What kind of dog is Checkers in the Farmers Dog commercial?
A deep dive into the canine star of the The Farmer’s Dog ad campaign *
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Meet Checkers – The Farmer’s Dog
Introducing Checkers: The Canine Face of the Brand
The dog prominently featured in one of The Farmer’s Dog’s campaigns is named Checkers. According to the company’s own website, Checkers is a Chihuahua.
She’s described as a “21-year-old Chihuahua who hangs out at construction sites,” and has been showcased as part of The Farmer’s Dog’s success stories of senior dogs thriving thanks to fresh food.
In short: yes — the dog in the commercial is a Chihuahua (or at least identified publicly as one by the brand).
Why a Chihuahua? What’s the back-story behind the breed choice?
There are several reasons why using a Chihuahua like Checkers makes strategic sense for The Farmer’s Dog campaign:
Chihuahuas are one of the most recognizable “small breed” dogs, which helps make the campaign relatable: many households have small dogs, so the breed draws empathy.
The senior-dog angle: Checkers is highlighted as being very old for a dog (21 years), showing the effect of “fresh” dog food. A small breed dog also tends to live longer than large breeds, making the story of “21 years old and still going strong” more believable.
The brand’s story: The Farmer’s Dog emphasizes fresh, whole-food nutrition for dogs of all ages. By showcasing a senior Chihuahua still active and happy, the brand reinforces the message of longevity and quality of life.
Visual impact: A tiny dog like a Chihuahua has a strong visual contrast when placed in contexts like construction-site hangouts (as the brand article mentions) or larger settings; it helps the message of “small but mighty” and “long lasting” stand out.
Thus, the use of a Chihuahua is less about breed specifics and more about what the breed represents in the context of dog-food marketing and emotional storytelling.
What we know about Checkers’ story and her role in the commercial campaign
According to the brand’s “Digest” article:
Checkers is 21 years old (at time of article) and a Chihuahua.
Her human, named Patty, works at construction sites and says Checkers “hangs out at the construction sites where her human, Patty, works.”
Several years ago, Checkers “just started slowing down… didn’t want to get up anymore… nothing was working.”
Then the switch to The Farmer’s Dog brand’s food helped: “her energy level was back up as if she was 10 years old again.”
The article’s tone presents Checkers as a “success story” for the brand’s fresh-food positioning, emphasizing the idea that dogs on The Farmer’s Dog can thrive in their later years.
What this means for the campaign: the brand is using Checkers not simply as a breed cameo, but as a narrative device — a small elder dog who beat the odds, thanks in part to the brand’s product. It helps create emotional resonance.
The breed Chihuahua: quick facts and relevance to this story
Here are key things to know about the Chihuahua breed, which help contextualize Checkers’ story:
Origin & Size: The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds recognized, with a compact body and typically weighing under 6 kg (about 13 lbs) in adult form.
Longevity: Small-breed dogs like Chihuahuas often have longer average lifespans compared to large breeds. That plays into the “21-year-old Checkers” narrative, as it becomes more plausible given breed size.
Personality and visibility: Chihuahuas are often known for being alert, expressive, and having strong character—traits that make them effective in media/advertising as memorable canine “stars”.
Suitability for indoor and close-human-interaction lifestyles: Many small-breed dogs are companions in households where humans are very engaged with them; that fits the story of Checkers with her owner at construction sites and in brand promotions.
Health considerations: While Chihuahuas tend to live long, they also may be prone to certain health issues (dental, luxating patellas, etc.), which further underscores the brand message: when diet/nutrition is improved, even a small-breed senior dog can benefit in energy and vitality.
In the campaign, the breed matters insofar as it aligns with the narrative: a small, vulnerable but resilient breed whose age and condition can visibly improve with the right care (and right food).
Why this matters for dog owners and brand storytelling
From a broader perspective, what does the Checkers story tell us (and dog-owners) about breed, age, brand marketing, and nutrition?
Breed versus individual story: Brands often choose a specific dog for its emotional resonance more than strictly breed decorum. While Checkers is identified as a Chihuahua, the most important part is her story: senior dog, energetic again, representing what fresh food can do. This means that for dog owners, the message is less “my dog must be X breed” and more “my dog can thrive regardless of breed with appropriate care”.
Age and messaging: By focusing on a 21-year-old dog, a breed which by nature can live long but still rarely hits that age, The Farmer’s Dog elevates the idea of “extra vitality” and “bonus years” — a powerful marketing angle. For dog owners, it underscores that nutrition and care at any age matter.
Small breed advantages: Using a Chihuahua subtly showcases the advantages small breeds have (e.g., longer lifespan, fewer age-related mobility issues compared to large breeds). For an owner of a small dog, this might feel highly relatable; for owners of larger breeds, it might prompt reflection on how nutrition must adjust for size and age.
Brand authenticity: By naming the dog, providing a back-story, and showing real age and transformation, the campaign builds trust: this isn’t just a generic “cute puppy” commercial. Checkers is real, older, and overcame a visible challenge. That authenticity helps the brand’s positioning of “fresh real food” rather than just marketing hype.
Implications for dog owners: If you own a small breed (like a Chihuahua) or a senior dog, the campaign suggests:
Monitor your dog’s energy, mobility, appetite, and general health signs.
Recognize that even older dogs can respond positively to improved nutrition, though individual health conditions apply.
Consult with your vet about dietary shifts, especially for seniors, and not presume that “brand promise alone” replaces vet guidance.
In short: Checkers’ breed and story act as a bridge between brand narrative and real-life dog-owner relevance.
Final thoughts: yes — it’s a Chihuahua, and here’s what we take away
To summarise:
The dog in The Farmer’s Dog commercial in question, named Checkers, is identified by the brand as a Chihuahua.
The breed selection fits the narrative: small size, long life potential, visible improvement in senior years, strong emotional appeal.
For dog owners, the story isn’t simply about breed—it’s about care, nutrition, age-appropriate attention, and the possibility of improvement even in later years.
While the breed gives a specific identity, the larger takeaway is universal: selecting the right nutrition and lifestyle can help dogs of many breeds lead fuller lives.
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