40 Dogs From TV and Movies Who We Can't Help But Love
Dogs are known as a man’s best friend. And let’s face it; when they are on screen, we fall in love with them even more, making us want one for ourselves.
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There's a reason we grow fond of the dogs we watch on screen. They remind us of love, warmth, and trust; things that we so often look for in life. It's almost therapeutic to watch dogs on screen, and we often liken this feeling to a warm one. As a result, we tend to watch these movies over and over again. This year, all you may need to feel good again is a few dogs that have starred in the best of movies and TV shows. Take a look.
1. Bruiser in Legally Blonde
Bruiser is the glamorous chihuahua who is often found in the arms of Elle Woods, as seen in this post by @legallyblondemovies. He is always ready to be styled in pink apparel and loyally stays by his master throughout her dramatic life.
2. Shiloh in Saving Shiloh
Saving Shiloh is about a boy, Marty, who encounters a beagle. Marty must now try to rescue Shiloh from his abusive master. This is one of the best dog movies to watch, as it is portrayed from a little boy's perspective. Post by @_marie_at.
3. Shadow in Homeward Bound – The Incredible Journey
It's 25 years later and we're still not over Shadow's close-call scene. Happy anniversary, #HomewardBound: The Incredible Journey! ????????????????https://t.co/MpLkrb033R pic.twitter.com/3I5GEUuhIf
— IMDb (@IMDb) February 12, 2018
This film may have encouraged quite a few dog adoptions because Shadow is an absolute delight in the film. Shadow is the wise one who leads Sassy and Chance back to their master. In this throwback tweet, @IMDb mentions Shadow's close-call scene.
5. Jack in The Artist
The charming Parsons Russell Terrier turned into an overnight sensation, courtesy of his role in the French movie, The Artist. @barky_warky shares a picture of Jack (Uggie the dog) looking dapper in a bow at the Golden Globes.
6. Winn-Dixie in Because of Winn-Dixie
End of the year tradition in my 3rd grade...read-aloud Because of Winn Dixie and then watch the movie. Still did both, virtually! All in for Winn Dixie Wednesday! #moviemorning @KateDicamillo #BearTavernPride #BearTavernReads pic.twitter.com/fJNo2scB8A
— Betsy Finnegan (@EAFinnegan) June 10, 2020
Little Opal becomes friends with a dog whom she names Winn-Dixie (after the store from where she finds her). Thanks to Winn-Dixie, Opal learns to mend her relationship with her father, and we love the dog for that! Check @EAFinnegan’s end-of-the-year tradition with Winn-Dixie.
7. Comet in Full House
ON THIS DAY in 1997 — ‘Air Bud’ opened in theatersFACT: The dog, who played Buddy, also played Comet in ‘Full House’ pic.twitter.com/Bkns4RT83Y
— T̷R̷O̷Y̷ ̷H̷U̷G̷H̷E̷S̷ (@TommySledge) August 1, 2019
Comet is the late Golden Retriever that starred in every family’s favorite drama show Full House. He entered the family as a thank you present. @TommySledge tweets that this is the same dog who played Buddy in Air Bud.
8. Hachi from Hachi – A Dog’s Tale
Este perrito en verdad es el mejor amigo del hombre! Mira HAICHI: A DOG'S TALE a las 8:30am E | 5:30am P pic.twitter.com/B9QsKCjNg4
— Cine Sony (@CineSony) March 9, 2017
@CineSony tweets a still from the film. Hachi’s character was inspired by the story of Hachiko from Japan, who waited for his owner faithfully at a train station even after his owner had passed away. His statue stands proud at Shibuya Station, Tokyo.
9. Rin Tin Tin from The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin
Cute Dogs from Vintage TV Shows #23: Rin-Tin-Tin from The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin. #CuteDogsFromVintageTVShows #CuteDogs #Dogs #VintageTV #RinTinTin #TheAdventuresOfRinTinTin pic.twitter.com/yOs7mc2vpO
— Jingle Bones Movie Time (@michael_looke) March 23, 2020
The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, the famous dog-themed TV series from 1954, follows Rusty and his German shepherd Rin Tin Tin's journey across the West, as they maintain order. @michael_looke tweets a still from the vintage TV show.
10. Milo from The Mask
I rewatched The Mask (its fine), which I hadn’t seen since I was 10. This pseudo Hulk shit gave me nightmares- the real star of the movie is the dog Milo. pic.twitter.com/lVMCfsSG7q
— Apocalypse Mal ???????? (@TheLadyStranger) May 16, 2020
The Mask is about a bank clerk who chances upon a green mask that gives him crazy powers. The mask is also worn by Milo, and he starts to possess strange powers. @TheLadyStranger tweets that Milo is the real star of the film.
