{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Hollywood Hounds: Transforming American Dog Culture Through Films","description":"This podcast episode we\u2019ll be looking at some of the biggest canine stars in showbiz and their lasting cultural impact in Hollywood and throughout our culture. It is part of the Down and Back: Stories From the American Kennel Club Archives series. Host Bud Boccone hunts down information and faithfully shares it in this fun and frisky format. The Dog Star, Canis major, may be the brightest star in the sky, but it pales in comparison to the dog stars of the big screen. When Timmy fell down the well, audiences knew Lassie would come to his rescue, and when Pongo prevailed over Cruella, movie fans cheered. For more than a century, humans have been paying to watch canine conundrums and hounds be heroes. Some movies lead to an uptick of ownership of a particular breed, based on a character a dog played in a film. Listen in to discover why humans watch dogs. Bonafide Bits:    In 1921, Strongheart, a German Shepherd Dog, played the role of Flash in the Hollywood movie, The Silent Call. Rin Tin Tin starred in 27 motion pictures, and The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin was a popular radio program. The real name of the forever famous Toto from the Wizard of Oz is Terry. Unfortunately, Walt Disney\u2019s movie, 101 Dalmatians made Dalmatians America\u2019s fad-dog. Christopher Guest\u2019s, Best in Show is a mockumentary that portrays dogs as dignified and handlers as disobedient.    Featured Breeds: German Shepherd Dog    There are many reasons why German Shepherd Dogs stand in the front rank of canine royalty, but experts say their defining attribute is character: loyalty, courage, confidence, the ability to learn commands for many tasks, and the willingness to put their life on the line in defense of loved ones. German Shepherd Dogs will be gentle family pets and steadfast guardians, but, the breed standard says, there\u2019s a \u201ccertain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships.\u201d Discover more about German Shepherd Dogs at AKC\u2019s German Shepherd Dog Breed Biography.    Collie    The Collie is a lithe, strong, responsive, active dog, carrying no useless timber, standing naturally straight and firm. The deep, moderately wide chest shows strength, the sloping shoulders and well-bent hocks indicate speed and grace, and the face shows high intelligence. The Collie presents an impressive, proud picture of true balance, each part being in harmonious proportion to every other part and to the whole. Discover more about Collies at AKC\u2019s Collie Breed Biography.    Staffordshire Bull Terrier    From his brawling past, the muscular but agile Staffordshire Bull Terrier retains the traits of courage and tenacity. Happily, good breeding transformed this former gladiator into a mild, playful companion with a special feel for kids. Discover more about Staffordshire Bull Terriers at  AKC\u2019s Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Biography.    Smooth Fox Terrier    The Smooth Fox Terrier, called the \u201cgentleman of the terrier world,\u201d is a lively, gregarious terrier with a devil-may-care attitude, originally developed for Britain\u2019s traditional foxhunts. Discover more about Smooth Fox Terriers at AKC\u2019s Smooth Fox Terrier Breed Biography.    Standard Schnauzer    The bold, bewhiskered Standard Schnauzer is a high-spirited farm dog from Germany. They are the sometimes-willful but ever-reliable medium-sized members of the Schnauzer family of breeds. The Standard\u2019s sporty look is a canine classic. Discover more about Standard Schnauzers at AKC\u2019s Standard Schnauzer Breed Biography.    Wire Fox Terrier    The Wire Fox Terrier breed standard says they should be \u201con the tip-toe of expectation at the slightest provocation.\u201d Once a mainstay of traditional British fox hunts, today\u2019s Wire is a handsome and amusing companion and master show dog. Discover more about Wire Fox Terriers at AKC\u2019s Wire Fox Terrier Breed Biography.    Cairn Terrier    Cairn Terriers are happy, busy little earth dogs originally bred to fearlessly root out foxes and other small, furred prey in the rocky Scottish countryside. Curious and alert, Cairns like having a place where they can explore and dig. Discover more about Cairn Terriers at AKC\u2019s Cairn Terrier Breed Biography.    Dalmatian    The dignified Dalmatian, dogdom\u2019s citizen of the world, is famed for his spotted coat and unique job description. During their long history, these \u201ccoach dogs\u201d have accompanied the horse-drawn rigs of nobles, gypsies, and firefighters. Discover more about Dalmatians at AKC\u2019s Dalmatian Breed Biography.    Bloodhounds    The world-famous \u201cSleuth Hound\u201d does one thing better than any creature on earth: find people who are lost or hiding. An off-duty Bloodhound is among the canine kingdom\u2019s most docile citizens, but he\u2019s relentless and stubborn on a scent. Discover more about Bloodhounds at AKC\u2019s Bloodhound Breed Biography.       For more information about a specific breed visit the breed\u2019s parent club or AKC.org.    Shareables:    For the studios, accustomed to the foibles of high-priced divas and scandal-prone, egocentric humans, reliable, obedient \u2018dog stars\u2019 were manna from heaven. Every type of dog needs just the right owner. Which furry film star is your favorite?    ","author_name":"Down and Back: AKC Dog Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/about\/down-and-back-akc-podcast\/","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/15304160\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/78898973"}