 |
 |
In a message dated 5/16/99 12:01:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: << Maybe someone can enlighten me.....why do all these male dogs have the name "Lassie"? Doesn't "lassie" mean "girl"? Even if they are using a male dog to play the part of Lassie in movies, it seems a little strange to give them that name in real life if they are not female. >> The character of fiction is a female. The dogs have all been male. Bob has often said it's not a matter of intelligence that female dogs are not used. They are male because they don't lose coat like a female and they are larger so child actors can work opposite them for longer periods of time. In today's entertainment world, you need to be ready to shoot anytime, anywhere and very few producers will wait till a dog comes back into coat. On the naming of the live dog, consider the child audience, or children of all ages. They see the movies, tv shows, etc. Then Lassie makes a personal appearance. They yell Lassie! and the dog doesn't acknowledge them. Bummer!! What disappointment! The way things are anyone that calls the name gets the dog's attention( except when Bob is working him- nobody but Bob gets his attention then). I've been in the presence of Lassie on his boat and kids yelled Lassie from the docks. Lassie got up on his own, looked over the side of the boat at them and barked hello. No trainer told him to do this. He just did it. But he "knows" when he's working. I've tried to break him while Bob was working him in his own backyard and he won't give in. He does what Bob directs him to do. When Bob gives the cue, work is over and he's back to responding. Sometimes it's almost like a working relationship between them too. We've taped interviews where we ask Bob a question, like Does Lassie enjoy being a star?, and Lassie will answer! WOOF! It's an incredible bond they have. It's funny too. As much as I'm around Lassie I can't remember the last time I thought about it being a "girl's" name. Lassie fits him!