One of the best-known Disney villains is the evil fashionista Cruella De Vil. She’s sinister, destructive, and always looks fabulous. But most importantly, she’s out to turn adorable Dalmatian puppies into fur coats!
By now, you’ve probably seen the movie and know who Cruella was. Disney takes us on a backstory journey and shows us that this reckless villain has a yellow terrier named Buddy.
Of course, Buddy isn’t the only pup in Cruella. But Buddy has definitely caught our attention more than the other dogs. So, who is Buddy, where did he come from, and where can we get a dog like that?
What Breed Is Buddy?
Buddy’s real identity is Bobby, a yellow terrier of some kind. But no one knows the exact breed. Before the movie in 2019, Bobby was a stray dog wandering the streets of Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean. Bobby was alone, malnourished, and hungry.
A local rescue called Rehoming Cyprus Dogs found him and decided to try and find him a forever home. We’re so glad they did! But it was a struggle to rehome him at first. Thankfully, it was only a few months later that Bobby earned his one-way ticket to Hollywood. Julie Tottman, a Hollywood animal trainer, was convinced Bobby was a true star—how right she was!
Bobby turned out to be perfect for the role of Cruella De Vil’s four-legged sidekick. And the best part? Bobby found a forever home with Julie after they finished filming. He’ll never be alone again! We may not know what Bobby’s true breed is, but that’s not slowing down this fur baby’s career.
Buddy in the Movie Cruella
We’re first introduced to Buddy at the movie’s beginning when Cruella is a young schoolgirl. We learn a lot about young Cruella during this time, like how she would get in fights at school.
At one point, some of her classmates throw her in a dumpster. There, she notices a cute, scruffy puppy. Of course, Cruella keeps him and names him Buddy. How could you ignore that face?
Buddy remains Cruella’s companion throughout the rest of the film. Unlike some animals in the movie, Buddy is a dynamic character that helps drive the plot forward in some crucial scenes. He even helps Cruella and her crew on some heists throughout the movie.
Are Yellow Terriers Good Dogs?
Does Buddy inspire you to adopt your own yellow terrier? We don’t blame you!
The truth is that a yellow terrier could be any kind of terrier. The AKC recognizes 31 types of terriers, and they all have different personality traits and quirks. So, it’s hard to say if a terrier is the right dog for you.
Generally, terriers are wonderful dogs for any kind of home. They do well around dogs, love children, and are happy with a few toys. Every now and then, they love playing fetch. Terriers aren’t lovey-dovey dogs but enjoy attention and spending quality time with their owners.
But again, we’re generalizing here. Some terrier breeds are independent and stubborn, like the Scottish Terrier. It’s best to research the different kinds of terriers and find a few breeds that check the boxes for your ideal dog.
Conclusion
Knowing that a scraggly, dirty dog like Bobby can get a second chance at a good life is inspiring. Maybe a bit of good luck played its part, but luck had nothing to do with his eye-catching performance in the movie. That was all him (and maybe the help of some tasty treats)!
Nevertheless, Bobby worked hard to get where he is now. He’s certainly earned his seat at the table. His journey from rags to riches makes him perfect to be Cruella De Vil’s furry sidekick.
Featured Image Credit: Characters by The Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved to the copyright owners.
