Recommended from age 8. Loyal dog, rabies and the animal's sacrifice; painful scene.
Reason translated with AI from our Spanish original.
Good to know
- Death or separation
- Someone loved dies or disappears, often a parent.
- Fighting or violence
- Punches, weapons, injuries; slapstick barely counts.
High confidence
High confidence · All three models agree and know the movie well.
Where to watch
UK
Included with subscription
Rent
US
Included with subscription
Rent
Spain
Included with subscription
Availability as of 18 October 2026. Data from JustWatch. Streaming data and logos: JustWatch.
Top cast
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Tommy Kirk (opens in a new tab) Travis Coates -
Dorothy McGuire (opens in a new tab) Katie Coates -
Fess Parker (opens in a new tab) Jim Coates -
Kevin Corcoran (opens in a new tab) Arliss Coates -
Jeff York (opens in a new tab) Bud Searcy -
Beverly Washburn (opens in a new tab) Lisbeth Searcy
Directed by: Robert Stevenson (opens in a new tab)
Cast and photos: TMDB.
TMDb user score
What it’s about
Young Travis Coates is left to take care of the family ranch with his mother and younger brother while his father goes off on a cattle drive in the 1860s. When a yellow mongrel comes for an uninvited stay with the family, Travis reluctantly adopts the dog.
If your child is sensitive
If they get scared: under 7, a cuddle or a pause helps more than explaining it isn’t real. From 8, explaining does work.
Source: Joanne Cantor’s research (summary at Kids First) (opens in a new tab)
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This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Streaming data: JustWatch.