Spike (1952–1962) was a lop-eared yellow Mastador (Mastiff/Labrador Retriever crossbreed) and a dog actor best known for his performance as the title character in the 1957 film Old Yeller, in which he co-starred with Tommy Kirk, Beverly Washburn, Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker, and Kevin Corcoran.

What kind of dog was Old Yeller in real life?

Spike was a lop-eared 170-pound yellow Mastador (Labrador Retriever/English Mastiff cross) and a dog actor best known for his performance as Disney's Old Yeller (1957). Spike was rescued as a pup from a shelter in Van Nuys, California and became the pet and pupil of animal trainer.

Was Old Yeller a black mouth cur?

The most famous Black Mouth Cur is the titular dog in the novel Old Yeller. Although the Black Mouth Cur breed isn't mentioned by name, the physical description of the dog, as well as the depiction of his temperament and behavioral characteristics, heavily imply that Old Yeller is a Black Mouth Cur.

Was Old Yeller a Carolina dog?

(Question to South Carolina readers: Does “yaller dog” just translate to “yellow dogs?”) The descriptions of Old Yeller seem to fit the descriptions of Carolina dogs (loyal but also independent, good with children but avid hunters, etc.).

What kind of dog played Old Yeller and Benji?

He received a PATSY award in 1967 (Picture Animal Top Star of the Year). He died at age 17, and his daughter Benjean starred in the subsequent Benji films in his honour. Old Yeller was played by a Labrador/Mastiff mix named Spike.

What kind of dog was Old Yeller?

Was Old Yeller a Labrador Retriever?

Breed. Old Yeller in the novel is described as being a "yellow cur". It has been claimed that the dog was actually modeled after the Yellow or Southern Black Mouth Cur or a Blue Lacy, the state dog of Texas. In the Disney movie Yeller was portrayed by a yellow Labrador Retriever/Mastiff mix.

Was Old Yeller based on a true story?

Old Yeller is not a true story. It is a novel, so it is fictional, as all novels are. However, the book is said to be inspired by a real dog named 'Rattler' and by the experiences of the author's grandfather when he was a boy in Texas. The book was adapted to a feature film in 1957.

Was Old Yeller a pitbull?

Breed. Old Yeller in the novel is described as being a "yellow cur". It has been claimed that the dog was actually modeled after the Yellow or Southern Black Mouth Cur or a Blue Lacy, the state dog of Texas. In the Disney movie Yeller was portrayed by a yellow Labrador Retriever/Mastiff mix.

What breed of dog looks like a dingo?

The typical Carolina dog has pointed ears, a fox-like snout and a tail that curves like a fishhook when it is raised. They look similar to Australian Dingoes but, taxonomically, they fall under canis familiaris.

Are American dingos good dogs?

They are also known as “American dingoes” or “Dixie dingoes” because they resemble the famous Australian dingo. But rather than being from the land down under, this breed is actually descended from wild dogs found in the United States, but with a gentle nature that makes it an ideal family pet.

What does it mean when a dog is a cur?

In modern speech, the term cur is usually used to describe a mongrel dog, particularly if its temperament is unfriendly or aggressive. The term is believed to be derived from the Old Norse kurra, meaning 'to grumble or growl'.

What two breeds make a black mouth cur?

Siberian black mouth cur: This is a mix of cur and Siberian husky. This is an excellent guard dog that is also good-tempered and affectionate. It also does well with other pets in the home. It should be socialized well and early.

Do cur dogs make good pets?

Family-Friendly: While they have a protective nature, Black Mouth Curs are often considered good family dogs when properly trained and socialized from a young age. They can be gentle and affectionate with children and other pets in the household.

Why did they shoot the dog in Old Yeller?

Old Yeller is bitten while saving his family from a rabid wolf. Travis is faced with the harsh decision that he must kill Old Yeller after the fight with the wolf, which he does because he cannot risk Old Yeller becoming sick and turning on the family.

Was Old Yeller actually shot?

The actual dog that was in the movie was a trained actor. That dog was fine, it never got rabies and it was not shot. There is the print in the credits that say, “no animal was harmed during the making of this film.”

What does the name Old Yeller mean?

“We called him Old Yeller. The name had a sort of double meaning. One part meant that his short hair was a dingy yellow, a color that we called 'yeller' in those days. The other meant that when he opened his head, the sound he let out came closer to being a yell than a bark.”

Can a dingo be a pet dog?

Dingoes can be kept as pets if they are taken from a litter no older than six weeks of age and then aggressively trained.

Are dingoes aggressive?

While dingoes have the potential to be dangerous to humans, in reality the incidence of attacks on humans is relatively rare. The risk of dangerous behaviour is greatly increased in dingoes that have become familiar and habituated to humans through feeding or other encouragement. Be dingo-safe! NEVER feed dingoes.

What's the difference between a dingo and a dog?

Dingoes have consistently broader heads, and longer muzzles than dogs or wolves. Their pelage (coat) has a wider range than any species of wolf – gold, yellow, ginger, white, black, black-and-tan and sable are all natural dingo colours.

How many dogs played Old Yeller?

He died at age 17, and his daughter Benjean starred in the subsequent Benji films in his honour. Old Yeller was played by a Labrador/Mastiff mix named Spike. Spike was discovered in a shelter in California by a famous dog trainer who paid just $3.00 for him.

What did they call rabies in Old Yeller?

In Old Yeller, hydrophobia, also known as rabies, is a disease that slowly spreads through the Texan community where Travis lives.

What kind of dog is Spike?

Spike was a lop-eared 170-pound yellow Mastador (Labrador Retriever/English Mastiff cross) and a dog actor best known for his performance as Disney's Old Yeller (1957). Spike was rescued as a pup from a shelter in Van Nuys, California and became the pet and pupil of animal trainer.

What kills Old Yeller?

During the fight, Old Yeller is bitten and injured by the wolf. Because of Old Yeller's exposure to rabies and the fact that he is now a threat to the family as a result, the older son is forced to shoot and kill Old Yeller.

What is a quote from Old Yeller?

They may seem mighty cruel and unfair, but that's how life is part of the time. But that isn't the only way life is. A part of the time, it's mighty good. And a man can't afford to waste all the good part, worrying about the bad parts.

What was Old Yeller infected with?

In fighting the wolf, however, Old Yeller gets bitten and is then in danger himself of becoming infected with rabies. Although Travis has killed other animals either for sustenance or in self-defense, he is soon faced with the horrible task of destroying the very animal that has saved all of their lives.

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