Hollywood says goodbye as its most beloved canine passes away

Sad news for animal lovers and movie fans alike today as it's been confirmed that Uggie the dog has passed away aged 13.

The adorable Jack Russell terrier was put down earlier this month in Los Angeles after battling a prostate tumour. His trainer/owner Omar Van Mueller confirmed the news to TMZ and said that it had been time to put him out of his suffering after an "especially difficult" final few weeks.

Little Uggie was best known for his role in The Artist, the 2011 Oscar-winning silent film about 1920s matinee idol George Valentin.

Uggie's scene-stealing role in the film garnered him worldwide recognition and adoration, and earned him his first prestigious award, the Palm Dog at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

Speaking about Uggie's star quality, Omar said a lot of it was down to his relaxed and fearless attitude. "One of the most important thing[s] is that he was not afraid of things. That is what makes or breaks a dog in the movies, whether they are afraid of lights, and noises and being on sets," he explained in an interview in 2012.

In 2012, Uggie became the first ever dog to leave his pawprints at Graumann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, joining the ranks of celebrities like John Wayne, Julie Andrews, Ava Gardner, Marilyn Monroe and hundreds more.

Also on Uggie's stellar acting CV is 2011's Water for Elephants, starring Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz and Robert Pattinson.

The sweet pooch almost had a very different life story, however. If it wasn't for Omar, Uggie would have ended up in the pound, having been rejected by his original trainers for being "too wild," according to his IMDb profile.

RIP, Uggie.