What Kind Of Dog Is Benji? Unleashing Fun Character Facts For Kids
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Did you know that the 2018 'Benji' movie, written and directed by creator Brandon Camp, is actually a reboot of the 1974 movie of the same name, directed by his father Joe Camp.
'Benji' (2018) is an adventure drama movie written and directed by Brandon Camp for Blumhouse Productions. This must-watch film was distributed and released by Netflix on its online platform.
The movie was actually a reboot the 1974 original movie of the same name, which was directed by Brandon's father Joe Camp. The film was well-received by film lovers and also the critics.
The original 'Benji' movie was produced and directed by Joe Camp back in 1974 and was a huge success. This established a strong movie franchise of the same name. Since then, the dog has been the face of nine movies, four TV shows, two documentaries, and also has a video game of his own.
The original movie was a worldwide success, grossing the huge amount of $45,000,000 against its budget of just $500,000. The latest movie, written and directed by Brandon Camp for Blumhouse productions, was released on March 16, 2018 and distributed by Netflix.
The cute dog in the original 'Benji' movie was played by a mixed breed named 'Higgins' who himself was a stray!
If you enjoy reading all about Benji's breed and life, you may also want to read about English Cocker Spaniel facts, and what kind of cat is Garfield.
What kind of dog breed is Benji?
What kind of dog is Benji? Many fans of the film have considered this very question. Benji is an adorable, family-friendly, lovable dog.
Just like the Benji shown in the film, the dog who plays him is also a rescue dog. Originally, he was found in the parking lot of an empty grocery store and was brought to the Humane Society Shelter in Virginia, where he was found and cast by Brandon Camp.
The rest is history. Benji's original trainer thought that he was a mixture of a Schnauzer and a Cocker Spaniel, although the shelter labeled Benji as a border terrier.
When it comes to working out what breed of dog Benji is, no one knows. Since the cute dog was a stray, many believed he didn't belong to a particular breed when he was adopted. The creator suggested that Benji is a mixed-breed mutt who exhibits traits of a spaniel and a Tibetan terrier.
The original dog who played Benji (named 'Higgins') in the first 'Benji' film was actually found as a pup at a Burbank animal shelter. Many believed that he was a member of the Border Terrier breed.
However, his trainer believed otherwise and was confident that the dog belonged to a family of Schnauzer, Cocker Spaniel, and Miniature Poodles. After he passed away in 1975, his role was revived by his children in the same role as Benji the dog.
Is Benji the dog a true story?
Benji was actually a fictional character created by Joe Camp for his movie of the same name back in 1974. The movie features a dog named Higgins.
Though the movie is fictional, the dog shared some similarities with the movie character, Benji. The dog, similar to Benji, was a stray dog who was abandoned in a parking lot.
He was later rescued and brought to a Burbank animal shelter in California as a pup and was later discovered and adopted by famous animal trainer Frank Inn. Frank Inn trained the dog for different roles and even retired it after a few years.
However, he later brought the dog back into the business for the role of Benji.
The fate of the dog, shown in the new 'Benji' movie, is also very similar. So, while the story might not be true, the similarity between the stray dogs being in the right place at the right time means there is some reality behind it.
What is Benji short for?
Benji in the movie is a mixed-breed, adorable, stray dog. Some people think he could be related to a mutt or a canine family. The role in the original film was played by Higgins and later by his children, including his daughter 'Benjean'. The adorable dog is loved by the whole world and known by the name 'Benji'.
So, is the dog really named Benji? Or is it an abbreviation for something much longer?
Benji is found by Carter (played by Gabriel Bateman) along with his sister Frankie (played by Darby Camp) on the streets of New Orleans. They later decide to name the dog Benji after Benjamin Franklin. They say that he looks like a Benji because he's old and new at the same time. So, clearly Benji is short for Benjamin!
Is Benji a famous dog?
The original movie indeed made Benji (originally played by a dog named 'Higgins') into a star. Though the original dog who played Benji (Higgins) died in 1975, his children carried his legacy forward.
Back in the 70s, the movie proved to be a blockbuster and made the dog an unforgettable star. Not only did it give birth to a whole new franchise, but it went on to inspire many more movies and TV shows featuring our star.
It was very well received by the audience and critics. The original theme song also won a golden globe award.
The movie was loved by many and is even believed to be Alfred Hitchcock's favorite movie.
The dog became so famous that it featured in many more movies and TV shows and later in a video game too. The dog, Benji, was so well received and famous among kids that many of them decided to become the dog for Halloween parties!
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for what kind of dog is Benji?
Unleashing fun character facts for kids, then why not take a look at where does light come from? Curious light energy facts for kids, or Secret revealed: why do doctors have bad handwriting?
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Aashita DhingraBachelors in Business Administration
Based in Lucknow, India, Aashita is a skilled content creator with experience crafting study guides for high school-aged kids. Her education includes a degree in Business Administration from St. Mary's Convent Inter College, which she leverages to bring a unique perspective to her work. Aashita's passion for writing and education is evident in her ability to craft engaging content.
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