Spike (dog actor)
 Spike with Brian Keith | |
| Species | Canis lupus familiaris |
|---|---|
| Breed | Mastador (Labrador Retriever/Mastiff) |
| Sex | Male |
| Occupation | Dog actor |
| Notable role | Old Yeller in Old Yeller Patrasche in A Dog of Flanders King in The She Creature Pete in The Silent Call |
| Owner | Frank Weatherwax |
Spike was a lop-eared yellow Labrador Mastiff mix and a dog actor best known for his performance as Old Yeller in the 1957 Disney film of the same name co-starring Tommy Kirk, Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker, and Kevin Corcoran. Spike was rescued as a pup from a shelter in Van Nuys, California and became the pet and pupil of animal trainer Frank Weatherwax.
Spike also appeared as Patrasche in 20th Century Fox's A Dog of Flanders with Donald Crisp and David Ladd in 1959 and as King in the 1956 film, The She-Creature. In 1961, Spike was the star of "The Silent Call" playing as Pete with Roger Mobley, David McLean and Gail Russell; the entire movie focused on his efforts to reunite with his human family who had been forced to leave him behind while traveling from Nevada to California.
Various television episodes of the period in which Spike appeared included The Mickey Mouse Club, Lassie and The Westerner with Brian Keith.[1][2]
References
- ^ Old Yeller Accessed January 24, 2009.
- ^ American Profile. Accessed January 24, 2009.
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