Although Bolt’s breed is never directly referenced in the film, creator Joe Moshier openly indicated that the character’s design is based on a white German shepherd puppy. Bolt does not aim to be a specific breed, his physical characteristics and character traits look a lot like a White Shepherd.
Owning a dog is one thing, but having a dog with superpowers takes things to a whole new level!
In the 2008 Disney animated film Screw, the titular canine character is a successful and accepted puppy for all challenges, which stands out as a super dog fighting crime – on TV.
However, Bolt didn’t understand well at the beginning. Deprived of a dog’s normal ambience for life, this dog really believes it has superpowers. Only after separating from his owner (and co-star) Penny does Bolt get a good dose of reality.
But even after the movie ends, a question remains – what kind of dog is Bolt?
What is a white German Shepherd?
For a long time, German White Shepherds were just that – German Shepherds in white coats. They were considered only a genetic anomaly with a predominant display of the recessive gene of the coat colour of a German shepherd.
However, creators began to isolate this characteristic and create pure German White Shepherds. And when that started happening, the kennel clubs didn’t accept it very well. In fact, white German shepherds were forbidden to enrol in their home Germany.
Although White Shepherds did not do well in Germany, puppies exported to the US and Canada grew in popularity. And in 1969, these dogs had their own breed club established. They are now slowing their way to major kennel clubs with the United Kennel Club recognising them as an independent race in 1999.
Physical characteristics of the white shepherd
White shepherds have constructions almost identical to the standard German shepherd. Fully grown, they have a large muscle building, measuring more than 25 inches and weighing up to 90 pounds. They are considered large dogs and are usually used for security, military or police labour purposes.
One of the characteristics for which they are best known is the erect and cheerful ears. This breed – along with standard German shepherds – are known for their sharply angular profiles with their pointed ears, adding more rigidity to their appearance. This is easily seen in Bolt’s profile, as the animators made a point of accentuating them specifically.
Another characteristic that Bolt and the White Shepherd have in common is a large thick tail. Shepherds have long and thick tails – another trait highlighted during animation. This thick tail can be attributed in some way to the White Shepherd’s double coat, which makes them notorious shedders as well as their standard counterparts. However, some White German Shepherds do not have a double coat, which makes them unique in this regard.
White Shepherd’s character and personality traits
When watching the movie Screw, we couldn’t help but realise how much Bolt acts like a German shepherd. They not only modelled the character’s look after the White Shepherd, it’s as if they had transplanted the personality of the race as well.
White Shepherds are an exceptionally confident and intelligent race. They are able to learn almost everything, which is part of what makes them one of the best professional races there are. And Bolt, being a superhero, incorporates this aura, but instead of working in the traditional sense, he believes he can melt steel with his mind and ward off evil with his super-shell.
They are also guarded dogs and born protectors, especially in relation to the children with whom they were raised. In the film, when Bolt separates from Penny, his only dedication is to find his way back to her. This shows the real nature and loyalty of the White Shepherd.
And finally, these dogs are super active and need a lot of exercises. And Bolt is anything but lazy. In fact, throughout the film, he is totally motivated to continue pressurising to reunite with his master.
Summary
Although Bolt is loosely based on the White Shepherd, there is little doubt that he is so. Bolt not only looks like his role but also acts.
His fierce loyalty and dedication to the family – Penny – is only rivalled by the loyalty demonstrated through the real-life dog breed. And he is superconfident in his abilities to save the day and protect the needy.
And when combined with the pointed ears and thick tail associated with the White Shepherd, there is no doubt that Bolt is not only based on a White Shepherd. He really incorporates one. The biggest difference between Bolt and a real White Shepherd is his size. Bolt could be a little bigger, but that probably wouldn’t be such a cute drawing.