December 31, 2024, 9:19 am | Read time: 7 minutes
Brodie the Goldendoodle is one of the most famous petfluencers in the world. More than 16 million people follow the four-legged friend with the casual man bun and his owner, Cliff Brush Jr., on their adventures. The animal duo has now been on a major European tour – including Germany – and has given PETBOOK an insight into their busy everyday lives.
Brodie the Goldendoodle is arguably the internet’s most famous dog. An audience of millions follows his adventures on social networks. Whether he’s on a jet ski, sitting in the front row at an NBA basketball game next to celebrities like actor Kevin Bacon, or lounging by the pool, his man bun is always on point. Now, he and his owner, Cliff Brush Jr., are touring Europe, with stops including Germany.
“I Gave Birth to Brodie Myself!”
PETBOOK: Cliff, you and your dog are world-famous. How did you get Brodie?
Cliff Brush Jr: “I was present at his birth! Luna, his mother, is a Golden Retriever I own. We’ve been together since his very first day!”
Is there a story behind the name?
“No, I just liked the name, and it just so happened that he grew so big that it fits the name really well!”
You now have over 1.5 million followers and are real petfluencers. How did that come about?
“Indeed, 1.5 million on Instagram! Across all platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, we’ve reached 16 million followers. In 2019, I was an accountant – that was also the year Brodie was born – and I noticed how much attention he was getting in public. So I wanted to see if the internet would appreciate him as much, so I started posting on TikTok in 2020 – and the rest is history!”
“Brodie Loves the Attention”
What does your everyday life as a petfluencer look like?
“That’s hard to answer because we do so many spontaneous events and content shoots. But on a typical day, with no traveling or events, Brodie plays in the garden with his mom in the morning, and then they watch me edit videos and answer calls or emails. Then we go for a walk around the neighborhood and watch a movie in the evening. In between all his crazy adventures, he has lots of ‘normal’ dog days.”
How do people react to Brodie? He’s already very striking…
“Yes, he looks so interesting and unique that even people who don’t know him from the internet are often amazed. But he is recognized a lot now, and most people want to pet him and take photos with him. Brodie loves the attention, so it works out quite well.”
You’re currently on a big European tour. How did that come about? Which places are you visiting?
“Brodie has been to 35 of the 50 US states, so he’s seen everything there is to see at home. I’ve wanted to take him on an international trip for a long time, so I knew we had to see as much as we could in ten days. We started in Milan because I’m Italian and my mother was born there. So, it was always a place I wanted to see. So Brodie got to know the motherland.
“Brodie Thought the Horses Were Big Dogs and Wanted to Play with Them”
Then we went to Zermatt, where Brodie could romp around in the snow. We took the Glacier Express to St. Moritz, and Brodie was able to enjoy the fresh Swiss Alpine air! Lastly, we went to Germany, where Brodie got to try bratwurst at the Nuremberg Christmas market (he loved it). He also rode in a horse-drawn carriage! Brodie thought the horses were big dogs and wanted to play with them.”
You are now also here in Germany. Do you have a special relationship with Germany? How do you and Brodie like it here? What have you experienced here?
“As I’m writing this, I’m on the flight back to Florida. Germany was probably our favorite stop on our tour. The Christmas market in Nuremberg was fantastic, and a lot of people had a similar reaction to seeing Brodie as they did in the US. Brodie has a lot of German fans, and it was great to finally give them a chance to meet him! The only obstacle we encountered in Germany was traveling with a dog. When we tried to get a ride to Frankfurt airport, we called two different Uber Pet Rides. Both drivers insisted that I put Brodie in their locked trunk, which would be unthinkable at home.”
Brodie Has Probably Done Nearly 200 Commercial Flights. He’s a real pro!”
You flew to Europe with K9 Jets. How was the flight for Brodie? What’s it like with a dog on board?
“We took a regular commercial flight to Milan and then departed from Frankfurt with K9 Jets. Brodie has probably flown almost 200 commercial flights, so he’s already a pro. Normally, we fly first class, so he fits comfortably under my legs.
The flight with K9 Jets was fantastic. Brodie has flown privately a few times before, but this was really cool because they catered to pet owners, and all the passengers on board flew with their pets. It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had on an airplane. K9 Jets even agreed to hold a contest for my followers. One of my followers will win a free round-trip flight from the US to Europe for two people with their pets!”
Not only do you have Brodie, but you also have another dog, Luna. How did she come to you?
“Luna is actually Brodie’s mom. I got her in 2017, and she’s great but very different from Brodie. She doesn’t like traveling as much as he does. That’s why she stays at home with my mom on our trips, who spoils her with snacks every 15 minutes.”
“Brodie is the Most Fun-Loving Creature on This Earth”
What many people ask: What is Brodie like in character?
“He’s exactly the same in real life as he comes across in the videos. He wakes up every day ready for an adventure and excited to be part of my day. He is the most fun-loving creature on this earth.
What kind of activities do you do with Brodie?
“He loves to lie in bed at night and watch YouTube videos with me.”
How did you get him used to wearing glasses so that he could ride his bike?
“Nothing bothers him; he doesn’t mind wearing or doing anything. So I thought the glasses would look cool and protect his eyes from the sun, wind, and dirt on our bike rides and other adventures.”
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“Brodie Is Simply Happy to Be Involved and by My Side!”
How often does he need a haircut, and does Brodie like his hair tied back in a plait?
“As Brodie is the flagship of his own grooming range, ‘Floof by Brodie,’ his coat has to be in top condition all year round. His personal groomer, Yoe the Groomer, comes to Brodie’s home every two weeks to give him a thorough brushing. But I also brush him about every two to three days. Brodie’s bun is his trademark, but he also keeps all the hair out of his eyes!”
What advice would you give to people who want to get a Goldendoodle?
“They truly are incredible dogs, yet prospective owners should be ready for extensive grooming needs. Grooming is really time-consuming and expensive.”
What are your plans for the next few weeks?
“Now, as we’re heading back home, we’re likely going to take it easy. We’ll try to take breaks between our trips. However, my manager just texted me that there’s an event in Vegas in two weeks. So, who knows … For us, things often come up at the last minute, and we’re both good at going with the flow. Brodie is just happy to be there and with me!”