Soccer (May 17, 1988 – June 26, 2001) was a Jack Russell Terrier and animal actor.[1] A veteran of many television commercials for such companies as Nike Athletics and Mighty Dog Dog Food, he became famous portraying the talking dog Wishbone in the PBS Kids television series of the same name. Chosen from more than 100 dogs who auditioned for the role, Soccer appeared in almost every episode of the show during its 1995–1998 run. He lived with his trainer, Jackie Martin Kaptan, on the Plano, Texas ranch where the Wishbone series was filmed and was buried there after his 2001 death. Soccer, as Wishbone, was considered by many to be one of the most beloved TV dogs of the 1990s.[2] His sire Blencathra Badger[3] was the first winner of the Parson Russell Terrier best of breed prize at Crufts in 1991.[4]

Soccer
Soccer as Wishbone playing Robin Hood
Other name(s)Wishbone
SpeciesDog
BreedJack Russell Terrier
SexMale
Born(1988-05-17)May 17, 1988
Connecticut, United States
DiedJune 26, 2001(2001-06-26) (aged 13)
Plano, Texas, United States
Resting placePlano, Texas, United States
OccupationAnimal actor
Notable roleWishbone on Wishbone
Years active1993–2001
TrainingBack flip
OwnerJackie Martin Kaptan
Named afterSoccer ball

Filmography

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Eskin, Blake (October 21, 2009). "The Exchange: Rick Duffield". The New Yorker. Condé Nast. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  2. ^ Beck, Ken; Clark, Jim (30 March 2002). The Encyclopedia of TV Pets. Nashville, Tenn.: Rutledge Hill Press. ISBN 978-1-55853-981-5.
  3. ^ "Blencathra Badger". Pedigree Database. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  4. ^ Ross, Paul. "The first Parson Russell to take BOB at the Crufts Dog Show 1991". Facebook. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
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