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The Story Behind ‘Duke,’ The Bush’s Baked Beans Dog

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When the time came for Jay Bush to appear in commercials as the spokesman for his family’s brand of baked beans, he turned to his Golden Retriever, Duketo, for comfort.

At a meeting to discuss commercial ideas in 1996, someone at the table suggested Jay tell Duke the secret family recipe for the delicious beans. At first, the idea seemed silly, but Jay whispered in his dog’s ear and the famous Bush’s Baked Beans series of commercials was born.

The real Duke Bush wasn’t a fan of the spotlight, however, so a look-alike professional dog actor was brought in to play the role.

17 years later, Bush’s still uses a talking ‘Duke’ in their commercials.

Check out one of our favorite Jay & Duke Bush commercials below… will Duke reveal the secret family recipe?

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46 Comments

46 Comments

  1. […] of our heads? Morris the Cat; Spuds Mackenzie; Joe Camel; Chester Cheetah; The Geico Gecko; Duke from Bush Beans (to name a few… and we can’t forget about those Budweiser Puppies and their Clydesdale […]

  2. Avatar Of Mary

    Mary

    says:

    I just lost my 3 pound 6 oz 13 year old dog to a very agressive cancer. Not beleiving my vet i took her to another vet only to find out the same thing. It was in her eye, her mouth and she was in so much pain i had to let them put her down to cross the Rainbow bridge. I have talked to other dog owner who have lost their dog to an aggressive cancer and i have read about dogs having this same cancer.

    I asked my vet if it could be the dog food as i have always fed my dogs top of the line dog food. No wheat, no fat or additive.He said it could be and i told him about a story i read and a program on T V about dogs and cats that are road kill or put down by vets being given to pet food companies who in turn grind them up and put in pet food. My dog was cremated and igot her ashes so i know she isnt in dog food. Something has to be causing this cancer and just like they tell us food is causing cancer in humans. All the things in it. Cremation is cheap, you get their ashes back and you know your dog isnt being put in animal food.

  3. Avatar Of Sandy

    Sandy

    says:

    I read today that one of the “actor” dogs that played “Duke” in the most recent commercials, Sam, has died from a highly aggressive cancer. Our hearts go out to Sam’s family and friends. BTW, we switched to Bush’s beans because of the dog(s) in the commercial. 😀

  4. Avatar Of Sandra Cook

    Sandra Cook

    says:

    How can my dog,Stella, meet Duke? She’s in love with him…lol…

  5. Avatar Of Kari Ann Owen

    Kari Ann Owen

    says:

    I love Duke, and totally trust his confidentially.
    Dr. Kari Ann Owen
    Missoula, MT

  6. Avatar Of Marcia Lewis

    Marcia Lewis

    says:

    Is that the real Jay bush all biker looking?

  7. Avatar Of V. Crosby

    V. Crosby

    says:

    Love your commercials,and the beans too! My golden can keep a secret! He never gave out any personal information!

  8. Avatar Of Danna

    Danna

    says:

    Is this the same dog who is now in the Blue Bunny ice cream commercials?

  9. Avatar Of Sharon

    Sharon

    says:

    I am so proud that you still love the Bushes dog house commercial. This particular one starred our rescue dog Whinnie. He was abandoned at 5 weeks in a trailer wth a couple of litter mates and his mom. My husband and I fostered him and the rest is history. Whinnie was a wonderfully smart boy and he greatly filled our pack wth fun and love. We miss him a lot but he lives on in print and of course commercials. He never told the secret recipe.

