HACHI animal stars
Meet the Akitas Who Brought Hachi: A Dog's Tale to Life
The set of Hachi: A Dog’s Tale was extra animal friendly with many of the cast and crew showing up for work with their own canine companions. Keep reading to meet the animal stars.
The Wellbeing and Safety
of Our Animal Stars
Throughout training and filming, we worked closely with the American Humane Association (AHA) to ensure every animal’s well-being. Their team reviewed the script in advance, setting strict guidelines—especially for the puppies, who tire easily and are sensitive to the cold.
With much of the film shot in Rhode Island’s winter, keeping them warm was a priority. The wardrobe department crafted custom jackets with hidden warmers, perfectly matching their fur. So while young Hachi may look chilly in the satchel or wrapped in Richard Gere’s arms, he was actually snug and cozy.
Thanks to the AHA’s diligence, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale earned their highest rating: “No Animals Were Harmed in the Making of This Film.” Because animals deserve nothing less.
Meet the Animal Trainers
and Hachi Dog Stars
Boone Narr, founder of Boone’s Animals for Hollywood, has spent over three decades training animals for film and television. But Hachi: A Dog’s Tale was different. More than just a script—it was a story of love, loyalty, and loss. Narr knew the film’s success depended on audiences feeling Hachi’s devotion as if it were their own.
Many said Akitas were too independent to train. Narr saw a challenge. And he was all in. Unlike typical dog movies, this wasn’t about tricks—it was about capturing emotion. For months, he and his team worked tirelessly to help the Akitas embody Hachi’s quiet, unshakable loyalty.
And then, it happened. A breakthrough. The Akitas didn’t just act—they became Hachi. The result? A film that lingers in the heart long after the credits roll.
"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 best movie making experience of my career, and I will pass down memories of it to my grandchildren
- Animal Trainer Mark Harden
A member of Mark’s family, Chico patiently waited for Mark’s return around 5 o’clock each day.
The Hachi Trio:
Chico, Layla, and Forrest
Chico and Layla, a brother-sister duo, played young Hachi, while Forrest, a dignified four-year-old Akita, portrayed the older Hachi.
Despite their independent nature, the Akitas delivered breathtaking performances—capturing every emotion Director Lasse Hallström envisioned.
Surrounded by these captivating dogs, the set radiated a rare warmth, making every moment behind the scenes as special as the story itself.
Meet Chico
Our most challenging Hachi dog
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
Our affectionate Hachi dog
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.
At one point, Richard Gere spent nearly an hour with Layla
giving her endless warmth and attention to capture the perfect shot. She was in doggy heaven.
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
Our most mature Hachi dog
Though younger in real life, Forrest delivered a powerful performance as 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.
Groomer’s chalk was applied to dull the sheen of Forrest's coat.
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.
