Introducing Beethoven the Dog
The original Beethoven dog was a trained St. Bernard who starred in the popular 1992 family comedy film Beethoven. Beethoven the dog was trained and owned by animal trainer Karl Lewis Miller. The real dog’s name was actually Chris, but he was called Beethoven for the film series. Beethoven the St. Bernard became famous for his role as the lovable but troublesome pet dog adopted by a suburban family in the movie. With his slobbering jowls and clumsy antics, Beethoven provided comic relief and stole the hearts of audiences, especially children. The success of the first Beethoven film launched a franchise with several sequels featuring Beethoven’s canine antics. To this day, the original Beethoven remains one of the most iconic movie dogs in cinema history.
The Real Beethoven Dog
Beethoven the dog from the classic 1992 family comedy film was a St. Bernard breed. St. Bernards are known for being one of the largest dog breeds, originally bred as rescue dogs in the Western Alps of Italy and Switzerland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Bernard_(dog)). The American Kennel Club states that the average St. Bernard can weigh anywhere from 140 to 180 pounds and stand over 2 feet tall.
The real name of the dog who played Beethoven was Chris. He was owned and trained by animal trainer Karl Lewis Miller. Chris was already 4 years old when he was cast as Beethoven. The average lifespan of a St. Bernard is 8-10 years, so Chris was already middle-aged when the first Beethoven film debuted.
St. Bernards like Chris are known for being loving, patient, and loyal – making them a perfect fit to play the rambunctious but big-hearted Beethoven on screen. Chris’s large size yet gentle demeanor helped him capture the heartwarming personality that made Beethoven a beloved family film character.
Beethoven’s Rise to Fame
The real star of the Beethoven films was a trained St. Bernard dog named Chris. According to his trainer Teresa Miller, Chris weighed around 90kg and was discovered by animal trainers Kathleen Heigl and Mark Biel in a kennel in California [1]. His friendly personality and acting chops immediately caught the attention of director Brian Levant, who decided Chris would be perfect for the lead role in the 1992 family comedy Beethoven.
Levant said that Chris had “a giant head with a tiny brain” and was extremely goofy in real life, making him a natural fit for the comedic and lovable character of Beethoven [2]. The film studio provided Chris with extensive obedience training and taught him how to perform commands and hit his marks on set. His trainers helped him learn how to convey a range of emotions on camera.
Chris’ warm, gentle personality shone through his performance, and he quickly became the breakout star of the film. Audiences fell in love with Beethoven’s antics, and the movie was a huge hit. Chris reprised the role in the 1993 sequel Beethoven’s 2nd, cementing his status as one of the most iconic canine actors in Hollywood.
Life on Set
Filming with the dogs who played Beethoven was an adventure. The first Beethoven movie in 1992 starred a St. Bernard named Chris. According to the DVD filming experience, Chris was a friendly and well-trained dog who enjoyed working on set. However, like any animal actor, he could be stubborn at times. The trainers needed a lot of treats and patience to get the right shots.
One challenge was dealing with St. Bernard drool. Chris slobbered a lot, so they constantly had to stop and wipe down his jowls. The drool also got on the actors and sets, requiring extra cleaning. Despite this, Chris brought fun energy to the shoot and got along well with the child actors.
For the iconic “Beethoven shaking” scene that drenched Charles Grodin in slobber, the crew used hoses and fake drool to get the best comedic effect. While messy, it provided a memorable moment for the film. Working with the big, slobbery Beethoven dog was demanding, but ultimately rewarding for the trainers and actors.
Trainer and Owner
The real Beethoven was trained and owned by Karl Lewis Miller. According to the Los Angeles Times, Miller was an animal trainer for over 30 years in television and motion pictures. He lived in Arleta, California and trained many famous animal actors such as the dogs who portrayed Beethoven and Cujo.
Miller acquired Beethoven as a puppy and trained him for the Beethoven films. The massive St. Bernard became a well-known dog actor through Miller’s dedicated training. Miller not only taught Beethoven how to perform on cue, but also needed to train the rambunctious puppy how to control its size and strength on set. Together, Karl Miller and Beethoven brought the lovable Beethoven character to life on screen.
Later Films
After the success of the first two Beethoven films, Beethoven went on to star in six more sequels throughout the 1990s and 2000s. The Beethoven franchise expanded to include Beethoven’s 3rd in 2000, Beethoven’s 4th in 2001, Beethoven’s 5th in 2003, Beethoven’s Treasure Tail in 2014, and Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure in 2011. The sequels brought back the lovable St. Bernard dog in new comedic and family-friendly adventures. While not as successful as the first two films, the sequels maintained Beethoven’s popularity through the 21st century.
