Do you love movies about dogs? We do! We prefer movies that make us laugh rather than cry. I grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, so I remember the hype about this adorable Saint Bernard dog.
Was Beethoven a good or bad dog? If you ask us, this dog taught Charles Grodin's character how to love.
What breed is Beethoven dog?
This beautiful dog is a St. Bernard.
A St. Bernard is a huge breed that originated in Switzerland and Italy. They are named after the Great St. Bernard Pass on the Italian-Swiss border, where they were bred for the purpose of hospice and rescue. Before the Beethoven films, St. Bernards were famous due to their large size, and the dramatic stories of their rescues in the Western Alps.
They are powerful and strong, making them ideal for mountain rescues. Because they are so gigantic, they mature much slower than other breeds, taking two or three years to reach their full size.
What made the original 1992 hit so popular?
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The cast!
The Beethoven film series has eight installments, but the first two are the most popular. They are the only two Beethoven movies to be released in cinemas, and the only two to feature the original and most loved canine actor.
Created by John Hughes, the series revolves around a precocious St. Bernard and his family's attempts to deal with his wacky antics.
- Chris as Beethoven, named after the composer, Ludwig van Beethoven.
- Charles Grodin as George Newton, a workaholic father, who initially loathes Beethoven, but comes to accept him as a part of the family.
- Bonnie Hunt as Alice Newton, the supportive wife.
- Nicholle Tom as Ryce Newton, the teenage daughter.
- Christopher Castile as Ted Newton, the preteen son.
- Sarah Rose Karr as Emily Newton, the second daughter and youngest child.
- Dean Jones as Dr. Herman Varnick, the unscrupulous veterinarian, who wants Beethoven's skull for his ammunition testing.
- Oliver Platt as Harvey, one of Varnick's henchmen.
- Stanley Tucci as Vernon, the second of Varnick's henchmen.
How many Beethoven dog movies are there?
Beethoven and Beethoven's 2nd were the only films to feature the original canine star who made the franchise so popular. In fact, the following six films featured a variety of different dogs and went straight to video. These movies were Beethoven's 3rd, Beethoven's 4th, Beethoven's 5th, Beethoven's Big Break, Beethoven's Christmas Adventure, and Beethoven's Treasure Trail.
What dog played Beethoven?
According to New Idea, Tthe much-loved and real-life star of the first two films was St Bernard, Chris. Teresa Miller, one of his trainers, described him as enjoying "being lazy and drooly and hanging around the house". This star passed away when he was 12-years-old.
Do you know anyone that lives with a Saint Bernard? Let us know what characteristics you love about this breed!
