MovieChat Forums > Benji the Hunted (1987) Discussion > Breed

Breed

posted 19 years ago by ingahauks
8 replies | jump to latest

Hi

What breed is Benji?

ingahauks

I have a Border Terrier, and I believe that's what the original Benji is. (The new "Off the Leash" movie casts a different breed for Benji, but Benji's 'friend' looks like the original breed from the old movies.) I was trying to verify what breed the original Benji is. If you Google 'Border Terrier', you'll see a resemblance.

[–] radiokoofachalus 19 years ago

Benji is a mutt. I was watching a show on animal actors and the man who trained Benji found him at a pound. He may have Border Terrier in him, but he is not pure bred. Not that it should matter.

Update-The original Benji's real name was Higgins, and he was on that old show Petticoat Junction. The book "Movie Mutts-Hollywood Goes to the Dogs" by Stephen Silverman and Coco the Dog states that Higgins was "miniature mutt of cocker, poodle, and schnauzer hertiage...rescued at the Burbank Animal Shelter" Higgins was 13 or 14 when Benji was made.

[–] ingahauks 18 years ago

Thanks

ingahauks

[–] radiokoofachalus 18 years ago

You are very welcome. My useless knowledge has finally come in handy!

Illiterates don't have to read this.

[–] Cryptoprocta 18 years ago

I'd love to know what mix he was, I have a dog that is the absolute double of Benji! I watched Benji the Hunted, and it was like watching our Chewie. He even pulls the same worried face. They have different tails though.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/voodoomary/59656048/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/voodoomary/6303708/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/voodoomary/4195532/

[–] floydpinque 17 years ago

Am watching this movie once more as I type.

Benji is a mutt, but more 'schnoodle' than 'cockapoo'.This mix
however has given rise to the 'benji-dog' breed--just tell someone and they know exactly what you mean.

The Benji here is the grandson of Higgins of 'Petticoat Junction'.

Frank Inn a genius of course with Hollywood animals, and he's even in this particular flick.

'DOG is my co-pilot.'

[–] ripley4 17 years ago

I've had Border Terriers for 30 years, and most Border people think the original Benji was probably part Border - he/she is bigger than a true Border, but take a Border, don't strip the coat and let it grow shaggy for a year, and you'll see a face that's the spitting image of Benji. I'm looking at one next to me right now, and she could play the smaller twin of the movie Benji.

[–] EmpressOfTheSea 11 years ago

Actually, the Benji in this movie is the daughter of Higgens and her real name is a fem of Benji ... BenJean. It is her last Benji movie.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benji_the_Hunted

Benji the Hunted is a 1987 children's film about a dog trying to survive in the wilderness. It was released by Walt Disney Pictures. This was the last Benji movie to star Benjean in the title role.

Also:

Starring Benjean (billed as Benji)

Cast
Benjean (daughter of Higgins) as Benji

Seriously though, the kitties should have given it away. No way would babies try to suck a male like that, especailly more than once. The dog is obviously female.

Side note, Grizzlies and Timber wolfs are ... NOT ... found in the area this movie was made. Also in some of the shots on the plateau (where Benji w/3 remaining cubs fianlly meets their new mother) one can see Mnt. Baker from the American side of view.

(On a personal matter, I'm trying to find out who plays the bear. It looks and acts a lot like Bart from White Fang and other movies, even sweeps the ground in the same style but I can't find a thing on this Teddy. "sigh")

...Eh eh eh eh....Stop telephoning me! ...Eh eh eh eh... I'm busy!~Lady Gaga