The Bucket Dog

Bonanza episode
“The Bucket Dog”
Season 14, Episode 11 #426 in Series
Air date	December 19, 1972
Production code
Guest starring:
Written by	John Hawkins
Directed by	William F. Claxton
Episode Guide
Previous Episode: The Sound of Sadness	Next Episode: First Love
External links
IMDb The Bucket Dog on IMDb

Summary

Jamie forms a bond with an Irish setter he names April. However, April was a runt and - according to its rightful owner - should be put to sleep because it is a disgrace to the breed. When April competes in a field trial, the dog's owner soon learns that it's not the size of the dog that matters, but the size of the fight in the dog.

Plot

Jamie obtains an Irish setter pup and a special bond forms between dog and man. The dog's owner learns the puppy is at the Ponderosa and arrives to claim it...so he can put it to sleep. (The owner claims it was a runt and an inferior example of the breed). The dog is soon in a trial for its life.

Cast and Characters

• Lorne Greene: Ben Cartwright

• Michael Landon: Little Joe Cartwright

• Mitch Vogel: Jamie Cartwright

Recurring

• Victor Sen Yung: Hop Sing

• Bing Russell: Clem Foster

• David Canary: Candy Canady

• Tim Matheson: Griff King

Others

• Don Knight: Tim Riley
• William Sylvester: Horace Kingston
• Ivan Bonar: Minister
• Don Harris: Mr Turner
• Carl Pitti: George Spencer
• John Zaremba: Judge Wilcox