Producing a list of famous pooches is not an easy thing to do After all, there are thousands of famous furbabies in history. Even before there was internet, there was a long list of canines who leaped into our hearts, making us laugh as well as cry. They have inspired us with their stories, both real and imagined.
The 103 pooches here made names for themselves just by being themselves. They did not mind being the star of the show in most cases and we, as dog lovers, certainly did not mind reading their stories and watching their films. So get ready for this stroll down memory lane to remember these pooches, both real and fictional, who starred in films, books, television, social media, and more.
Hachi, the Akita
If you thought your dog was loyal, wait until you see the movie about Hachi. Based on a true story about the faithful Akita, it was first a Japanese film named Hachiko Monogatari released in 1987 by the Shochiku-Fuji Company. The American version made by Sony Pictures, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, was released in 2009 at the Seattle International Film Festival and earned over $46 million in the first year. As the true story goes, the movie follows. Hachi was owned by a Professor who took him to the train station with him every morning when he went to work. Hachi would be there waiting for him in the afternoon when he returned.
Sadly, the professor died at work one day and Hachi would go to the train station every day to wait for his human. For the next 10 years, Hachi went to the station to look for his professor, who of course, never arrived. The other passengers and employees at the station loved Hachi and would sit with him, bring him treats, and the city even erected a bronze statue to honor him at the Shibuya train station in Tokyo. True to their name, Akitas are very loyal and lovable dogs who never leave their humans side by choice. The breed is not just loyal, but very protective and would make a great guard dog as well as a fur-iendly family pet.
Scooby-Doo, the Great Dane
Scooby Doobie Doo, where are you? He is everywhere and has been around since 1969 when he started out as the furry partner and best fur-iend to Shaggy on Saturday morning cartoons. Scooby-Doo and Shaggy are both part of a team of teenage detectives that includes their friends Fred, Daphne, and Velma. They travel around in a psychedelic green van solving crimes that are thought to be supernatural but end up being criminal instead. Both Scooby and Shaggy are so similar, they even look alike. They are both always hungry and are scared of everything. Scooby-Doo has also been in over 15 films, television shows, and other media appearances including Batman: The Brave and the Bold as well as Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Like Scooby himself, Great Danes are friendly furbabies and are nicknamed Gentle Giant because they are so large and gentle. They make excellent family pets because they love kids and other animals. Just don’t try to use him for a guard dog because this breed typically loves everyone. Scooby-Doo’s rise to fame could have been from the funny way he talks, how he encourages the team to do things even though he is scared, and how funny he and Shaggy act when they see what they think are ghosts. But it is more likely that he is just a cute and lovable pooch. And even after all these years, everyone still knows who Scooby-Doo is.
Lady, the Cocker Spaniel
If you want a sweet love story movie to watch with your kids, Disney’s Lady and the Tramp is the fur-fect choice. The family pet of Mr. and Mrs. Darling, Lady was extremely fond of their new baby and protects it from the two mean cats in the film. She then meets a stray named Tramp who she falls in love with and they have pups of their own. This adorable Cocker Spaniel was so popular after the 1955 movie that they reissued it to theaters four times over the years before moving on to making sequels and television cartoons. Walt Disney released a remake of the movie in 2019, which made $187 million and was even better than the first. It was even nominated for outstanding visual effects and animation.
Like Lady, Cocker Spaniels are cuddly and affectionate dogs who love to play, get along well with kids and other pets, and make great guard dogs, even though they are not very big. They can even keep your home and yard rodent-free because they will chase away all the rats, mice, and other furry little critters in the area. That means you may have to watch your furbaby around small pets like hamsters or guinea pigs. Even in the Disney cartoon, Lady is great at scaring away the rat that tries to get to the baby. But she is a caring and doting mother to the baby as well as her puppies. These pooches just make perfect pets fur everyone.
Laika, the Samoyed Terrier Mix
In November of 1957, a stray dog plucked from the streets of Moscow became the furst furbaby in space. Named Laika, this Samoyed Terrier mix was chosen for her friendliness, beautiful coat, and quizzical expression. She was named for her bark as Laika is Russian for barker and she was the first living creature to orbit the earth. There have been several books, t-shirts, a postal stamp, and a statue to remember the brave pooch.
The Samoyed and the Terrier are both known to be lovable, gentle, and friendly so they are great family companions. Although it is not known if Laika had other breeds mixed in, she was most definitely friendly and loyal.
Beethoven, the St. Bernard
Beethoven is a family comedy movie with a humongous funny dog named Beethoven. The funloving St. Bernard snuck into the Newton’s home after sneaking away from dog nappers and the three kids and mother talk the father into letting him stay. He got his name for singing along with the music when one of the kids plays Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony on the piano. Although Beethoven gets into trouble sometimes, he also helps out a lot and even saves Emily’s life after she falls into a pool.
This pawesome film was made by Universal Pictures in 1992 and was a box office hit, making over $147 million and winning best feature film in 1993. In the following decade, six more Beethoven films were made but none were as pup-ular as the first one. St. Bernards are typically lovable and caring. In fact, they were used as rescue dogs in the late 1600s in the Great St. Bernard Pass, which is where they got their name.
Goofy, an anthropomorphic dog
As Mickey Mouse’s best fur-iend, Goofy was first known as Dippy Dawg when he joined the gang in 1932. But with his goofy laugh and clumsiness, fans loved him so much they kept him on and changed his name to Goofy. Although he was mostly known for the Mickey Mouse cartoons, this good-natured anthropomorphic pooch had a few films of his own over the years including A Goofy Movie in 1995 and An Extremely Goofy Movie in 2000. Both movies were hits at the box office, scoring $35 million.
Because Goofy was an anthropomorphic dog, there has been controversy over the years about whether he was a dog or a cow. In fact, according to Disney producers, he is a dog. However, he was married to Clarabelle Cow so there may be some issue there. Since his official name is Goofus D. Dawg, that pretty well sums it up. Goofy is, in fact, a dog.
Rin Tin Tin, a German Shepherd
Rin Tin Tin was saved from the rubble of a bombed building along with his mama and other siblings in Germany during WWI by a soldier, Lee Duncan. It was 1918 and within just a couple of years, the German Shepherd had already been in several movies and films. His first major hit was the 1923 silent film, Where the North Begins, which grossed over $441 thousand for Warner Brothers.
Rin Tin Tin went on to appear in 27 films and had his own television series, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, from 1954 to 1959. German Shepherds are very intelligent and brave dogs that are often used in the military or for police work. They are also excellent pets for any family with the ability to be a lovable cuddle buddy as well as a fierce protector.
Bullseye, the Miniature Bull Terrier
He was first known as Spot, but everyone just fell in love with the name Bullseye for the Miniature Bull Terrier as the mascot of the Target Corporation. After all, he has a bullseye on his face. Don’t worry, the red target painted over his eye is safe vegetable-based paint, so it does not pose any danger to the sweet pup. The original Bullseye was AKC Champion Kingsmere Moondoggie, also known as Smudgie. Here’s an interesting fact: Target’s Bullseye is a male character played by females.
Bullseye may have changed a bit over the years but has always been loved by fans as he has been the mascot since 1999. Bullseye has been featured with superstars like Dustin Hoffman, Michael Buble’, and Cameron Diaz at many different galas. He even has a statue of his own at Madame Tussauds wax museum in New York. And he always has a big smile on his face. Although Mini Bull Terriers have gotten a bad rap in the past, the breed is not a fighter and instead is more of a lap dog that is very intelligent and funny.
Cesar Dog, the West Highland White Terrier
He may not have his own movie or be the mascot of a giant conglomerate, but the Cesar Dog became an instant star after the commercial aired in 2014. Known as Nightshift, the 30-second skit follows a security guard on the night shift playing with the little white pooch before enjoying a meal together in the morning. It may have only been a 30-second ad, but it made this West Highland White Terrier famous. Cesar’s Valentine’s Day commercial proves that the Cesar Dog is man’s best friend as his human lets him share everything with him, including his wedding day.
Cesar has been the mainstay on all Cesar ads ever since, becoming a big star on television, in print, and has even been to several grand openings and special events over the years. West Highland White Terriers are tiny and cute with incredibly charismatic fur-sonalities. They are fun pets to have around and would just as soon be hunting rats or curl up on your lap to watch himself on television.
