1930s: Toto
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No, you probably wouldn't consider 1939's The Wizard of Oz a "dog movie." And yet you can't deny that two of its most famous quotes are: "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!" and "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." Toto made a major impression on moviegoers that remains to this day. Toto's portrayer was a Cairn Terrier named Terry (and though Toto was a he, Terry was a she). Both her trainer, Carl Spitz, and Judy Garland herself helped ease Terry's nerves on set; the wind machines reportedly made her nervous. Though Terry performed in more than 16 movies, The Wizard of Oz was one of only two that she received credit for. Oz also became so famous that Spitz would eventually just change her name to Toto.
1940s: Lassie
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Nowadays, the name "Lassie" is virtually synonymous with "dog," right along with "Fido" and "Rover." Why? Because of the 1943 film Lassie Come Home, and its canine star. The original Lassie's name was actually Pal—or, make that his name, because he was a male Rough collie! Pal got quite the incredible lucky break—according to Citizen Canine, he was originally brought on as just a stunt dog. He proved his worth by impressing the director during a challenging river scene, and received the promotion of a lifetime! Pal would go on to reprise the role in six more films, as well as two TV pilots, throughout his 18-year life. By the way, here's how "Fido" became a default dog name.
1950s: Old Yeller
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Disney's Old Yeller, from 1957, might be the quintessential "dog movie that makes you unashamedly cry" classic. And the story of this film becomes even sweeter when you learn that Yeller was played by a rescue dog! The trainers Frank and Rudd Weatherwax found the dog, Spike, at a shelter. His yellow coat—he was thought to be a yellow Labrador/mastiff mix—and massive size made him perfect for the part. But it turns out Spike almost didn't get the role! He'd spent lots of time around kids, so Walt Disney wasn't sure he'd be tough enough to play the fierce guard dog Yeller. Frank Weatherwax spent weeks training Spike up to prove Walt wrong, and sure enough, Spike won him over. Learn about some more shelter dogs that got famous.
The Most Famous Movie Dog the Decade You Were Born, Source:https://www.rd.com/advice/pets/famous-movie-dog-each-decade/
