Famous Composer Dog Names

If it weren’t for Beethoven, the image of Saint Bernards in popular culture may have forever been marred by Stephen King’s Cujo, even in all of its simplistic and terrifying brilliance. But instead, it not only created a popular franchise that stretched on through seven different movies, but firmly placed big dogs, especially Saint Bernards, in the hearts and homes of average American families. 

Ironically enough, on the topic of clever, famous composer-themed dog names, it needs to be mentioned that the hairy, large, and in-charge star of the movie was actually named… Chris. Yep. Chris. While his real name may not be all that inspiring, his performance on camera certainly was, all thanks to the legendary 80s/90s/00s writer John Hughes (under the pseudonym Edmond Dantés), best known for cult classics like Pretty in Pink and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and trainer Karl Lewis Miller, who also somewhat ironically worked with the dog that played Cujo. 

Between Chris, Hughes, Miller and director Brian Levant, Beethoven became more than just a movie character but provided a looking glass into the dynamics of pet ownership, the love, the pain, the hassles and all. On a more entertaining level, Beethoven’s combination of clear intent and perfected nonchalance embodied what many people already think of their own dogs: intelligent, full of personality, and complete with a personal agenda whether we like it or not. 

While many of Beethoven’s most memorable moments are exaggerated for the silver screen, who can forget a 200-pound dog shaking water, mud and drool off while he’s on the master bed, showering his owner in a trio of dirty liquids, let alone pulling an entire patio full of adults off their seats? His acts and character-building vignettes may have been scaled to match his size, but at heart, Chris and Beethoven are the perfect reminders of those furry friends we hold dear. They may pester us, annoy us, and even drive us crazy, but in the bigger picture, they provide some of the best companionship people can ask for. 

Unfortunately, the film that followed Beethoven, Beethoven’s 2nd, would be Chris’ last act, as he passed away shortly after completing the film, but he left the world a better place, one where 90s movies rich with canine characters could forevermore remind us of the appreciation we have for our dogs and in turn, the love and appreciation they have for us.