Benji, the Mixed Breed
Everyone knows who Benji is, right? Even though his original movie, Benji, first aired in 1974, there have been many sequels, specials, a television show, and they even did a remake of the original Benji in 2018. One of the fur-st mixed breed movie stars, Benji was a stray pooch who was well-known around town and everyone loved him. He loved being a stray but got attached to Cindy and Paul, two kids who found him and love him. Their dad would not let Benji stay until he actually saved the kids after they were kidnapped. The movie was so paw-pular it made $45 million at the box office.
Mixed breed dogs are always unique and very special because they have the best of many different breeds. Benji is a Schnauzer mixed with Cocker Spaniel and Miniature Poodle. All of these breeds are small and cute, which Benji definitely is. They are easy to care for due to their poodle fur and love kids and other pets. This pooch would be a perfect choice for a family looking for a new furbaby.
Lassie, the Rough Collie
Lassie Come Home is a movie set in the Depression-era about a dog that is sold to a Duke when her family has money troubles. She runs away and makes her way back to her original home hundreds of miles away. When she comes home, they find out that it was the Duke’s granddaughter who let Lassie go because she was so sad. So, they let her stay, and everyone is happy again. It was such a great movie, they made it twice. The first one was an MGM film in 1943 that made over $4.5 million and another was made by Warner Brothers in 2020 that grossed over $2.3 million.
The fur-st movie was so paw-pular that they did a television show named Lassie. It started in 1954 and lasted until 1973, with 591 episodes. The movies had what scientists called “the Lassie effect” where the breed of a popular movie suddenly became popular. In fact, the first Lassie movie was found to increase the Collie sales over 40%. Lassie was a Rough Collie, which is a very intelligent and beautiful pooch with long flowing fur in many colors. Typically bred for herding sheep, the smart pupsters can be taught to do just about anything and make excellent family pets as well.
Hooch, the French Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux)
When Detective Scott Turner (played by Tom Hanks) has to take in a canine witness to a murder named Hooch, he realizes why he never had a dog. The rambunctious French Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux), who clearly misses his owner, causes all kinds of upset for Turner, tearing up furniture and deliberately ignoring commands from Turner and doing whatever he can to aggravate him. Eventually the two become fur-iends and Turner even falls in love with Hooch’s veterinarian.
Hooch was played by several dogs but the main one was Beasley the Dog, who was 17 months old at the time. Hanks had to use a clicker to get the pooch to listen to him. French Mastiffs are large and sensitive, with a stocky body and massive head. They are very loyal and sweet but do a lot of slobbering as well, which makes them even more endearing to their humans.
Spuds Mackenzie, the Bull Terrier
If dogs drank beer, Spuds Mackenzie would be a fan of Bud Light. As the mascot to the brand, the suave Bull Terrier could be found wearing sunglasses and a Hawaiian shirt on the beach surrounded by pretty women and beer. What we all loved about Spuds was his charisma and laid-back attitude while being the “Original Party Animal” as he was dubbed by Anheuser Busch. He has been on a few films too, such as Rented Lips with Martin Mull, and as a guest on Late Night with David Letterman.
Spuds started out on a Super Bowl XXI commercial for Bud Light in 1987 and was immediately a hit with everyone. The character also showed up in a 2017 Super Bowl LI commercial for Bud Light as a ghost in a depiction of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Although the Bull Terrier in the commercials was characterized to be a male, he was always played by a female by the name of Evie (Honey Tree Evil Eye). Bull Terriers are playful, charming, and mischievous and have been known to be stubborn but funny.
Snoopy, the Beagle
Charlie Brown’s best friend, Snoopy, is a black and white Beagle from Peanuts cartoons written by Charles M. Schulz. He has been around since 1950 entertaining everyone from preschoolers to the elderly. The intelligent and funny pooch has been in several movies, comics, and cartoons on television and plays his own imaginary identities such as Joe Cool, a lawyer, and a British WWI flying ace, the Red Baron.
Beagles like Snoopy are loyal, happy furbabies who love to play, chase rabbits and other little creatures, and make excellent pets for any family. They especially love kids and other dogs. If you have ever seen Snoopy dance, you know how happy he is. The well-known pup was even ranked as the eighth greatest cartoon character of all time by TV Guide in 2002.
Old Yeller, the Mastador (Mastiff and Labrador Retriever mix)
The 1957 movie, Old Yeller, is a touching story about a boy named Travis based on the book written by Fred Gipson. Travis has to take over the role of man of the house after his dad has to go away for a while to collect cattle. Travis meets Old Yeller, a Mastador (Mastiff and Labrador Retriever mix), who he doesn’t like at first but learns to love him after the pooch protects his younger brother form a bear and then saves Travis from a pack of wild hogs.
After getting rabies from a wolf attack, Old Yeller has to be put down by Travis. However, he finds out that his feisty dog sired some pups and he keeps one that reminds him of Old Yeller. The Walt Disney movie was a hit at the box office, grossing over $6.2 million. Just like Old Yeller, Mastadors make excellent hunters and protectors as well as perfect best fur-iends for anyone.
Toto, the Cairn Terrier
When Dorothy gets swept away by a tornado with her furbaby, Toto, they end up in the magical land of Oz. There, they meet the cowardly lion, tin man, and scarecrow who are all heading to find the Wizard of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road while fighting off the wicked witch of the west. Toto was a major star in the film, barking at the flying monkeys, scaring away the witch, and pulling back the curtain on the Wizard of Oz to help Dorothy get home.
Toto, the Cairn Terrier, whose real name was Terry, actually starred in many films including Bright Eyes with Shirley Temple. But her big break was the Wizard of Oz, which made over $26 million for MGM at the box office. One of the oldest terrier breeds, the Cairn Terrier is a great hunter, fun playmate, and a true lapdog for any household.
Bo and Sunny, the Portuguese Water Dogs
What is better than living in the White House? Moving into a house with a doorbell. Bo and Sunny are the Obama family pets who had no idea what a doorbell was until they moved out of the White House. Former First Lady Michelle Obama told Sarah Jessica Parker that Bo and Sunny looked startled the first time they heard the bell. In fact, the silly pups didn’t realize that the doorbell meant visitors until they were there for two years.
The two Portuguese Water Dogs were just as busy and famous as their humans doing interviews and appearances during the Obama Presidency. Bo was also the helper to the head groundskeepers during their presidential stay. However, they always preferred laying around the house, chasing each other or cuddling in Michelle’s lap for fun. The Portuguese Water Dog makes a fur-fect best friend for any family and they like to swim too.
Cujo, the St. Bernard
This horror film is based on a book written by Stephen King about a St. Bernard (Cujo) with rabies that traps a woman (Donna) and her little boy (Tad) in their car for days outside her mechanic’s house. Unfortunately, the mechanic has been killed by the huge pooch and Donna and Tad are stuck in the hot car for days because her car will not start. After several days of being stranded, Donna and Tad finally get out when Cujo is distracted and make it into the house. When Cujo finds them, Donna is able to defend them with a gun she found on the sheriff that Cujo killed.
The film may be gory and gross at times, but the adorable St. Bernard is an innocent victim of a bat bite that caused him to go mad. Warner Brothers made over $21 million and was the fourth highest grossing horror movie in 1983. St. Bernards like Cujo are big and lovable pooches, with a playful but laid-back attitude and the uncanny ability to track down people who are lost or injured. They make excellent pets for someone with a lot of space to move around.
Doge, the Shiba Inu
This adorable Shiba Inu became a star overnight after her human, Atsuko Sato, posted pics of her on the internet in 2010. Although her real name is Kabosu, she was dubbed Doge by the internet when she became a viral sensation. Apparently, Doge is slang for dog. When Sato posted her pup’s pics, she just wanted to share her story of such a cute pooch she got from a shelter. She posted them on her blog and somehow it got shared on other social media sites like Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram.
The next thing Sato knew, she was seeing her furry friend’s mug all over the internet used in funny memes with hilarious dogespeak. In fact, Doge was named the Top Meme of 2013 and then one of the top 10 shared memes in 2016 on Tumblr. The highest award was when she was voted as the best meme of the 2010s in 2019. In real life, Kabosu is just a sweet pooch that loves to cuddle. The breed is typically active, intelligent, and fun with a ton of energy. Great for someone with plenty of time to spend with their furbaby.
Conan, the Belgian Malinois
Being invited to the White House is an honor for anyone, but for Conan it was just another day of being a dog. A Belgian Malinois military canine, he was the brilliant and incredible pooch President Trump was talking about on this day in 2019. In fact, the smart dog was the one to lead his team to ISIS leader and terrorist Abu Bakr al-Gaghdadi on a raid in Syria. Conan was injured during the mission but has made a full recovery and was given a medal and certificate by the President.
