This article, written by John Fink, was published in the January 26 - February 1, 1957 issue of TV Week.
It is © 1957 TV Week, Chicago Daily Tribune.
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Twenty million adults and 14 million youngsters — the weekly viewers of Lassie — will be happy to know that the good collie is likely to be around forever.
The original Lassie, the long haired pooch that starred in seven motion pictures and radio, rarely goes before the TV cameras these days, but his offspring are (professionally speaking) imperishable.
The dog who bounds to the rescue Sunday afternoons on channel 2 is really Lassie Jr., a spry 4 year old with a full head of steam. His TV companion is 14 year old Tommy Rettig.
The original Lassie is now 17 and blind in one eye. He's still pretty active though, and frolics on a 176 acre ranch in the San Fernando valley.
The trainer of Lassie Jr., Rudd Weatherwax, has 40 other dogs on the ranch, including lots of collies and the basset hound, Pokey, that appears in many of the Lassie shows. Lassie earns around $100,000 a year.
All this is some compensation at least for being required to play a feminine role on TV.
Born in North Hollywood, Lassie (then named Pal) had a head too wide for dog show standards. He also developed a bad habit of chasing cars. Weatherwax got the dog from his original owner, who preferred peace and quiet.
Weatherwax says anybody can train a dog.
All you need is a 10 foot leash, a pocket full of tasty tidbits, and great patience.
Adds Weatherwax: "Watch your language, always use the same commands, never run or shout at your dog, never be abusive, reward him often, and remember that dogs hate the smell of alcohol and tobacco."
