the animal stars of Hachi: A dog's tale
Meet the Akitas
Who Brought Hachi to Life
Three remarkable Akitas—and one Shiba Inu puppy—portrayed Hachi at different stages of his life. Each brought a distinct personality and emotional quality to the role.
Together, they created a performance that continues to move audiences around the world.
The Care and Safety
of Our Animal Stars
Throughout training and filming, we worked closely with the American Humane Association to protect the comfort and well-being of every animal on set. Their team reviewed the script in advance and established strict guidelines—especially for the puppies, who tired easily and were sensitive to the cold.
Because much of the film was shot during a Rhode Island winter, keeping them warm was a priority. The wardrobe department created custom jackets with hidden warmers that blended into their fur. So when young Hachi appears tucked inside the satchel or resting in Richard Gere’s arms, he may look exposed to the cold—but he was actually warm and carefully protected.
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale received the American Humane Association’s highest rating:
“No Animals Were Harmed.”
The Trainers
Behind the Performances
Boone Narr, founder of Boone’s Animals for Hollywood, brought decades of experience training animals for film and television. But Hachi: A Dog’s Tale presented an unusual challenge.
This was not a performance built around tricks. Hachi needed to express devotion, independence, longing, and loss—often through the smallest movements.
Many believed Akitas were too independent to train for such an emotionally demanding role. Boone saw their intelligence, dignity, and quiet presence as exactly what the story required.
For months, he and his team worked closely with each dog, learning how to shape natural behavior into moments audiences would understand and feel.
The result was several distinct animal performances woven together into one unforgettable Hachi.
"I’ve read a hundred scripts in my career, and few have moved me to tears."
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale was one of the most meaningful filmmaking experiences of my career—one I will always remember and share with my grandchildren.
- Animal Trainer Mark Harden
The Hachi Trio:
Chico, Layla, and Forrest
Chico and Layla, a brother-sister duo, portrayed young Hachi, while Forrest, a dignified four-year-old Akita, brought the older Hachi to life.
Despite their independent nature, the Akitas delivered remarkable performances, capturing every emotion Director Lasse Hallström envisioned.
Surrounded by these extraordinary dogs, the set radiated a rare warmth, making every moment behind the scenes as memorable as the story itself.
Meet Chico
Hachi's most independent star
Of all the dogs Mark Harden trained, Chico was the most challenging. True to his Akita nature, he was independent, aloof—and for the first month, barely acknowledged Mark’s presence, even refusing to eat when he was around.
Traditional training methods weren’t working. So Mark had to think differently. Instead of standard commands like sit or stay, he taught Chico a sequence of actions that film audiences would interpret as emotions.
Using an agility course, Chico learned to respond to visual cues—a tunnel meant go through, a prop signaled pause here. What started as a challenge became a game. And in that breakthrough moment, Mark and Chico finally connected.
Chico’s natural aloofness made him perfect
for scenes where Hachi remained distant from strangers. When Hachi waited for Parker at the train station, it was Chico who stood unfazed—ignoring bystanders and even a playful poodle.
He was also chosen for the heartbreaking moment when Parker’s family came to take Hachi home. While Layla would have eagerly jumped into the car, Chico’s quiet resistance made the scene all the more poignant.
But Chico wasn’t always reserved. As the most active Hachi dog, he thrived in action scenes—like the unforgettable moment when Hachi frantically dug under the fence, refusing to be left behind.
Meet Layla
Hachi's most affectionate star
Layla quickly earned the nickname “the kissing dog”—always greeting everyone with a kiss. Her warm, affectionate nature made her the perfect choice to portray Hachi’s deep bond with Professor Parker. Richard Gere’s connection with Layla was effortless, bringing an authenticity to their scenes that was vital to the film’s emotional depth.
In one moment of unscripted magic, when Parker’s friend Ken arrived at the station, Layla ad-libbed—offering her paw in greeting.
Some scenes required a little creativity (a dab of baby food on Richard’s neck helped her jump up on cue), but when it came to Parker’s gentle massages, no tricks were needed. Layla loved every moment.
Richard Gere spent nearly an hour with Layla
giving her endless warmth and attention to capture the perfect shot. She loved every minute of it.
But it wasn’t just the massages she loved—Layla lived for the snow. On the night we filmed Hachi’s final scene with Parker, fresh snowfall blanketed the ground, and she couldn’t contain her excitement as we rushed to the train station to capture the moment.
Since three Akitas—two males and one female—portrayed the adult Hachi, trainer David Allsberry had to think fast when Layla unexpectedly went into heat during filming. His solution? A custom-made hairpiece to keep up the illusion. After all, Hachi was supposed to be a boy!
Meet Forrest
The Akita who became Old Hachi
Though younger in real life, Forrest delivered a powerful performance as the aging Hachi. In his final days, trainer Mark Harden guided him to move with deliberate slowness—placing each paw carefully on dozens of small marks, head lowered, eyes heavy with time.
But looking older was just as important as moving like an aging dog.
Mark himself transformed Forrest for the role, crafting a remarkable makeover that made the once-vibrant Akita appear ragged and frail. Watching him on screen, you’d never guess he was only four years old.
How Forrest Became Old Hachi
For the heartbreaking train station scene—when Hachi’s life flashes before his eyes—Forrest underwent a subtle yet powerful transformation. Nontoxic makeup softened his features, while small, warmed magnets gently weighed down his ears and tail, creating the illusion of age.
To deepen the effect, Forrest was placed in a relaxed “down and stay” position, where he would naturally grow drowsy, his eyes drifting closed—bringing Hachi’s final moments to life with quiet authenticity.
Hachi Still Has More to Teach Us
His story reaches far beyond the screen—reminding us that loyalty, courage, and one unexpected choice can open a new chapter.
