12 Dog Movies Based on True Stories: Inspiring Real Life Events

There’s no denying that people love dog movies. Dogs have been starring in movies and TV shows since the silent movie era, and hundreds of movies about dogs exist today. While fictional movies can be entertaining to watch, there are a number of captivating dog movies that have been inspired by real life events. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite dog movies that are based on true stories.

The 12 Dog Movies Based on True Stories

1. Rescued by Ruby

Rescued by Ruby is based on the lives of Ruby and her handler, Daniel O’Neil. Ruby was surrendered to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals because of her hyperactivity. She was about to be euthanized when one of the shelter staff advocated for her to be part of the Rhode Island State Police K-9 Unit.

Officer O’Neil took on the challenge of training Ruby in order to fulfill his dream of working in the K-9 Unit. Although training Ruby was initially difficult, Ruby ended up completing her training at the top of her class. Ruby and Officer O’Neil were partners for 11 years and have worked together on several successful search and rescue missions.

Interestingly enough, the dog that played Ruby in the film was also a shelter dog. Similar to Ruby, he was about to be euthanized before he was rescued by his current trainers.

2. Eight Below

This film is loosely based on the Japanese Antarctic expedition in 1958. In the real story, a Japanese expedition team is forced to leave behind a team of 15 sled dogs due to extreme weather conditions. The team was eventually able to return and found that two of the dogs had survived.

The events in the film adaptation take place in 1993. Instead of being stranded for a year, the dogs were on their own for 6 months. The movie follows the dogs’ fight for survival until they’re reunited with their handler.

3. Marley & Me

Marley & Me was filmed after the release of an autobiographical book written by journalist John Grogan. His book was a retelling of his family’s experience with their Yellow Labrador Retriever, Marley. Marley lived for 13 years, and Grogan shares about the challenges of raising Marley along with the grief that followed his death.

Like the autobiography, the movie is told from the perspective of John Grogan. It starts with Marley getting adopted into the Grogan family and follows their story until the end of Marley’s life. Since the movie had to portray the entire lifetime of a Labrador Retriever, a total of 22 different dogs played the part of Marley.

4. My Dog Skip

My Dog Skip is based on Willie Morris’s autobiography and his childhood experiences with his Smooth Fox Terrier. This movie celebrates the special bond between a child and a dog.

The story takes place in Willie’s hometown Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1942. Willie is gifted a puppy for his ninth birthday, and he decides to name the puppy Skip. Skip helps Willie overcome his shyness and come out of his shell. He enriches Willie’s life, and the audience gets to watch as Willie and Skip go through significant life experiences together.

5. Togo

Togo was inspired by the historic event, the 1925 serum run to Nome. The mission was a sled dog relay that included about 150 sled dogs and covered 674 miles from Nenana to Nome. Balto was the lead sled dog that led his team through the final stretch of the relay to Nome. Consequently, he received the most media coverage due to being the dog that made it to Nome.

However, Leonhard Seppala and his dog Togo led their sled dog team through the greatest distance and traveled 261 miles, while Balto’s team traveled 55 miles. While the world celebrates Balto, the film highlights Togo as Alaska’s local hero and how his line of Siberian Huskies continues to be sought out by mushers and praised as exceptional sled dogs.

6. Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog

This movie is based on the story of Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye Terrier who spent 14 years guarding his past owner’s grave. A statue of him currently sits at the corner of George IV Bridge and Candlemaker Row in Edinburgh, and several books and movies have been made about him.

In this particular movie, Greyfriars Bobby is played by a West Highland White Terrier. A boy named Ewan fights to protect Greyfriars Bobby when a newly passed dog law threatens his life.

7. Red Dog

Red Dog is an Australian comedy about an Australian Kelpie named Red Dog. He travels throughout Australia in search of his owner without knowing that his owner had died in an accident. He meets people along the way and leaves a positive impact on their lives.

Red Dog is a real dog that lived in the Pilbara region of Western Australia in the 1970s. He would roam around and had a number of owners who would take care of him. He became well-known throughout Pilbara, and a statue of him was installed in his memory in Dampier.

8. Quill, The Life of a Guide Dog

Quill, The Life of a Guide Dog is a Japanese film that follows the life of a Labrador Retriever named Quill. It starts with Quill as a puppy and being picked to become a seeing eye dog. He’s a bit slower with his training than other dogs, but his trainer notices his deep empathy and patience and continues to train him.

Quill is eventually paired with a blind journalist and lives with him for 2 years until he passes away. Quill then becomes a demonstration dog and helps with training other dogs to become seeing eye dogs.

9. After Thomas

This movie was inspired by the real-life story of Dale Gardner and his dog, Henry. Dale was born with severe autism, and his parents faced significant challenges raising him when he was a young child. They eventually found a Golden Retriever who helped Dale understand emotions and social relationships and integrate with the world around him.

The characters in After Thomas have been renamed. However, the film still tells the story of a family affected by autism and the invaluable work of therapy dogs.

10. Megan Leavey

Megan Leavey follows the story of Megan Leavey and her German Shepherd, Rex. Leavy served as a Military Police K9 handler and was paired with Rex in 2004. They served two deployments together in 2005 and 2006 and were both injured by an improvised explosive device.

Leavey was honorably discharged and awarded the Purple Heart. 4 years later, Rex had developed facial palsy and could no longer participate in his bomb-sniffing duties. Leavey petitioned for his adoption, which was granted in April 2012.

11. Finding Rin Tin Tin

Finding Rin Tin Tin is loosely based on the real-life story of Rin Tin Tin, the famous German Shepherd. Rin Tin Tin was found and rescued from a World War I battlefield by Lee Duncan, an American soldier.

Duncan adopted and trained Rin Tin Tin, and he was eventually able to get Rin Tin Tin to work in silent films. Rin Tin Tin grew to become a popular star and appeared in a total of 27 films.

12. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale

This movie was based on the real Akita, Hachiko. He had developed the routine of walking his owner to the Shibuya train station and meeting him again in the evening when his train returned. Hachiko’s owner died in 1925, but he would continue to visit the Shibuya train station every day for the next 9 years until he passed away.

Hachiko’s story inspired the plot of the movie, and the movie provided an imagined conceptualization of what Hachiko’s relationship with his owner may have looked like. This film is a recent adaptation of the Japanese film, Hachiko Monogatari, and it’s been modified for an American audience.

Conclusion

Throughout history, you can find inspiring dogs who have lived brave and interesting lives. Movies allow their stories to be shared with the world and remind us of the remarkability of our canine companions.

Now that you have a list of amazing dog movies, you can pick out your favorite and have a movie night with your dog. There’s nothing like having a relaxing night in and watching a feel-good movie with your best friend.

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