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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Despite both beauty and brains, the Belgian Tervuren can be seen in few films compared to breeds like the Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd Dog, or Collie. Although small in scale, you can spot them in a range of roles from family pet to K-9 partner to whole packs of wolves. The only major Tervuren star ever to take Hollywood by storm was a Belgian immigrant by the name of Muro, or, in studio speak: Count Muro the Dog Marvel. You will find his films separately on a dedicated page for Muro—AKA King.
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.
Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London * Year: 2004 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Hardly seen in the film, this dog wears a mind-control device operated by joystick, thus pouring drinks and playing the piano.
Children of Men * Year: 2006 * Country: Japan/UK/US * Breed content: Low
A few dogs are seen very briefly.
The Company of Wolves * Year: 1984 * Country: UK * Breed content: Medium
While there is also a real, and clearly terrified, wolf in this film, the main pack is played by Tervurens. Among the very unique footage in this cult classic includes the unforgettable wolves at the dinner table scene (pictured).
The Darkness * Year: 2016 * Country: US * Breed content: Unknown
Darkness Rising * Year: 2017 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
This dog is played by at least two, the double being a Belgian Malinois, but the face dog appears to be a working line Tervuren (shorter coat), or perhaps a Terv/Mal mix.
Divergent * Year: 2014 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Dog Lover’s Symphony * Year: 2006 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Dozens of dogs get small shots at the obedience/agility school in this film.
Firstborn AKA: Moving In * Year: 1984 * Country: US * Breed content: Unknown
Frankenstein * Year: 2015 * Country: Germany/US * Breed content: Low
This high-strung dog appears in only a couple of scenes before meeting a sticky end. He may be a mix with GSD, being heavy in bone structure for a Tervuren.
Gerald’s Game * Year: 2017 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Hellphone * Year: 2007 * Country: France * Breed content: Unconfirmed
Only seen a screenshot from this film and unsure if the dog is a Tervuren or long-coat GSD.
Hogfather * Year: 2006 * Country: UK * Breed content: Low
This two-part TV movie based on Terry Pratchett’s bestselling Discworld series features incorporeal beings impersonating a pack of dogs in one of the final scenes. The Tervurens were played by Blitz, Frost, Millie, and Timber.
Jane Eyre * Year: 1996 * Country: France/Italy/UK * Breed content: Low
In the original novel Mr. Rochester’s dog “Pilot” is a Landseer, which for some reason never makes it into the film adaptations. The choice of a Belgian Tervuren is certainly the strangest one of any of the screen Pilots, however, since the breed did not even exist in the 1820s when the novel is set.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe AKA: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe * Year: 1988 * Country: UK/West Germany * Breed content: Low
More BTs playing wolves, now in a six-part BBC TV serial.
Maleficent * Year: 2014 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Maryland AKA: Disorder * Year: 2015 * Country: Belgium/France * Breed content: Unknown
Muzzle * Year: 2023 * Country: US * Breed content: Medium
Also GSDs and mixes. “Socks” is a troubled K-9 with some titanium teeth, variously shown not with the usual lookalike body doubles, but with doubles of different breeds. There are Tervurens in among the tangle of this film set in L.A. and shot in South Africa.
Ni le ciel ni la terre AKA: The Wakhan Front * Year: 2015 * Country: Belgium/France * Breed content: Low
Project Power * Year: 2020 * Country: US * Breed content: Unknown
Safe Passage * Year: 1994 * Country: US * Breed content: Unknown
Shelter * Year: 2026 * Country: UK/US * Breed content: Low
“Jack”, who appears to be a working line Terv, does not last very long into this violent thriller.
Show Dogs * Year: 2018 * Country: UK/US * Breed content: Low
One of the many dozens of background dogs at the dog show. Don’t blink!
Sibir. Monamur / Сибирь. Монамур AKA: Siberia, Monamour * Year: 2011 * Country: Russia * Breed content: Low
The main companion dog is an Alaskan Malamute, but there are many others as wolves or wild dogs.
Sign of the Wolf * Year: 1931 * Country: US * Breed content: High
A 10-chapter serial starring Count Muro, billed as “King, Emperor of All Dogs” in this, one of his only surviving films. See more about Muro and his movies on his dedicated Reel Dogs page.
Take Shelter * Year: 2011 * Country: US * Breed content: See note
Supposedly the family dog “Red” is a Tervuren. Does anyone have a clear screenshot?
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, at least three Tervs in and escaping from the pound truck. Never commercially released outside of Russia.
The Werewolf of Fever Swamp * Year: 1995 * Country: US * Breed content: Medium
A short TV film from the Goosebumps series in which the family dog “Vandal” tries to protect his people from a werewolf.
Know more Belgian Tervuren movies? Please send info to moviedogs@gmail.com. Thank you!
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