Portrayers
Despite the fact the character Lassie is female, all collies to play Lassie in the television series were male because male collies retain a thicker summer coat than females, which "looks better on television." Also, the male is larger and a child actor can play opposite the dog for longer before outgrowing him.
The first canine actor to play Lassie was Pal, who appeared in seven MGM films between 1943 and 1951, and the two pilots filmed for the 1954 television series before he was retired. Pal was handled by Frank and Rudd Weatherwax, and Frank Inn.
Eight generations of Pal and his descendants portrayed the beloved collie in more than ten movies and two television series, until the late 1990s. Lassie Junior, Spook, Baby, Mire, and Hey Hey played the role of Lassie in the long-running television series.
Hey Hey's son Boy played the collie in the 1978 film The Magic of Lassie, and Boy's son The Old Man took up the role of Lassie in the 80s series, The New Lassie of the late-1980s and early 1990s. During this time Rudd Weatherwax died and his son Robert became the handler of Lassie.
The 1997 Lassie series featured eighth generation Pal descendant, Howard as the titular character in the first season, however midway through the production he was replaced with a non-Pal descended dog due to some disputes with the production company. In response to fan outrage, Hey Hey II, a ninth-generation direct descendant of Pal, owned by Carol Riggins who was employed by Robert Weatherwax, assumed the role for the final thirteen episodes of the show in 1999. Classic Media acquired the Lassie trademark from the Weatherwax family in 2000, and in 2004 Robert Weatherwax's contract to provide a dog ended, at which time neither side pursued a renewal and Mr. Weatherwax retired from film work and began drawing a SAG pension. In the 2005 Lassie film, shot in the UK, three non-Pal bloodline collies were used in the title role by Gary Gero's Birds and Animals UK corporation.
In late 2005, following the shooting of the movie, Classic Media contracted with Carol Riggins, longtime co-trainer of Robert Weatherwax, to supply "Hey Hey II", as the ninth generation Lassie in the Pal bloodline. In the 2006 television series Lassie's Pet Vet, a Pal descendant from the Hey Hey II line appeared with veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber. In January 2008, Lassie 10, a 10th generation direct genetic descendant of the original Lassie, was introduced. Robert Weatherwax's website has disputed the use of these collies, claiming that Riggins was violating her dog purchase contract by breeding Hey Hey II. but has never taken any legal action of any kind. Although this claim was made to a reporter, no paperwork has ever surfaced to prove Mr. Weatherwax's claim and no legal action was ever taken against Ms. Riggins.
Mr. Weatherwax is listed as SAG retired in 2004 and is no longer involved with Lassie in any way.
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