Conan started working with the Delta Force special ops in 2015 and went on dozens of missions before this one in 2019. The brave dog got his name from his shaggy hair, that his handlers thought made him resemble TV talk show host, Conan O’Brien. Although with his hero status, he may as well be named after Conan the Barbarian. Belgian Malinois dogs are often used in police and military work because of their fierce bravery and ability to track criminals. As pets, they need plenty of exercise and an owner who understands the breed
Sergeant Stubby, the Terrier Mix
The 2018 movie, Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero, was a big hit at the box office, grossing almost $5 million. The film follows the life of Sergeant Stubby, a Terrier mix who became an American hero in the Navy. Sergeant Stubby did not start out to be a war dog. He was just a stray mixed breed who hung around a group of military men in 1917 in Connecticut. One of the men became very fond of him and snuck him onto the ship when the 102nd Infantry Regiment left for France. When one of the commanders found out, he said he could stay because the pooch raised his paw in salute, which the soldiers taught him to do.
During his time with the group, Sergeant Stubby went into battle many times and was able to warn the soldiers before the bombs hit because of his excellent hearing. During his 17 battles, he survived a gas attack and was able to alert the men to even small amounts of gas afterward. He even received several medals and chevrons when they returned home after WWI and got to meet Presidents Wilson, Harding, and Coolidge. Terrier mixed breeds are intelligent and brave but also make great lap dogs.
Butch, the Anatolian Shepherd
Butch played the hero in both Cats & Dogs movies, which were pawesome spy action comedies that pitted D.O.G.S. (canine intelligence agency) against M.E.O.W.S. (feline intelligence agency). Made by Disney, the first film introduced us to Butch, an Anatolian Shepherd, as the main agent who saves a pooch from his kidnappers, the M.E.O.W.S. It was a major hit for Warner Brothers, earning $200 million.
The second film, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, was not as much of a hit at the box office, netting $112 million. But everyone still loved the hero, Butch, as he saved the day again from the M.E.O.W.S. The Anatolian Shepherd is a herding dog bred to protect sheep or whatever else they think they should be protecting. This includes you and your kids and other pets too. Like Butch, you can feel safe with your Anatolian Shepherd around.
Oddball, the Maremma Sheepdog
Oddball is a true story and 2015 film about a Maremma Sheepdog that becomes a star after protecting his flock of penguins from foxes. His owner, Allan Marsh, was a chicken farmer who decided to train his dog to protect his flock from foxes in the Middle Island off of Australia. When Marsh realized that a flock of fairy penguins made the island their home, he decided to let his pooch protect them too. And it worked so well, it became a hit movie that made more than $10 million.
The Maremma Sheepdog breed may not be as well-known as the others, but this furry furbaby sure knows how to protect his flock. The breed has always been bred to protect sheep, so it did not take much to convince Oddball to protect the little fairy penguins too. They do make good pets as long as they have plenty of room outside to run and activities to keep them busy.
Gidget the Taco Bell Dog, the Chihuahua
If you have never seen one of Gidget’s Taco Bell commercials, you should Google it right now and watch some. You will immediately understand why this little Chihuahua became an overnight sensation. In the ads, she would say, “Yo quiero Taco Bell!” That means I want Taco Bell in Spanish. The advertisers used special effects to make it look like she was talking and she became so pawpular that they made toys of her and she was seen in other commercials for Gieco and then as Bruiser’s mom in Legally Blonde 2 with Reese Witherspoon.
Chihuahuas make excellent lap dogs and purse pets. In fact, in Legally Blonde 2, you will see why. Reese Witherspoon really does love furbabies and has had several of her own. But there are none as cute and funny as Gidget the Taco Bell dog wearing her sombrero and begging for burritos.
Mr. Pickles, the Border Collie
If you have never seen Mr. Pickles and you like adult cartoons, you have to watch an episode today. Like right after you read this pawesome article. However, it is not for the kids. Mr. Pickles is a satanic Border Collie who tortures, imprisons, and murders anyone who gets in his way. The cartoon by the same name played exclusively on Adult Swim on the Cartoon Network and was a big hit four seasons in a row. It was replaced by other toons but you can still watch it online.
Mr. Pickles has a human friend named Tommy who has no idea that his pooch is the devil in disguise. They romp and play all over town until someone makes him mad and he has to sneak away and kill them. Border Collies are not really killer dogs, in fact, they are exactly the opposite. Although they are as intelligent and loyal as Mr. Pickles, they are protective of other animals and were bred to herd sheep. They make great pets for those who have a lot of yard and time to play.
Konni, the Labrador Retriever
Also known as Connie Leod Paulgrave, Konni is a black lab who is part of Vladimir Putin’s family. If you do not know who Putin is, he is the Russian President. The fur-iendly pup was often seen at Putin’s side during meetings, press conferences, and just hanging out around the Kremlin or the Russian White House.
Putin often answered questions with “I will consult with my dog Konni, who gives me good advice.” But it was the book written about Konni that gained her millions of followers. Labrador Retrievers are the number one favorite of Americans and are extremely friendly, smart, and gentle pooches. A Labrador would make a wonderful addition to any family.
Tracker, the Chihuahua
This cheeky Chihuahua is part of the jungle division of the Paw Patrol, which is a cartoon favored by kids everywhere. He has a jeep, lives in the jungle, and is very brave although he is afraid of the dark. This may be because his supersonic hearing ability gives him the power to hear even the tiniest sounds. But this doesn’t interfere with his ability to save the jungle critters when they need him, as he saves the day every time with his pup-pack full of tools.
As a Chihuahua, Tracker is tiny but mighty and has no idea how little he really is. Luckily, his jeep is tall and gives him the boost he sometimes needs to get out of a jam. Chihuahuas are a high-energy breed with a lot of spunk but also enjoy being in your lap or cuddling with you on the couch to watch Paw Patrol.
Marshall, the Dalmatian
Another Paw Patrol character, Marshall is the Dalmatian whose main job is to check for fires and get rid of them. He is also a fur-ific medic who can use his x-ray screen to check for injuries. Marshall can be a clumsy pup who is always goofing around but he can be serious when he needs to be. The brave pooch loves birds, playing Pup Pup Boogie, and snowboarding but he is afraid of heights.
Being a Dalmatian and a firefighter, of course he drives a bright red fire truck that transforms into a doghouse. He also carries a pup pack full of firefighting equipment. These strong and alert dogs are very outgoing and fur-endly with a highly active personality. The breed makes an excellent running or hiking partner and needs a lot of exercise.
Chase, the German Shepherd
The serious police dog of the Paw Patrol group, Chase is always working and likes to keep order wherever he goes. He takes things very seriously but does enjoy playing when they are not on a mission. Chase is very athletic and energetic, sometimes getting annoyed at Marshall’s silliness. He loves his bones, teddy bear, and leading the gang in missions.
Unlike the other pups, Chase has a super spy vehicle with a drone, satellite dish, and computer among other amazing additions. He also has a patrol boat, three wheeler, motorcycles, and a helicopter. Like Chase, German Shepherds are often used as police dogs because they are so brave and intelligent. But they make great family pets as well.
Tramp, the Wire Hair Snauzer
Tramp is the street-smart ruffian of the 1955 Disney cartoon film Lady and the Tramp. The stray mixed breed Wire Hair Snauzer (Terrier mixed with Schnauzer) meets and falls in love with Lady, who is a Cocker Spaniel. The film made over $187 million and had a higher box office figure than any other Disney cartoon film and was re-released several times.
In the 2001 sequel, Tramp is settled down and married to Lady with four puppies. His son, Scamp is the star of this film as he gets in all sorts of trouble trying to live like Tramp did when he was a street dog. Eventually, he ends up back home with the family. Wire Hair Snauzer breeds are the best of both breeds. When combining a Wire Fox Terrier with a Schnauzer you get a hyper little pooch who loves to hunt and play, so if you get one, be sure you have the time and energy to enjoy them.
Duke, the Newfoundland Mix
Learning about the underground world of mistreated pets turns into a fun movie in The Secret Life of Pets. Duke the Newfoundland mix is the main star in the computer-generated cartoon, which grossed over $875 million for Universal Pictures. The story includes Duke and his spoiled housemate, Max, getting attacked by cats, picked up by the dog catchers, and being saved by the “flushed pets” who live in the sewers.
