The dogs die and this was the first movie to ever traumatize me as a child and is the reason why I have to use this app before watching any movie that is not a comedy.
Oh yea close to old yeller. You spend the whole movie with the boy and his dogs from puppies. Then dan is killed by a moubtain lion and ann dies next to his grave from heartbreak.
The movie ends with the boy visiting the dogs graves one last time as the family moves to the city for better oppertunity. The boy notices a rare red fern between the graves and ruminates on it being a sign from god that the dogs are in heaven. That he will never forget them.