Fred the dog and Toto - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

elly mae · 12-23-2007, 08:57 PM

They look alike. I wonder if they're related. I wonder if that breed of dog is easy to train because the dog on Petticoat Junction also was the same kind.

Larry Surrell · 12-23-2007, 09:21 PM

They were Cairn Terriers. From what I've read, Fred the dog's real name was Danny and was trained and owned by Benji's owner, Frank Inn. Benji was also the dog in Petticoat Junction. His real name was Higgins. According to Wikipedia (not always a completely accurate resource) although Higgins looked like a Terrier, he was a mixed breed. I think he was a bit bigger in size than Fred and Toto too.

I don't know if Cairn Terriers are easier to train than other breeds, but Danny/Fred sure was a cute little guy and had some great scenes with Lucy!

Mikado · 12-24-2007, 12:19 AM

I can confirm that "Benji's" name was indeed Higgins and that he was in Petticoat Junction (He was rather old by the time he made Benji.......and his puppies played Benji in some of the sequels)

gidgetgrape · 12-24-2007, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

I can confirm that "Benji's" name was indeed Higgins and that he was in Petticoat Junction (He was rather old by the time he made Benji.......and his puppies played Benji in some of the sequels)

On 'The Petticoat Junction Ultimate Collection' DVD this is mentioned in one of the featurettes. It was also stated that Edgar Buchanan (Uncle Joe) was touched when later on he appeared in a film with Higgins and Higgins remembered him.

SPLAIN · 12-24-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

On 'The Petticoat Junction Ultimate Collection' DVD this is mentioned in one of the featurettes. It was also stated that Edgar Buchanan (Uncle Joe) was touched when later on he appeared in a film with Higgins and Higgins remembered him.

What a cute story, i loved BOTH Mr Buchanan and the cute little doggie on Petticoat Junction, i was stunned later to find out it was really BENJI.

tdr · 01-02-2008, 06:00 PM

I remember seeing Higgins ["Benji"] when they were filming that movie in my town, which has been in quite a number of movies and TV eps [The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald; Dallas; Walker, Texas Ranger]. I saw Frank Inn on the set that day, and he was a biggg man.

TripperFan · 01-02-2008, 06:06 PM

Yes, I can confirm both - Toto was a purebred Cairn (a very smart terrier) and Higgins (known as both "Dog" and "Boy" on Petticoat Junction and of course, Benji to many) was a Cairn mix.

As a rule, mutts are the easiest to train - not necessarily the smartest, but because of no inbreeding, don't have some of the fragile traits purebreds have. Poodles are the smartest breed of all, but it should would have looked wierd to have a big fancy poodle around the Shady Rest and walking with Dorothy on the Yellow Brick Road!

btw, Higgin's heirs played subsequent Benji's once he was retired. They also purposely bred "Moose" - the Jack Russell on Frasier so they could continue the Eddie character once he got too old - which they did - his son took over and you can see the difference - the son was more smooth coated than Moose was.

12-23-2007, 08:57 PM	#1
elly mae Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 24, 2007 Location: Rogers, Arkansas Posts: 77	Fred the dog and Toto They look alike. I wonder if they're related. I wonder if that breed of dog is easy to train because the dog on Petticoat Junction also was the same kind.

01-02-2008, 06:06 PM	#7
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Yes, I can confirm both - Toto was a purebred Cairn (a very smart terrier) and Higgins (known as both "Dog" and "Boy" on Petticoat Junction and of course, Benji to many) was a Cairn mix. As a rule, mutts are the easiest to train - not necessarily the smartest, but because of no inbreeding, don't have some of the fragile traits purebreds have. Poodles are the smartest breed of all, but it should would have looked wierd to have a big fancy poodle around the Shady Rest and walking with Dorothy on the Yellow Brick Road! btw, Higgin's heirs played subsequent Benji's once he was retired. They also purposely bred "Moose" - the Jack Russell on Frasier so they could continue the Eddie character once he got too old - which they did - his son took over and you can see the difference - the son was more smooth coated than Moose was.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

12-23-2007, 09:21 PM	#2
Larry Surrell Ed M. 1918-2006 RIP Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 27, 2003 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 702	They were Cairn Terriers. From what I've read, Fred the dog's real name was Danny and was trained and owned by Benji's owner, Frank Inn. Benji was also the dog in Petticoat Junction. His real name was Higgins. According to Wikipedia (not always a completely accurate resource) although Higgins looked like a Terrier, he was a mixed breed. I think he was a bit bigger in size than Fred and Toto too. I don't know if Cairn Terriers are easier to train than other breeds, but Danny/Fred sure was a cute little guy and had some great scenes with Lucy!

12-24-2007, 12:19 AM	#3
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,880	I can confirm that "Benji's" name was indeed Higgins and that he was in Petticoat Junction (He was rather old by the time he made Benji.......and his puppies played Benji in some of the sequels)

01-02-2008, 06:00 PM	#6
tdr Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Posts: 1,454	I remember seeing Higgins ["Benji"] when they were filming that movie in my town, which has been in quite a number of movies and TV eps [The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald; Dallas; Walker, Texas Ranger]. I saw Frank Inn on the set that day, and he was a biggg man.