Uggie, the famous Jack Russell who starred in the Oscar-winning movie The Artist, announced his retirement from film today.

According to his trainers, Omar Von Muller and Sarah Clifford at Animal Savvy Uggie is now 10-years-0ld (70 in human years) and is ready for retirement.

Clifford told The Hollywood Reporter:

“We don’t force our dogs to do this. It’s always has to be fun for them. Uggie’s still enjoying it but he’s getting up there and he’s slowing down a little.”

Clifford said that Uggie may do a commercial or a short film in the future but he won’t be doing anymore feature-length films.

Clifford said:

“He’s at the stage where he just says, “I think I want to go and lay in the sun by the pool.”

The Telegraph reports that Uggie won the 2011 Palm Dog award at the Cannes film festival and was given a Golden Collar Award in Los Angeles earlier this year. Uggie was also immortalized earlier this week in California when he sunk his paws into the wet cement outside of Hollywood’s Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

Here’s a scene from The Artist featuring Uggie.

Uggie Retires: Dog Actor Quits Showbiz is a post from: The Inquisitr

Uggie the dog, the charming Jack Russell terrier who starred in Oscar-winning film The Artist, is now the face of a PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals) poster campaign.

Almost certainly the world’s most famous mutt, Uggie has lent his lovable furry mug to a moody black-and-white advert (full version below) that asks people to adopt pets, rather than buy them. “I’m Uggie, and I was adopted,” reads the caption. “Millions of dogs are waiting in animal shelters for a loving home. Adopt, don’t buy.” A worthwhile message, I think we can all agree. It’s understood Uggie waived his usual fee of 5 Bonios and ten minutes of belly rubs for the ad.

The backstory of Uggie has now become pretty well-known: the canine actor had too much energy for his first two owners to cope with, and he ended up with dog trainer Omar Von Muller, who adopted him and turned him into a four-legged movie star.

Uggie has now been retired from films – he’s close to turning a grand ten years old – but Von Muller has previously said he would let the dog do an occasional advert. Mimi Bekhechi, manager for PETA UK said:

“Animal shelters are full to the brim with dogs and cats who are waiting for the opportunity to become the star of a loving family. Peta encourages everyone who is considering bringing a canine companion into their lives to save a life by adopting from an animal shelter – and never patronising breeders or pet shops.”

Uggie is in prestigious company with his new PETA campaign – previously, the likes of Justin Bieber, Kellan Lutz, Audrina Patridge, Eva Mendes and (a nude) Pamela Anderson have all posed for the organisation. Here’s the full heartwrenching poster:

[Via PETA]

Uggie The Dog Stars In Peta Ad [D'awww] is a post from: The Inquisitr

According to Gaming Age The Artist Jack Russell dog Uggie is making his rounds in Hollywood! First he was all what we could talk about at the Golden Globes, and now he’s the new spokesperson for Nintendo.

Nintendo of America announced that Uggie will be the face of responsible Responsible Pet Ownership Month (as well as nintendogs + cats). He will be biting into a hefty campaign starting today by supporting interactive fun of nintendogs. Uggie will shine a light on the fun involved in  the games and how you can maintain a healthy relationship with pets.

“Uggie didn’t have to sit up and beg for his role as Nintendo’s spokesdog,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “It’s truly our pleasure to work with a star of Uggie’s magnitude, especially to help animal lovers and portable gaming fans discover the fun of nintendogs + cats.”

Although Uggie’s owner Omar Von Muller announced that he was going to retire after the awards season, the opportunity was too good to be true. As the Nintendo spokesperson the pooch will stand alongside his owner to promote nintendogs + cats and the Pearl Pink Nintendo 3DS system. The features come with wireless capabilities and entertainment experiences enjoyed in 3D with the right glasses, of course.

The last we heard from a beloved Jack Russell was on the hit sitcom Frasier. With this new announcement do you think Uggie will take on more projects in film or commercials? Weigh in!

The Artist Dog Nintendo’s New Spokesperson is a post from: The Inquisitr

Uggie, the famous mutt in the Golden Globe-winning, Oscar-nominated The Artist, will retire after the Oscars. The ten-year-old Jack Russell terrier, who has been cruelly overlooked by the Academy when it comes to Oscar nom-nom-inations, will soon be able to retreat to a more sedate life. A dog’s life, even.

Omar Von Muller, Uggie’s trainer, told Life & Style magazine:

“I’m retiring him. He may do a couple of little things here and there because he enjoys them, but I don’t want to put him through long hours anymore. He’s getting tired.”

One of those little jobs may be Uggie’s new role as a greeting cards cover dog, as we reported earlier this week.

Uggie, who has been nominated for two Golden Collar Awards, has enjoyed a towering year in cinema. As well as starring in The Artist, he comfortably out-acted Robert Pattinson and Reese Wetherspoon in Water for Elephants. Almost 10,000 people backed a Facebook campaign to have Uggie nominated for an Oscar.

Despite his retirement, fans of Uggie could be seeing more of his successor soon: Omar Von Muller is currently training up Dash, Uggie’s little brother who has already acted as stand-in for his more famous brother. Von Muller says:

“I think he will be fine with Dash stepping in. Uggie is 10 years old and has done a lot of work; he wants to relax at home. If somebody wants to do a movie with Uggie, they’ll just have to deal with Dash!”

Finally, Von Muller thinks Uggie should at least be invited to the Oscars ceremony:

“I hope he gets to go. They should give him an envelope to bring to Billy Crystal.”

Yes. YES. That needs to happen.

Uggie, Dog from ‘The Artist,’ Heading for Retirement is a post from: The Inquisitr