Westie Bobby’s Toto is a showbiz smash

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WHEN The Wizard Of Oz opened at the Royal Festival Hall last week the reviews were patchy – except for the character Toto, Dorothy’s faithful dog, who was widely praised by the critics.
Toto is played by Bobby, a West Highland White who has something of a show business pedigree – he is the protege of former Boomtown Rats guitarist Gerry Cott.

Bob Geldof

Mr Cott, who founded the group with Bob Geldof but quit before their fifth album was released, has taught his dog to perform tricks which leave audiences open-mouthed.
Bobby, who has already made a name for himself in film and TV, has learned to climb ladders, play dead, jump, whimper and howl on command.
“He has integrated well with the cast because he is so calm and relaxed,” Mr Cott said. “Our method of training works on the dog’s character and confidence, which means they can be comfortable even on stage in front of hundreds of people.”
Bobby has even developed his own prima donna streak – interrupting Dorothy’s rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow on opening night with a couple of playful yelps.
“It’s a bit like, ‘Look at me, look at me’,” Mr Cott said. “It was a little unfair of him to muscle in on such a lovely moment in the play.”