If you love movies about dogs, where intrepid canines are the main characters and embark on wild adventures together, then you’ve probably heard of a dog movie called “Benji.”
Depending on your age and your taste in movies, you may be more familiar with 1974 original or the new Netflix adaptation released in 2018, which features a small dog named Benji as the protagonist. So, what kind of dog is Benji?
Benji was a mix of Miniature Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, and Schnauzer. He is a fictional character created by Joe Camp and has been the focus of several movies from 1974 to the 2000s.
So, now that we’ve answered that question, let’s go a little deeper. In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about this adorable little dog and the movie he stars in. Keep reading now to get all the details! Is the Dog In “Benji” Real?
One of the first questions you may have had while watching “Benji” is whether the protagonist is a real dog.
It may be harder to tell in the 2018 version due to the use of CGI to make it look like Benji is talking or doing other things that dogs don’t usually do.
Benji is a real dog. The dog who plays Benji in the film is a rescue dog and was originally found in the parking lot of a grocery store before being taken to a nearby shelter.
Upon being cast for the movie, Benji’s trainer immediately thought the little canine was a Schnauzer/Cocker Spaniel mix. However, the shelter where they found him labeled him as a border terrier.
His carefree life comes crashing down around his floppy ears when two of his friends get kidnapped. It’s up to Benji to save them both, while also putting a stop to the bad guys’ plans.
There have been multiple “Benji” films ever since the original was released back in 1974, with the most recent adaptation being released in 2018 on Netflix. To be exact, there have been 9 movies, 4 TV shows, and 2 documentaries over the years. Let’s learn a little bit more about the newest movie and its cast.
The film was directed and cast by Brandon Camp, who is actually the son of the director of the original Benji film, Joe Camp.
It was produced by Blumhouse Productions and starred Gabriel Bateman and Darby Camp, among many others. Some other actors who played a major part in the film include Angus Sampson, Will Rothhaar, Kiele Sanchez, and Jerod Haynes.
As far as box office sales go, it has been considered far less successful than the original. The 1974 film grossed around $45,000,000 worldwide, while the newest adaptation only grossed around $585,000.
This may be due in large part to the film being a Netflix film, which means many viewers may have watched it through their subscription rather than at the theater.
How Many Benji Dogs Were There?
With so many films, documentaries, and TV shows made about the loveable Benji, you may be wondering how many Benjis there have been across all these adaptations, right?
Well, it looks like there have been a total of 4 different dogs playing the role of Benji throughout the various films and shows. Each of these dogs was mixes of various breeds, staying true to the original character.
Even though so many different dogs have played Benji over the years, original director Joe Camp said that whichever dog is playing the role, they still embody positive ideals like hope, love, and compassion. Benji is a character everyone can love, regardless of age or background.
WHERE TO FIND A DOG LIKE BENJI?
If you are looking for a dog that exactly looks like adorable Benji, I’m afraid you won’t be able to find one that easily.
Try your luck by visiting shelters and rescues to look for a pup that speaks to you. You may not find something that resembles Benji, but we are pretty sure a pup in there wants to be taken by you. Should you get one, why don’t you teach him some “Benji tricks?” Get The Benji Method book and teach your new baby to do what Benji does in the movies.
Who knows, you may get to adopt a new Netflix star! This book will help you learn how to train a puppy from the ground up with methods that are used by the top dog trainers in the world. The Kindle version of The Benji Method also includes 90 minutes of embedded video with Joe Camp and Benji giving demonstrations of the training methods detailed in the book. You can follow along and see results in your own dog training as well. You can view the videos by tapping on the links on the book through your wifi-compliant kindle or your tablet with the Kindle app.
Dog House & Dog House Megaways™ by Pragmatic Play Review 2021 – Bonuses/ Tips & Tricks/Real RTP
FAQ
How many Benji dogs were there?
Is the dog Benji still alive?
Was Benji a Tibetan terrier?
Was Benji a male or female dog?