"If there's one animal nearest and dearest to the collective heart of mankind, it's the canine, which has been a staple in cinema for more than a century. In fact, the trend dates all the way back to 1905, when a male collie named Blair starred in the British short film, "Rescued by Rover." True to its name, the film follows Rover as he helps in the recovery of a kidnapped baby. Good boy, Rover!
On the heels of Blair came a female collie named Jean, widely considered to be the first true canine movie star. A number of famous dogs would emerge in Jean's wake, including Rin Tin Tin, who was popular enough to have a book written about him decades after he passed away. Of course, it's the films and franchises themselves that truly endure and continue to enrapture new generations. After all, a movie like "Old Yeller" might seem dated in terms of style, but emotionally speaking, it's as poignant now as ever."
