I grew up with Lassie, Mr Ed and Flipper. I remember crying my eyes out when Lassie on some episode was lost and trying to get home.
Yes, I know it was her great-great-great granddaughter, but it was fun to see her anyway.
I liked Skippy the bush kangaroo. Hardly anyone I know even remembers, but it was an Australian show that aired for a short time in the US. I still remember the theme song. Similar to Lassie- a boy and his kangaroo, LOL.
Grand-son actually...! "Lassie" were/are all males. (I had collies growing up and followed all things Lassie as a result... still have a history of Lassie book that was published around 1995).
I was also fascinated by Keiko the orca, "Willy", and his life story.
I was definitely more into animal-related movies than anything else growing up.... Homeward Bound, Free Willy, Lassie Come Home, The Magic of Lassie, Fluke, Andre....