Mark Wahlberg Has 4 Dogs — Plus a Canine Costar in His New Movie — Even Though He’s Allergic (Exclusive)

For your new movie Arthur the kingMark Wahlberg happily ignored that old saying from the show: Never work with children or animals.

His lead actor in the heartfelt drama – based on the true story of adventure runner Mikael Lindnord, who bonds with a stray dog ​​while hiking in Ecuador – is Ukai, an adorable Australian shepherd, border collie and bouvier mix.

“You have to accept the fact that the dog is going to show you around a little bit,” says Wahlberg, who has top billing but knows Ukai is the real star. “He was very good at what he did.”

At this stage in his life, Wahlberg, 52, is happy to let his furry friend take the spotlight.

Mark Wahlberg bonded with a stray dog ​​under extreme circumstances in Arthur the king Announcement (exclusive)

After more than three decades in entertainment — first as a hip-hop star and frontman for Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, now as a respected Oscar-nominated actor — Wahlberg prefers to play the lead role at home: devoted family man.

Mark Wahlberg and canine costar Ukai in ‘Arthur the King’.

Carlos Rodriguez/Courtesy of Lionsgate

Wahlberg, who has children Ella Rae, 21, Michael, 17, Brendan, 15, and Grace, 14, with model wife Rhea Durham, 45, 15 years his junior, tells PEOPLE that he is “absolutely” pickier about who he projects are taking him away from his family, especially after last year’s actors’ strike that lasted almost four months.

Mark Wahlberg is raising awareness about pet adoption Arthur the king Canine Costar: Look

“The only blessing is that it allowed me to be at home with my family,” he says. “You get used to being at home.”

Two years ago, the Wahlberg team moved to Nevada, and they share their home with four family dogs, although Wahlberg himself is allergic. During an interview with PEOPLE, he sneezed a few times since his Pomsky (Siberian Husky/Pomeranian mix) Jojo was around.

“I’m allergic to dogs and I have four of them,” says Wahlberg, who takes daily medication to help. “I’m covered in dog hair right now.”

His other puppies include a Boston Terrier, Lola, a Pomeranian, Champ, and another Pomsky, Penny.

Mark Wahlberg and his family.

Mark Wahlberg’s Instagram

Who has been assigned dog duty in the Wahlberg household? “It depends,” he says, “but the one who has the most control and can actually handle them all the time and they listen to her is my daughter Grace.”

Mark Wahlberg says he ‘fell in love’ with his Arthur the king Canine Costar: ‘I tried to bribe the trainer’ (Exclusive)

“She is good with animals. She is the authority in the house,” he continues.

Wahlberg knows how to be man’s best friend. During recording Arthur the king, connected with Ukai through “bribery,” he says. Ukai was Wahlberg’s neighbor in the Dominican Republic, where he was filming the movie.

“When his trainer would let him out of the house, I would whistle and he would run in front of her,” says Wahlberg. “And by the time she got home, he had already eaten a few steaks and a few pieces of chicken, and we became fast friends.”

Arthur the king is in theaters on Friday.

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Source: HIS Education