Saagar Kote
‘Dog’ focuses on Jackson Briggs, an Army Ranger struggling due to a service-related brain injury. He finds it difficult to adjust to civilian life, especially following the death of his friend and comrade, Riley Rodriguez. Due to this tragic incident, Jackson is tasked with safely transporting Riley’s dog, Lulu, to the funeral in another part of the country in a few days. In return for the service, he is promised a recommendation letter, a chance to save his career, and to honor his friend.
Accepting the job, Jackson embarks on a journey with Lulu that challenges him in unexpected ways. Directed by Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin, the comedy-drama road film sheds light on the intricacies of loss, friendship, and emotional isolation. One of the characters, Nuke, is a wildly active dog who has a significant impact on the arcs of Lulu and Jackson. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Nuke Shares a Special Relationship With Lulu
In ‘Dog,’ written by Reid Carolin, it is revealed that Lulu has a sibling. Nuke is her brother, who lives a different life with a caretaker. When it comes to Jackson’s attention that Lulu is challenged by anxiety, he decides that a change of scenery will be good for her. He takes her to the house of Noah, a fellow Army Ranger, who has adopted Nuke. The brother and the sister immediately recognize each other and start to move around the courtyard. Despite not being near each other for a while, the siblings still recognize that they are deeply connected. Nuke hilariously attacks Jackson when he raises his arm up casually, leading him to panic.
The other Army Ranger reveals that Nuke was also troubled by trauma sustained on the battlefield, just like Lulu. However, he was able to get better over time. When a robber steals Jackson’s things, both canine siblings use their sniffing abilities as they run through the hustle and bustle of the streets in unison. Despite the vastness of the city, they are able to locate the culprit, who hands over Jackson’s belongings. Ultimately, the time spent with her brother, Nuke, helps Lulu see another side of life.
Nuke is a Skilled and Ferocious Belgian Malinois
Nuke’s ferocity is seen in ‘Dog’ when he attacks Jackson in the courtyard. He is a Belgian Malinois who shares his sister’s passion for sudden moves. Due to their inherent strong will and physical power, dogs of the Belgian Malinois breed are not recommended for households with young children or elderly individuals, unless they have undergone thorough training or are constantly and closely supervised. They are also utilized in military services for bomb-sniffing due to their ability to focus. They come from Belgium and also possess dexterity, stamina, and thick skin. This unique blend of factors makes them invaluable to cops and army units.
Due to their need for extensive training and exercise, Belgian Malinois are not the ideal breed for first-time dog owners. They enjoy a wide variety of activities and use their sense of smell to explore their territories. They are aware of their surroundings and agile with games like fetch. Thus, Nuke’s behavioral traits in the narrative, his energy, and his extremely skilled detection of the stolen goods stem from his natural abilities. Though his character is not based on a real dog, he signifies the strength of his breed and its connection to the armed forces.
Nuke’s Zeal For Life is Conveyed by Sam the Dog
Nuke’s introduction takes the narrative of ‘Dog’ towards a new direction. His charm and passion for life are brought alive by the dog Sam. The performance given by him helps uncover the aggression and calm in him at the same time. Sam was presumably trained for his role in the film, as it has been established that trainers played a pivotal role in the process of preparation for the movie. Sam’s high-energy performance also leads to a chaotic sequence of events in the narrative. Though he only appears on the screen for a short while, his cameo turns out to be impactful.
It can be presumed that Sam was trained alongside Britta, Lana 5, and Zuza, the three dogs who collectively portray Lulu in the movie. His role and behavior in the film are significantly different from Lulu’s, which suggests that his training would have been tailored to suit the demands of the story. All in all, Sam’s powerful depiction of Nuke adds to the character development of Jackson and Lulu.
Read More: Is Lulu Based on a Real Dog? Who Plays Her? What Breed is She?
