As some of you may know, the real name of the dog who first played “Benji” in the movies was actually “Higgins”. He was trained by Frank Inn, who found him in an animal shelter in Burbank, California. It is believed that Higgins was a cross between a miniature poodle, a miniature schnauzer, and a cocker spaniel. Before playing Benji, Higgins had a recurring role in the popular TV show Petticoat Junction in the mid 1960s. Higgins made his first movie, Mooch Goes to Hollywood, in 1971. He then retired, but came out of retirement to play Benji. He was 15 years old when he made the first Benji film in 1974 and he did all his own stunts. He retired again not long afterward, and his daughter replaced him in later Benji movies.