Rocky Turns 50: Two Bullmastiffs Play Butkus at National Dog Show

Two bullmastiffs named Wasabi and Rufus will represent Butkus, the dog Rocky Balboa kept in the original Rocky movie, at this weekend’s National Dog Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa. Their appearances are part of events marking the 50th anniversary of Rocky, the 1976 film that turned the Philadelphia Art Museum steps into a landmark known around the world, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Visitors can meet both dogs at a Rocky-themed booth during the show. Wasabi will also take part in Saturday’s Rocky Run before heading to the booth, while Rufus is scheduled to greet the public all weekend.

Wasabi: a 125-pound therapy dog with three years in the role

Wasabi has played Butkus at celebrations across Philadelphia for the past three years. Her owner, Tamar Paltin, works in animal science education at Harcum College. She told the Inquirer that the dog’s size can put people off at first, but her affection quickly wins them over.

Wasabi has been a certified therapy dog since she was a year old. She lives with children and visits libraries and college campuses. Paltin said the dog sometimes walks away from her to lean against a student who seems stressed and stays there until the student calms down. “She really loves kids,” Paltin told the paper.

Her size has caused at least one practical problem. At a Rockyfest photo shoot a few years ago, organizers tried to tie a red bow around her neck like the one Butkus wore in the film. The ribbon was too short to go around her neck, and three people struggled with it while Wasabi bounced around trying to greet everyone.

Her family will be at the show too. Two of her daughters are expected to take part in the Rocky events, and her son is entered in the breed ring.

Rufus: a retired champion who first came to the breed through the film

Rufus belongs to Michael Devine, whose interest in bullmastiffs started when he watched Rocky and saw how Sylvester Stallone’s character got along with his large dog. Years later, a brindle bullmastiff he met at a Philadelphia dog show settled his decision to own one.

Rufus weighs 140 pounds. He is a retired champion show dog and a certified therapy dog. Devine said Rufus moves carefully around residents at retirement communities and plays more freely with children at schools, often lying down on the floor so they can approach him. At a past National Dog Show, a young visitor leaned in for a kiss, and Rufus touched his nose to the child’s.

“He’s a gentleman,” Devine said of his dog.

What it means for people visiting the show

If you are going to the National Dog Show this weekend, the Rocky booth is a chance to meet two large, calm dogs in person. Both owners told the Inquirer they hope visitors will see a different side of a breed that people often judge by its size. Devine compared the dogs to the city in the film, which looks tough from the outside and is loyal and affectionate underneath. Times, TV coverage and the judging format are covered in our guide to watching the National Dog Show.

The two dogs have also become friends after so many joint appearances. Paltin said that when they meet up again, they bow and prance around each other for a moment before going back to the crowds.

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer