Does Will Smith Have a Dog? His Complete Pet History Revealed

The Will Smith Dog Connection: More Than Just Co-stars

Yes, Will Smith definitely has dogs! As someone who’s always been fascinated by celebrity pets, I’ve done some digging into Will Smith’s furry family members, and the answer might surprise you. The “Bad Boys” and “King Richard” star isn’t just a talented actor – he’s also a dedicated dog dad with quite the canine crew.

Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith are proud parents to several dogs, including five Rottweilers and a recently adopted rescue pup Their dog journey is pretty interesting, especially considering Will’s complicated history with dogs from his childhood

Will Smith’s Current Dogs

As of 2025 the Smith family has several furry members

• Five Rottweilers: Named Indo, Gracie, Zhaki, Tyson, and one unnamed Rottweiler
• Lucco: A mixed breed rescue dog adopted in August 2023

Let me break down Will’s dog history a bit more thoroughly,,

Will’s Childhood Dog Trauma and Return to Dog Ownership

Will Smith actually avoided dog ownership for many years due to a traumatic childhood experience. When he was just 9 years old, his dog was hit by a car, which created lasting emotional scars. This experience kept him away from dogs until much later in his adult life.

It wasn’t until filming “I Am Legend” in 2007 alongside his canine co-star Abbey that Will regained his confidence with dogs. Working with Abbey (who played Samantha or “Sam” in the film) helped heal his old wounds and opened the door to welcoming dogs into his family.

The Rottweiler Pack: How Will Became a Multi-Dog Dad

The Smith family’s Rottweiler collection has an interesting origin story:

• Indo: A gift to Jada from famous dog trainer Cesar Millan, who is good friends with the couple
• One unnamed Rottweiler: Jada took this dog in from a friend who couldn’t keep it
• Two other Rottweilers: These were actually gifts to Will from Jay Leno (yes, THE Jay Leno!)
• The fifth Rottweiler: The details about how this one joined the family aren’t well documented

It’s worth noting that these Rottweilers received professional training from Cesar Millan himself. However, it’s unclear how many of these Rottweilers are still alive today, as neither Will nor Jada has posted much about them since the mid-2010s.

Fang: The Smith Family’s Departed Husky

The Smiths also had a beloved Husky named Fang who was adopted in 2009. Sadly, Fang passed away in January 2024 at the impressive age of 15, after many years with the family.

Lucco: The Newest Addition

In more recent pet news, Jada Pinkett Smith shared in August 2023 that the family had adopted a rescue dog named Lucco. This mixed-breed pup is the newest addition to their pet family.

The Famous “I Am Legend” Dog That Will Couldn’t Adopt

One of the most interesting stories about Will Smith and dogs involves Abbey, the German Shepherd who co-starred with him in the 2007 post-apocalyptic film “I Am Legend.” In the movie, Abbey played Samantha (or “Sam”), Will’s character’s loyal companion in a world devastated by a zombie-like virus.

During a June 2024 appearance on “Hot Ones,” Will confirmed what many fans had suspected for years – he tried to adopt Abbey after filming wrapped.

“It was like Abbey spoke English,” Will told host Sean Evans during the interview. “She literally could understand you, it was the weirdest thing.”

Will and Abbey formed a special bond during production. They even went on “dates” before filming started to build their relationship. Will described Abbey as a “brilliant actress” who could do her own stunts, including the heartbreaking scene where his character has to choke his infected dog.

“Her handler trained Abbey to go limp and I laid her down,” Smith explained. “How do you train a dog to go limp?” he added, clearly impressed by the dog’s talents.

Despite his attempts to adopt Abbey, her trainer/owner Steve Berens declined the offer. As Will explained, Abbey “was the breadwinner of her family,” meaning her career as a working dog was too important to give up.

In April 2024, Will shared a sweet montage of movie clips and behind-the-scenes footage with Abbey for National Pet Day, captioning it “The goodness girl.” This shows he still thinks fondly of his canine co-star many years later.

