Dogmovies | Patz Dogs

Dog Movies That Have Won Our Hearts

Have you caught Beverly Hills Chihuahua yet? The story follows a spoiled little Chihuahua who loses her cushy lifestyle and must adapt to life in the Mexican desert. It held the top spot at the US box office for a stretch and delivers a warm, entertaining tale about one of the smallest and most lovable breeds around.

Dogs have been stealing scenes since the days of Lassie and Rin Tin Tin, and beloved pooches like Benji and the giant Beethoven have captured audiences too. Here are a few favorites worth revisiting.

Lassie Come Home

A true classic and a family favorite, with a strong cast that includes Roddy McDowell and a very young Elizabeth Taylor. The real star, though, is a devoted collie named Lassie who refuses to give up on reuniting with the loving but struggling family that had to sell her to a wealthy duke. The film launched a whole series of Lassie movies and a television show.

Old Yeller

Another legendary dog film centers on a boy and the Mountain Cur that wanders onto the family ranch, and the powerful bond they form. If you somehow haven't seen it, we won't spoil the ending, but keep two boxes of tissues handy. On screen Old Yeller is a Mountain Cur, though the dog who played the part was actually a yellow hound cross.

Benji

It's easy to adore that shaggy stray named Benji, who earns the town's respect by helping rescue two kidnapped children and becomes a canine hero. Benji was portrayed by Higgins, a 15-year-old mixed breed believed to be part terrier, poodle, and possibly schnauzer and cocker spaniel. Higgins was rescued from an LA animal shelter, and this was his final film, though you can still enjoy his antics on the classic TV show Petticoat Junction.

Homeward Bound (1993 Walt Disney Version)

One of our favorites. A golden retriever named Shadow, a bulldog named Chance, and a Himalayan cat named Sassy set off on an unlikely adventure, hoping to find their way back to their family. The 1993 Disney version remakes the original 1963 film, The Incredible Journey.

Beethoven

A lovable, slobbering 185-pound St. Bernard adopts a family who adores the clumsy but loyal giant, all except the father, played by Charles Grodin. Having just escaped dognappers, Beethoven becomes the target of a sinister veterinarian who experiments on animals, and the father turns out to be the dog's last hope.

Lady and the Tramp

This Disney classic is a delightful family film built around the unlikely romance between a purebred female cocker spaniel and a male mutt. It includes one of animation's most memorable moments, when Lady and Tramp share spaghetti at a restaurant and end up nibbling the same strand into a sweet kiss. Peggy Lee voiced the scheming Siamese cats, and this was the first feature-length animated film shot in widescreen.

Share the Love of Dog Movies

Some of the most popular films ever made have starred dogs. Beverly Hills Chihuahua may not outrank these classics, but from a Chihuahua lover's point of view it was a lot of fun.

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