Hello, Baxter: Ron Burgundy's Pooch On the Dog-Eat-Dog World of Canine Acting

Here at Yahoo Movies, in order to bring you the biggest movie stories, we interview the world's biggest stars. It's our job (rough, we know), so we rarely get star-struck.

Of course, that all went out the window when we spoke with Baxter, Ron Burgundy's faithful pooch and one of the top dog actors of all-time.

On the occasion of this week's Blu-ray release of "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues," Baxter phoned in to give us this very rare and special interview, translated by the film's writer-director, Adam McKay.

[Related: Seriously, Paramount Is Releasing 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues: No Joke Cut']

The mere prospect of such a colossal interview put our proverbial tail between our legs. Perhaps we were barking up the wrong tree?

But while a huge deal like Baxter could easily be intimidating, that wasn't the case at all. Baxter put us right at ease. We found a dog comfortable in his own fur, full of interesting insider scoop, and an all-around good boy.

Did you have to read for the part?

Baxter: I did. I went through an extensive audition process in New York City to start with and then they took me to Hollywood. It was great. They put me up in the Beverly Hills Hotel. I was able to crap in the parking lot there.

And then, I'll never forget the moment that the phone rang and my human handler picked it up — because I have paws and I can't answer a phone — and she told me I got the role. I was so happy I just about pissed myself. No, wait, I did piss myself.

We know there's a lot of improvising on Adam McKay's films, do you have an improv background?
Baxter: You know, my improv background isn't traditional theatrical training. I come more from a tradition of improvising around the idea of, “My God, there's a raccoon coming at me. What am I going to do?” And I feel like that sharpens instincts on a level that no human actor can achieve. That, “I'm going to eat this hunk of garbage over here. My God, I shouldn't have eaten that. I think I'm going to die. I better go find fluid to drink to save my life!" Or "Who is that guy walking on the front lawn. I'm going to attack him. Wait. He's got pepper spray.” These are the kinds of things an animal actor can experience that a human actor can't.

Did your improv style mesh immediately with the rest of the News team?
Baxter: We had our difficulties early on. You know, I have one handicap as an actor and I'm open about it — I don't believe in pretending I'm perfect — I pant a lot and that became a problem with some of the sound crew.

So that was tough. Once we got over the panting and there was cold water on set so I could constantly be drinking and getting cooled off, then myself and the cast, we really started to click.

[Related: What’s a Typical Day for Ron Burgundy and the 'Anchorman 2' News Team?]

You probably related to Brick [Steve Carrell] right away with that panting problem?
Baxter: Totally. Brick also pants. That is true.

Would you consider yourself method?
Baxter: As an actor you're always trying to challenge yourself to be present and I do have some advantages: I'm always naked. And nothing wakes you up in a situation more than being completely naked.

I'm always in the moment. Sometimes though, it's distracting, because there's a trainer off to the side, and she's got a treat for me and I'm trying to stay in the moment with Will [Ferrell] but yet I'm also looking at a woman behind the camera who's holding a liver snap, and that can make it a little hard to stay in the moment. You know, I don't think Dustin Hoffman had to deal with that in "The Marathon Man" with someone standing behind the camera with a cheesesteak distracting him.

Who has the nicest smelling butt in Hollywood?
Baxter: There's a lot. I've got to say, around the country, people will sometimes criticize Hollywood, but there are some fantastic smelling butts out here. You'd be surprised. There's some butts you wouldn't think smelled great that are just fantastic. Olympia Dukakis has a fantastic butt, fragrant, yet grounded.

I actually bumped into a terrific butt the other day. God, I'm spacing on his name. He's in "Crimes and Misdemeanors," did some cameos in "Entourage"... Martin Landau! Martin Landau has an oaky butt with sparkling highlights, and almost a leathery tannin quality to it that I couldn't get enough of. People had to pull me off of him.

So you like old butts?
Baxter: Maybe I do. Maybe that's kind of what you're saying. Yeah. I'm trying to think of some young butts I've liked... there's a woman, Kristin Cavallari. Her butt was just dynamite. It reminded me of the smell you get when you first go in for a spa treatment, but with a lot of butt mixed in.

Have you ever regretted humping something?
Baxter: Yeah. I mean, here's the thing, I know people like to laugh at us dogs when we hump things, but

it's instinctual. I mean, these are prehistoric chemicals running through us. We don't have much of a choice about it. And it does feel good, too, I'm not going to lie to you. But yeah, I was at a funeral once, and let's just say I humped some things that shouldn't have been humped. That was awkward.

Have you ever regretted not humping something?
Baxter: Constantly. That's a much bigger list of regrets for me. Today alone, I've regretted not humping about 40 or 50 things. I passed a security guard on the way to the lot. God, I should've humped him. He looked so hump-able. I passed a light post that looked very humpable. There's a stack of magazines in this office right now that I honestly would love to get my hips around and just thrust away on.

Do you feel like there was enough Baxter in the sequel?
Baxter: God, no. No. I was pissed about that. I don't know why it's just the four guys in scenes. Why can't there be a fifth single in those scenes? Why can't it be like a single of [David] Koechner, a single of [Paul] Rudd, and then a reaction single from me? That's probably my biggest complaint is there's no reaction singles to me. If I bark, they go to me. But dogs can listen too, and dogs can look shocked or surprised or introspective.

So that was a constant battle during the movie. It's the only argument Will Ferrell and I have ever had was, where's my coverage? You know? Why are there no story boards with me in them?

So I was a little disappointed, but I'm working on some solo projects now and hey, I'm not going to complain about it. "Anchorman 2" was a great experience. They're really good people but I think it's time for me to shine now so yeah, I'm looking at a couple of different projects.

We can't wait for your next move. We really appreciate you sitting down with us... and staying.
Baxter: My absolute pleasure and you know, I appreciate you giving me a couple of treats and a bowl of water. Because if you have that, I will show up.

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See Baxter and Will Ferrell in this behind the scenes clip from "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues":