Meet the 4 Dog Breeds That Star in “A Dog’s Purpose”

Quick Take

• The red golden retriever in the film looks like a different breed entirely, yet there is a specific genetic reason it is still a purebred golden. Bailey's red coat explained →
• Corgis are named after Wales, but the breed's actual country of origin tells a completely different story. Corgi origins uncovered →
• One breed in the film was engineered by monks to solve a life-or-death problem in the mountains, and their purpose had nothing to do with companionship. Saint Bernard's mountain purpose →
• The film's final dog carries two names, and the reason why is the emotional core of the entire story. Meet Waffles and Buddy →

“A Dog’s Purpose” is a 2017 adventure drama film based on the bestselling book written by W. Bruce Cameron. The story follows a dog named Bailey, who searches for the meaning of his existence through the human lives he touches each time he is reincarnated. The film stars several lovable dog breeds, including a red retriever, a German shepherd, a Pembroke Welsh corgi, and a St. Bernard/Australian Shepherd mix. Read on to learn more about the breeds that starred in the film.

Bailey: (Red) Golden Retriever

Bailey is first reborn in 1961 as a red golden retriever. These dogs are purebred golden retrievers, but their fur is red due to a recessive gene mutation. Male golden retrievers like Bailey reach 23 to 24 inches in height at the shoulder, and they can weigh 65 to 75 pounds.

Golden retrievers were originally bred in the Scottish Highlands during the Victorian era. The breed was developed as a gundog, and they are still excellent at hunting and field work. These outgoing, friendly, energetic pups are affectionate with their family and good with other dogs.

Ellie: German Shepherd

The second time Bailey is reborn is in the late 1970s/early 1980s. He becomes Ellie, a German shepherd who trains to be a K-9 officer in Chicago. Female German shepherds reach up to 24 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh 50 to 70 pounds.

German shepherds were first developed as herding dogs in the late 1800s. These dogs are known for their courage, loyalty, adaptability, and confidence. They excel as police, military, and rescue dogs, but they are also affectionate family dogs and vigilant protectors.

Tino: Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The third time Bailey is reborn is in the mid-1980s as Tino, a male Pembroke Welsh corgi who is adopted by a college student in Atlanta. These are hefty little dogs with long bodies and short legs. They stand just 10 to 12 inches at the shoulder, but males can weigh up to 30 pounds.

Pembroke Welsh corgis originated in Belgium. They were brought to Wales in 1107, when Henry I of Britain invited a community of master weavers to live in southwestern Wales. The weavers accepted his invitation and brought the dogs they bred to herd livestock, which was the foundation of the Pembroke Welsh corgi of today. These pups are hard-working, lively, and strong, as well as loving family companions.

Waffles/Buddy: Saint Bernard/Australian Shepherd

Bailey is reincarnated the final time in 2014. He becomes Waffles, later renamed Buddy when he is reunited with his original owner. Buddy is a male Saint Bernard/Australian shepherd mix. Saint Bernards are very large dogs, reaching up to 30 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 180 pounds. Australian shepherds are medium-sized dogs, with the males reaching 23 inches tall and weighing up to 65 pounds. These mixes generally weigh between 50 and over 100 pounds, depending on which parent they take after most.

Saint Bernards were developed by monks in the Swiss Alps. They needed strong working dogs able to find and save travelers buried in the snow as they crossed the mountains on their way to Rome. Australian Shepherds were originally bred as herding dogs by the Basque people living along the border between France and Spain. Saint Bernard/Australian shepherd mixes often inherit a patient, gentle temperament from the Saint Bernard and energy, intelligence, and herding instincts from the Australian shepherd.