11. Backup in Veronica Mars
Backup is Veronica Mars’s protective dog in the American TV series. Backup was played first by Gordo, an American bulldog, and then by Lefty, a pitbull, as seen in this post by @veronicamars. Both were good doggos!
12. Petey from Little Rascals
@gospelhydration, we’d recognize this film anytime because Petey the pooch is one of a kind. This pitbull terrier with a circle around his eye plays with the kids on their little adventures in the most adorable film of all time, The Little Rascals.
13. Stella from Modern Family
relationship goals: Jay & Stella from modern family pic.twitter.com/wqQKxWy3ho
— Rachel (@rachelr17) February 13, 2015
Stella is the Pritchett family’s pet dog and is constantly showered with love by Jay. Stella was played by a French bulldog that sadly passed away earlier this year, but we couldn’t agree more with @rachelr17; Jay and Stella’s love is immortalized.
14. Boomer from Here’s Boomer
Boomer is the star of Here’s Boomer, a popular television series that premiered in 1980 on NBC. Boomer is a stray dog who helps those he found in trouble. @uglyoldstuff posts a picture of Boomer to console all boomers.
15. Dollar in Richie Rich
@Primary_Immune1 @bassm67 Couldn't help it ~ Richie Rich and Dollar Dog. Love that the Dalmatian spots are $$$. pic.twitter.com/2Yya5I0gRe
— Nancy M. Anderson (@nma08244) September 28, 2014
Dollar is Richie Rich’s pet from the animated series that aired on ABC in 1980. The show's fandom calls him a “dollarmation” because he is a dalmatian but with dollar signs for black spots. @nma08244 shares the comic on which the show was based on.
16. Astro in The Jetsons
@PokerGO @Ali_Nejad Jetson Astro Service Dog pic.twitter.com/qyqIRzO5CS
— David Q Sutton (@davidqsutton) September 11, 2018
The Jetsons were a middle-class family living a life in the future. So, obviously, their family pet was a robotic dog named Astro. He had an excellent companionship with the father and son, Elroy and George. Tweet by @davidqsutton.
17. Togo in Togo
Togo, the underdog-turned-hero Siberian Husky, moved us to tears after we watched him on screen. The film was based on true events, which adds to the reasons we love his character so much. @lynnayreviews highly recommends it for those with a soft spot for dogs.
18. Marley in Marley and Me
Marley is the notorious dog that we all came to adore in Marley and Me. @thequotes_feed mentions a quote from the film that encapsulates Marley’s lovable character. Marley was based on a real-life dog that was featured in a book by John Grogan.
19. The Pitbull in John Wick
John Wick's dog turned into the film franchise’s icon after it was adopted after the first film. This doggo stays by John Wick's side during the deadliest of agendas. Watch him play his part in this clip posted by @johnwickmovie.
20. Marmaduke in Marmaduke
Have beautiful dreams!????????????I love this picture! Marmaduke movie is so fun!????????#LeePace #Marmaduke ???? pic.twitter.com/infiS5GoTL
— Sunny (@0648876l) August 13, 2017
The coolest, goofiest, and most awkward Great Dane to exist, Marmaduke, starred in one of the best dog movies to exist. You may recall his adventures with his best friend, Carlos, a Balinese cat. @0648876l tweets an adorable still from the film.
21. Perdita, Pongo, and their pups in 101 Dalmatians
101 Dalmatians was a TV show every ‘90s kid grew up watching and loved. It featured Perdita, Pongo, and their puppies, along with the antagonist, Cruella de Vil. @101dalmatiansdisney posted a memorable clip of the famous “Dalmatian Plantation” song.
22. Scooby-Doo in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?
Who doesn’t love Scooby-Doo, the jovial, goofy dog who is as brave as a chicken? However, when his friends need him, he puts on some outrageous disguises to trick the enemy. Scooby-Doo also has his own official Instagram account at @scoobydoo.
23. Brian in Family Guy
The humorous, sarcastic, martini-loving Brian is an animated canine character from the American television series Family Guy. Voiced by Seth MacFarlane, he is one of the main characters. In this post by @briangriffin_dawg, you can get a glimpse of his wit.
24. Lassie in Lassie Come Home
A dog loved over several generations; Lassie is one of the most iconic live-action dogs to star in a film. Lassie Come Home is set in England, where a couple has to sell Lassie to survive the Depression. Post by @wallis_cinemas.
25. Buddy in Air Bud
Buddy, the Golden Retriever, who can play hoops stars in the film Air Bud. The best part is that this dog plays basketball in real life, too. Here’s a clip of Buddy shooting a hoop. Post by @airbudofficial.
