Which Breeds of Dog Are in the Farmer’s Dog Commercial?
A deep dive into the canine cast of The Farmer’s Dog ads
(By Carmichael Phillip)
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Overview: The Farmer’s Dog Advertising Strategy
The Farmer’s Dog, a fresh-food pet nutrition company, has created a series of emotionally resonant commercials that prominently feature real dogs. These ads aren’t just about cute pups — they showcase a carefully selected cast of dog actors whose breeds help reinforce the company’s mission of promoting longevity, health, and the bond between pets and owners.
In this piece, we’ll examine which dog breeds appear in these commercials — examining multiple different ads, the known breed identities, and what the choice of breed reveals about The Farmer’s Dog’s brand narrative.
Primary Breed in the “Forever” Super Bowl Spot
One of the most famous Farmer’s Dog commercials is the “Forever” spot, shown during the 2023 Super Bowl.
In that ad, the dog “Bear” is portrayed across life stages — from playful puppy to a senior companion. According to The Farmer’s Dog’s own Digest page, the canine actors in “Forever” are all Labrador Retrievers: Wayne and Sammy (puppies), Princess (adolescent), Bolt (adult), and Blue (senior).
The Farmer’s Dog
This breed makes sense for such a spot: Labs are beloved, family-friendly, and have a universally relatable appeal — reinforcing the theme of a long, healthy life shared between pet and human.
Other Breeds in the Commercial Lineup
Beyond “Forever,” Farmer’s Dog has released several other commercial spots — and different dog breeds appear in those. According to their campaign breakdown:
In the “It’s Time” commercial, the featured dogs are Luther (Golden Retriever), Nash (German Wirehaired Pointer mix), and Donuts (a terrier mix).
The Farmer’s Dog
In the “No Magic” spot, the dog actors include Pepsi (a Lab mix), Jellybean (Australian Shepherd mix), Grit (also a mix), and Mink (Border Terrier mix).
The Farmer’s Dog
These choices show the brand’s preference for mixed-breed dogs alongside more traditional purebreds, helping to underscore their message of inclusivity and real-world pet health rather than targeting only “ideal” pedigrees.
Specific Breed: The Chihuahua (“Young Again” Campaign)
In one of their other major ads — “Young Again” — Farmer’s Dog features a Chihuahua.
We also confirms this, naming a Chihuahua named Checkers who appears in their campaigns.
The Chihuahua is particularly meaningful here: this small-breed dog is used to tell a story about longevity. According to Acting Magazine, Checkers is 21 years old, a powerful visual for how fresh, healthy food can support a long life.
Other Reported or Speculated Breeds
Beyond the Dog Food brand’s own disclosures, some sources speculate on other breeds in the commercials:
According to Fluffy Tamer, some of the dogs in the ads are mixed-breed, with possible lineage from Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Boxer, and American Bulldog.
Fluffy Tamer
A website called Repeat Replay describes the “main” dog in Farmer’s Dog commercials as a “medium-sized mutt” with a fluffy coat and floppy ears — again reinforcing the idea of mixed lineage rather than a pure breed.
Repeat Replay
On forums like Reddit, some viewers have identified what they believe looks like a bearded collie, Briard, or Berger Picard in certain ads — though these identifications are speculative, based on visual impressions.
Reddit
Why Mixed Breeds Are Strategic for Their Brand
Farmer’s Dog seems to have intentionally chosen a variety of dogs for their commercials — both in terms of breed and life stage. There are several reasons for this:
Relatability: Mixed-breed dogs are incredibly common; many pet owners have rescues or “mutts.” By featuring mixed dogs, the brand appeals broadly.
Narrative power: Dogs like “Bear” (Labradors) embody a story of growth, loyalty, and longevity. Meanwhile, a senior Chihuahua (Checkers) brings emotional resonance around age and vitality.
Diversity of representation: Using different breeds and mix types lets the brand visually communicate that their food is for all kinds of dogs — not just one idealized breed.
Rescue messaging: Some of their dogs are referred to as rescue or mixed heritage, which subtly supports themes of care, adoption, and giving every dog a healthy life.
Challenges in Identifying the Breeds
Of course, pinning down the exact breed of a dog in a commercial can be tricky. Some complicating factors:
Multiple dog actors per role: As with “Bear” in the “Forever” spot, several Labrador Retrievers portray the same dog at different ages.
The Farmer’s Dog
Lack of official breed disclosure: The company shares some cast details, but not for every commercial or dog featured.
Visual guesswork: Third-party sources and audience speculation (like on Reddit) can be unreliable — breed identification from video alone is often inconclusive.
Takeaways: What Breeds Represent the Farmer’s Dog Brand
Putting it all together, here’s what we know about the breeds in Farmer’s Dog commercials:
Labrador Retrievers: Very prominent — especially in their “Forever” ad, used to symbolize life stages and longevity.
The Farmer’s Dog
Golden Retrievers, German Wirehaired Pointer mixes, Terrier mixes: Used in various other spots to show breadth of breed types.
The Farmer’s Dog
Chihuahua (Checkers): Featured in ads focused on senior dogs, underscoring the brand’s promise for long, healthy lives.
Mixed-breed (mutt) dogs: Used often, whether in Lab mixes, border terrier mixes, or more ambiguous lineage — aligning with a brand narrative of inclusivity and realism.
Why Breeds Matter to the Brand—and to You
For The Farmer’s Dog, the choice of dog breeds in their ads isn’t just about casting cute dogs — it’s a storytelling device. By using a mix of retrievers, small breeds, and mixed dogs, they communicate:
The food is for all dogs, big or small.
Their nutritional philosophy supports longevity (e.g., older Chihuahuas).
They care about real, everyday dogs — not just “perfect pedigree” ones.
For dog owners watching these ads, the breed variety may feel reassuring: no matter what kind of dog they have, The Farmer’s Dog seems to say, “We made this for you, too.”
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