What Kind of Dog Is Buddy in Cruella? What to Know!
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Cruella is one of the most iconic villains in Disney history, and her 101 Dalmatians are just as famous. But what about the one pup who didn’t have spots? We’re talking about Buddy, the lovable pup who becomes Cruella’s right-hand man (or should we say, right-paw?). If you’ve ever wondered what breed Buddy is or how he ended up working for Cruella, we’ve got the scoop.
According to Baltimore Magazine, Buddy is a yellow terrier, but the exact breed has never been specified in any of the films, the books, or even by Disney.1 He’s just a regular mutt who Cruella takes under her wing.
As for how Buddy ended up working for Cruella, it’s a bit of a long story. But we’ll try to give you the abridged version.
Who’s Buddy in 101 Dalmatians?
Buddy is a supporting character in the film 101 Dalmatians and its live-action remake. How Buddy and Cruella met is quite the heartwarming story—one that’s definitely worth watching if you haven’t seen it yet.
In the film, a young Cruella (who was originally known as Estella) meets Buddy when her classmates throw her into the dumpster. Estella notices the tiny stray puppy and decides to take him home with her.
From then on, Buddy and Estella became inseparable. After a tragedy strikes, Estella eventually meets petty thieves Horace and Jasper, who later on become Cruella’s henchmen. Buddy learns how to assist them in their crimes, but he’s always by Cruella’s side no matter what.
While most of the 101 Dalmatians are scared of Cruella, Buddy knows that, deep down, she’s not really all that bad. After all, she did save him from the dumpster all those years ago.
Buddy is one of the few people (or animals, rather) who knows how to calm Cruella down when she’s feeling angry or frustrated. In the live-action remake, Cruella, Buddy also ends up saving Cruella’s life, which only cements their special bond even further.
The Real-Life Buddy Is a Rescue Dog Named Bobby
Buddy may be a fictional character, but the dog who played him in the live-action movie is very real. His name is Bobby, and, like Buddy, he was also a stray!
A charity discovered Bobby wandering the streets of Cyprus in search of food. He was then taken in by Hollywood animal trainer Julie Tottman, who helped him land the role of a lifetime. His co-actor, Emma Stone, who played Cruella in the film, said that Bobby was “the sweetest dog” she’d ever met.
Conclusion
There you have it! Buddy may not be a Dalmatian, but he’s just as special in his own way. He’s a massive sweetheart who loves Cruella no matter what, even when she’s at her worst. What a good boy!
See also:
- 100+ Small Dog Names: Petite Ideas for Cute & Tiny Dogs
- 100+ Brown Dog Names: Ideas for Sweet & Lovable Dogs
Featured Image Credit: Characters by The Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved to the copyright owners.