Outside of the Beethoven franchise, the dog actor Fritz portraying Beethoven also had minor roles in other films like Buddy (1997) starring Rene Russo. However, the Beethoven films remained Fritz’s most notable work and cemented the St. Bernard’s status as a canine film legend.
Where is Beethoven Now?
The original Beethoven dog from the films was a St. Bernard named Chris. He was trained and owned by animal trainer Karl Lewis Miller. After starring as Beethoven in the first two films, Chris sadly passed away in 1994 at the age of 12 (The Real Dogs Behind 10 Iconic Canine Roles).
Giant dog breeds like St. Bernards unfortunately have relatively short lifespans. Even though 12 years is on the longer side for the breed, it meant that Chris did not live to continue appearing as Beethoven. For the remainder of the Beethoven franchise, other St. Bernard dogs portrayed the iconic character on screen.
While he is no longer with us today, Chris left a lasting legacy as Beethoven. His comedic hijinks and slobbery kisses brought joy to audiences worldwide. The Beethoven films remain a staple for families and dog lovers even decades after Chris’ passing.
Beethoven’s Legacy
Beethoven the dog left a lasting legacy as one of the most iconic canine actors in movie history. The Beethoven films sparked an explosion of St. Bernard popularity in the 1990s. According to the American Kennel Club, registration of the breed jumped nearly 50% after the first film debuted (1). Beethoven’s lovable oafishness and larger-than-life personality also left a mark on pop culture.
Beethoven has been referenced in shows like The Simpsons and movies like Rocky & Bullwinkle (2). Comic strips like Peanuts and Marmaduke have also featured St. Bernard characters modeled after Beethoven (3). The lovable pooch even appeared in video games like Fallout 3. Beethoven’s pop culture influence persists today through meme culture on sites like Reddit.
Most importantly, Beethoven shaped many children’s perceptions of St. Bernards as the consummate family dog. The films made the breed synonymous with reliability, protectiveness, and goofy charm.
Sources:
(1) https://www.classical-music.com/features/composers/10-beethoven-references-popular-culture/
(2) https://www.cbc.ca/music/beethoven-s-10-most-influential-moments-in-pop-culture-1.5840528
(3) https://www.popisms.com/Movie/7525/Beethoven-Beethoven-1992
Other Famous Dog Actors
While Beethoven may be one of the most iconic canine movie stars, there have been many other famous dogs throughout cinematic history. Some other standout dog actors include:
Lassie – Lassie starred in several films in the 1940s before getting her own long-running television series. The character of Lassie has been portrayed by multiple descendants of the original dog, Pal.
Rin Tin Tin – This German Shepherd became a huge star after being rescued from a World War I battlefield. Rin Tin Tin went on to star in dozens of films in the 1920s and 1930s.
Toto – Dorothy’s faithful companion in The Wizard of Oz was played by a Cairn Terrier named Terry. Though she was stepped on during filming, Terry completed the movie and lived a long life.
Comet – The Golden Retriever who belonged to the Tanner family on the sitcom Full House. Comet appeared in many episodes throughout the show’s run.
Uggie – This energetic Jack Russell Terrier stole scenes as the dog in the Oscar-winning film The Artist. Uggie performed many of his own stunts for the role.
Pal – In addition to playing Lassie, Pal portrayed other dogs in films like The Painted Hills. Pal’s training paved the way for many famous canine actors.
While Beethoven remains a standout in dog movie history, he joins a long line of talented pooches who captured audience’s hearts on the big screen.
The Answer
Based on the research, it’s clear that the original Beethoven dog from the first two movies is no longer alive. The dog who played Beethoven was named Chris and was a St. Bernard breed. Chris passed away shortly after filming for the second Beethoven movie wrapped up in the early 1990s. Though several dogs have portrayed Beethoven in the sequels over the years, the original dog actor is deceased. This conclusion is supported by sources such as the Great Pet Living article “What Kind of Dog is Beethoven?” which states that “Chris, the Saint Bernard who played the original Beethoven, is no longer alive” [1]. Additionally, the CBS News photo collection “Famous dogs RIP” notes that the 200-pound St. Bernard named Kris who played Beethoven in the first two films has passed away [2]. So in summary, while Beethoven lives on in sequels and pop culture, the original canine actor who brought him to life is no longer with us.
