Bob Weatherwax and Laddie; Son of Lassie
Much mis-information mis-labelled as "authentic" has been posted on internet sites regarding Bob Weatherwax and the nine generations of Collies he and his father Rudd trained to play the role of Lassie. Get the truth from Bob himself. Also get training tips, advice, and more information on Bob's own ninth generation Lassie descendant, Laddie. Bob is the exclusive owner of the genetic bloodline for the Collies that have portrayed Lassie since 1943. He is MOST interested in having you visit his website, and discover the history and stories of the Weatherwaxes who made their Lassie dogs a cultural icon. Take a look thru this lens, then Click here to visit Bob's web site for more: Weatherwax Trained Dogs
The Weatherwax Collies who played Lassie ......And Other Famous Dogs
in association with the nine generations of
Collies that have played the role of Lassie.
From Pal, who portrayed Lassie I, thru
Laddie, who initially portrayed Lassie IX,
each was selected and trained by Rudd and
later by Bob.
The Weatherwax family of trainers have additionally been responsible for most of the famous dogs on film and in television. The fox terrier who played Asta in the "Thin Man" series, the spaniel who played Daisy in the "Blondie" series, the cairn terrier who played Toto in "The Wizard Of Oz", and one of the dogs
who played Petey in the "Little Rascals" series represent just a few.
Today, Bob Weatherwax continues to make appearences
with the dog he calls "Laddie, Son Of Lassie", and, along with his daughter Mary, has every intention of breeding and selecting a tenth generation Weatherwax Lassie dog to carry on.
As well as Laddie, and in the tradition of the Weatherwax Lassie dogs who have always had a small terrier pal, Bob is currently training a little Cairn Terrier mix named Throttle. Little Throttle is Laddie's best buddie, and a smart little terrier in his own right. We'll surely be hearing more from Throttle in the future!
Bob & Laddie Photos
Nine Generations Of Collies Portraying Lassie
Rudd Weatherwax trained Pal to play the role of Lassie in the movie Lassie Come Home, and from there, an internationally beloved icon was born. For nine generations, Rudd, and later his son, Bob, trained a line of Collies issuing from Pal to portray Lassie in film, TV, and special appearances. Bob's ninth generation dog from this line is known as "Laddie, Son Of Lassie".
Soon Laddie will be bred and the bloodline will continue with a tenth
generation Weatherwax Trained Collie.
Here are a few pictures of Bob and Laddie, along with an old
friend, Jon Provost (who played the role of "Timmy" on
the "Lassie" TV series).
You will find more pictures on Bob's web site:
Weatherwax Trained Dogs
Laddie portrays Lassie on a GE commercial
The "Lassie" Name
"Lassie" came from a litter that Bob regarded as unsuccessful in producing a Collie qualified to meet the Weatherwax standards for a suitable "Lassie". All the puppies in that litter were placed as pets.
One of the puppies was given to Carol Riggins, a former part-time bookkeeper for both Rudd and Bob Weatherwax, who asked Bob to teach her about dog training. She eventually became one of his assistant trainers. That particular puppy, named "Hey Hey", was deemed by Bob to have an unsuitable temperament for the demands of a working dog as well as an unusually shaped head for a Collie (what is commonly called a "Borzoi head" or "Roman nose")and was thus never considered by Bob to be "Lassie" material. Bob gave Hey Hey to Riggins as her pet, never to be used for commercial or breeding purposes, a clause in the Lassie puppy contract that applies to all Lassie sons and daughters placed in good homes. That dog is now being used to portray "Lassie", and Riggins is being portrayed as a "trainer" selected by Rudd to succeed him (as if he had no son who not only worked for him but went on to establish his own successful dog training business in the entertainment industry!) Bob Weatherwax was unquestionably named his father's heir in Rudd's will, along with the bequeathing of Rudd's Lassie dogs to Bob to continue the legacy and ensure the future of the Lassie line of collies. Bob has done just that in breeding, training, and selecting
the 8th and 9th generation of Weatherwax Lassie dogs. (Howard and Laddie, respectively). He is in the process of breeding for the 10th generation along with his designated breeding partner and heir, his daughter Mary Duxbury.
Any other claim is an outright fabrication.
Bob Weatherwax's Blog
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWeatherwax Dogs: History, Lore, and Entertainment
Recommended Reading
The Lassie method;: Raising & training your dog with patience, firmness & love,
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The Legacy of Lassie
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Lassie Come-Home
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The Lassie Dog Training System, Fiftieth Anniversary Lassie Collectors Edition [[Four booklets & two VHS tapes] 1994]
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For The Collie Lover
Rough Collies In Three Colour Sweatshirt
Classic sable and white, tri color and blue merle Collies on a high quality Hanes sweat shirt. More items with this design are also available
Lassie & Timothy Collie Messenger Bag
Add some Collie Class to your business or school bag! This design is also available on many more items
Rough and Smooth Collies Wall Clock
Whether it's half past a Smooth Coated Collie or high Blue Merle noon, you can always rely on "Collie time"!
