Uggie, the dog from the Academy Award-nominated film The Artist, might make an appearance at the 2012 award show, as he was recently seen rehearsing a skit with host Billy Crystal. The 2012 Oscars will air live at 7 p.m. ET Sunday on ABC.

The Hollywood Reporter reported that the Jack Russell Terrier, 10, is officially retiring from feature films this year and that sources reveal that Uggie will be doing it big before he leaves.

He's been busy this week rehearsing a very funny skit with Oscar host Billy Crystal. Oscar watchers will no doubt concur that Billy and Uggie are bound to have better chemistry than the 2011 hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco, The Hollywood Reporter noted.

No one from the Academy has confirmed this report as yet, but The Hollywood Reporter stated that Uggie's brother Dash will make an appearance at the Golden Collar Awards. It will be Dash's first big public appearance, the Web site stated, noting also that Dash has been a stand-in for Uggie from time to time.

Uggie's movie credits also include Water for Elephants with Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon.

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