UGGIE, the star of the Oscar-winning film The Artist has been put to sleep, according to reports.

The 13-year-old Jack Russell, who played the dog in the 2011 film, was reportedly put down on Friday in Los Angeles.

He had been suffering from prostate cancer.

The terrier was owned by Omar Von Muller who rescued Uggie from being sent to the dog pound.

He said it was a ''difficult'' decision to have him put down.

Uggie rose to worldwide prominence after appearing in The Artist but he also took park in the period drama Water For Elephants opposite Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson.

The dog was so popular, he was considered to have upstaged his human co-stars in some scenes.

Sarah Clifford, who was one of Uggie's trainers, reportedly said he was "a perfect little terrier".

She added: "I will forever hold him dearly in my heart and never forget his infinite love for chicken and hotdogs."