In the film, Duke is a sweet and bungling pooch who gets adopted by Max’s human, but Max does not like him and they end up on the streets due to Max’s foiled plan to get rid of Duke. In the end, Duke saves Max from the dog catchers and they become best fur-iends. Newfoundland mix breed dogs get extremely large but are gentle and calm dogs that would rather lay around the house than chase balls. Perfect for a family with a house that has enough room for him to move around without breaking things.
Pluto, the Bloodhound
Pluto is Mickey Mouse’s pet Bloodhound and has been starring in films, television shows, and cartoons since 1930. In fact, he has starred in more than 100 Disney films. Everyone loves Pluto because he is always, happy, loves to play, and he is very good at tracking since he is a Bloodhound.
Pluto falls in love a lot and has had several loves including Fifi the Peke, Dinah the Dachshund, and Tiki the Maltese. Bloodhounds are curious, independent, and friendly pooches who make excellent trackers as well as great pets. However, you will need to have time to spend with your Bloodhound because they need a lot of exercise and activity.
Wishbone, the Jack Russell Terrier
If you watched any kind of public broadcasting television in the 1990s, you probably watched quite a few Wishbone episodes. The intelligent kid’s show was about a Jack Russell Terrier that thinks he is a lead character in different literature. The intelligent pooch won four Daytime Emmys as well as a Peabody Award for his show.
Take a trip down memory lane and Google some of Wishbone’s shows. It is amazing how a kids’ show was able to teach so much history and literature through a cute little pooch. Jack Russell Terriers like Wishbone are small and energetic pups with a fun fursonality. They were bred as hunters, but they make lovable and cuddly pets as well.
Brian Griffin, the Labrador Retriever
Brian seems more human than most humans as he talks, walks on two legs, and even drives a car. The white Labrador Retriever is Peter’s best friend on Family Guy and has been on the show since 1998. Stewie, the talking baby on the show, also has a close relationship with Brian. He drinks martinis often and it is suggested that he may be an alcoholic.
People just love this pooch so much that they protested when the writers killed him off in the 12th season, convincing them to bring the character back to the show. The Labrador Retriever is the most paw-pular dog breed in the United States. They are excellent family companions and especially love kids and other pets.
Stella, the French Bulldog
As the only dog in the Modern Family show, Stella got a lot of television time. She was so good at her job that she won the Golden Collar Award for being the best dog in a television series in 2012. It is funny because this was her first job and all she did was run around and play when they first tried to audition her. But the producers loved her so much they agreed to train her for her role.
Stella is a French Bulldog with a love for tug toys, treats, and her best fur-iend Beatrice, her understudy on the show. French Bulldogs are small and cute, with a big dog attitude. They do not know they are small, and their personality shows it. They are sweet and cuddly companion pets for a family that loves their furbaby enough to devote a lot of their time to them.
Balto, the Siberian Husky
Balto is the star of the movie by the same name, which is actually a true story about his life. In the 1995 movie, he is a wolf dog that lives in Nome, Alaska in the early 1900s. When all the kids in town got sick with diphtheria, they sent out a team of sled dogs to get the medicine they needed 600 miles away. The team does not return and Balto finds and saves them, also bringing back the medicine as well.
Although the film was mostly true, Balto was not a wolf dog, he was a Siberian Husky. Earning over $11 million for Universal Pictures, there were two sequels released on video in 2002 and 2005 that did not do as well. Siberian Huskies are beautiful and strong dogs that love to work. Like Balto, they like to run and play as well and love kids.
Clifford, the Bloodhound
You can find Clifford the Big Red Dog on television, in books, as characters on video games, and even in his own movie. Starting out as a children’s book about a giant dog and his eight year old human friend Emily Elizabeth in 1963 written by Norman Bridwell, it was such a hit that they made videos for kids in 1986 and then he had his own series on PBS from 2000 until 2003.
Clifford’s film in 2004 grossed $3.3 million and made him even more paw-pular as parents loved how he taught the kids and the kids just loved Clifford. What made the show so special was how he was always forgiven for his silly mishaps. Bloodhounds like Clifford do make good companions for those who enjoy outdoor sports like hunting, hiking, and just playing outside.
Nana, the St. Bernard
If ever there was a patient dog, it was Nana from Peter Pan. The 1953 Disney film starring the St. Bernard, Nana, grossed over $87 million. Nana was tasked with taking care of the Darling family children, Michael, John, and Wendy. As a dog, it may seem strange to use her as a nursemaid for your kids nowadays. But in the story, the family was very poor and could not afford a nanny or nurse, so they had Nana do it.
And she was great at it, keeping the kids in line, taking them to school, and chasing them when they try to run away. St. Bernards are known as intelligent and caring pooches that have an instinct for finding and caring for injured people and children. They are perfect pets for those with kids.
Jasper, the Hungarian Vizsla
You may not know who Dana Perino is at first. But she is a very popular woman as a writer and commentator who even served as the Press Secretary of the White House from 2007 to 2009. What may seem strange is that people know who her dog is before they recognize her. That is because Jasper, a Hungarian Vizsla, became a star on social media after she posted him on one of her profiles.
People loved Jasper and followed him faithfully on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to name a few. Perino didn’t start out to make Jasper famous, it just happened. And he was her best fur-iend his whole life. She even wrote a book about him. The Vizsla is a gentle and affectionate furbaby who makes a fun pet for an energetic family.
Boo, the Pomeranian
On his Facebook profile, Boo’s About Me says, “My name is Boo. I am a dog. Life is good.” The beginning of stardom didn’t start for Boo the day his owner, a Facebook employee, made him a Facebook page in 2008. In fact, he didn’t really get noticed until singer Kesha saw him and tweeted that he was her new boyfriend. After that, he was a hit with everyone and became the “cutest dog in the world” according to Kim Kardashian.
In fact, Boo has over five million Likes on his page and a book was made in her name called Boo: The Life of the World’s Cutest Dog. Another book was made, and then a calendar, and he even has stuffed animals of his likeness. Although Boo has been gone for a few years, his Facebook page is still drawing visitors. Pomeranians like Boo make very adorable and tiny pets for any family.
Bella, the Shepweiler
This fun film about a dog’s journey from New Mexico back to her home in Denver is told by the cute pooch, Bella. The 2019 film, A Dog’s Way Home, was based on a novel written by W. Bruce Cameron. She is a Shepweiler, which is a German Shepherd and Rottweiler mix. On the way she meets a baby cougar she names Big Kitten, who sticks by her throughout the journey.
The pair get attacked by coyotes, meet some interesting people, and Bella even gets hit by a car along the way. But she is finally reunited with her human best fur-iend after two years of walking. Shepweilers are the perfect blend of two breeds and make great pets that are excellent guard dogs as well.
Kermit, the Italian Greyhound
Kermit is a handsome Italian Greyhound with a love of soap, watermelon, and crying. He also loves the minions in Despicable Me. Kermit is the fur-iend of Jenna Marbles, who is an internet star with her own YouTube channel. He first appeared on Jenna’s channel in 2010 and has been a star ever since.
As an Italian Greyhound, Kermit is different than most because he is more laid back and sleepy. Jenna calls him “nasty boi” sometimes because of his drooling, peeing on things, and eating soap. Also, his tongue is always hanging out because of his missing teeth. But he is a lovable and funny pooch who loves being on camera. The Italian Greyhound is like a miniature Greyhound and is hyper, alert, and sensitive. They make good pets for those who spend a lot of time at home.
Norman, the Italian Greyhound
Another Italian Greyhound on the list is Norman, who is Kylie Jenner’s favorite pooch. She has nine of them now but her fave is said to be Norman. He is a brown pup with attitude but is full of sweetness. He even lets Kylie dress him up as whatever she wants.
Kylie takes him with her to photo shoots, shopping, and just going out on the town with friends. He and his sister, Bambi, even have their own Instagram profile with thousands of followers. Norman and Kermit got to meet recently when Jenna and Kylie has a playdate for their furbabies. They loved it.
Anubis, the Pharaoh Hound
Historians say that the Anubis story began back in Egypt’s Predynastic Period, which was from 6000 to 3150 BC. That was when the first image of him was found to be on the tomb walls in Egypt’s First Dynasty. Anubis is said to have been the Guard of the Dead or God of the Dead. He was tasked the job of guarding the graves in the mummification process.
While this description of Anubis may not be so pleasant to many, he was thought to guard over those who had passed on. The breed of Anubis was not so clear, but most say that he was a Pharaoh Hound. This is a real breed that is intelligent, fast, and very energetic. They love to run and need a big yard.
