Lassie Movie What Type of Dog Breed

The Lassie movie series is a beloved favorite for many, but have you ever wondered what type of dog breed Lassie is? Well, it's actually a Rough Collie.

This iconic breed was carefully chosen for its intelligence, loyalty, and protective nature, making it the perfect fit for the role of Lassie.

Eric Knight, the author of Lassie Come-Home, was inspired by a different kind of Collie, an old fashioned Collie called a "Scotch Collie". This dog, named Toots, would wait hours at the gate for Eric to come home, showcasing devotion and intelligence.

Toots was the catalyst for the Lassie character, first in short stories and later in a book. Eric had likely encountered Scotch Collies in his youth growing up in Yorkshire, England, where working dogs like the Scotch Collie were valued.

For more insights, see: Border Collie Lassie Dog

The concept of "the original" has been around for centuries, with ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks valuing unique and authentic items.

In many cultures, the first or earliest example of something is considered the most valuable and revered. The Egyptians, for instance, believed that the first pharaoh was a god-king.

The idea of an original work of art is also deeply rooted in human history, with artists and craftsmen going to great lengths to create one-of-a-kind pieces that showcased their skills.

In the world of literature, authors often strive to create a unique and original story, as seen in the works of authors like Shakespeare and Dickens.

The concept of originality has been a driving force behind many significant discoveries and innovations throughout history, from the invention of the printing press to the development of the internet.

The first film adaptation of this iconic story was released in 1927, just a year after the original novel was published.

It was a silent film, which means it didn't have any dialogue, and it was a major production that captivated audiences worldwide.

The film was directed by F.W. Murnau, a renowned German filmmaker, and it was a commercial success.

It's interesting to note that the film was not a direct adaptation of the novel, but rather an interpretation of the story's themes and characters.

The film's cinematography was groundbreaking for its time, with Murnau using innovative techniques to capture the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere of the story.

The film's success helped establish the story as a classic of Gothic horror, paving the way for future adaptations and interpretations.

The Rough Collie was a more refined and desirable breed in America compared to the working-class Scotch Collie in Scotland.

This is because the American Kennel Club renamed the descendants of the Scotch Collie the "Smooth Collie" and the "Rough Collie" to differentiate between the two.

The Rough Collie was associated with a more refined and middle-class way of life, making it a desirable breed among wealthy and well-off men.

This distinction was made to reflect the differences between the working-class Scotch Collie and its more refined American counterparts.

The Rough Collie was likely chosen as the breed for Lassie because it was a more refined and desirable dog, while still maintaining some of the characteristics of the Scotch Collie.

This decision was made to create a fictional character that was highly intelligent, loyal, and dedicated, while also reflecting the social status of the breed at the time.

Lassie is a Rough Collie, a breed known for its protecting and herding abilities.

Their beautiful long coat is quite mesmerizing, and it's just one of the many reasons why people love this breed.

Rough Collies are intelligent and energetic, making them a great companion for families.

They're also relatively medium in height, which makes them attractive to people who don't want a small dog like a Pug or a big one like the Great Dane.

Given enough exercise and walks, they can even adapt easily to apartment-style living.

Related reading: Types of Great Dane Dog

Erik Knight's real-life dog Toots was an old-fashioned Collie, also known as a Scotch Collie, developed in Scotland for hunting and herding.

These dogs are known to be highly intelligent and hardworking, qualities that made their way into Lassie's original character.

Toots was an extremely loyal and loving companion that would often wait for Knight's return from school for hours, inspiring the character's devotion and connection.

The Scotch Collie breed is known for its intelligence and hardworking nature, which were key characteristics of Lassie's personality.

In the original Lassie short story and novel, the author describes Lassie as a "tri-color collie", which refers to the standard coloration of the old fashioned Collie breed.

The author's description of Lassie's snout as "aristocratic" likely refers to the triangular muzzle found on a Rough or Smooth Collie.

Rough Collies have a distinct triangular muzzle, which differs from the square muzzle of the Scotch Collie.

The novel also mentions Lassie's "rich, deep coat", which suggests that she is a Rough Collie with a longer, thicker coat.

Smooth Collies have short coats, which rules them out as the original Lassie.

The likelihood, based on these descriptions, is that the Lassie that appears in Knight's short story and novel is a Rough Collie with the standard black, brown, and white coloration.

On a similar theme: Dog Fur Types

The movie Lassie Come Home (1943) was a game-changer for fans, as it finally revealed what kind of dog Lassie was. Lassie was portrayed by a Rough Collie named Pal, who had a long, thick, sable coat with the standard coloration of a Rough Collie: black, brown, and white.

Pal's iconic role in the film led to a long and successful career, with him starring in a total of seven Lassie movies and the pilots to the television program. His descendants continued his legacy after his retirement in 1954.

The TV series Lassie started in 1954, and as Pal aged, producers replaced his part in future movies and the ongoing TV series with his younger relatives.

Related reading: Dog Names Female from Movies

The Rough Collie was chosen as the breed for Lassie because it was desirable by wealthy and well-off men.

Knight wanted his fictional character to be refined and desirable, while still maintaining some of the characteristics of the Scotch Collie.

The American Kennel Club renamed the descendants of the Scotch Collie the “Smooth Collie” and the “Rough Collie” to differentiate between the working-class Scotch Collie in Scotland and the more refined descendants.

Lassie was described as a Rough Collie because it was a more refined and desirable breed, unlike the working-class Scotch Collie.

Lassie is a fictional character, making it hard to say definitively what kind of dog she is. However, based on the original story and novel, it's clear that Lassie is a Rough Collie.

The character was based on a Scotch Collie owned by author Erik Knight, but Lassie resembled a Rough Collie more closely.

In TV and movies, Lassie was consistently portrayed by a Rough Collie named Pal.