Parson Russell Terrier Dog Names

Fans of the television sitcom Frasier quickly fell in love with the quirky Parson Russell Terrier owned by Martin Crane. Eddie, played by a rather snarky Parson Russell Terrier named Moose, became a household favorite. Eddie was a staple on the show from its beginning in 1993 until the shows end in 2004. Unfortunately, Moose was not able to play the role for the entirety of the series and his son, Enzo, took over for him in 1999. Moose was born on Christmas Eve in 1990. He was the largest puppy, hence the name Moose. Sam and Connie Thise were the original owners of Moose but he was too much puppy for them; they could not house train him, he barked constantly, dug up their entire yard, and chewed everything in sight. Moose also enjoyed climbing trees and escaping from his yard. He was a typical Parson Russell Terrier. Moose was handed over to the Florida manager of a company that trains animals for television and movies. At two and half years old, Moose was shipped to Los Angeles, California to trainer Mathilda DeCagny. Moose landed the role of Eddie when during his audition he fixed a long, hard stare on the show’s star, Kelsey Grammer, and this became Eddie’s signature stare throughout the show. Moose was not the affectionate canine he was portrayed to be on Frasier and the human actors had to sprinkle sardine oil on their faces or hands to get him to lick them. John Mahoney, the actor who played Martin Crane, Frasier’s father and Eddie’s owner, had to smear liver pate behind his ears to get Moose to nuzzle him. Moose retired from his role as Eddie in 1999 and spent the rest of his life with his trainer, DeCagny in West Los Angeles. Enzo, Moose’s son also lived with DeCagny as did Jill, the dog from As Good as it Gets. Moose died on June 22, 2006 of natural causes at 15 ½ years old.

Enzo took the reins from his dad as Eddie in 1999 and the working relationship between the human cast and Enzo was more relaxed than when Moose was on set. Enzo was more affectionate and less apt to take a nip out of the actors when filming. Enzo was born in July 1995 and in 1999 Enzo and Moose secured the lead role in My Dog Skip, released in 2000. Enzo was the main dog for the movie, but when he was needed on the set of Frasier, Moose would stand in for him. Enzo was bred specifically to become a possible replacement for his dad on Frasier when it became obvious that the show was going to have a long run. Enzo, Moosie, and Miko were grown, however, Miko, the female in the litter did not grow to be big enough and Moosie’s coloring was not what it should be to be Eddie. Moosie was given to Peri Gilpin the actress who played Roz Doyle on the show. Miko was placed with a technician who worked with the show. After the show ended, Enzo performed in small roles but then completely retired when he was diagnosed with cancer. He died on June 23, 2010 of cancer at the age of 14 years.