Most of the cats and dogs that appear in the film "Cats & Dogs" are of uncommon breeds. They were cast, just as human actors are, for their suitability to the characters they portray.
Lou, the young hero who stumbles unaware into the battle between the cats and dogs at a critical moment, is a pocket Beagle. measuring only 10 inches high. Lou is an outgoing and adventurous pup. The script originally called for a Foxhound puppy but the two-year-old pocket Beagles could be trained with greater success while having the size and lively' temperament to imitate a younger animal.
To achieve a complete performance, five dogs and one puppet played Lou. The little Beagles quickly won the hearts of the crew with their friendly demeanor, boundless curiosity and soft brown eyes.
Butch has been an agent for a long time and is a little jaded. He is far from thrilled when told he must become trainer, protector and mentor to a young pup. Still, Butch is a loyal member of the team and, in the end, a loyal friend, too.
Butch is played by an Anatolian shepherd. These magnificent dogs originated in Turkey, where they were bred to stand guard over herds in the hills. Although not aggressive, Anatolians are definitely working dogs and very possessive of their families and territories. That characteristic made the breed perfect for the role of Lou's teacher and guardian. Noah, the dog who plays Butch, was a rescue animal, trained by Mark Harden.
Ivy is a Saluki Hound who brings warmth and wisdom into Lou's life. The lovely ex agent faced a hard choice once and now lives on the streets. She understands Lou's desire to "have a life," something she has been trying to explain to tough guy Butch for a long time.
The Saluki is a hound that hunts by sight rather than scent. This exotic breed is exquisitely beautiful but trainer David Allsberry warns that they are highly spirited and very fast. Because they hunt by sight, any small furry, moving object can be mistaken for prey and hunted down. This is not a dog to be walked off-leash; if it runs, you will never catch it.
Peek, played by a Chinese Crested, is the technological brain behind the dogs' operation. Peek runs the computers and communications devices that let the dogs stay one step ahead of the cats. While this breed's lack of coat and overall fragility tends to make them a bit high maintenance, trainer Kim Bonham says the Chinese Crested has a playful sense of fun and a tremendous ability to learn that makes working with the breed a pleasure.
The part of Sam is played by an English sheepdog, as a secret agent whose dedication makes up for his slow speed and limited powers of observation. With all that facial hair, Sam doesn't see everything that's going on but he does have a very responsive heart.
English sheepdogs are large animals with a wonderful temperament and are especially good with children. Their glorious coats, however, require constant grooming. Trainer William Grisco confirms that they also require considerable exercise.
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