Krypto, the Labrador Retriever
This animated cartoon series on television about Krypto the Superdog is a spinoff of the Superman television series. Krypto is Superman’s dog and came from Krypton with Superman when he was sent to Earth. Since Superman is always busy saving the world, he gives the pup to a boy named Kevin to watch over.
Krypto pretends to be a normal dog, but he has a lot of superpowers that he uses when needed. Kevin knows about his powers but nobody else does. Krypto is a Labrador Retriever, which is the most paw-pular furbaby in the United States. For a family with kids and other pets, Labradors are perfect.
Buck, the St. Bernard Scotch Collie Mix
In the 2020 movie, Call of the Wild, Buck is a St. Bernard mixed with Scotch Collie who loves everyone and lives as a pet in California in the 1890s. One day he is stolen and taken to Dawson, Yukon to be a sled dog. Since he was a spoiled house pet, he is slow to learn the rules but becomes a brave and strong. When John Thornton notices Buck being abused by his owner, he takes him for his own and they become great friends.
The movie was a hit, grossing over $102 million worldwide. Both the Collie and the St. Bernard are friendly and lovable pooches and the mixed breed is a wonderful companion for anyone with a lot of land to run on. Because they need room to run and be wild, like Buck did in the movie.
Cerberus, the Hellhound
This mythical dog was said to be the Hound of Hades with three heads and a serpent tail. Although some stories say he had 100 heads while others claimed he only had one. As myth has it, his father was Typhon, the snake headed monster and his mother was Echidna, who was half snake and half monster.
The one thing that all can agree on is that he was captured by Heracles. However, Cerberus was returned to the underworld after being shown to Eurystheus. Cerberus was thought to be a Hellhound, which is a supernatural dog that guards the underworld. It would not make a good pet even if it was real, but it would be a great guard dog.
Milo, the Jack Russell Terrier
This fantastic pooch, whose real name is Max, was the furfect costar to Jim Carrey. He played Carrey’s furbaby, Milo, who was a five-year-old Jack Russell Terrier. The 1994 comedy film, The Mask, made over $351 million at the box office and you can still find it on Netflix and cable.
Milo wears the mask in the movie, which is one of the funniest scenes in movies, according to NBC’s Today Show. Carrey chose Max because of his perkiness, energy, and his ability to follow instructions. Like Max (Milo), the Jack Russell Terrier has a lot of energy and needs plenty of exercise.
Copper, the Bloodhound
In the 1981 animated film by Disney, The Fox and the Hound, Copper is a Bloodhound puppy learning to hunt for his owners when he befriends a baby fox named Tod. Copper’s owner takes him into the woods to train him and when he comes back, he is a true hunting dog and cannot be friends with Tod anymore.
The movie made more than $63 million for Walt Disney and won the 1982 Golden Screen Award. A sequel was done but it was released direct to DVD and not at the movies. Bloodhounds are amazing scent dogs and are often used to search and hunt. But they love kids as well as other dogs and would be a great addition to the family.
Gidget, the Pomeranian
As one of the starts of The Secret Life of Pets, Gidget is a favorite because of her fluffy fur and big blue eyes. She is a white Pomeranian that looks like a walking puff ball. Although she is a spoiled purse pooch, she can be fierce when needed. She shows this when she fights off a bunch of mean flushed pets while saving Max, her neighbor’s dog she has a crush on.
Earning over $875 million, the movie was a hit and Gidget was a star. Pomeranians like Gidget are tiny little balls of fluff that love to be held and cuddled. They can be carried around in a purse or doggy carrier so they can go everywhere with you. They don’t like being left alone.
Tiffany, the Terrier
Being Benji’s girlfriend in the 1974 movie, Benji, the white terrier was instantly loved because of her beauty. The sweet love story between the two continue throughout the show with Benji even protecting Tiffany when the bad guys hurt her. They are both adopted by the Chapman family after Benji and Tiffany save the kids from kidnappers.
In a sequel, For the Love of Benji, the two have a litter of puppies together. The first movie made $45 million while the second one only made $22 million but Tiffany was definitely the star of the show. Terriers like Tiffany are energetic and fun little furbabies that can be marvelous pets for a family with kids and a yard.
Buddy, the Golden Retriever
Very well-known for his 1997 movie, Air Bud, Buddy the Golden Retriever is a major star. He starts out as a stray dog that is found by a boy named Josh, who is trying to get on the basketball team at his new school so he can get some friends. He finds out that his new pooch, Buddy, is great at basketball and he and the pup both get on the team and make a lot of friends.
Several movies were made after Air Bud including Golden Receiver when Buddy plays football, World Pup where Buddy plays soccer, Seventh Inning Fetch about baseball, and Spikes Back, in which he plays volleyball. Over the years, other movies have been made with Buddy and his offspring who go on other adventures.
Golden Retrievers are one of the top three dogs in America and are perfect for any family.
Happy, the Terrier Mix
It does not often happen that a canine star gets to use her real name on a show. But Happy of the television drama, Seventh Heaven, was also named Happy in real life. And why not? The Terrier mix always seemed to be very happy and excited. She had a wonderful life and played on the show more than any other star, in all 243 of the episodes.
Happy was a rescue dog from a California dog shelter and enjoyed her job as well as all the cast members she saw every day. If you were thinking of getting a Terrier, make sure you have the time and energy to devote to them because they like attention and need a lot of exercise.
Little Brother, the Jack Russell Terrier
In this 1998 animated Disney film, Mulan, the co-star, Little Brother, was a Jack Russell Terrier with a love of life and his human friend, Mulan. He spent a lot of time with Mulan throughout the movie and even helps her with her chores. The film made over $304 million for Disney and there were video games, toys, and television cartoons made afterward. In Mulan II, Little Brother is still at Mulan’s side, watching her train and playing with the other girls at the school.
Little Brother is a hyper and fun pup with a true Jack Russell Terrier energy and intelligence. Having a Jack Russell Terrier as a pet takes commitment because they need a lot of attention and exercise. A family with children and other pets would be ideal because they love to play.
Rooster, the Welsh Sheepdog
In The Secret Life of Pets sequel, Rooster is a brave and powerful Welsh Sheepdog that guards the farm of the uncle of Max’s owner. When Max visits the farm, he meets Rooster after he bravely scares away a turkey that is chasing Max. They become friends and Rooster teaches Max how to herd and protect sheep and other animals while he is there. The film has made over $430 million since its release in 2019.
Like Rooster, Welsh Sheepdogs are bred to herd sheep and other animals and enjoy working. They are similar to Collies and can be perfect family companions. But you will need to be able to provide them with enough space to run and time to play. They need a lot of attention and exercise as well.
Chance, the American Bulldog
In this 1993 movie, Homeward Bound, Chance is the main star of the show. The American Bulldog puppy, his older and wiser friend, Shadow (a Golden Retriever), and their snobby cat sister, Sassy, accidentally get left at the airport when their owners go on vacation. Not knowing what to do, they decide to go find their family and end up getting into all kinds of trouble.
Grossing over $41 million, the movie was a big hit at the box office. Chance became a well-known pooch and was played by four different dogs during the filming. The American Bulldog was originally bred to herd cattle but are now more likely to be seen in their owner’s lap. They love people and other pets, including cats, so they will fit into any family.
Shadow, the Golden Retriever
Chance’s sidekick in the movie, Homeward Bound, Shadow is an old and wise Golden Retriever who tries to keep Chance out of trouble throughout the whole movie. He, Chance, and Sassy the cat head out on an adventure to find their owners after they are accidentally left at the airport.
More than once, Shadow has had to get Chance out of a predicament and although he tries to get him to listen, Chance calls him an “old fusspot.” Golden Retrievers are the fur-fect pet for any family, but love to play, so a family with pets and kids would be great for everyone.
Hercules, the English Mastiff
Also known as The Beast in the 1993 movie, The Sandlot, Hercules was the big scary monster dog that lived behind the fence at the sandlot where the kids play baseball. Many stories about Hercules eating children and killing anyone who comes in his yard, but when the baseball signed by Babe Ruth goes over the fence, the boys try to get it back. In the end, they realize that Hercules is just a big dog who wants to play.
The movie went on to make over $34 million at the box office and there was a sequel, but it did not do as well. Hercules was an English Mastiff, which is a huge breed. But even though they may look dangerous, these dogs are actually quite friendly. They are also brave and loyal pets for someone with enough room for them to be comfortable.
Max, the Belgian Malinois
Max is a 2015 drama film about a military dog by the same name that made $44 million at the box office. When his handler is killed in the war, Max is injured and becomes very unruly. He will not listen to anyone until he meets his handler’s brother, Justin, when he comes to get his brother’s things. Justin’s family agrees to adopt Max, so he won’t get put down.
