Have you ever wondered what breed of dog Max belongs to from the popular children’s cartoon and motion picture “The Grinch?” Well, you’re not alone. This cute, scruffy little dog has piqued the interest of many movie watchers over the year, prompting the question as to what kind of dog he is.
Max is a mixed breed dog. There is no official statement about what his breed is, but it’s clear that he is more of a mutt than anything. Some have narrowed it down to Terrier mix, but that is not confirmed in any official capacity.
Even though it’s been difficult to pin down Max’s exact breed, we do know he is a mixed breed. We’re going to take a closer look at why we think this is and examine his role as a character in The Grinch movies.
Keep reading to learn all you need to know about the Grinch’s cute little canine companion.
It isn’t easy to pin down an exact breed for Max, but his curved brown ears and tan fur suggest some kind of mixed breed.
He has no defining character traits that point to any breed in specific, except for possibly a Terrier mix.
Terriers are energetic little dogs that often can look scruffy based on the exact kind of Terrier. They are a little feisty and have a high energy capacity, which fits Max’s character quite well.
These little dogs were originally bred as hunting dogs whose primary purpose was to kill vermin like mice and rats and protect their family’s home or property. Terriers can come in different sizes, but most are small or very small. However, some breeds of Terrier can become larger, such as the Airedale Terrier.
Airedale Terriers, also known as “The King of Terriers,” is among the world’s most versatile breed of dog, distinguishing themselves as fierce hunters, athletes, and loyal companions.
A typical male of this breed stands at around 23 inches at the shoulder, relatively large for a Terrier.
Their fur is typically tan with wiry strands of black laced throughout. The way their fur grows on their face gives them the appearance of having a beard and a mustache.
Even though they’re not the biggest out there, these dogs are known to be bold, stubborn, and determined, never backing down from a fight. Despite their ornery nature, they are still typically patient and docile with children.
If you are interested in owning a Terrier, there are a few things you should know.
Terriers generally make good pets, although they may require some patience. They are stubborn, extremely energetic, and require special grooming to maintain their typical appearance.
Max has appeared in various renditions of the film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” originally a children’s book written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss.
In most of his roles, he is a frightened and timid dog who does the Grinch’s bidding reluctantly. However, some character portrayals paint him as a loving and loyal canine companion and friend to the Grinch.
Max is always shown as intelligent, definitely smarter than your average canine, no matter which version you’re watching. Many have equated his role to that of the Grinch’s butler.
Despite the cruel and mean nature of his master, Max chooses to stick by his side. Max can sense that deep down that the Grinch has a good heart, but past wrongs have since buried his heart under a thick layer of malice. Even while his master performs dastardly deeds, he sticks by him as a loyal and caring companion.
She was adopted from a shelter, and her name was Kelly. Even though it was obvious she too was a mixed breed; it’s thought that she could have been either an Airedale or a Wheaton Terrier mix. This is because of the distinct color of her wire-haired coat and her relatively small size.
The canine character Max from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is a mixed breed, thought to be some kind of Terrier mix based on his appearance and personality.
Max is a loyal friend and companion to his domineering and cruel master, the Grinch, but always seems to play a key role in softening his master’s hard heart.
If he is indeed a Terrier, it fits him well. Terriers are bold, stubborn, and determined little dogs with a sophisticated and intelligent air, just like Max.
They won’t back down from a fight and love to protect their family. These dogs can make excellent pets if you’re willing to deal with their feisty personalities. Additionally, they may require special grooming to maintain the hair of their coats properly.
We hope the information about Max we’ve compiled for you in this article has answered all of your questions and given you some insight into this little dog as a character.
Remember to check our other articles for more information on other popular canine characters and what breeds of dog they belong to.
Max is the dog and companion of The Grinch, debuting as the secondary antagonist in the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Max is also a prominent character in the television special, the film adaptation, and the musical adaptation (See The CGI Version of Max). He acts as The Grinchs reindeer in the book and its adaptations.
In the television special, Max has slightly changed in appearance, mainly in his face. He was voiced by Dallas McKennon, then voiced by Henry Gibson and now Frank Welker (narrator of “Maxs Playhouse” DVD segment “The Care and Feeding of a Grinch”). His only two speaking lines are “Yipe!” and “Raaaahhh!” performed by Dallas McKennon, while being hit by the Grinchs whip. He has brown curved ears and tan fur.
Over on Amazon, the book will cost you about $3.99, although the list price is $7.99, and it truly gives us a new look at the classic story. And if you are anything like us, then you already know that we want as much Max content as we can get.
In fact, we are kind of obsessed with the Grinch’s dog and he is why we love the story so much. Max is proof that dog’s are truly the most loyal companions anyone can ever have.
Written in 2018 by Astrid Holm, I Am Max is the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas but from the point of view of Max himself. And if you couldn’t tell, this is a Dr. Seuss style book, but obviously not written by the author himself.
Are you a fan of Dr. Seuss? Do you enjoy How the Grinch Stole Christmas? Are you a fan of his dog Max? I know we are! But did you know Max his own book?
He’s Willing To Try New Things
The Grinch dresses Max up as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to lead his stealing-Christmas sleigh, and Max is kind of willing to roll with it — until his owner realizes the whole thing is a bad idea.
FAQ
Is Max a real dog in the Grinch?
What is the Grinch’s dogs name?