The dog in this Western Movie starring John Wayne was a “Rough Collie”. In the movie, the dog’s name is “Dog”.
“Dog” is killed by a bad guy with a machete at the end of the movie.
In real life, the dog’s name was “Laddie”. According to IMBD, Laddie was trained by Robert Weatherwax and Rudd Weatherwax.
Bob Weathermax was given a PATSY Award for the 1971 movie “Big Jake”.
PATSY stands for ‘Picture Animal Top Star of the Year’ or ‘Performing Animal Television Star of the Year’.
In 2012 Bob put the award up for consignment on ha.com here. Screenshot from the plaque:
Bob was also the owner and trainer of Lassie and the original owner and trainer of the first “Lassie” from the 1943 MGM film “Lassie Come Home” and a handler for collies in the CBS TV show “Lassie”.
I’m pretty sure Laddie was a decedent of Lassie.
Laddie was painted for his role in “Big Jake”.
