Beethoven is the main character in the Beethoven film series. He is a St. Bernard's dog named after the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven. He weighs approximately 185 pounds. In the credits for the first film, he is credited as being played by a dog named Chris. However, in the second film's credits, he is credited simply as "Beethoven". At the beginning of the first film, Beethoven is a puppy who is stolen from a pet shop by two thieves named Harvey and Vernon, who work for the nefarious Dr. Varnick, the film's main antagonist. With the help of a Jack Russell Terrier (later named Buddy by the Newtons), Beethoven manages to escape from Harvey and Vernon's van, but is then left to fend for himself after the terrier runs off, chased by Vernon. The next morning Beethoven wanders into the Newton household and his story unfolds from there. In Beethoven's 2nd, Beethoven meets Missy, a female St. Bernard. They fall in love, and eventually have 4 puppies together. They were named Tchaikovsky, Chubby, Dolly, and Mo.