Who Played Dog in the Movie Big Jake? In the classic 1971 Western film Big Jake starring John Wayne, a Rough Collie dog named “Dog” acts as Jake’s loyal canine companion throughout their adventure. This brave, painted collie met an unfortunate end in the movie when he was killed by a machete-wielding bad guy.
While the dog’s name in the film was simply “Dog,” in real life the collie’s name was Laddie. He was trained for the movie by famous dog trainers and brothers Robert Weatherwax and Rudd Weatherwax.
Robert Weatherwax, in particular, was well-known for his dog handling and training skills. He gained acclaim for owning and training the original Lassie from the 1943 movie Lassie Come Home and serving as a collie handler for the popular CBS TV show Lassie.
For his work training Laddie for the role of Dog in Big Jake, Robert Weatherwax won a PATSY Award in 1971. PATSY stands for “Picture Animal Top Star of the Year” or “Performing Animal Television Star of the Year” – a fun fact about this award! A photo of Weatherwax’s engraved PATSY plaque even went up for auction in 2012, showing Laddie’s name.
Given the Weatherwax brothers’ reputations for excellence in dog training, it’s no surprise Laddie gave such a compelling performance in Big Jake. The brave collie likely came from an esteemed Lassie bloodline and brought spirit and personality to the role through his training.
Laddie’s performance as Dog required immense obedience, trust and cinematic timing. His painted fur gave him the grizzled, rugged look of a proper Western frontier dog. While Dog’s end was tragic, Laddie’s skilled acting in the film lives on as a testament to the Weatherwax brothers’ superb animal training talents. Through the collie Laddie, the essential character of Dog was brought to life on the big screen in Big Jake.
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What Was the Dog Breed in Big Jake?
The 1971 John Wayne western classic Big Jake featured a loyal four-legged companion for the Duke’s character Jake McCandles. This big beautiful dog was simply called “Dog” in the film and his breed was never explicitly revealed. For years, fans have wondered – what was the breed of dog that starred in Big Jake?
After some conflicting information, the facts confirm that Dog was played by a Rough Collie dog named Laddie, trained for the film by Robert Weatherwax. The Rough Collie is a medium to large herding breed with a lush long coat, also referred to as the Long-Haired Collie.
Laddie’s coat was temporarily dyed for the role to achieve a more rugged, grizzled look befitting of a frontier dog. The American Kennel Club first recognized the Rough Collie breed in 1885. Known for their intelligence and loyalty, Rough Collies made excellent heroes in classic films and TV shows like Lassie.
In addition to Laddie, a second Rough Collie named Silver, also owned by Weatherwax, was used for stunts and shooting some scenes in Big Jake. The choice of the breed made perfect sense when Wayne’s own Collies, named Duke and Brindy, also appeared in an emotional scene.
Dog’s tragic end in the film came when a villain killed him with a machete. But Laddie’s performance showed the beauty, athleticism and spirit that has made Rough Collies legendary dogs both in fiction and real life for decades.
So while the script only named him “Dog”, through the Rough Collie Laddie, this four-legged star brought heart and loyalty to the role. The brave Dog embodied the heroic journey alongside John Wayne’s Jake McCandles through danger and hardship. Now fans can appreciate the special contribution of the Rough Collie dogs who made movie history in the classic Big Jake.
What is a collie rough mix?
A collie rough mix refers to a dog that is a cross between a purebred Rough Collie and another breed. Some key things to know about collie rough mixes:
- The Rough Collie is a herding breed with a long, lush coat that comes in sable, tricolor, blue merle, and white. They have a narrow, fox-like face.
- When crossed with another breed, the resulting collie mix can exhibit a combination of traits from both parental breeds.
- Common collie rough mixes include Collieweiler (Rottweiler + Collie), Border Collie, Aussie Collie (Australian Shepherd + Collie), among others.
- Collie mixes tend to be highly intelligent, loyal, and active dogs. Their coat can be long like a Rough Collie or shorter depending on the other breed.
- Grooming needs vary based on the coat type they inherit but regular brushing is important for most collie mixes.
- Their temperament from the Collie parent is usually friendly and devoted, but this can be influenced by the other breed as well.
- Proper training and socialization is important for any collie rough mix to channel their energy and intelligence positively.
- Health issues to look out for include eye problems, hip dysplasia, and inheriting any conditions common to the other breed in the mix.
So in summary, a collie rough mix is a crossbreed with one Rough Collie parent that can showcase a wide range of looks and temperaments depending on the other parent breed.
What kind of dog did John Wayne have?
John Wayne was well known for his love of dogs, particularly Collies. Here are some details on the Collies John Wayne owned:
- Duke – John Wayne’s first Collie was named Duke after Wayne’s childhood dog and his own nickname. Duke was Wayne’s companion for 20 years and appeared alongside him in several films.
