- Pumpkin Team
- Aug 7
- 9 min read
Some dogs in movies make us laugh. Some make us cry. The very best do both — and remind us why dogs are the heart of so many unforgettable films. These cinematic canines don’t just tag along on adventures or perform cute tricks. They show up, stay close, and do whatever it takes to protect, comfort, and love the people in their lives.
Whether animated or real, scruffy or superpowered, these loyal screen stars prove again and again that there’s nothing more powerful than the bond between a dog and their person.
Which dog on this list reminds you most of your own? Which one would you want by your side in a tough moment?
Here are 15 of the best dogs in movies who made us fall in love with dogs all over again — and maybe see our own pups in a new light.
15. Copper – The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Copper is a hound dog trained to hunt in one of the best dog movies of all time, the Fox and the Hound. And yet, he forms an unlikely bond with Tod, a young fox. As they grow up, their friendship is tested, but Copper never loses his sense of right and wrong. Torn between duty and love, he finds ways to protect Tod in a world that says they can’t be friends. His emotional depth makes him one of the most quietly heroic dogs in animation.
Copper, a bloodhound/coonhound mix, was based on the character from Daniel Mannix’s 1967 novel. The movie’s animation team studied real hound dogs and even drew from Walt Disney’s nature footage to capture authentic movement and emotion.
14. Max – The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
Max is used to being the only dog in his owner's life — until a new, much larger dog named Duke arrives. When the two get lost in the city, Max must grow up fast. He transforms from a nervous, selfish pup into a brave, loyal friend. His journey reflects what happens when a dog’s world is turned upside down — and how love can lead them home.
Illumination’s CEO Chris Meledandri shared that while Max wasn’t consciously based on any particular dog, he was inspired by his own wirehaired terriers from childhood.
13. Sam – I Am Legend (2007)
In a world where everyone else is gone, Sam is Dr. Robert Neville’s only companion. But she's not just a pet. She’s his anchor in a post-apocalyptic world — her presence keeps him human. When danger comes, Sam doesn’t hesitate to defend her person. Their bond is quiet and deep, and when it's tested, it delivers one of the most emotional moments in dog movie history.
Filmmakers cast a German Shepherd named Abbey for the role of Sam to highlight both strength and loyalty. On set, Abbey became such a comforting presence that Will Smith reportedly tried to adopt her after filming, just like Sam does for his character in the film.
12. Frank the Pug – Men in Black (1997, 2002, 2019)
Frank might not look like a sci-fi hero, but this wisecracking pug plays an important role in keeping the galaxy in check. Technically an alien, Frank helps Agents J and K navigate some of the wildest situations on Earth. He’s sharp, snarky, and surprisingly loyal — even if he’d never admit it. While he brings the laughs, he also brings the kind of trust every dog lover understands.
Frank the Pug's memorable role as a cigar-smoking, suit-wearing informant was brought to life by multiple trained pugs. Four shelter-rescue pugs — Mizo, Liberty, Chin Chin, and Moo-Shoo — were specially fitted for their MIB suits and rotated in various scenes to capture the perfect expressions and movements. The voice of Frank was provided by actor Tim Blaney, known for his work as the voice of the robot in Short Circuit.
Moo-Shoo, one of the pugs, was known for his VIP treatment on set, traveling in business class and enjoying room service meals like chicken and steak.
11. Buddy – Air Bud (1997)
Buddy is more than just the golden retriever who can shoot hoops — he’s a dog that helps a grieving boy find joy again. After Josh loses his dad, Buddy enters his life unexpectedly to bring warmth, friendship, and a surprising amount of talent. Their bond grows through wins, losses, and the kind of healing only a dog can inspire.
The golden retriever who became a basketball sensation in Air Bud was portrayed by a male dog of the same name: Buddy. Trained by Kevin DiCicco, Buddy showcased his basketball skills by dribbling the ball with his nose and shooting baskets. The filmmakers used lighter and more elastic basketballs to make it easier for Buddy to play.
10. Toto – The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Small but mighty, Toto sticks close to Dorothy through every twist in her magical adventure along the yellow brick road. He’s the reason she runs away from home, the one who pulls back the curtain on the Wizard, and the loyal companion who helps her find the way back to Kansas.
In a film full of fantasy, Toto represents real-world devotion.
Toto was played by a Cairn terrier named Terry, who earned on-screen credit — unusual for pets at the time. Judy Garland later said Terry had more emotion than some human actors, a testament to the real bond captured on film.
9. Hachi – Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
Based on a true story from Japan, Hachi waits every day at a train station for his owner — even after the man passes away. His story of loyalty became a legend, and the 2009 film retelling brought his devotion to a worldwide audience. Hachi reminds us that a dog’s love doesn’t fade with time. It stays.
Behind the scenes, the role of Hachi was shared by three highly trained Akitas — Chico, Layla, and Forrest. Akitas tend to be very independent dogs, so at times, training these three superstars was difficult. In the end, they created a truly heartfelt performance.
8. Lucy – A Dog’s Way Home (2019)
Lucy is a shepherd-lab mix who becomes separated from her owner and must travel over 400 miles to get back home. Along the way, she faces wild animals, harsh weather, and strangers she’s not sure she can trust — but she never gives up. Her loyalty and endurance turn a lost-dog story into a powerful tale about survival and love.
