Lassie - Little Known Facts About

If you were a child in the mid 50's, chances are that you were a fan of the "Lassie" television show. The show about a boy and his beloved dog began in 1954 and was produced for seventeen years, making Lassie a beloved household name. The show instantly became a hit sensation with young TV viewers. "Lassie" won Emmy Awards in 1954 and 1955 for being the "Best Children's TV show." Here are some little known facts about Lassie you're sure to enjoy!

"Lassie Come Home"
Although the Collie dog is best known for his long-running, hit television show, Lassie's story actually began several years earlier in 1938. Writer Eric Knight
(1897-1943) penned the short story titled, "Lassie Come Home". In 1940, the original story was augmented and published as a book. The book became a best seller, and Lassie the Collie dog was set to become a star.

It's also interesting to note that Eric Knight and his wife raised Collies on their farm in Pleasant Valley, Pennsylvania. The fictitious Lassie dog was inspired by his own Collie named "Toots."

All Lassies Have Been Male Dogs
When it came time to film the movie "Lassie Come Home", a female Collie was chosen for the leading role. However, the dog balked in a scene where she had to cross some turbulent water. So, a male Collie named "Pal", who was trained by Rudd Weatherwax, got the role.

A little known fact about "Lassie" is that male Collies were used exclusively after that. But it wasn't because they were necessarily easier to work with. It's because that male Collies are typically 10-15 pounds heavier than females. So their appearance was more impressive on the movie and TV screens.

Timmy's Television Parents
Actress June Lockhart and actor Hugh Reilly are well known for their roles as the parents of "Timmy", Lassie's master. But, a little known fact about "Lassie" is that actress Cloris Leachman and actor Jon Shepodd originally played Timmy's parents from late 1957 to 1958. Leachman was immediately replaced after she dissed the show's sponsor, Campbell's Soup. And, Shepodd was replaced as well.

"Lassie" Is a Breed Of His Own
Typically, Collie dogs are brown and white with some black markings. But in Eric Knight's book, his Lassie was mainly black with some white markings and some dabs of brown. The dog's face was also black in color.

All of the dogs who play "Lassie" have- I believe the current one is number nine- four white feet, a furry white neck and a white strip on their nose.

MGM Studios Dumped the Collie
After Lassie the Collie's popularity began to wane in 1948, MGM released one more film starring him titled, "Hills of Home". Then, MGM, feeling that Lassie had lost its public appeal, sold its television rights to the fictional dog to Robert Maxwell Productions.

But, Lassie's career was far from over. Besides becoming a long-running TV show, the dog inspired more novels, toys and a host of other collectible merchandise.

Not to mention the fact that Lassie was placed in the "Animal Hall of Fame" two decades later in 1969.