Dog Names Meaning Pretty

Lassie is one of the most famous dogs in history. Although a fictional character, anyone who hears the name ‘Lassie’ automatically thinks of the elegant, pretty Rough Collie who played the heroine in innumerable television episodes and movies. Interestingly, Lassie was always portrayed as a male dog, but in reality, a female dog was always used to play the part. Many people have wondered why they just didn’t use a male dog for the character. Well, male Rough Collies are considerably larger and more muscular than females. Since Lassie’s best buddy was always a small child the producers decided that a smaller female dog would be better suited to the role.

Although Lassie is always portrayed as a boy, his name is actually that of a female. It means pretty young girl. The name's origins are beloved to be Irish. Lassie first made an appearance in Elizabeth Gaskell’s 1859 short story entitled Half-Brothers. In the story, Lassie is a female dog. The story depicts the dog as a heroine who sets out to save two brothers who are dying in the snow.

During World War I, Lassie again emerges to save the day. A ship is torpedoed and starts to sink. A rescue mission commences. Unfortunately, most of the sailors are dead. They lay the dead and injured out in a local pub so loved ones can identify them. Lassie goes down and lays beside one of the sailors in an effort to keep his cold, wet body warm. Much to the amazement of the onlookers, the man begins to stir and lives.

In 1940, an English American author named Eric Knight takes the story of Lassie even further by penning the novel Lassie Come-Home. The book instantly enchanted readers. In 1943, the novel was made into a motion picture. The movie was an immediate hit at the box office and several sequels followed.

Between 1954 to 1973, the Lassie television series ran. The show was the recipient of two coveted Emmy awards. During the 1980's, the series was again revived. Even Canadian television created and aired their own version of Lassie. An animated television series was also made. The United Kingdom also remade the film followed by a second one.

Lassie still captures the hearts and imaginations of fans. The Lassie character was bestowed her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Lassie is now used to market pet food and also the theme of a pet care show called Lassie’s Pet Vet.