- Born
- Died
- The real name of the dog who played the original "Benji" was Higgins, owned and trained by famed animal trainer and breeder Frank Inn. Inn adopted the dog in 1960 from the Burbank Animal Shelter in Burbank, California. He trained the dog, who went on to appear in the television series Petticoat Junction (1963). Soon after the series ended, Higgins was retired by Inn but returned at age 14 in 1974 to star in his greatest success in Benji (1974). Descendants of Higgins were featured in the subsequent "Benji" films.
- IMDb mini biography by: Emerson Martinez
- ChildrenMacScamper
- He was a mongrel - a mix of cocker spaniel, poodle and schnauzer.
- He was rescued from the Burbank Animal Shelter by Frank Inn.
- Frank Inn, Higgins owner and trainer, made him a poem called "My gift to Jesus" after he died at age 17.
- His last job was on 'Benji' the original movie in 1974.
- He only appeared once as 'Benji' in the original movie in 1974, not the sequels.
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