Red Dog, an urban dog of legend

The Red Dog of Australia

R became one of the most famous dogs in the world as a result of the 2011 film "Red Dog, the adventures of the red dog", directed by Kriv Stenders.

However, this animal was already well known and loved in Australia long before his story was brought to the big screen. All thanks to the British writer Louis de Bernieres, who toured the region of pibara, in Western Australia. There he found the necessary inspiration to write the novel "Red Dog", published in 2001, on which the film is based.

Bernières is the author of many successful novels such as "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" or "Birds without wings", among others. He was visiting the city of Dampier When he came across the famous statue, it immediately piqued his curiosity. Yes, the book and the movies (two have been shot to date) about the red dog are based on a true story.

Red dog red dog australia

Red Dog statue in the city of Dampier, Western Australia

The true story of Red Dog

Red Dog was born in the mining town of Paraburdoo in 1971 and soon became a much loved member of the Pilbara community. It ran many adventures and had several owners, although in reality it could be said that almost all the inhabitants of the region adopted it as their own.

This australian kelpie Reddish-skinned, he was known for his fondness for standing in front of cars on the roads to make them stop and let him ride. This is how the dog, whose intelligence was superior to other specimens of its breed, moved throughout the area, from town to town. People say that he also used the bus network from time to time. On one occasion, a grumpy driver dared to deny him entry, prompting an angry protest from the other passengers. That's how dear Red Dog was, also known as The pilbara wanderer (the Pilbara bum).

In his short life, Red Dog became a very famous character in Western Australia: was adopted by the Union of Transport Workers and appointed an official member of the Dampier Salt Sports and Social Club. He even had a bank account in his name!

When the dog died in 1979, many Pilbara residents were dismayed. That was why the mayor of Dampier made the decision to erect a statue in his memory. This monument bears an inscription in English where you can read: «RED DOG, The Pilbara Wanderer. He died on November 21, 1979. Statue erected by the many friends he made during his travels.

As we said at the beginning, it was thanks to this statue that Louis de Bernières learned about the story of the red dog, which prompted him to write and make its existence known to the whole world. A well deserved tribute.

A movie dog

What is told in the film, set in 1971, is the adventure of a charming red-furred dog that travels the roads in search of its owner. The story is told in retrospect, through the testimony of a trucker named Thomas arriving in Dampier just to witness a group of men preparing to euthanize a sick old dog. But the dog is too dear to everyone to give it such an ending. So, unable to kill Red Dog, they retreat to the village bar, where they begin to remember the story of the dog and how that noble and loyal animal changed their lives for the better.

This is the official trailer in English:

The film stars the American actor Josh lucas, the New Zealander Keisha Castle Hughes and the australians Rachael Taylor y Noah taylor. The role of Red Dog was played by a friendly kelpie named Koko (You can see it above, in the image that heads the post).

This cinematographic work highlights the landscape and unique character of the Pilbara region, while telling the story of Red Dog with great love and humor.

The success of the film was such that years later, in 2016, a prequel of it, entitled "Red Dog: True Blue." In this second film, released in Spain under the name "You will always be with me", it is less tearful than the previous one. The story focuses on the first years of life of the animal, which is just a puppy, and its friendship with a child.

The second film about Australia's most famous red dog is also directed by the same director. The role of the child is played by the young man Levi miller, while a precious kelpie named Phoenix plays the role of Red Dog.


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  1.   GRA said

    TODAY SUNDAY 06/07/2014 THROUGH NETFLIX WE WATCHED THE RED DOG MOVIE WITH MY HUSBAND… WE LIKE IT AND I AM VERY EXCITED …… ..

  2.   Jesus the Third said

    I am fortunate to have as a friend and companion a beautiful Male named TIPP and he is without a doubt the noblest of friends!

  3.   czar said

    Beautiful movie well made and with great content. We loved it.

  4.   Carlos said

    Today Nov 07, 2015 I saw the movie and it fascinated me .. Too much beautiful rapport

  5.   Charlie said

    Today, November 7, I have seen the movie and without a doubt it is beautiful, I loved a very good story

  6.   Luz said

    Today 27/11/2015 we saw the movie of Red dog, with my mother and my father and the truth is that we liked it very much, very beautiful to be able to enjoy it as a family, very moving, WE LOVE IT!
    I am from Neuquen capital.

