Weatherwax Collies
Starting with Pal and breeding scuccessive generations from Lassie Jr on, the Weatherwax Collies were responsible for 11 films, a radio show (1947-1950), three television series (1953 – 1974, 1989 – 1991, and 1997 – 1999), 59 books, countless appearances in the US, Canada and Japan and fans around the world.
The early MGM movies all starred Pal. Pal even starred in the pilot episode for the first Lassie TV series. Each Lassie could do it all. There were other Weatherwax Collies who were used as stunt doubles or for long shots, but there was only one Lassie at a time. That dog was the consummate star, trained for a two-year period before taking on his duties as the world's most famous and beloved dog. Rudd and later Bob insisted on seamless transitions so that when one Lassie retired, the next was ready to take over.
The official Lassies included:
Pal
Lassie Jr.
(Spook)
Baby
Mire
Hey Hey
Boy
The Old Man
Howard
Laddie