Dog Training in the Smith Household

The Smith family takes dog training seriously. Their connection with dog behavior expert Cesar Millan has been beneficial for their pack of Rottweilers. Professional training is particularly important with larger, powerful breeds like Rottweilers to ensure they’re well-behaved and properly socialized.

Why Will Smith Loves Dogs Now

After overcoming his childhood trauma, Will seems to have embraced dog ownership wholeheartedly. The family’s multiple dogs suggest they find joy and companionship in their pets. For busy celebrities like Will and Jada, pets can provide unconditional love and a grounding presence amid hectic schedules.

The Smith Family Pet Philosophy

While the Smiths haven’t spoken extensively about their pet philosophy in interviews, their actions show they value adoption and rescue. Taking in a dog from a friend who couldn’t keep it and adopting their newest member Lucco from a rescue organization demonstrates their commitment to giving homes to dogs in need.

Fun Facts About Will Smith and His Dogs

• Will and Abbey went on “dates” before filming “I Am Legend” to build chemistry
• Cesar Millan personally trained the Smith family Rottweilers
• Abbey had a stand-in dog named Kona during the filming of “I Am Legend”
• Will commemorated Abbey on National Pet Day 2024 with a special social media post
• The Smiths’ Husky Fang lived to the impressive age of 15

Will Smith’s Upcoming Projects and His Dogs

While Will continues his busy acting career, including the upcoming “I Am Legend” sequel with Michael B. Jordan, his dogs remain an important part of his personal life. The sequel is still in development, with Jordan telling People in June 2024 that they’re “still working on the script and getting that up to par,” with no release date or production details confirmed yet.

One can only wonder if Will’s real-life experience as a dog dad might influence his performance in the sequel!

How Will’s Dogs Compare to Other Celebrity Pets

Will Smith isn’t the only celebrity with an impressive pet family. Many stars have multiple dogs or other pets:

• Ariana Grande is known for her many rescue dogs
• Oprah Winfrey has had over 20 dogs throughout her life
• Jennifer Aniston is a devoted dog mom to several rescue pups

What makes Will’s situation unique is his journey from dog-averse to multi-dog owner, showing how these animals can help heal past wounds.

Taking Care of Multiple Large Dogs: The Smith Approach

Managing five Rottweilers plus other dogs is no small feat! The Smith family likely has:

• A large property where the dogs can exercise
• Professional help with dog care when they’re filming
• Regular veterinary care for all their pets
• Structured feeding and exercise routines

Why Will Smith’s Dog Story Matters

Will’s evolution from avoiding dogs due to childhood trauma to becoming a dedicated dog dad is inspiring. It shows how working through fear can lead to newfound joy and companionship. His experience with Abbey on “I Am Legend” became a turning point that opened his heart to canine companions again.

Final Thoughts: Will Smith’s Dog Dad Status

So, does Will Smith have a dog? Absolutely! In fact, he has several. From his five Rottweilers to his newly adopted rescue Lucco, Will has embraced dog ownership despite his early trauma. His story with Abbey from “I Am Legend” shows the healing power of the human-animal bond.

Whether you’re a Will Smith fan or just love celebrity pet stories, his journey with dogs offers a heartwarming reminder of how animals can change our lives for the better. And who knows – maybe we’ll see some of his real-life dog experience reflected in the upcoming “I Am Legend” sequel!

If Will’s story has inspired you to consider adopting a dog of your own, remember that proper training, patience, and commitment are essential – even if you don’t have a celebrity budget or access to Cesar Millan!

Have you ever wondered what other celebrities share Will’s love of dogs? That might be a topic for another day!

Yes, Will Smith has owned dogs, most famously the Rottweilers Indo, Gracie, Zhaki, and Tyson, who were gifts from friends and family. While he attempted to adopt his German Shepherd co-star, Abbey, from the movie I Am Legend, she had to remain with her family. Will and Jada Pinkett Smith even founded an animal sanctuary to support rescued animals.

The dog breed from the movie I Am Legend is a German Shepherd. The dog, named Sam (Samantha), was played by two German Shepherd dogs, Abbey and Kona. Abbey is particularly remembered for her role and was still alive at age 18 as of July 2025.