Move over Moana—there’s a new island icon riding the waves, and he’s got four paws, a wetsuit, and a starring role in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch remake!
Meet Dale, the 6-year-old French Bulldog from Oahu who’s gone from catching waves to catching the spotlight. This little pup has surfed his way right into Hollywood history—and our hearts—as the newest canine cast member in Disney’s live-action reboot.
In the just-dropped trailer, you’ll spot Dale riding the waves like a total pro alongside Tyler Landon of SUPDog Hawaii, a surf school where humans and their hounds hang ten together. But what started as just another fun beach day turned out to be a top-secret movie mission.
“(Disney) reached out to me to teach a dog how to surf, specifically a French bulldog,” Landon shared. “I didn’t know at the time that it was gonna be for a movie… a big movie!”
That surprise gig was actually filmed two years ago—and Landon only just found out when the trailer dropped and he saw himself (and Dale!) surfing on screen. Talk about a plot twist!
“My wife actually asked me to come down from the roof—I was doing yard work—and she had this look on her face like something was amiss,” Landon laughed. “So I was pretty shocked when we first saw it.”
Well, we’re not shocked. We’re obsessed.
From the beaches of Oahu to the silver screen, Dale is proof that dreams (and dog paddles) do come true. Follow this rising star on Instagram at @dalethefrenchie and catch him catching waves—and hearts—when Lilo & Stitch hits theaters.
