Lassie the Dog: Lassie the Dog. Actress: Lassie. Contrary to popular belief, Lassie was actually a laddie. The female collie originally cast as the lovable canine was replaced due to her excessive shedding of fur during production of Lassie Come Home (1943) and replaced with a more impressive looking male animal named Pal. Pal, born in 1940, was owned by the renowned animal trainer Rudd Weatherwax. He performed so well as a stunt...