Lassie remains one of the most popular canine-centric TV series of all time, but one of the more curious things about this primetime television show is, despite the fact that the main character was presented as a female Collie, none of the animal actors that portrayed her were in fact lassies.
Based on the 1943 film Lassie Come Home, the television series remains the eighth longest-running scripted primetime television series ever. In total, nine dogs played the role of “Lassie,” and every single one of them was a male. This may seem a bit odd at first glance, but in reality, it makes a lot of sense from a casting director’s perspective.
Here’s a look at a few of the reasons why Lassie was played by male dogs and why similar switches have been made throughout the history of broadcasting and cinema:
Why was Lassie played by male dogs?
One of the reasons why the role of Lassie was played by a male dog is simply because the males of many dog breeds, including the Collie, are often more impressive in appearance than the females. Male dogs are typically larger and they have thicker coats throughout the year.
But it is important to know that the dog that was originally cast to play Lassie was most definitely a female. The directors ultimately made the decision to replace her with a male counterpart, at least partially, because of her excessive shedding during the summer months.
Looking at female dogs more broadly, they do shed heavily when they come in heat, which generally occurs twice a year. It is also said the female dog that was originally used to play Lassie refused to swim across a river, a defiant move that may have additionally led to her being replaced.
Other theories abound. Another reason that may have contributed to the gender reversal is the absurd notion that male dogs are easier to train. This was a common belief in 1954 when the television series was initially produced. In fact, the producers never intended to show Lassie as a mother with puppies.
Unlike most females of this iconic breed, the general appearance of male Collies remains practically the same for the entirety of the year. Females tend to lose the fullness of the ruff around their necks and they can experience minor color changes during the summer months.
Dogs who played the role of Lassie.
Enter a Collie named “Pal” and his descendants…
A total of nine dogs, all within the family of a dog called Pal, played the role of Lassie over the years. The original dog actor is said to have been intended to work as a lowly stunt double in the television series. However, the telegenic celebrity-to-be saw his rise to stardom when he was promoted to the lead role. Pal played the role of Lassie between the years of 1943 and 1954.
Pal was trained and owned by Rudd Weatherwax, a Hollywood animal trainer who is said to have never watched another Lassie movie after Pal’s death in 1958. The trainer’s decision demonstrates just how deeply he loved his famous dog.
Following Pal’s death, the lead role was taken up by “Lassie Junior,” who was subsequently followed by canine actors named “Spook,” “Baby,” “Mire,” and “Hey Hey.”
In order to keep Lassie’s onscreen appearance and personality as similar as possible from season to season, all of the dog actors were related and part of the “downline” of Pal. This avoided the need to go out and do a talent search to find more dogs that could convincingly portray the role.
Other films in which dogs were a different gender than the role they portrayed.
A female Lassie portrayed by a male dog is far from the only time a dog of the opposite sex of its on-screen character was hired. The reasons for the substitution vary from case to case, but here’s a list of just some of the instances in which this phenomenon has occurred through the years:
– “Terry,” a female Cairn Terrier, portrayed the male “Toto” in the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz.
– “Porthos” was portrayed as a male in Star Trek: Enterprise, but the role was occasionally filled by females named “Prada,” “Breezy,” and “Windy.” Each girl made convincing appearances as Captain Archer’s beloved companion.
– “Spuds MacKenzie” was a male Bull Terrier in the Bud Light commercials, but the iconic “pitchdog” was portrayed by a female named “Honey Tree Evil Eye,” also known simply as “Evie.”
