Artist’ dog goes commercial with Nintendo gig

LOS ANGELES-Agence France-Presse

The canine star Uggie will become the new face of Nintendogs+cats, a new game for the hand-held Nintendo 3DS. Associated Press photo

Uggie, the trick-performing Jack Russell from silent film hit “The Artist,” is cashing in on his stardom by becoming the furry new face of Nintendo, the company said.

The canine star will promote Nintendogs+cats, a new game for the hand-held Nintendo 3DS that allows users to feed, train and care for customizable pets.

“Uggie didn’t have to sit up and beg for his role as Nintendo’s spokesdog,” said Scott Moffitt, executive vice president of Nintendo of America.

“It’s truly our pleasure to work with a star of Uggie’s magnitude.”

The 10-year-old Uggie announced his retirement from show business after a long and distinguished career in movies and commercials, one that culminated in with “The Artist,” which has received 10 Oscar nominations.

Uggie himself was nominated for Best Dog in a Theatrical Film -- for both “The Artist” and ‘Water for Elephants” -- in the first annual Golden Collar Awards for Hollywood dogs, sponsored by the Dog News Daily website.

And last year the Cannes Film Festival -- echoing its top film award, the Palme D’Or -- gave Uggie its prestigious “Palm Dog.”