You remember that feeling of watching a Disney direct-to-video movie on a cold December afternoon? It’s a specific kind of nostalgia. The Search for Santa Paws, released in 2010, was basically the "gritty" prequel to Santa Buddies, though as gritty as a movie about talking Golden Retriever puppies can actually get. Honestly, the film is a bit of a tear-jerker for a G-rated flick. It tackles some heavy themes—orphanages, lost memories, and the literal death of Christmas spirit. But what really anchors the movie isn't just the CGI dog mouths; it's the surprisingly solid human cast that kept the whole thing from floating away into pure saccharine territory.
The cast of The Search for Santa Paws is a weirdly perfect mix of seasoned character actors and child stars who were just starting to find their footing. If you rewatch it today, you’ll probably find yourself pointing at the screen every ten minutes saying, "Wait, is that the guy from...?"
The heart of the orphanage: Kaitlyn Maher and Madison Pettis
Let's talk about the kids first. Kaitlyn Maher played Quinn, the tiny, wide-eyed orphan who discovers Paws in the alley. At the time, Maher was a bit of a child prodigy. She had just come off a stint as a finalist on America’s Got Talent when she was only four years old. Seriously, four. In this movie, she’s basically the emotional compass. She’s the one who believes when nobody else does. Since the movie, Maher hasn't stayed as much in the Hollywood limelight as some of her peers, focusing more on her music and voice acting. She actually voiced several characters in the subsequent Puppy Star franchise, proving that the talking-dog-industrial complex is a small world after all.
Then there’s Madison Pettis.
Pettis was already a Disney Channel heavyweight by 2010. She’d starred in The Game Plan with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and was a staple on Cory in the House. In The Search for Santa Paws, she played Willamina, the older, cynical orphan who has lost her "glow." Pettis brought a level of maturity to the role that most kid actors can't quite hit. Unlike many child stars who fade away, Pettis has successfully transitioned into adult roles. You might have seen her in the He’s All That remake on Netflix or heard her voice as Zuri in The Lion Guard. She’s managed to maintain a massive social media presence—millions of followers—while pivoting into modeling and more mature acting projects. It's kind of wild to see the girl who was hiding a contraband toy from Ms. Stout now appearing in major fashion campaigns.
The villains and the magic: Richard Riehle and Wendi McLendon-Covey
Every great Christmas movie needs a Santa who actually looks like Santa. Richard Riehle is that guy. He’s one of those "hey, it's that guy" actors with over 400 credits on IMDb. He played Santa Claus (or "Bud") in this film, and he brought a genuine warmth to it. He’s played everything from the guy who invented the "Jump to Conclusions" mat in Office Space to roles in Casino and The Fugitive. In The Search for Santa Paws, he has to play a version of Santa who has amnesia and is wandering around New York City. It’s a heartbreaking performance for a talking dog movie. Riehle is still incredibly active today, appearing in indie films and guest spots on TV almost constantly. The man is a workhorse.
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But you can’t have a protagonist without a villain. Wendi McLendon-Covey played Ms. Stout, the cruel head of the orphanage. This was right before her massive breakout in Bridesmaids (2011) and her long-running lead role as Beverly Goldberg in The Goldbergs.
Ms. Stout is a classic Disney villain—she hates toys, she hates singing, and she literally puts a toy in an incinerator. McLendon-Covey played it with a perfect level of camp. If you watch her performance now, you can see the seeds of the comedic genius that made her a household name a few years later. She’s since become a multi-time Emmy nominee. It’s funny to think that one of the funniest women in Hollywood spent a few weeks in 2010 screaming at puppies and orphans in a Vancouver-filmed holiday flick.
The voices behind the puppies
We can’t ignore the fact that half the cast of The Search for Santa Paws consisted of voice actors. Zachary Gordon voiced Paws. At the time, Gordon was the face of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies. His voice gave Paws that earnest, slightly naive quality that the character needed.