Max is a Belgian Malinois, which is the typical military dog because they are so brave and intelligent. This is an incredibly loyal breed that makes a lifetime bond with his family and will always protect them. They do need a lot of physical activity though and enjoy working and obedience training.
Kevin, the Samoyed
Kevin is a Samoyed who stars in the 2009 comedy movie, The Proposal. Although he does not have a big role in the film, he is great when he is in it. Kevin does not like Margaret, who is one of the main protagonists, and they have several funny scenes together. In one, she tries to feed Kevin to an eagle to get her purse back.
The Samoyed is a gentle and friendly breed that enjoys working. They were bred to be sled dogs with a thick white coat and a strong build. They even have a permanent smile, which prevents drooling and icicles forming on their face. You have to make sure they know you are the alpha dog so be stern and strict from the beginning.
Rocky, the Terrier Mix
As one of the main characters of the Paw Patrol series, Rocky the Terrier mix is always on the scene. He is obsessed with recycling and always uses recycled items to fix things that are broken. He is smart and brave but does not like water. His pup-pack always has tools in it as well as a radar scanner and his green trash truck doubles as a doghouse.
Rocky has a lot of energy and spirit like real Terriers do. The breed makes an excellent pet for anyone, but they need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. They like to play and run so they would do well in a house with a yard.
Sirius Black, the Scottish Deerhound
For Sirius Black, being a wizard means he can turn into his animagus form, Padfoot, which is a large black dog. In the Harry Potter film series, Black plays Harry Potter’s dad’s best friend and finally makes himself known in the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Grossing over $796 million, this is one of the most paw-pular films in the series.
Sirius is a Scottish Deerhound in the movie, which is a very large dog that was bred to course deer. They are nice pups though and love people and other pets, making them a wonderful addition to the family. Deerhounds do need room to run and plenty of exercise though.
Courage, the Beagle
Having a name like Courage, you may expect this pink Beagle to be brave and fearless, right? That is not the case for this dog who is a star in an animated cartoon series called Courage the Cowardly Dog. The name says it all, because Courage is afraid of everything. Especially the ghosts, monsters, and zombies that are always trying to harm his family.
The strange cartoon that Courage starred in was a pretty big hit on the Cartoon Channel for three years from 1999 until 2002. Beagles are not typically cowards and you can expect your Beagle to be a good hunter if that is your thing. Otherwise, they enjoy playing with other pets and kids, so they fit in any family.
Odie, the Terrier Mix
Just about everyone knows who Garfield is and his co-star Odie is just as well-known. He is a Terrier mixed breed with a yellow coat and brown ears. Constantly happy, Odie always seems to be picked on by Garfield, but he doesn’t care. He loves everyone and never gets angry. The two are best fur-iends and spend every day together getting into mischief.
Although Garfield constantly calls Odie an idiot, he is very intelligent and has been seen reading War and Peace, doing crossword puzzles, and writing poetry. Terriers are, in fact, intelligent breeds but you should not expect your pooch to read books and write poetry. However, you can teach them some pawesome tricks and they learn fast.
Max, the Terrier Mix
In the 2018 animated film, The Grinch, Max is the partner and pet of the Grinch himself. What started as a book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, written by Dr. Seuss in 1957, turned into a short cartoon in 1966, a live-action film in 2000, and a computer-animated film in 2018. In all of these, Max a central character as he is made to pull the sled that the Grinch uses to steal Christmas from the Who villagers.
Max is a mixed breed dog that could possibly be a Terrier mix. He has a light brown coat and long brown floppy ears. Max was played by 11 different pooches, all saved from local animal shelters. They were chosen for their sociability and not having a problem with crowds and noise. Like Max, Terrier mixed breeds are very loyal and loving, making them an excellent companion for anyone. They have a lot of energy and need plenty of activity, both physical and mental.
Rigsbee, the Australian Cattle Dog
With Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers as your best fur-iend, you cannot go wrong. Rigsbee is an Australian Cattle Dog, also known as a Blue Heeler and has been the costar in a couple of popular State Farm commercials with Rodgers. Some say that Rigsbee was the star and Rodgers was the costar.
No matter who you think the star is, these two have a great time over a period of seven years in their truck before linebacker, Clay Matthews accidentally runs his drone into the windshield. Hence the State Farm insurance commercial. Australian Cattle Dogs love to run and are excellent herders, so they need a lot of room to run. They are playful and protective as well but do better with families without young children.
Isabelle, the Shih Tzu
This adorable Shih Tzu is the secretary to the Mayor of Animal Crossing and loves her job. Although Isabelle can be forgetful, she is a hard worker, very friendly, and will help in any way she can. The Animal Crossing video game has been popular since its inception in 2002 and Isabelle has been one of the most prominent characters of the game since 2012.
The Shih Tzu is a popular pet for those who love to cuddle and spoil their furbabies. These toy breed pooches are lovable, loyal, and smart. They love their humans and do not like to share them, so they do best if they are the only pet in the home.
Nipper, the Terrier Mix
What may be the most famous dogs in the world, Nipper is a Terrier mix who was the RCA Victor dog back in 1884. The adorable pooch was the model for a painting where he is listening carefully to his master’s voice coming from the gramophone. He got his name because he nipped at strangers who came into his house.
Nipper was a real dog who lived with his owner Mark Henry Barraud in the late 1800s. He became popular after being a model for his master’s painting. Terrier mixed breed dogs are popular pets with any family, and they enjoy a lot of playing and running around.
Charlie, the Labradoodle
In the 2018 movie, A Star is Born, Charlie was the Labradoodle that played the part of Bradley Cooper’s furbaby. But he was really Cooper’s own dog named Charlie. This turned out to be a big deal with the public as well as animal advocates as Charlie and Cooper had a strong bond that made acting easy for the pooch.
The Warner Brothers show was a box office hit, making over $436 million. The Labradoodle is a mix of a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever, which are both in the top five breeds in the United States. They are feisty and fun with a lot of intelligence, gentleness, and can even be a good work dog.
Marley, the Labrador Retriever
In the 2008 film Marley & Me, Marley is the star of the show. The pooch is a Labrador Retriever who is named after singer Bob Marley. He is adopted by John and Jenny Grogan and manages to get into all sorts of trouble, driving the couple crazy. He even gets kicked out of dog obedience class. But the couple love his craziness and use his silly antics as a theme for a new column John is writing.
The show set a new record for having the largest Christmas box office sales of almost $15 million and the total ended up being over $247 million. The movie was based on an autobiography written by journalist, John Grogan in 2005. Grogan wrote the book about the 13 years he and his family got to spend with their Labrador Retriever, Marley. The Labrador is the number one breed in American and makes an amazing addition to any family. They especially love other pets and kids.
Gabe, the Miniature American Eskimo Dog
Another canine internet star that went viral overnight after his owner posted a short clip of the little furball barking. Gabe was a miniature American Eskimo dog who became famous when the clip of him barking was used in song remixes and on YouTube videos. Many memes and even a video game character of him in the Roblox game.
The miniature American Eskimo is a perky and playful pooch with a small stature and a large fursonality. With their long white coat and curly tail, they are adorable as well as intelligent. This breed will make any family happy with their adorable smile and happy attitude.
Winn-Dixie, the Berger Picard
The 2005 comedy-drama film, Because of Winn-Dixie, starring a Berger Picard dog named Winn-Dixie that grossed almost $34 million at the box office. In this fun film, the pooch is found by a 10-year-old girl named Opal at the local grocery store, Winn-Dixie. Opal takes Winn-Dixie home where the pup causes trouble with the landlord and almost gets taken to the pound.
Winn-Dixie runs away after being scared of a thunderstorm and Opal, her father, and all her friends look for the dog. They finally find her, and she is reunited with the family. The movie is based off a novel written by Kate DiCamillo in 2000. It wan the Newbery Honor award the following year as well as the Josette Frank Award and Mark Twain Award.
The Berger Picard breed is a rare type but is very independent and energetic. They also need a lot of exercise, so they make great pets for those who have a lot of time and energy.
Santa Paws, the Great Pyrenees
Santa Paws is a magical Great Pyrenees and the father of Puppy Paws in the 2009 Disney movie, Santa Buddies, which is a spinoff of the Air Bud movies. Santa Paws lives at the North Pole with Santa and the elves where Puppy Paws and his fur-iends get put on the naughty list for misbehaving.
