Comments on: The Dog That Played Lassie

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:51:12 +0000

Thank you so much, Carol. I started writing American History through its dogs about a decade ago, and the stories—including Lassie’s story—are generally heartwarming and display Americans at their best. Thanks for noting that!

By: Carol Struble

Carol Struble — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:01:14 +0000

I was so happy to come across your article. I grew up watching Lassie. The movies and TV shows always left you feeling good and I believe they were apart of what America stands for. They taught us lessons as a reminder of the good people that came before us. Most of us love animals and dogs are a good part of that. I have owned dogs my entire life and they bring me great joy.
Thank you.

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:06:33 +0000

In reply to John Garrison. Thanks for posting....I'm sure you're right. The familiarity helps.

By: John Garrison

John Garrison — Sun, 22 Dec 2024 23:08:00 +0000

Great article, I didn’t watch the TV show but have picked it up on the Samsung TV shows and I watch it daily! I agree that the Jeff shows aren’t as popular as the Timmy shows! I think that they have more appeal to me than the Jeff shows! perhaps because we’re all older and remember Timmy shows

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 18:13:24 +0000

In reply to Robyn. Thanks so much!

By: Robyn

Robyn — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 18:17:49 +0000

I am 64. I only learned of the Jeff episodes when they started showing Lassie on Roku live TV. That got me really interested in the history of Laddie and I’ve learned more here! I think people in my generation generally didn’t know about the Jeff episodes because they were filmed and shown before we were born. For those who don’t know, Jon Provost is on Facebook.

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 16:40:00 +0000

In reply to Samantha Bourdelier. That is a good question...maybe some readers will have thoughts. Thanks for posting!

By: Samantha Bourdelier

Samantha Bourdelier — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 13:52:15 +0000

I love to watch Jeff episodes of Lassie. When I watched them they were called Jeff’s Collie. He was the first to be Lassie’s owner when he inherited “her’ in the first episode. For some reason people don’t talk about Jeff and his family as much as they do about Timmy. Don’t know why.

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 15:24:59 +0000

In reply to Laura J. R..

Thank you for posting. I know exactly what you mean. When Lassie was filmed, studios were protective of their “secrets,” so it’s very hard to find footage of any form of training. You might check out this article: https://americacomesalive.com/dog-training-for-the-early-movies/ I was fortunate enough to find a relatively rare copy of the Spitz’s book where he talked about dog training and about how the training changed when “talkies” came about. For silent films, dogs could be given commands orally. This changed when movies had sound!
All best, Kate

By: Laura J. R.

Laura J. R. — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:52:25 +0000

I appreciate reading this article even though I have acquired some knowledge on my own before. I was born in 1955 and I loved Lassie the first time I saw the movies and of course the T.V. show. Lassie seemed to me to be a real character and not just a collie who acts and performs tricks and stunts. Even now that I’m older, I’m still amazed when I watch a Lassie production. I get sentimental and I tear up which for some reason I can’t control. Whenever I hear the song Greensleeves, I think of Lassie because that song was the one they used that played at the end of the show. I would love to see as much footage of her training and behind the scenes outakes etc. I have seen an interview with Rudd Wetherwax’s son demonstrating some training. I miss the times when movies and television shows were wholesome with good moral values. If they ever decide to produce any, I hope it would take place in the original era and concept and no wokeness. Also a biography film would be nice too from beginning to present.