The Best Cinematic Dogs (Or Pets) Of All Time

When I started writing this article, I would have never thought that I would have found myself spiraling for a couple of weeks. I tried to delve deeper in the rabbit hole of madness that is dogs (or pets) in movies and TV shows; what followed was more akin to “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” than any of the movies that are presented in this article, but I managed to get on the other side relatively unscathed, physically.

Since my sanity is not what it was when I started the search, I decided not to be picky and, in fact, some of my choices might surprise you.

To preserve what is left of the sanity I have, I decided to not only compile it in a easy to digest list, but also to ditch TV shows altogether.

So! Before we start with the “Wade K.’s Wonderful Bestiary” I’d like to make an honorable mention... because my partner threatened me with legal action if I didn’t include this particular pet in the list.

Honorable Mention - Terror (The Boys)

I really can’t say I blame him, look at him! I’m not a big fan of the Live Action version but I’ll put him here just because The Boys is one of my favorite comics of all time and Terror’s just the best. Hopefully he won’t share the fate of his comic counterpart.
“Why’d you killed me dog, Jack?

Now that we got fan(one)-service out of the way it’s time to go with the real list, if your pet is not on this list get bent. It means it’s not even worth writing about, or is in a TV show.
LET’S GO.

20 - Daisy (John Wick)

This dog is fucking lightweigh. She got killed by a kick to head and sent his owner on a killing rampage and honestly? She wasn’t even worth it. They say you’re only as good as your replacement, and her replacement was even worse (that’s why he’s not on the list).

19 - Literally The Thing (The Thing)

HE WAS THE BAD GUY IN THE MOVIE, still tho, he looks soft.

18- Air Bud (Air Bud)

I honestly have no sympathy for this animal. He’s doesn’t want to stick to any sport and he always takes away the spotlight from his owner: he’s not a “bud”, he’s more of a “I see you like that thing make me be better at that thing so you can just stop doing the thing that make you happy out a sheer sense of inadequacy”, but to be honest, I might be reading too much into this.

17- Owen Wilson (Marley and Me)

Owen Wilson, you need to get a job, like seriously.

16 - Tim Allen (Shaggy Dog)

If I’d put Tim Allen from Shaggy Dog any higher I would have lost all the credibility I have as a...person really. Tim Allen is a travesty to all humankind and we ,as a species, evolved beyond the point of needing Tim Allen for cheap laughs and moderated hijinks. I think I’m speaking for everybody in the room when I say Tim Allen should be judged for War Cr--whoops got on a bit of a tangent there, sorry reader. So yeah, Tim Allen...or should I say...”NEED A TRIM ALLEN”.

15 - Gromit (Wallace & Gromit)

This is the turning point on the list where we go from the worst pets - to the OK pets.

Gromit would be the most ok there is, he’s sassy and honestly all he does is hide the cheese, that’s just rude.
Also if he’s so smart, why is a duck?.. penguin..?...Quail? Pointing a gun at him? Mmh?

14 - Cujo (Cujo)

A very common phenomenon that happens in most Steven King’s adaptations is that the Director doesn't quite understand the source material - on account on being...well, not Stephen King. However, in this movie, Cujo, is just the cutest animal ever - even if you look at him in this picture, he's smiling right? So I'd say they made it very faithful to the paper counterpart.

No, I haven’t read the book, why do you ask?

13 - I honestly can’t be bothered to remember the name (The Danish Girl)

To all that is mighty and holy, honestly, the dog is the only thing I wouldn't cancel from this movie.

12 - Toto (The Wizard of Oz)

Toto is the first cinematic dog. I can say this with complete confidence because I won't be reading the comments - so you can correct me if you want, but I won't see it.

So anyway, Toto is loyal and cute but... he's also incredibly pointless. He didn't even try to attach the witch or scare the lion?

He’s so high on the list because as I said, he’s the first dog, and to reiterate, I won’t be reading your comments, so you can just go on and read the next entry.
11 - Mr.Jingles (The Green Mile)

To be honest, I would have loved to put Mr.Jingles higher up in the list. The problem is that Spunk really made production of the movie quite impossible; he fought with his co-star Michael Clarke Duncan and he famously had a fight on set with Tom Hanks. After years of fighting on set, he became part of the world of Scientology and got his career back on track. Rumour has it, he was the first choice to play the rat in "Avengers Endgame."

I put him right in the middle of the list because he’s a great actor, but, overall, not a good person and I didn’t want to reward that.

10- Baxter (Anchorman)

Now that we are at number ten - we go from ok to good. So, let it be known the next five pets are the good ones.
Baxter is a good dog and on the infamous bridge scene he did his own stunts, he’s incredibly good at the job and he seems incredibly great to snuggle with.

9 - Bonzo (Bedtime for Bonzo)
To be honest, I haven't seen this movie.

BUT the guy who played the owner became THE ACTUAL FUCKING PRESIDENT. A coincidence? You can’t fool me! I’m too smart for you, Ronald Regan. I know Bonzo is behind it!

8 - Baby (Bringing Up Baby)
Before Toto (stop commenting, I won’t read them) dogs in Hollywood were considered kind of a taboo - so they had to use other animals, like tigers, lions or, in this case, a big leopard.

Baby is a very common household pet in L.A. and while the scenes with him were criticized for being too realistic - he always shines through. He is an incredible pet and he definitely, definitely deserves a treat.

7 - Babe (Babe)

Babe is probably the bravest pet in this list. AND not only did he get one movie, but he got TWO! That’s impressive if you ask me. Also, he can talk.

Fun fact: he was part of the catering when production wrapped up. I’ve been told that he’s a great cook and his poutine is delish.

6 - Brandy (One Upon a Time in Hollywood)

Hey, every dog that helps decimate the Manson Family is a good girl in my book. Besides that, she’s such a joy to watch as she struts around with Brad Pitt

5 - Salem (Sabrina the Teenage Witch)

Did I say no TV pets? YOU’VE BEEN BAMBOOZLED! YES!

Salem is the first of the Top 5 - AKA the GREAT PETS.

Salem is an incredible pet. Not only does he talk; his sass is immeasurable. He's more than a pet, he's a companion and he's that good that he even made an appearance in the last season of Netflix’s “Chilling Adventure of Sabrina”.

4 - Old Yeller ( Old Yeller )
I’m going to hell...aren't I?

3 - Us (Godzilla:King of Monsters)

Look in the mirror now, Look at you. Despite everything it’s still you. You are a great pet.

Godzilla protected us from King Gidorah and we should all just be happy to be around him.

2 - Doug (Up)

He's just so likeable. He acts exactly like I would act, if I were a dog. He also looks soft and, damn, I would really love a Doug in my life.

AND THE BEST DOG (OR PET) IN ALL OF MEDIA IS

DRUMROLL

LESS---THE HYPNOTOAD

ALL HAIL THE HYPNOTOAD

Written by Wade K.

Wade K. is a genderfluid ball of randomness that lives in London with his soon to be husband. They’re part of a podcast duo with a friend where they talk about nerd stuff and he likes to edit videos on the side.