  7.   Nixalis said

    Hello, today is 10/01/2016. I just saw the movie, my eyes are still watery. Beautiful and moving story, I would see it a thousand times.

  8.   Frank davila said

    Today Sunday 10/01/15, I just saw the wonderful Red Dog movie with my Son and Wife. A moving story where the love of dogs towards us is highlighted.
    They are unique and Special. God keep you today and always.

  9.   Fernando said

    Hahahahaha, I just finished watching the movie and I loved it. Very good.

  10.   ferdinand alcayde said

    He just saw this movie for golden, full of values ​​such as friendship and fidelity, full of emotion and sentimentality, entertaining our dogs ...

  11.   AUNT said

    Today January 29
    I just saw the movie I liked it a lot and it brought me some tears because of how emotional it is, I have two dogs and I love them

  12.   amymorrissey said

    I just saw the movie today February 06, 2016 I just saw it on CDMX channel 5 I DO NOT STOP CRYING BEAUTIFUL MOVIE !! LONG LIVE RED DOG !!!

  13.   Francisco Aguirre said

    Today, February 7, my dad and I saw the great story of red dog.
    It is moving and very beautiful that makes you shed some tears as we would like to have a
    Red dog

  14.   Franco matthew said

    Today, February 27, I ended up watching Red Dog, a beautiful movie that highlights the love and care of our life companions, dogs SAY no to ANIMAL abuse!

  15.   fabian mckinney said

    Today 27/2/16 I saw the movie and it seemed very good

  16.   Julia said

    Lovely movie.
    There are animals so they give their lives, awakening many positive emotions6

  17.   Jonathan Haro said

    this day 27-02-2016 I saw the movie by golden several minutes ago and I loved it, I will return to this site when I have found a real friend like red dog.

  18.   maximum said

    Excellent example of friendship and strength of commitment.

  19.   Jamila said

    Very beautiful the story of this precious dog and the nature of these innocent beings that we should value and respect each existing being on earth

  20.   samuel mogollon said

    I just saw the movie. This teaches us the value of friendship between dogs and humans. We must create awareness to care for and respect animals. I am fortunate to have 3 little dogs and they are very noble… Bravo red dog from Vzla !!!

  21.   orien amundarain said

    should win an award

    extraordinary film

  22.   gladys calf said

    I've seen her twice and I can't stop crying too beautiful and moving

  23.   Faby said

    Today July 29, 2016 I just saw Red Dog… I loved it… I couldn't help crying?

  24.   rafael said

    How about I saw the movie and it is very good, what if someone can answer me if there are real scenes in the movie or rather videos of the dog in life is that it seemed very real on some occasions

  25.   Diego said

    Hello, the story of the dog, it could have been in a small part true, now, the filmmakers make up so much that it becomes completely greasy. The super dog and all his badass friends from Village People. I miss the YMCA choreography and it was perfect. Anyway, dogs are excellent pets, but… needed….

  26.   Meli crowned said

    It is the best movie I already saw it a couple of times and the truth does not bore me

  27.   Leticia Jimenez said

    I saw the movie once but I want my daughters to see it and I can't find it complete, does it have another name? or does anyone know how to get it or on which channel they frequently play it?

  28.   Marco Antonio Silver said

    I just saw the movie 14/6/17 beautiful movie, I love Dogs and this type of movie makes us reconsider the treatment and love of dogs, of any race, they will always be by our side no matter how many sometimes we treat them badly they will always be there "man's best friend is the dog"

  29.   Honey said

    Beautiful movie I love until I cry
    I raise dogs and bitches and I know that their love is unconditional and unique
    More than pets they are part of my family and whoever it is they defend them from whoever it is
    I love it and I hope that you also come to like it

  30.   GYK10 said

    Excellent Movie and Excellent Story to vdd one of my favorite films such as Hachikō, they give a real image of what a pet is and more than that, an animal being with indescribable feelings ...

  31.   daniel hdez said

    December 28, 2019 watching the movie ...