What was the real name of the dog who played Toto?

The real name of the dog who played Toto was Terry. She was a female Cairn Terrier trained and owned by Hollywood animal handler Carl Spitz. Terry performed as Toto in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, appearing alongside Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale. Although the character was called Toto, the dog was credited by her own name.

Terry was born in Chicago on November 17, 1933, and had already appeared in films before her most famous role. The Wizard of Oz became her best-known performance, but it was her only credited role. Her success was so closely tied to Toto that her name was officially changed to Toto in 1942, although Terry remains the historically recognized name of the performer during filming.

The common mix-ups in this question are other famous animal performers, including Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, and Benji. Those dogs belong to different film and television traditions. Toto is the fictional character’s name; Terry is the name of the Cairn Terrier who portrayed Toto in the classic 1939 movie.