Step aside, penguins; dogs are film’s best friends

Perhaps they grew tired of penguins getting all their press. Or ninja turtles stealing their thunder.

Whatever the reason, dogs are back on the movie screens, beginning April 4 with “Firehouse Dog,” about a firefighting Irish terrier.

In “Year of the Dog,” due April 13, Molly Shannon plays a secretary whose life is dramatically altered when her dog dies.

“Underdog,” TV’s beloved crime-fighting beagle, comes to the big screen on Aug. 3 with Jason Lee (“My Name is Earl”) providing the voice.

When it comes to animal movies, dogs have historically been Hollywood’s best friend. Since 1974, there have been 44 live-action, big-studio dog films, according to Box Office Mojo. The next closest animal is the horse, which has anchored 20 feature films.

“I wish we had a dog movie coming out,” says Dan Fellman, distribution chief of Warner Bros. “I’ve never had one that didn’t make money.”

Still, last year’s “Lassie” did only $650,000. In 2004, “Benji: Off the Leash” fetched a meager $3.8 million.

And dog films inevitably draw the ire of rescue groups, who say they generally lead to a surge in animal adoptions – and dumpings.

“We love movies that celebrate dogs,” says Stephanie Shain, spokeswoman for the national Humane Society. “But why not have a 30-second disclaimer before the movie begins that not all dogs are for everyone, and that they need lots of training and care?”

“Firehouse” director Todd Holland took pains to convince a Los Angeles terrier rescue group, from which he adopted two of the four dogs for the film, that the movie’s message would be supportive.

“It’s about a devotion to dogs, something I know about,” says Holland, who owned a yellow Lab for 13 years before it died in 2004.

Not that affection for dogs makes for easy filmmaking. So as not to startle or distract the animals, “Firehouse” actors and crew members were instructed not to speak to, touch or even look the dogs in the eyes.

“Talk about a diva,” Holland jokes.

At least persuading dogs to take acting gigs is easy, says “Firehouse” star Bruce Greenwood.

“Cats are hard to get to agree to a contract,” he says. “Dogs, they’ll sign anything.”