Film reviews
Lassie Named Top Dog As Classic Tv Pets Stand The Test Of Time
3rd September 2009
Lassie named top dog as Classic TV pets stand the test of time
Nostalgic classics reign strong over modern rivals as TV’s four-legged legend Lassie is voted the UK’s favourite ever on-screen pet.
Research commissioned by Petplan, the UK’s largest pet insurance provider, unveils the nations favourite ever TV and film pets and reveals that old classics still stand the test of time, ranking consistently higher than their modern counterparts.
Classic characters such as intrepid gang leader Top Cat, brave colt Black Beauty and loyal terrier Toto (Wizard of Oz) dominate the top 10 lists.
Top dog Lassie, often assumed to be a US creation was actually the brainchild of home grown British author Eric Knight nearly 70 years ago. In the original story, Lassie heralds from Yorkshire before she became a hit with young and old audiences alike and was transformed into a worldwide movie star on the American big screen.
Petplan can reveal that women predominantly carry the sentimental torch, with Lassie coming in as hands down favourite with women. In contrast, men are swayed from their childhood favourites and appear won over by the modern day comedy value as Brian the dog from Family Guy pips Lassie to the post.
Dogs are the most popular animal overall, cementing their status as man’s best friend. It’s also no surprise that the nation’s beloved soap operas have influenced the list with Well’ard, Little Willie and Roly (all ex Eastenders pooches) making the overall TV top 10.
Other home grown pets include Blue Peter’s duo Shep and Goldie along with the oldest pet to make the list, Black Beauty, having been originally created in 1877.
Petplan’s Alison Andrew says of the results:
“She may be 70 years old but Lassie has proved herself a true cultural icon. The results have proved the real influence on-screen pets have and the special place they hold in people’s hearts even years after they were last seen on main stream channels.”
Petplan is calling on pet owners to upload images of their Lassie-a-likes or budding Toto’s to the National Petrait Gallery Petraitgallery.co.uk and help break the World Record for the largest ever photography exhibition.