Shelby, the dog who plays Lucy in A Dog’s Way Home, was discovered in a Tennessee shelter after being rescued from a local landfill, where she had been scavenging for food. When movie dog trainer Debbie Pearl spotted Shelby on the shelter’s website, she immediately saw star potential and knew she had to meet her. Shelby’s remarkable journey didn’t end with Hollywood fame — she later became a therapy dog, bringing comfort and joy to children in hospitals and beyond.
7. Shadow – Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
Wise and patient, Shadow is the older dog who guides two younger pets, Chance and Sassy, on a long journey to reunite with their family. His steady presence and belief that they’ll make it home keep them all moving forward. One of the most heartfelt moments in any dog movie comes when he finally returns in the end — worn but strong — to reunite with his boy.
Shadow’s epic journey wasn’t captured in a solo performance. Shadow and Chance were played by four different dogs, while their co-star Sassy was played by a whopping 10 different cats. Oftentimes, movies with animals use different pets for different types of scenes to capture special actions and to ensure each animal can rest when they need to.
6. Bolt – Bolt (2008)
Thanks to being the star of a TV show, Bolt thinks he has superpowers. But when he gets separated from his owner, Penny, and has to cross the country, he realizes he doesn’t need powers to be heroic. His devotion to Penny drives every step of his journey, and he discovers that real love is stronger than any scripted storyline.
Bolt began as a bipedal Jack Russell named “Henry” in early concept art, but after John Lasseter’s review, he was redesigned into the expressive white shepherd we know. Animators based his fur and movement on real white shepherd puppies; one designer, Joe Moshier, explained this gave Bolt his emotive ears and posture.
5. Snoopy
Snoopy, the beloved and quirky beagle, may be a dreamer, but he’s also a doer. Between imaginary battles as a World War I flying ace and real-life loyalty to Charlie Brown, Snoopy shows that even the most independent dogs know when to step in. His antics bring smiles, but his quiet support for Charlie speaks volumes. He may not say much, but he always shows up.
Snoopy is based on Charles Schulz’s family dog, Spike, that his family adopted in 1934. Spike was a black-and-white mixed breed dog that would get into all kinds of trouble and could not be controlled. Snoopy graced the silver screens in 2015 but he’s been a star for more than 70 years, first appearing in 1950 in the Peanuts comic strip.
4. Dug – Up (2009)
Dug the golden retriever is the ultimate people dog. With the help of a special collar that lets him talk, Dug shares his simple but powerful thoughts about loyalty, love, and… squirrels. He chooses to stay with the movie’s protagonists Carl and Russell, not because he has to, but because he wants to.
Dug’s sincerity and joyful, yet goofy spirit remind us what makes dogs so special in the first place.
Dug’s character was written to showcase the unbridled love that dogs give to humans, and he was such a beloved character that Disney and Pixar went on to green-light a short series called Dug Days. In it, viewers can follow him on some daily adventures in his new home with Carl.
3. Scooby-Doo
He may run from haunted houses and cling to Shaggy when things get spooky, but Scooby always comes through in the end. Scooby-Doo has been solving crimes in several films, countless TV episodes, and video games since 1969. He’s goofy and lovable, with a deep connection to his friends. He shows us that even when you’re scared, love can make you brave.
Scooby is a great dane, a breed that is touted for warding off evil spirits. This super ability seems to be working, as most of the monsters and ghosts that the Scooby Gang meet turn out to be just people up to no good. In addition to his loyal heart, his bottomless stomach is a great nod to some of the largest Great Danes, who eat up to 130lbs of food a month.
2. Balto – Balto (1995)
Balto, based on a true story, was a sled dog who helped deliver life-saving medicine during a diphtheria outbreak in Alaska. He was part of a relay of sled teams, including one led by the heroic Siberian husky, Togo.
Seen as an outsider, Balto took risks no one else would. His strength, intelligence, and unwavering sense of purpose saved lives. He proved that being different doesn’t mean you can’t be a hero — sometimes it makes you one.
Balto’s animated tale has been a core memory for many people. In more recent years though, the story of Togo, another lead sled dog from The Great Race of Mercy, has been spotlighted. This dog and his musher, Leonhard Seppala, traversed over 260 miles, where other teams like Balto’s only traversed just over 50.
In the end, all of the dogs that took part in the race were true heroes and risked their lives to save thousands of others.
1. Krypto the Superdog – Superman (2025)
Krypto isn’t just Superman’s pet — he’s his loyal companion, despite being just a “foster situation” to Clark in the latest film. After Krypto is captured, Clark puts everything aside to find his dog. When Superman is hurt and needs a hand, Krypto comes running, even if it means almost getting swallowed up by a black hole. He can fly, fight toe-to-toe with bad guys, and run faster than any dog when they hear the word “treat.” However, Krypto’s true power isn’t any of those — it’s his love for Clark and others . A close second to his love for flying spheres.
Krypto was inspired by director James Gunn’s rescue dog Ozu. Ozu has been described as “the world’s worst dog” by Gunn himself, and this spirit is directly reflected in the film. Ozu was such a troublesome pup that they had to hire a double for him to work with on set named Jolene. The combination of a great muse like Ozu, along with the clear focus on compassion for animals throughout the film, makes Krypto one of the best dogs in cinema today.
Which dog would you trust to save the day?
Dogs in cinema do more than steal scenes; they capture our hearts. Whether it’s a small act of comfort or an epic adventure to save the world, these pups remind us what it means to love unconditionally.
The best dogs in movies mirror the best parts of our own pets — their loyalty, their courage, and their endless love. Maybe that’s why we keep watching them, again and again.
Which of these super dogs would you put at the top of your list to save the day?
