Daddy (dog)

Daddy (1994 ‒ February 19, 2010) was an American Pit Bull Terrier integral to dog trainer Cesar Millan's work and his television series, Dog Whisperer. Daddy became known for his calm temperament, tolerance for smaller dogs and capacity for empathy.

Millan employed Daddy's temperament to rehabilitate dogs, train dog owners and serve as a role model for a breed often associated with aggressiveness. Daddy appeared frequently in episodes of the Dog Whisperer, with Millan referring to him as his right-hand man and The True Dog Whisperer. According to Millan, Daddy "never made a mistake — never, never. He's never displayed aggression or any other negative behavior. He's just always helped me." In 2009, Millan added "I have never had a dog like Daddy. I've been astounded by his intuition, consoled by his affection, and awed by his silent empathy."

Daddy had been with Millan since he was 4 months old, when his previous owner, rapper Redman, asked Millan to care for him. As a puppy he demonstrated a natural insecurity (from having been constantly on the move with Redman) and pronounced strength. By the time Daddy was ten years old — still with Millan, having been raised with a pack of Rottweilers and having survived both cancer and chemotherapy, he was officially adopted by the Millan family.

Millan later selected another pit bull puppy, Junior, as Daddy's protégé — to apprentice, learn his temperament and prepare to assume Daddy's role after his death. At the time of Daddy's death at age 16 on February 19, 2010, Millan noted, "he represented what my grandfather taught me, never work against Mother Nature." After the death of Daddy, Junior has now assumed Daddy's role and helps Cesar with rehabilitating dogs by using calm, assertive energy.