Collie License Plate Frame
Show the world you're a Collie lover with this perfect adornment to your automobile, truck or van
Collie Love Keepsake Box
Beautiful solid hardwood box fully lined in velvet with a tile overlay cover is perfect for jewelry or other cherished items.
The rough and smooth Collie design is also available on a number of other clothing and gift items
Dog Trainer Bob Weatherwax
Telephone Chats With Bob
Recently, Bob has decided to embark on a new venture, sharing his insights, experience, and even his methods personally with individual dog owners. For a small fee, anyone can have a "Telephone Chat With Bob Weatherwax" to discuss their own dog's training and behavior, the Hollywood dogs Bob has trained, or other subjects of interest to the "Canine minded" person. Telephone Chats with Hollywood Dog Trainer Bob Weatherwax are now being featured on Bob's Web Site
Bob and Laddie Support The No Kill Bill
PSA produced by Diane Amble, written & directed by Eva Saks (full credits on No Kill Bill Website - see link below)
scene, it could be said that Weatherwax-trained dogs have been providing a service to the audiences of the world. Whether the dogs delivered messages, brought newspapers
in a house, pointed out clues to mysteries that humans couldn't figure out, saved kids and adults and kittens and cowardly lions, or just made us feel loved, the tradition of service has been strongly imbued in the Weatherwax lexicon
of films, television, and entertainment industry working dogs.
LADDIE & FRIENDS TO THE RESCUE!!
Join Laddie & Friends in the Adventure of a Lifetime! Help rescue the pets in the shelters from near certain death! Sign up at http://www.nokillbill.com to get No-Kill policy at every California shelter. Let's make California the first state to embrace No-Kill in each & every shelter statewide! Sign up! WE CAN DO IT! TOGETHER! Laddie & Friends are making several Public Service Announcements to ask for the help of each & every animal lover in the world to join them in this effort. Volunteer to help today! THANK YOU FOR WATCHING! http://www.wethepeopleusa.us
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The No Kill Bill Web Site
- No Kill Bill Web Site - Click Here!
- Sign the bill, download copies, read more about the making of the first PSA, and view still photos of the event - all right here!
Recommended Reading
More on Bob and Laddie
- Bob Weatherwax's Web Site
- The Weatherwax legacy, the Bob & Laddie Web Award, Training Tips from Bob, exclusive Kids page, and much more...
- Lassie Dogs Discussion Group
- Friends and fans of Bob Weatherwax and the Weatherwax Lassie legacy have formed a discussion group on Yahoo. Everyone is welcome to join!
- Laddie On Dogster
- Laddie has his own page on Dogster! If you have a canine friend on Dogster, make sure he stops by and says "Woof!" to become one of Laddie's pals!
- Colliehaven Ventures
- The internet's foremost web site on the history of Lassie. Author Karen Pfeiffer's detailed look at the international icon and the Lassie collectibles that have been distributed over the years.
- Lassie Kills Chickens
- Bram Godfrey is a talented writer who's blog on Bob Weatherwax is well worth the read!
- Training Consultations With Bob Weatherwax
- Bob is now offering personal telephone consultations for training questions and behavioral issues. Detailed information on how to set up an appointment is on this page.
Visitor's Comments
Thanks for stopping by and for supporting Bob and his Lassie Dogs
Bob Weatherwax also has a mailing list as noted on his web site. Drop him an email if you would like to be included! Bob's Mailing List
Weatherwax Collies Fan wrote
Why isn't something being done to stop Carol from using her dog for commercial purposes if what I am reading is true? Am I the only one this upsets? I was asked who my fav actor was growing up & I said "Lassie" Still is!! I wrote a very sincere heartfelt letter to Rob Weatherwax few yrs ago & what I would had given just to heard back he read it. I almost died when I was 8 yrs old from something I was born with & all the Lassie shows meant so much to me! I always dreamed I would meet the Weatherwax's & their collies but it was just that a dream as my health was so bad I would had never been able to travel to CA even if I had won a free trip! As a child I knew I wanted a collie so when I turned 18 yrs old on my own I answered a ad about collie pups 4 sell & when I got there it was a part collie but fell in love with her & couldn't turn her down. She lived to be almost 18 yrs old even with the vet saying she would only live to be 2 yrs! She was my best friend :) Thank you 4 all your work!
TheInfamous7 wrote...
I had no idea about all the Unique History behind Lassie!? Excellent Work on this original subject.. x
connie wrote
I've loved lassie all my life even now that I'm I guess they say old it's a long story but saved my life more then once thank you rudd and bob for lassie in my life someday I hope to meet lassie jon and bob love to you all my youngest is named timmy connie lovbj
by GoodInfo
Bob Weatherwax is the son of Rudd Weatherwax and the legal owner of the genetic line of dogs who have played the role of "Lassie" since the original d...
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