After Puppy Paws gets into trouble for misbehaving, he wishes on the magic icicle that Christmas would go away. He and the other buddies that got in trouble with Santa Paws run away and try being on their own. In the end they save Christmas and learn to appreciate the Christmas spirit. Great Pyrenees dogs are large but very gentle and quiet companions that love kids and other pets. They love hanging out with the family but also need room to run around.
Baxter, the Border Terrier
Starring with Will Farrell in the 2004 comedy film, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Baxter is the adorable and feisty Border Terrier who steals the show. The pup was rudely kicked off a bridge by an angry motorcyclist after Burgundy makes him angry. Everyone thinks he is dead, but Baxter shows up later in the show and saves Burgundy and his love interest from a bear.
The movie was a big hit and earned almost $91 million at the box office. Baxter was played by a dog named Peanut, who was saved from an animal shelter and vaulted into fame soon after. Although your Border Terrier may not save you from a bear, he will be an excellent companion to those who have a lot of time and energy for their pooch. The small breed makes an excellent lap dog for anyone.
Asta / Skippy, the Wire Fox Terrier
This talented canine acted in many movies and commercials in the 1930s, but the one he is most remembered for is the 1934 film called The Thin Man. Asta’s real name was Skippy and he was a Wire Fox Terrier with a fun fur-sonality. He was a loverboy who was popular with the ladies on and off screen. He was also rated as one of the smartest dogs in the world.
It is true that Wire Fox Terriers are smart. In fact, these intelligent pooches can learn just about anything you can teach them. They are funny and energetic, need a lot of physical activity, and are very independent. Bred for hunting, the Wire Fox Terrier will also keep your house free of vermin and other little critters.
Darth Daisy, the Labrador Terrier Mix
In the 2017 drama film, Wonder, Darth Daisy is the dog of the Pullman family, the main characters in the movie. She got her name because August, the main character, wanted to name her Darth and Via, his sister, wanted to name her Daisy. She was a loyal and lovable companion to the whole family and helped August through tough times he endured throughout the movie, which made $306 million at the box office.
Darth Daisy, whose real name was Gidget, was a Labrador Terrier mix with a great fursonality. She was loved on and off the screen by all the cast and crew. Labrador Terrier mixes are perfect for any family with the lovable and gentle manner of a Labrador with the excitement and energy of a Terrier.
Norbert, the Terrier Mix
The tiny Terrier Mix, Norbert, is only seven inches tall but has over a million followers on social media. He is a therapy dog with his own website and Facebook page. His breed is thought to be Cairn Terrier, Lhasa Apso, and Chihuahua. Whatever his breed, he is a hero, cheering up the sick and elderly at nursing homes, hospitals, and schools.
He has also had several books written about his life. The first one, Norbert: What Can Little Me Do? Won nine book awards in 2014. This mixed breed dog is gentle, sweet, and very intelligent. They love being a lap dog and cuddling with anyone who wants to cuddle with them.
Eddie / Moose, the Jack Russell Terrier
If you have ever watched the sitcom, Frasier, you know who Eddie is. The feisty little Jack Russell Terrier stole the show many times over. Eddie was Frasier’s best fur-iend on the show and was good at giving his human a “look” when he was doing something stupid. Eddie’s real name was Moose, and he lived with his trainer in Los Angeles.
The funny thing about the pooch was that he did not really like the actors much. Some of them claimed he bit them several times and the only way he would lick or nuzzle them was to put dog food on their face. Jack Russell Terriers can be a handful with attitude if not trained right so make sure you are ready to be the top dog if you get one of these.
Skye, the Cockapoo
The fearless and intelligent Cockapoo in the cartoon, Paw Patrol, is Skye, who got her name from being a pilot. She was the furst female member of the Paw Patrol and she is the helicopter pilot who watches over the rest of the patrol. Skye also has wings in her pup pack that let her fly without her helicopter.
Although Cockapoos cannot fly, they are great companion pets for any family. This breed is a mix of the Miniature Poodle and Cocker Spaniel, giving them a curly-haired coat and sweet nature. They love kids and other pets so they would be best in a big family.
Burton / Bubba, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Actors in Hollywood claim that working with any animal is not a good idea because they always steal the show. And even though it seems unlikely that anyone could steal the show from Keanu Reeves, the pooch in John Wick 2 definitely did just that. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier in the film was Burton (also known as Bubba), and he got quite a bit of screen time but did not fight alongside Wick in the movie.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed has gotten a bad reputation over the years, but they are very sweet and loyal pets that love kids. The fight was bred out of them in the past few decades, but they still need to be socialized and trained in families with other pets.
Willie, the Bull Terrier
General George Patton Jr. made the Bull Terrier famous with his dog, Willie. The General named his loyal sidekick after William the Conqueror, but he was actually afraid of loud noises, especially guns. However, Willie stayed by Patton’s side when he went into battle in 1944 as they headed across Europe. When Patton died in a car accident, Willie went through separation anxiety and had to retire from service.
As with Patton’s dog, Willie, the Bull Terrier is your friend ‘til the end and typically bonds to one person. However, they do love others in the family and can be pawesome pets for any family. They have a lot of energy, though, so they need plenty of exercise and play.
Mr. Peabody, the Beagle
Mr. Peabody may just be the smartest dog on earth. In fact, he is known around the world as a genius who is smarter than most people as well. He is also an Olympic medalist, scientist, inventor, and business tycoon. With his WABAC machine, he and his adopted human boy, Sherman, go back in time and end up creating a rift that needs to be fixed. The 2014 movie, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, grossed over $275 million and is still a favorite on television.
The movie about the famous Beagle and his boy was based on a television series from 1959 to 1965 called Peabody’s Improbable History but he was first seen on the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show in 1959. Adopting a Beagle may not get you a genius dog, but Beagles are intelligent and make great family companions.
Paul Anka, the Lowland Sheepdog
In the long-running series Gilmore Girls that ran from 2000 until 2007, Paul Anka was the Lowland Sheepdog that Lorelai adopts after her daughter moves out in the sixth season. She treats him like her child after adopting him from a Petfinder convention in town. Paul Anka has some serious quirks. He is afraid of popcorn, pictures, CDs, books, lint, and peas. He won’t eat with someone watching. And he barks at anyone wearing a watch.
Admittedly, Lowland Sheepdogs are very clever and funny so your new pup may have some quirks of his own. They are bred to be herding dogs, though, so make sure you have a big yard for him to run around in. They are also great watchdogs and will protect you and the family from anyone.
Droopy, the Basset Hound
Droopy is a master detective. Just ask him. The Basset Hound started out as the sheriff in Tom & Jerry cartoons back in the 1940s with his son, Dripple. He did have his own Deputy Droopy cartoon series for a short time in the early 1950s, but his character was edged out after his animator left the studio. Droopy was brought back in 1980 for a short time and then again in the 1990s when he had his own series again called Droopy, Master Detective.
Basset Hounds definitely make pawesome detectives. They have long droopy ears and a nose that can smell anything. They are often used in search and rescue operations where they can find missing people just by smelling an article of clothing. They are also patient, lovable, and very calm, just like Droopy Dog.
Akamaru, the Great Pyrenees
This ninja dog is Kiba Inuzuka’s best fur-iend and constant companion. He is either carried on Kiba’s head, back, or inside his coat. Being a Great Pyrenees, this gets to be a difficult feat after he gets too big. The TV series that Akamaru costars in is Naruto: Shippuden, which was on from 2007 until 2017.
The two work together when dealing with enemies as Akamaru uses scent marking and cloning to help Kiba win battles. Great Pyrenees dogs are large white pooches that love everyone and everything, so they probably won’t help you win any battles. But they will be your friend ‘til the end.
Giggy, the Pomeranian
There may be a lot of canine stars, but not many as cute and stylish as Giggy the Pom. In fact, his real name is Gigolo because he is a real lady’s man. His human, Lisa Vanderpump, has helped him with his stardom on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as well as his cameo on Dancing with the Stars.
Giggy is not as furry as most Pomeranians. He has alopecia, which is a disease that leaves you bald, so Lisa has taken to making him his own designer clothing line to help him out. But having alopecia has not slowed him down. Pomeranians like Giggy are known for their cuddliness and would rather be in your lap than chasing squirrels. Most of the time.
Stella, the Vizsla
Comedian Drew Lynch and his dog, Stella, became television stars after Lynch’s winning season on NBC, America’s Got Talent in 2015. He may have only gotten second place, but he and Stella have been a hit on YouTube as well as other social media sites all over the internet. Stella, a Vizsla, is Lynch’s service dog. After he got a concussion from being hit with a baseball in 2011, he has needed a service dog and that is how he and Stella got together.