26. Dante in Coco
#Pixar ups its good dog game with #Coco short "Dante's Lunch": https://t.co/8rbLUTmi1v pic.twitter.com/KbJ1BQIr8k
— Nerdist (@nerdist) March 29, 2017
The crazy tongue-hanging-out-of-his-mouth dog, Dante, is a stray who eventually accompanies Miguel, the lead character, on an adventure into the Land of the Dead. Dante’s character was inspired by the national dog of Mexico, Xoloitzcuintli. Tweet by @nerdist.
27. Dug in Up
Reminds me of Kevin and Dug from the movie Up! pic.twitter.com/pCA5Diaywv
— Rohit B (@Tennissaurus) April 9, 2020
Dug, the animated pooch, who wears a smart collar, is probably our favorite. He becomes a loyal companion to Russel, Carl, and Kevin in Disney Pixar's Up. Tweet by @Tennissaurus.
28. Toto in The Wizard of Oz
Terry, the dog who plays Toto in The Wizard of Oz, also played Rags in the Shirley Temple movie BRIGHT EYES (1934). https://t.co/Ld1AbxD5PW#TheWizardOfOz #TCMParty @TCM_Party pic.twitter.com/fPjlOiYo21
— Nina L. Diamond (@ninatypewriter) April 11, 2020
Hollywood’s famous canine, Terry, starred alongside Judy Garland as Toto in The Wizard of Oz. We often saw it in Judy’s arms or in her basket, enjoying the wonderful world of Oz. @ninatypewriter tweets that Terry also played the dog in Bright Eyes.
29. Skip in My Dog Skip
Skip, a Jack Russell Terrier, struck a chord within many of us as he bettered the life of the Morris family. He made the film the sweetest dog movie of the year 2000. Check this post by @mikeprevette201 for a film review.
30. Balto in Balto
Balto, the animated dog who became a beloved character in the ‘90s, was a sled dog who helped bring medicine to Nome during an epidemic. @animalcharacters posted a still from the film, featuring Balto with his love interest Jenna.
31. Clifford in Clifford the Big Red Dog
Clifford was the star of an animated series, where he was shown to be around thirty feet tall. His character was inspired by an imaginary pal that creator Norman Bridwell’s wife conjured up. Post by @cliffordthebigreddog.
32. Old Yeller in Old Yeller
This is a heart-wrenching tale about a stray dog and a boy set in post-civil war Texas. The film Old Yeller teaches us what having furry friends means to humankind. @d23fan posted this old poster that brings back memories of the lovely Old Yeller and Coastes family.
33. Lady and Tramp in Lady and the Tramp
Lady is an American Cocker Spaniel, and Tramp is a mix-breed Schnauzer. The film is a recent Disney remake of the 1955 animated film that goes by the same name. Watch this classic on Disney+, as @ladyandthetramp suggests.
34. Snoopy in Snoopy, Come Home!
Snoopy, a Beagle we came to love in the comic strip “Peanuts,” also stars in a 1972 film Snoopy, Come Home. @nostalgi3000 posts a few adorable clips from the film where you can also spot his sidekick Woodstock.
35. Chief in Isle of Dogs
Chief, the half ear-nipped dog with sky blue eyes, is one of the main characters in Isle of Dogs. This Wes Anderson film is starkly different from any other dog movie you have watched in the past. Catch a glimpse in this clip by @isleofdogsmovie.
36. Bailey in A Dog’s Journey
This doggo, a Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain dog, voiced by Josh Gad, starred in one of the best dog movies of 2019. @adogsjourneymovie shares the poster of the film where you can see Bailey’s warm, brown eyes and delightful smile.
37. Bolt in Bolt
Bolt is a super-dog whose life is nothing short of an adventure, with danger around every nook and corner. Check out this trailer posted by @boltmovieofficial to know what we are talking about. Also, we love that Bolt is voiced by John Travolta.
38. Courage in Courage the Cowardly Dog
Courage the Cowardly Dog follows the story of a pink dog who is easily frightened. Despite being a coward, Courage musters up his strength when needed. Here’s a clip by @couragethecowardlydognocontxt showing you how easily he scares.
39. Benji in Benji
Benji, the adorable mix-breed canine who was orphaned as a pup, always appears like a lowkey superhero when someone is in trouble. Like @cleverobin puts it, some heroes don't wear capes, but they have tails and big hearts.
40. Beethoven in Beethoven
Beethoven, a St. Bernard pup who grows into a giant dog, stars in the 1992 film Beethoven. Although the film was fairly underrated, it's a must-see for its light humor and distinct characters like mean Dr. Varnick and, of course, the lovely Beethoven. Post by @lbomwonderyearspodcast.