- Brindy – After Duke passed away, Wayne got another sable Collie named Brindy. She became his new constant companion.
- Dakota – In the late 1970s, Wayne acquired a white-colored Collie puppy named Dakota. Dakota appeared with Wayne in his final film The Shootist in 1976.
- Roley – This tricolor Collie also belonged to John Wayne for a time and was a descendant of his original dog Duke.
- Dog in Big Jake – As mentioned previously, Wayne’s own dog Duke had a cameo in the 1971 film Big Jake, which starred a Rough Collie dog.
John Wayne clearly had an affinity for the Collie breed. He once stated: “I have no doubt that Duke was my best friend and companion. I appreciate and understand the Collies’ great beauty, strength, intelligence, and their desire to please their master.” His series of Collies accompanied him on film sets and at home over the years, loyally by his side until the end.
Is it the same dog in Hondo and Big Jake?
No, the dog in Hondo and the dog in Big Jake were not the same dog. They were two different dogs:
- In Hondo (1953), the dog was named Sam. Sam was John Wayne’s own dog, a Collie named Duke that he owned in real life. Duke appeared in several of Wayne’s films.
- In Big Jake (1971), the dog was named Dog in the film, but was actually played by a trained Collie named Laddie. Laddie was owned and prepared for the film by dog trainer Robert Weatherwax.
- So Sam in Hondo was Duke, John Wayne’s personal pet. Dog in Big Jake was Laddie, trained specifically for that role.
- There was around 20 years between the films, so they could not have featured the same dog due to the gap in years.
- Both dogs were Collies and had similar looks, which may cause some confusion. But Sam and Dog were portrayed by two different Collies owned by different people.
So while they were the same breed, Sam the dog in Hondo and Dog in Big Jake were different canine actors starring in films made decades apart. John Wayne did own both Collies featured, but they were separate dogs belonging to him at different points in his life.
What happened to the dog in the movie Big Jake?
The Tragic Fate of the Dog in Big Jake
In the classic 1971 John Wayne western Big Jake, a loyal four-legged friend accompanies Wayne’s character Jake McCandles on his journey across the frontier. This dog, simply named “Dog” in the film, is an imposing Rough Collie that brings courage and devotion to Jake’s quest. For many fans, Dog is essential to the spirit of Big Jake. But what ultimately happens to this brave canine by the end of the film?
During the tense climax, Dog is left to guard the McCandles family’s cabin while Jake rides off to settle the final showdown. With Jake gone, one of the villainous gang members stumbles across the steadfast Dog guarding the property. In a disturbing act of cruelty, the outlaw violently slashes Dog across the head with a machete, delivering a horrific and fatal blow.
When Jake and his family later return to the cabin, they are met with the grisly, bloody scene of their beloved Dog having been viciously murdered. This tragic discovery hits the McCandles family and audience hard, heightening the drama as a vengeful Jake turns his sights on making the gang pay dearly.
While the actual attack occurs off-screen, Dog’s mangled body makes it clear this loyal companion will not be surviving his injuries. For many fans, Dog’s traumatic death still ranks as one of the most upsetting moments in Big Jake’s gritty narrative. The senseless killing illustrates the brutality Jake faces on his quest for justice.
The murder of Dog propels the story towards its climactic confrontation between Jake and the gang’s leader. Having lost his best friend, Jake is fueled by anguish and rage as he tracks down those responsible. The tragic loss of his brave collie companion adds an emotional weight and reckoning to the story’s final act.
So for those who wondered, the answer is bleak – the beloved Dog in Big Jake is cruelly and violently killed before the credits roll. While difficult to witness, Dog’s fate underscored the film’s themes of loyalty, courage, and vengeance in the unforgiving American West. The Rough Collie playing Dog certainly left his mark through this impactful role.
Does dog live in Big Jake?
No, the dog named “Dog” in the movie Big Jake does not survive at the end of the film. Here are some key details about the fate of Dog in Big Jake:
- Dog is a Rough Collie that is the loyal companion of John Wayne’s character Jake McCandles in the film.
- Near the end of the movie, Dog is guarding the cabin when a member of the gang comes across him.
- The gang member cruelly slashes Dog across the head with a machete, killing him.
- Dog’s death is confirmed on screen as he lies motionless after the attack.
- Jake and other members of the McCandles family find Dog’s body and are visibly upset at the sight.
- The death of Dog heightens the drama and adds motivation for Jake’s revenge against the villainous gang.
- No future scenes or references indicate that Dog survived the fatal blow. His death appears permanent.
So unfortunately, Dog does not make it through the events of Big Jake. The brave Collie meets a tragic end defending the cabin, shot down by the machete-wielding antagonist. Dog’s killing adds an emotional punch and raises the stakes as Jake sets out to settle the score in the climactic showdown. The loyal Dog certainly made his mark as Jake’s four-legged friend before his untimely on-screen death.