Koko ( 9 April 2005 -- 18 December 2012 ) was an Australian canine film actor and fundraiser , an Australian Kelpie who best known for his role as Red Dog the title character of the 2011 film `` Red Dog '' .
Koko ( 9 April 2005 -- 18 December 2012 ) was an Australian Kelpie actor and fundraiser . He is best known for his role as the title character of the movie `` Red Dog '' ( 2011 ) .