Vizsla’s make great service dogs because of their loyalty and friendliness as well as their ability to learn and follow instructions. In fact, they are used almost as often as Golden Retrievers are because of their temperament and adaptability. They make awesome pets too.
Shiloh, the Beagle
Shiloh is a 1996 film based on the book written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor in 1991. The dramatic movie is about a Beagle who is beaten by his owner and found by a boy named Marty, who takes him home. Marty is not allowed to keep him because his dad knows he belongs to mean Judd Travers. But Marty keeps him in a shed anyway. After Shiloh gets hurt and Marty has to tell his dad about him so he can take him to the vet.
Marty talks Judd into letting him clean up his farm in exchange for Shiloh and he agrees. However, Judd lies and takes the dog back anyway. After fighting with Marty and his dad, Judd reconsiders and lets Shiloh stay with them. If you want a lovable pooch who will go everywhere with you, get a Beagle. These dogs are nice companions for anyone.
Max, the Terrier Mix
In the 2016 animated film, The Secret Life of Pets, Max is a Terrier mix who gets jealous when his owner adopts another dog named Duke. After he and Duke get attacked by cats, they get lost downtown and end up being saved by The Flushed Pets, which are animals whose owners abandoned them. They get into all sorts of predicaments before finally finding their way home.
After making almost $876 million at the box office, a part two was made in 2019, which has so far made $430 million. Terrier mixed breeds are super pets for anyone but need plenty of attention and activity. They love people and other pets, just like Max does after he gets over his jealousy.
Klondike, the Toy American Eskimo Dog
Another social media star, Klondike is the Toy American Eskimo dog who made her debut on Jacksfilms in YGS episode 59. She is a beautiful dog with a fur-iendly attitude and being a star on Jacksfilms on YouTube. Jack Douglass, the man behind the pooches, is a comedian and filmmaker and has over four million subscribers.
The Toy American Eskimo Dog is a highly intelligent breed with a lot of energy. They love to play, enjoy kids, other pets, and running. The perky pups would be best in a home with a family that has enough time to keep them occupied and happy.
Nugget, The Teacup Poodle
Nugget is a teacup Poodle and the best fur-iend of Katy Perry. From music videos to credit card commercials to cameos on American Idol, you can see this little brown curly-coated pupster hanging out with Perry all over the place. She has been on stage as well as behind stage while her mom works but she is happiest when she is curled up on Perry’s lap.
Like Nugget, Teacup Poodles are snuggly and lovable pups that enjoy being held and cuddled. They are also very smart and can learn just about anything you want to teach them. They don’t shed like most dogs but they do need you to keep their curly coat well-groomed.
Jiff, the Pomeranian
If you have been on social media of any kind, you have probably seen this fluffy little Pomeranian. Jiff has millions of followers on his Instagram and Facebook pages as well as being a model and actor. You may have seen Jiff in the movie, Adventures of Bailey: A Night in Cowtown. He starred as Felix, who gets dognapped in the 2013 film.
Jiff can also ride a skateboard, do handstands, and has his own YouTube channel. Pomeranians love to be pampered and petted so they make excellent pets for those who have time to spoil their furbaby. They fit in a purse or backpack and enjoy going with their human parents everywhere.
Everest, the Siberian Husky
Everest is a Siberian Husky on Paw Patrol and the oldest of the gang at eight years old. She was enlisted from the North Pole after she saves Jake from falling off a cliff in the snow. Everest likes pizza, snowboarding, and penguins. When she isn’t driving around in her snowplow, she enjoys playing with the gang.
Siberian Huskies are energetic and strong pups that love the snow and working. They are built for the cold weather and really enjoy being outside. You can expect a friendly and fun pooch with a strict work ethic if you get a Siberian Husky.
Chico, the Bull Terrier
In the 2000 comedy movie, Next Friday, Chico is the Bull Terrier that belongs to the Joker Gang. He is trained to bite people just for looking at the Joker brother’s sister. The three main characters, Craig, Roach, and Day-Day decide to go to the gang’s house and see if they have any money hidden away. Roach gives Chico a brownie with pot in it to keep him busy while the other two search. But then Chico likes Roach and becomes his dog.
Of course, it is never good to feed your dog brownies, especially ones with marijuana in them, because it could kill them. The Bull Terrier is a small but fun and mischievous pooch that loves to play. They make good guard dogs and they are very devoted to their owners.
Smokey, the Bluetick Coonhound
Being the University of Tennessee mascot has its perks and its works, but Smokey loves it all. The Bluetick Coonhound proudly leads the parade or poses for pics at football games. He is not a stranger to large crowds or loud noise because he has grown up being the team mascot. The current Smokey is Smokey X since he is the 10th in the line of mascots.
The Bluetick Coonhound is exactly that, a coonhound. They love to hunt and will give chase to just about any critter smaller than them. That is why they have to be properly trained and socialized if you want to keep one as a pet if you do not want them hunting your other pets or the neighbor’s cat.
Rubble, the Bulldog
Rubble is a Bulldog who is a tuff construction pup in the Paw Patrol team. He is in charge of fixing things like train tracks and buildings as well as being a good fur-iend and teammate. His truck is a bulldozer that turns into a doghouse. Rubble loves to get dirty and can fix anything that needs fixing.
Bulldogs were originally bred to be a bullbaiter in the 13th century but that was bred out of them over the years. The Bulldog breed is now one of the most lovable and huggable pooches there is. Like Rubble, he may look ruff, but he is a sweetheart on the inside.
Dodger, the Jack Russell Terrier
As the best fur-iend of Oliver and leader of a dog gang, Dodger the Jack Russell Terrier has a busy life. Being a cat’s best friend can ruin your reputation, but he doesn’t care. Dodger gets his gang to help him protect Oliver from some mean dogs and then they make Oliver the furst cat member of the dog gang.
This 1988 animated movie, Oliver & Company, earned almost $75 million at the box office and is based on the Charles Dickens book, Oliver Twist. Jack Russell Terriers like Dodger do like other pets, even cats. However, they need a lot of physical activity and attention so keep that in mind if you want to get one.
Zippy, the Border Collie/Australian Cattle
Mutt & Stuff was a television cartoon on the Nick Junior Channel from 2015 until 2017. Zippy is a Border Collie and best friend of Calvin, who is The Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan’s son. Zippy loves to do backflips and sticks by Calvin’s side all the time. In the pawpular television show, Zippy is well-liked for his antics and athleticism.
Just like Zippy, Border Collies have a lot of energy and can do some impressive athletic tricks. Although they were bred to be cattle herders, these incredible pooches do very well in agility courses, lure coursing, and just about any other sport. They do need a lot of exercise, so they do best with energetic owners.
Sandy, the Golden Chow
In the most recent remake of Annie, the movie, Sandy is played by Marati, who is a Golden Chow. In the 2014 movie, Sandy is a stray dog that Annie finds and brings back to the orphanage. This was the fourth Annie movie and made $133.8 million at the box office. Marti was saved from a rescue shelter in New York for the show and did so well in the movie that she also starred in an off-Broadway play, The Open House.
Although Sandy was played by various dogs in the other films, Marti was unique in that he was a stray who needed saving, like Annie. A Golden Chow is a mix of the Golden Retriever and the Chow Chow. These two breeds are very different because the Golden Retriever loves everyone while the Chow Chow is wary of strangers. With this type of mix, you do not know what kind of fur-sonality you are going to get.
Skip, the Jack Russell Terrier
My Dog Skip is family drama film from 2000 that starred a Jack Russell Terrier named Skip. The pooch and his movie earned over $35.5 million for Warner Brothers. In the film, a nine-year-old boy named Willie Morris who is a lonely boy with few friends. Skip helps Morris deal with bullies and gain fur-iends, and in the end he and Morris along with their neighbor, Dink, catch a pair of moonshiners at a graveyard, making them heroes.
Jack Russell Terriers are active and energetic pooches who need plenty of physical as well as mental activity to be happy and healthy. It is important to note that you will need to spend a lot of time with your Jack Russell Terrier because they do not like to sit around with nothing to do.
I don’t care who dies in the movie as long the dog lives, even though not all of the dogs here are in the movies. Of course, we love seeing furbabies on the big screen, on social media, and in books, and it is fun to learn the stories of bravery, loyalty, and silliness these dogs shared. There are many that we have not listed here, and we invite you to share your famous dog stories in the comments. We will give them a big “woof welcome” too.
