Old Yeller

Old Yeller is the title character of the book of the same name and its film adaptation. He is a Labrador Retriever and a hunting dog. From the start, he is befriended and loved by Arliss Coates, but he is despised by his older brother, especially by stealing some of Travis' middling meat. One night, for this, Travis threatens to shoot him between the eyes if he takes one bite. So he doesn't.

Near the end, after having fathered puppies, one of whom is shown to be the title character of the next book and its film adaptation, Sam, Travis is forced to shoot Old Yeller after he had been attacked by a wolf with rabies and tried to attack the family.