What Kind of Dog Is Lulu in the Movie ‘Dog’? Breed Information, Pictures, and Facts

Starring Channing Tatum, the 2022 film Dog will make you laugh and warm your heart. Tatum portrays Jackson Briggs, an ex-Army Ranger struggling to adapt to being a civilian after his time overseas. He is assigned the daunting task of escorting Lulu — a rather spirited military dog — to her handler’s funeral. The two butt heads initially, but along the way, they learn to rely on one another. But what kind of dog is Lulu in the movie Dog? Let’s dive in and take a closer look at this incredible dog breed!

Who is Lulu?

Lulu is one of the main characters of the 2022 film, Dog. She was a canine warrior who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a military dog. However, after returning home she now suffers from PTSD and the scars of war. After her former handler passes away, Channing Tatum’s character, Jackson Briggs, is assigned to take Lulu to the funeral, and then to White Sands for euthanasia. 

Briggs is a former U.S. Army Ranger who is dealing with his own scars from his time overseas, including PTSD and a traumatic brain injury. He isn’t exactly a “dog-lover”, but Lulu’s former handler was his own friend and former partner, so he and the dog set off. The two struggle at first, but Briggs and Lulu gradually learn to rely on one another as they encounter various misadventures along their journey. The two slowly begin to help each other to move forward in healing after the scars of war. 

With its winning combination of heart, humor, and incredible performances, Dog stole the hearts of viewers everywhere. It raked in $80 million dollars worldwide at the box office, far surpassing its minimal $15 million dollar production budget. 

What Kind of Dog is Lulu in the Movie ‘Dog’?

Lulu in the movie Dog is a Belgian Malinois. Belgian Malinois dogs are common in the military and are the predominant dog breed that the SEAL Teams use due to their incredible speed and compact bodies. 

According to the Department of Defense, there are around 1,600 dogs working with the military. However, as the ultimate combination of both brawn and brains, Belgian Malinois dogs are one of the most sought-after breeds for law enforcement and military agencies around the world. These incredible canine warriors possess a formidable set of skills, including unparalleled agility, heightened intelligence, exceptional obedience, and unwavering loyalty. 

Why Belgian Malinois Dogs as Used in the Military

What sets the Belgian Malinois apart from other traditional police working dogs like German shepherds is that they have a much lighter and more compact frame. This makes Belgian Malinois dogs perfect for tactical operations like repelling and parachute jumping. In addition, Belgian Malinois dogs have acute vision, an exceptional sense of smell, and lightning-fast reflexes, which makes them ideal for detecting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) before they cause any harm.

Belgian Malinois dogs are often employed as Combat Assault Dogs (CAD) or Multi-Purpose Canines (MPC) and work in tandem with humans on Special Operations teams. These incredible canine heroes are definitely not your average dog. They possess an unbelievable combination of agility, speed, discipline, and ferocity that makes them the perfect breed for high-risk operations. They can infiltrate enemy territory via helicopter, rubber boat, or parachute, and save countless lives. In addition to their natural abilities, another major part of their success also comes from the unbreakable bond they share with their handlers, usually U.S. Navy Masters-at-Arms (MA) or Navy SEALS.

The Canine Actors Who Portrayed Lulu

Throughout the film Dog, Lulu undergoes a transformation of character, and so there are actually three different canine actors in the film in order to portray these changes. The first dog, Britta, is what Channing Tatum calls the “hero” dog. Even though Dog was Britta’s first movie, she performed 70% to 80% of the scenes in the film. Britta is a very calm and expressive dog. 

Zuzu — a rather energetic dog with a fun-loving personality — took on the aggressive scenes of Lulu in the film. She portrays Lulu in any scene that involves fighting, pulling, or bucking. The third dog, Lana 5, is a calm dog who will happily roll over and lie down on her back on command. Lana 5 relaxes on Tatum’s shoulders and enjoys belly rubs throughout the movie.

Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, filming and production were interrupted and postponed. However, this actually ended up being surprisingly beneficial to the movie. The extended break provided time for Tatum to get to know these three dogs, and for them to become comfortable with him as well. 

The Real-Life Lulu Who Inspired the Film

The movie Dog is inspired by the bond between the courageous canine heroes and handlers that help to protect the nation every day. Although the story and characters are not based on his own personal experiences, Tatum named the main character Lulu in honor of his own beloved pup.

Tatum’s beloved dog, Lulu, was a pit bull and Catahoula mix. Lulu was a rescue dog who came from a pound in Alabama and lived out her life as a beloved member of Tatum’s family. Tatum and Lulu shared a deep bond and were always together. The two even reenacted dancing scenes from the 1987 film, Dirty Dancing. Lulu would leap high into Tatum’s arms, and then he suspended her over his head and twirled her around like a ballerina. 

Unfortunately, Lulu was diagnosed with cancer in 2018. Knowing that he had little time left with his beloved pup, Tatum took her on one last special road trip. He wanted Dog to illustrate the special bond and relationship that dogs and humans can share. He explained, “When I went on my last road trip with my puppy, [I experienced] that feeling of, ‘There’s nothing I can do. There’s nothing left to do.’ You just have to accept it and be thankful for the time that you did get and know that they’re not supposed to be here forever. I’m supposed to go on and she has to go someplace else.”

Belgian Malinois Dog Breed

There is no denying that the Belgian Malinois is a beautiful and exceptional dog breed. However, they are not good dogs for just anyone — not even for many experienced dog owners. Belgian Malinois dogs are not standard house pets. They are working dogs with a high drive and insatiable desire for physical and mental stimulation. 

Belgian Malinois dogs require a ton of time, effort, and dedication. If they cannot get these natural needs met, they will quickly become restless, anxious, and even destructive. The amount of training that a Belgian Malinois requires is much more substantial (and more expensive) than you may expect. For example, for a dog like Lulu in the movie Dog, you’re looking at something like $50,000 to $100,000 dollars of training, as well as thousands of hours of work.

However, that is not to say that they are bad dogs. In fact, Belgian Malinois dogs are some of the best canines around! Not only are they versatile and smart, but with the right training and needs met, these dogs forge unbreakable bonds with their human companions. One of the most important needs they have is mental and physical stimulation — these incredible dogs are built for action. Belgian Malinois dogs thrive on activity, and they love nothing more than spending time with their owners. 

Originating in Belgium, the Belgium Malinois is a medium-sized herding dog. These dogs are usually between 22 and 26 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 40 and 80 pounds. They have triangular-shaped ears that stick straight up and a short but dense coat of fur. The average lifespan for a Belgian Malinois is 10 to 14 years, and overall these dogs are fairly healthy. However, the breed can be prone to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.