The supporting pups—the "Big Five"—were voiced by a roster of reliable talent:
- Mitchel Musso (from Hannah Montana) voiced Santa Cubs.
- Josh Flitter, who was the go-to "funny kid" voice for years, handled several of the canine quips.
- Jason Connery (yes, Sean Connery’s son) actually provided the voice for Haggis.
The dogs themselves were mostly Golden Retrievers, a staple of the "Air Bud" cinematic universe created by Robert Vince. These dogs are trained by professional animal handlers who use a mix of hand signals and food rewards to get those specific head tilts. The "talking" is all post-production CGI mapped onto the dogs' actual jaw movements, which is why their faces sometimes look a little... uncanny.
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Supporting players who kept it grounded
Danny Woodburn played Eli the Elf. Woodburn is a veteran actor best known for playing Mickey Abbott on Seinfeld. He brings a level of gravitas to the "North Pole" scenes. He’s been a huge advocate for actors with disabilities in Hollywood for decades, and his presence in the Buddies franchise always felt like it leveled up the production value.
Then there’s Bonnie Somerville and Brian Cook, who played the Huckles. They represented the "adult" storyline—the struggling couple who inherits a toy store. Somerville has had a long career in shows like Friends (she was Mona!) and Code Black. Her role in Santa Paws is essentially the emotional bridge between the magical world of the North Pole and the cold reality of a New York winter.
Why the cast worked despite the genre
Typically, direct-to-video sequels and prequels are where careers go to die, or at least to hibernate. But the cast of The Search for Santa Paws actually featured people on the way up or veterans who treated the material with respect. There’s a scene where Santa (Riehle) is hit by a car and loses his magical crystal. In a lesser movie, that would feel ridiculous. Because Riehle is such a seasoned pro, you actually feel bad for the guy.
The movie also benefited from the direction of Robert Vince, who has turned "talking dog movies" into a literal empire. He knows how to cast actors who can play against green screens and non-responsive animals without looking like they’re waiting for their paycheck to clear.
Where can you see them now?
If you're looking to follow the careers of the Santa Paws alumni, you don't have to look far.
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- Wendi McLendon-Covey is everywhere. Check out The Goldbergs for a masterclass in 80s-mom comedy, or her more recent work in St. Denis Medical.
- Madison Pettis has moved into the "Gen Z Icon" phase of her career. She’s active in the voice acting world and stars in various teen and young adult dramas.
- Richard Riehle is likely in a movie theater near you right now. He averages about 10-15 projects a year. He is the ultimate character actor.
- Kaitlyn Maher has transitioned into a normal life for the most part, though she still posts singing videos and does occasional voice work. She’s grown up quite a bit since her days as Quinn.
The movie itself remains a staple on Disney+ every November and December. It’s a fascinating time capsule of 2010-era Disney: that transition point where they were moving away from pure live-action and leaning heavily into the hybrid CGI-animal movies that dominated the home video market for a decade.
If you’re planning a rewatch, keep an eye out for the smaller roles. You’ll see faces that have popped up in Supernatural, Psych, and various Hallmark movies. Vancouver, where the film was shot, has a very tight-knit acting community, and The Search for Santa Paws used the best of them.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
- Check Disney+ for the Prequel: If you want the full story, watch The Search for Santa Paws before Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups. The continuity is actually surprisingly tight for a dog movie franchise.
- Follow the Cast on Socials: Madison Pettis and Kaitlyn Maher are both active on Instagram and TikTok, often sharing throwbacks to their Disney days.
- Look for the "Air Bud" Connection: This film is part of the larger Air Bud universe. If you like the training style and the "voice" of these movies, there are over a dozen films in the extended collection produced by the same team.
- Support Character Actors: Actors like Richard Riehle and Danny Woodburn have massive filmographies. If you enjoyed their performances here, look up their work in 90s sitcoms and independent films to see their full range.
The legacy of the film isn't just about talking dogs; it's a testament to a cast that took a whimsical holiday premise and gave it enough heart to make it a perennial favorite for a new generation of kids.