  10. Avatar Of Rod Funk

    Rod Funk

    says:

    Being a dog lover, during my preflights I try to pay particular attention to the pets which we occasionally transport in cargo space below the cockpit of my aircraft, an MD-M88. Just this last Sunday, 13 July, during my preflight, I checked on a dog that was in his crate in the forward cargo bay. I usually get the phone number off the top of the crate so I can text a photo of the pet to the owner so they know their dog is doing well. I checked for water and food, then snapped a photo of the dog, a golden retriever who seemed a little lonely. We “talked” for a few moments, then I tried to get number off the crate, but was unable to do to the size of the crate and its position in the hold. So, I finished my preflight and went back up stairs to check and see if the owner was on board yet. I found the owner and told her that her pet was doing fine and showed her the photo. She was very nice and excited to see that her “baby” was safely onboard, and she thanked me. Its wasn’t until after we landed in NY that one of our flight attendants told me that during the flight the passenger informed her that the dog was Duke! How about that?! Pretty neat to cross paths with him, as I like him in the commercials too! Warmest regards to all, Rod Funk, First Officer, Delta Airlines

  11. Avatar Of Chuckwagon

    Chuckwagon

    says:

    Jay for President!
    Duke for Secretary Of Everything!
    Yaaa Hooo and Yeee Hawww! Keep up the good work boys. The commercials are great and your beans are the best! I’m eatin’ ’em right now! Best wishes for continued success!

    Chuckwagon

  12. Avatar Of Marsha Marsha says:

    A pet, a baby, a sexy model, they all spell one thing: Cha-ching! Also, I’ve heard the “sillier” the commercial, the more memorable. Cha-ching@

  13. Avatar Of Cheryl Condrey

    Cheryl Condrey

    says:

    I had a red Golden that many said looked like the Duke dog. Gotta love that dog and those beans! Love Golden’s of all colors!

  14. Avatar Of Dennis Berube

    Dennis Berube

    says:

    Eating a bowl of em right now. The MAPLE CURED BACON is just like my grandma use to make on her wood stove. I never thought anyone could beat hers, but Bush and his famous dog have!!!!!!! Buy them every week!!!!

    • Avatar Of Gofinsc

      gofinsc

      says:

      Beans, beans, good for your heart.
      The more you eat ’em, the more you fart.
      The more you fart, the better you feel!
      So eat those beans at every meal!

  15. Avatar Of Jeff D.

    Jeff D.

    says:

    Those commercials are pretty cute. I always love ones that involve animals anyway. Bush beans are my favorite. I especially like the vegetarian style, eventhough I’m not a vegetarian.

  16. Avatar Of Don Barber Don Barber says:

    How do we get the figures

    • Avatar Of Carole

      CAROLE

      says:

      I JUST LOVE DOGS,,ESPECIALLY GOLDENS,,,{LIKE THE BEANS AS WELL…FAVORITE!!} NOW IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX ITS TOO HARD TO CARE FOR A DOG,,,,{I HAVE MACULAR DEGENERATION…WHICH COULD ACCOUNT FOR THE TYPOS…..SO..I NEED A PET AN GETTING A KITTEN FROM THE SHELTER…THER IS ALOT OF RED TAPE INVOLVED TO ADOPT A KITTEN…MY GRANDAUGHTER. MEGAN IS HELPING ME WHEN SHE HAS TIME…..I AM 84 YEARS OLD..BUT I KNOW I CAN TAKE CARE OF A KITTEN…SINCERELY CAROLE A JEAN

  17. Avatar Of Ernest Green Ernest Green says:

    I love that Duke!! Vegetarian Baked beans are my favorite! Everything Bush’s is supreme! Tell Duke hello for me. Best is ” When Pigs Fly” Ernie Green Irving, Texas

  18. Avatar Of Jessica

    Jessica

    says:

    The visitor center in chestnut hill Tennessee featured duke and jay a lot! It was really neat and the cafe served the best bean pecan pie I have ever tasted!

  19. Avatar Of Kathryn Kathryn says:

    My partner & I are real fans of Bushs Bush Beans. Make a real yummy recipe.

  20. Avatar Of Karen B

    Karen B

    says:

    I’d love to buy a talking Duke action figure! It doesn’t have to tell the secret – just want an action figure 🙂 I have a dog that looks just like him and they are wonderful dogs!!

  21. Avatar Of Laura

    Laura

    says:

    How can we order the Duke and Jay action figures from the recent commercials?

