Terriers Vintage Books Breed Classic

“Toto” is one of the most loved little dogs in movies and books. But what breed was Dorothy’s faithful sidekick? In the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, the share of Toto is played by a Cairn Terrier. The dog’s breed is never noted in the primary book; however, based on the illustrations it looks like Toto unquestionably started out as a Yorkie.

Toto in the primary books

Most of us original do not forget Toto from the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. However this movie was based rather closely on a children’s book published in 1900.

The initial editions of the wildly ordinary book were illustrated by W. W. Denslow who drew Toto as a terrier – but was it a Cairn Terrier or a Yorkshire Terrier? Scholars of the Wizard of Oz books (yes there are many!) feel that L. Frank Baum, the author, meant for Toto to be a mongrel. The book does not distinctively mention Toto’s breed, but the dog is is described as “a little black dog, with long, silky hair and little black eyes that twinkled merrily on either side of his funny, wee nose.”

Denslow himself owned a Yorkshire Terrier, and when you look almost at the drawings you may surely see “Yorkie” all over them!

Toto’s role

In the movie, Toto (which means “to make whole”) holds the plot together: he’s the truehearted and brave pet who starts the journeying and who travels with her while keeping the plot moving.

(Dorothy’s conflict with Miss Gulch was concentered on Toto, and the reason Dorothy was caught in the storm. And don’t forget that in the movie, it was Toto who pulled back the curtain, revealing the Great Oz to be a sham. )

It’s also interesting that Toto is the only dog in the Wizard of Oz books who does not speak.

The 1939 Movie The Wizard of Oz

Metro Goldwyn Mayer made the story into the now classic movie The Wizard of Oz (1939) starring Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale. It was the basi full length film in colour and is aired today at least once a year on TV stations around the world. Its rich imagery and symbolism, and quest allegory keep it fresh. The part of Toto was played by a 6-year-old female Cairn Terrier called Terry (renamed Toto after the popularity of the movie). Terry was a veteran film star, and appeared in 13 movies for the duration of her lifetime, starring with actors like Shirley Temple and Joan Crawford.

During the filming of The Wizard of Oz, Terry was almost killed when one of the witch’s guards without intention stepped on her, breaking her foot. She expended two weeks recuperating at Judy Garland’s home, and Garland was reported to have grown rather attached to the dog. She wanted to adopt her but Terry’s owner refused. The dog’s salary, $125 per week, was more than a heap of humane actors in the film; the Munchkins for example, only received $50 a week for their parts. Terry/Toto passed away in 1945 at the age of 12.

Other Totos The Wizard of Oz was remade a heap of times over the years, always with a Toto. In Frank Baum’s later Oz books, Toto becomes a Boston Terrier for reasons that are never explained, but then changes back to a terrier in the last books of the series. In The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz, Toto is played by Pepe the Prawn and in the Veggie Tales version, Toto is substituted by a pig named “Tutu.”

Terriers Vintage Books Breed Classic

Bull Terriers (A Vintage Dog Books Breed Classic – Bull Terrier) Originally published in the early 50s this scarce book on the Bull Terrier is both pricey and hard to find in it is original edition. VINTAGE DOG BOOKS have republished it using the introductory text and photographs, as part of their CLASSIC BREED BOOKS series. The one hundred and ten pages integrate twenty one articles by an potpourri of well known contributors. All have been to a considerable degree involved in Bull Terrier circles for a good deal of years, and write with the gain of much practical experience with the breed. Contents include: – The Appeal of the Bull Terrier. – Here and There in 50 Years. – Bull Terriers Abroad. – Care of the In-Whelp Bitch and Weaning of a Litter. – How Heavy? How Large? – Bull Terrier Pedigrees in 1950. – Experts Opinions on the Breed. – Judges and Judging. – Stewarding. – Miniature Bull Terriers. – etc. The book is illustrated with black and white photos of famous dogs and their owners. This is a arousing and attention holding read for any Bull Terrier ardent or historian of the breed, but also holds much selective information that is still utile and practical today. Many of the earliest dog breed books are now exceedingly scarce and more and more expensive. VINTAGE DOG BOOKS are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, innovative editions, using the firstborn text and artwork.

Terriers Vintage Books Breed Classic Image

Terriers Vintage Books Breed Classic Picture

Terriers Vintage Books Breed Classic Photo

Terriers Vintage Books Breed Classic Pic