year: 2014 * Country: Canada/Italy * Fox content: Unconfirmed
Possibly a sighting of an Arctic fox.
Kina & Yuk AKA: Kina et Yuk, renards de la banquise AKA: The Adventure of Kina and Yuk * Year: 2023 * Country: Canada/France/Italy * Fox content: High
About Arctic foxes Kina, white, and her mate Yuk, blue. (Pronounced Yook.) A beautiful family film that, purely from the perspective of the happiness and wellbeing of the foxes, is the best narrative fox movie ever made. This pair is obviously having a ball for much of the film, bouncing around, playing, teasing the dog “Rita” with a quick ear nip, and peacefully falling asleep in front of the cameras. Unlike nearly all other fox films, there is never a hint of curled-tongue stress panting or resistance behavior in the whole of Kina and Yuk. Bravo to the animal trainers. Unfortunately, at the time of this post it is difficult for English-speakers to find, with the UK DVD currently the only option. Hopefully it will soon be more widely available for streaming and a US DVD edition for those who need it in their fox collection.
The Little Shepherd Dog of Catalina * Year: 1973 * Country: US * Fox content: Low
An island fox, subspecies of gray fox, makes off with a fish before the Shetland Sheepdog star can enjoy it in this Wonderful World of Disney TV movie.
Nedopesok Napoleon III / Недопесок Наполеон III AKA: Polar Fox Napoleon III * Year: 1979 * Country: Soviet Union * Fox content: High
Many foxes are seen at the fur farm in this Soviet film that then follows one escapee, Arctic fox Napoleon III, and the little boy who tries to help him. Only ever released in Russia but you can see it online.
Nomads of the North * Year: 1920 * Country: US * Fox content: Low
Many wild animals were filmed on set for atmosphere in this first movie adaptation of the classic James Oliver Curwood novel. The gray foxes are only seen for a moment.
Seal Island * Year: 1948 * Country: US * Fox content: Low
This short was the first of the Walt Disney True Life Adventure films and in this case there really was a certain amount of documentary footage, so perhaps this film should not make the list, but there are glimpses of Arctic foxes (summer coat), staged or otherwise.
White Wilderness * Year: 1958 * Country: Canada/US * Fox content: Low
The Disney True Life Adventure series is rightly infamous for claiming to be documentary filmmaking when the majority of footage in all of them was staged, often shot on controlled sets. This one in particular is famed for starting the myth that lemmings, a northern rodent, commit suicide by throwing themselves off cliffs and into the ocean. The sequence was carefully staged and created by the filmmakers by throwing and pushing the animals. The Arctic foxes are not main players, but more time is devoted to the wolves, who were also captive and their scenes carefully staged. You can even see the collar rings around their necks where the fur is worn short.
Know more live-action non-red fox movies? Please send info to moviedogs@gmail.com. Thank you!
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One would think there would be some Finnish movies featuring the reindeer-herding Finnish Lapphund, being a popular breed in their native country, but we have never been able to find any.
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
Zhizn i priklyucheniya chetyrekh druzei * AKA: The Life and Adventures of Four Friends * Year: 1980 * Country: Soviet Union * Breed content: High
Adapted from a Soviet TV show into home-movie releases in the 1990s, including a sequel, the story follows a forest ranger’s dogs, Bubrik (East European Shepherd), Fram (Airedale Terrier), and Toshka (Finnish Lapphund), and their friendship with a cat.
Know more Finnish Lapphund movies? Please send info to moviedogs@gmail.com. Thank you!
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The Stabyhoun, or Stabij, is an incredibly rare breed from Friesland, and little known beyond the Netherlands. Still, they may appear in some European films. Let us know if you spot one!
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
Ty menya slyshish? / Ты меня слышишь? * AKA: Can You Hear Me? * Year: 2007 * Country: Russia * Breed content: Low
About a boy and a Border Collie, but featuring dozens of dogs, including, briefly, two Stabyhouns. Never commercially released outside of Russia.
Know more Stabyhoun movies? Please send info to moviedogs@gmail.com. Thank you!
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The Fila Brasileiro, or Brazilian Mastiff, is a rare breed in both life and film.
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
Ty menya slyshish? / Ты меня слышишь? * AKA: Can You Hear Me? * Year: 2007 * Country: Russia * Breed content: Low
About a boy and a Border Collie, but featuring dozens of dogs, including one scene with a Fila Brasileiro. Never commercially released outside of Russia.
Know more Fila Brasileiro movies? Please send info to moviedogs@gmail.com. Thank you!
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Page under construction!
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
Ring of Bright Water * Year: 1969 * Country: UK * Breed content: Medium
Perhaps the best Springer Spaniel movie, even though the star is an otter! Spaniel “Johnny” befriends the otter and there are unique scenes of the pair playing together, including the dog watching in obvious confusion as “Mij” plays in a tank of water. Based on a true story.
Under Construction
Please check back!
You can send new dog movie info to moviedogs@gmail.com. Thank you!
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The trouble with English Shepherds is their resemblance to common mixed-breed types with Collie or Border Collie, like Casey, the mixed-breed star of Monster Mutt (2010) and Darling Companion (2012). Most of the dogs listed below are probably mixed-breed English Shepherd lookalikes.
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
The Call of the West * Year: 1924 * Country: US * Breed content: High
Real life canine hero Bobbie (named for his bobbed tail), known as Silverton Bobbie, was the star of his own short film in the 1920s after he became famous for traveling over 2,500 miles alone. Although he looks like a purebred English Shepherd, he was reportedly an ES cross. The Oregon Historical Society has shared the film online.
C.H.O.M.P.S. * Year: 1979 * Country: US * Breed content: See note
This is likely a mixed-breed, but looks like an ES in the animal-control van. The star dogs are a terrier-mix and Bouvier.
Dr. Dolittle 3 * Year: 2006 * Country: Canada/US * Breed content: See note
Looks like an English Shepherd in an opening scene.
Year of the Dog * Year: 2007 * Country: US * Breed content: See note
Either an English Shepherd or mixed lookalike is among the motley crew of rescue dogs in a few scenes.
Know any English Shepherd movies? Please send info to moviedogs@gmail.com. Thank you!
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The Central Asian Shepherd Dog, also known as Alabay, Alabai, Central Asian Mastiff, and others, is a large, powerful livestock guardian, now frequently employed in dog fighting.
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
Sag-haye velgard AKA: Stray Dogs * Year: 2004 * Country: Iran * Breed content: Medium
Many street dogs and fighting dogs are featured in addition to the main small Tibetan Terrier type. The fighting dogs probably include Iranian Mastiffs and Iranian Shepherd Dogs, while some are clearly Central Asian Shepherds.
Sivas * Year: 2014 * Country: Germany/Turkey * Breed content: Low
There are mostly Kangal Dogs in this Turkish film about dog fighting, but looks like CASDs also.
Know more Central Asian Shepherd Dog movies? Please send info to moviedogs@gmail.com. Thank you!
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