    • Avatar Of Don Barber

      Don Barber

      says:

      Don Barber How do I get the action figures advertised on the commericals

      • Avatar Of Robin Franke

        Robin Franke

        says:

        Yes my Family too is a Big Bush Bean Family, we also would Love to know how to get
        A Jay & Duke toy ? Thank You & We Love You Duke & Jay.
        Gods Blessings to all The Bush Family keep them wonderful
        Beans coming !

  22. Avatar Of Philip Webster

    Philip Webster

    says:

    I have the most beautiful 18 month old AKC registered Golden Retriever that we would like to breed but need to keep the bloodline pure. Any connections? Sparks,NV

  23. Just saw the commercial with Jay and Duke and the “miniatures” this morning. I just looooooooooooooooooooove the Bush beans, Jay is really cool to trust his best buddy with the secret of the recipe, but I have to admit that DUKE steals the show every time out.
    I am disabled with a 165-lb Newfoundland Service Dog – named BUBBLES, and I trust her with my secrets too.
    Love the videos. Stay cool, Jay. Kudos to DUKE – handsomest baked beans salesman I have ever seen!
    Bubbles sends her love to Duke too.
    Val and Bubbles – Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA

  24. Avatar Of Millicent millicent says:

    On the Bush bean commercial you show the duke the dog and his master toys that talk. How can I get these toys for my grandson for christmas. Please advise so I can order them. They are really cute. Please help me get them. Millicent Pape

  25. Avatar Of Nora

    Nora

    says:

    My grandkids laugh at me when I tell them the most attractive man on TV is Jay Bush, and I don’t mean his dog. Yes, and I always buy his beans! xxoo

    • Avatar Of Robin

      Robin

      says:

      I agree. I have always thought Jay Bush is a hottie from the first time I saw his commercial. Duke is a sweet dog too.

  26. I have read so many articles regarding the blogger lovers however this paragraph is in fact a
    nice article, keep it up.

  27. Avatar Of Mary

    Mary

    says:

    My Watson comes from Duke’s family: worknotes.com/mn/kimball/almgren

  28. Avatar Of Linfa Bouffard

    Linfa Bouffard

    says:

    My dog went on an unexpected walk without me a few days ago. He is a rescue dog. I have had him two months. I called the animal shelter to make a lost dog report. I described my dog and wasbtold he might be there. I said that he looks just like the Bush’s Baked Beans dog. The woman said a dog just like that was thereband that I should stop in and look at him. I went there and found my Goldie.

    • Avatar Of Robin

      Robin

      says:

      Glad you found your dog. I have a German Shepherd mix rescue dog that will bolt if she is given the chance. She is usually either at the farm down the road or at the swamp across the road.

  29. Avatar Of Weezy

    Weezy

    says:

    I don’t like baked beans, but love the commercials, and especially love Duke the dog.

  30. Avatar Of Peggy

    Peggy

    says:

    Love Duke. Such a beautiful dog

  31. Avatar Of Donna

    Donna

    says:

    I just loved Duke from day one!! Oh and the beans are bad either!! 🙂

  32. Avatar Of Andi Lee

    Andi Lee

    says:

    I like ole Duke and Bush’s vegetarian beans. Yum

  33. Avatar Of Chancel Woods

    CHANCEL WOODS

    says:

    Duke is the greatest and so are the beans .maybe he should make pet food commercials also

  34. Avatar Of Judy

    judy

    says:

    love those commercials,only buy Bush’s!! the best!!

  35. Avatar Of Esther

    Esther

    says:

    What a beautiful dog. I love to see these commercials just to see Duke…He’s the star!!!

  36. Avatar Of Trisha Hanna

    Trisha Hanna

    says:

    lol i wouldnt trust my secrets with anyone but my dogs either lol, i have always loved this dog and only like bushes baked beans they are the best…

  37. Rrrrrolll that beautiful bean footage!

  38. Avatar Of Vicki

    Vicki

    says:

    I like eating beans made by a family that trusts their dog with the secret recipe. Besides, they are so darn good, especially the Bourbon and Brown sugar beans,

  39. Avatar Of Sheila Smith Sheila Smith says:

    I fell in love with Duke the first time I saw him. Love Bush’s Baked Beans (all varieties) and love Duke.

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