PETPURRI: Top Ten Dog Actors of All Time

A new Top Ten list is posted every Monday. If you have a suggestion for a Top Ten list, send it to petpurri@gmail.com. If we use your suggestion we'll send you a prize!

Rin Tin Tin (1918-1932). Found as a puppy on a WWI battlefield in Lorraine, France, Rin Tin Tin was one of the first canine stars and, to this day, still considered one of the best. Rin Tin Tin saved a studio and set the standard for animals actors to follow. Rin Tin Tin is one of only three animals with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Pal [Lassie] (1940- ?). Lassie was originally played by Pal, a male Collie, who was hired as a stunt dog. Because of the popularity of the Lassie film and TV series, nine generations of Pal descendants have played Pal. Like Rin Tin Tin, Lassie has a star on Hollywood Boulevard.
Strong Heart aka Etzel von Oeringen (1917-1929). One of the earliest canine film stars, Strong Heart paved the way for Rin Tin Tin and also has a star on Hollywood Boulevard. Strong Heart was a former German police dog who starred in many films, including White Fang (1925).
Spike (Old Yeller). Spike was a true rescue dog, having been adopted by legendary trainer Frank Weatherwax for $3.00 at the East Valley Animal Shelter. Old Yeller is hands-down the biggest tear jerker of all time, in no small part because of Spike.
Higgins [Benji] (1957-1975). Adopted from the Burbank Animal Shelter as a pup by trainer Frank Inn, Higgins had an amazing 14 year career on the large and small screens, beginning with a role as "Dog" on Petticoat Junction in 1964. Higgins is however best known as Benji.
Uggie (2002- ?). Although Uggie has been acting since 2005, it was his role in this year's Best Oscar winner "The Artist" (in which he stole every scene he was in) that made him a household name.
Pal the Wonder Dog [Pete the Pup] (1929-1946). Known as "Petey" in The Little Rascal series (where Max Factor created the iconic black circle around his eye), Pal also appeared in 14 films and the Buster Brown TV series.
Moose [Eddie] (1990 - 2006). Moose played the beloved Eddie Crane on the popular television series "Frasier," and actually received more fan mail than his human counterparts. Energetic Eddie proved too much for his original owners, which is how he eventually ended up with LA trainer Mathilde DeCagny and rest is history
Terry [Toto] (1933-1944). An adorable Cairn Terrier who appeared in 15 movies, she will always be best known as Toto in the wildly popular "Wizard of Oz." Terry was paid $125 a week, more than many of the human actors at the time. Judy Garland wanted to adopt her, but Terry's trainer Carl Spitz refused.
Skippy / Asta (1931 or 1932 - ?). Known for his intelligence, this wire haired fox terrier starred in dozens of movies during the 1930s, including The Thin Man series in which he played the companion to William Powell and Myrna Low. Skippy knew both verbal and hand commands.