We all know dogs as man’s best friends, but some pooches are born to be stars. Dogs have stolen hearts for ages, and televisions have been filled with them. These lovable and friendly fellows have played many roles, from sidekicks to main characters.
For a dog lover, any movie or show with a dog is a good catch. Be it Toto from The Wizard of Oz or Skye from Paw Patrol, dogs have never failed to win hearts with their outclass performance. Their smartness, beauty, and trainability are what make them a star.
From cartoons to comedies and touching dramas, dogs can make any movie better. You must be remembering the iconic character of Hachiko from Hachi: A Dog’s Tale and Frank from Men in Black. Some four-legged celebrities have also made their way to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
Here are some famous friendly dog breeds as seen on TV shows.
Famous Friendly Dog Breeds As Seen On TV Shows
1. Golden Retriever
One of the friendliest dog breeds, Golden Retrievers are muscular dogs with a beautiful coat and sunny disposition. Buddy, the famous canine face who becomes a basketball star in the 1997 movie “Air Bud,” was a Golden Retriever, according to the American Kennel Club.
Comet is an adorable Golden Retriever who was introduced on a show named “Full House” in season three. He was born to a dog named Minnie and stayed on the show till season eight. Comet was not the show’s main character, but its presence made a great impact on the viewers.
Golden Retrievers are intelligent dogs known for their eagerness to please and high trainability. Other than acting on TV shows, Goldens have been serving as working dogs and therapy dogs. They possess boundless energy and excel at canine sports like agility, obedience, and dock diving.
2. Labrador Retriever
These loyal and loving companions have made several appearances on TV shows. Originally bred as sporting and hunting dogs, Labrador Retrievers come in three coat colors including chocolate, yellow, and black.
Merley, the adorable troublemaker from the movie “Merley and Me” starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson, is a classic Labrador Retriever. The real face behind the yellow-colored mischievous canine is a three-year-old pooch named Clyde, as mentioned by People.
Brian, a white Labrador Retriever, is the main member of the Griffin family in “Family Guy.” Brian is a dog that walks, talks, and debates, and rarely acts like a dog. His character is written to be intelligent, just like the real Labrador, but acts a little goofy sometimes.
3. Rough Collie
We all know Lassie, a rough Collie, from the famous TV series “Lassie” that aired from 1954 to 1974. Lassie was known for her bravery and loyalty. Her compassionate nature and heroic rescues won millions of hearts. Lassie was also featured in many movies.
Lassie is one of the few canine stars who have made it to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Thanks to her, the Rough Collie breed became better known as an all-American family dog, explains Hill’s Pet. Rough Collies are famous for their herding and protecting abilities.
These hardy, clever, and agile dogs learn quickly and are very in tune with people. Rough Collies are family-oriented pooches who love spending time with children. They are quite athletic when they are outdoors. But as soon as they reach home, they will be happy to relax with the rest of the family.
4. Beagle
The most popular Beagle, Snoopy, made its first appearance in the Peanuts comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz. Snoopy got fame from its appearances in TV shows and movies, including “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Another animated cartoon series called “Underdog” featured a Beagle named Shoeshine Boy. The show aired from 1964 to 1973. Whenever the villains appeared, Shoeshine would dash into a telephone booth and transform into Underdog.
The cartoon still has a fanbase of people who enjoy nostalgic pop culture. Beagle is a playful and energetic doggo who craves lots of attention and love from their humans. Originally bred as hunting dogs, Beagles are happy-go-lucky and funny canines with floppy ears.
5. Cocker spaniel
The famous 1955 Disney movie, Lady and the Tramp, was a love story between two titular dogs. The ‘Lady’ in the movie was a Cocker Spaniel, whereas the ‘Tramp’ was a mixed breed with a bit of Terrier. This timeless animated classic is still close to the hearts of many dog lovers.
The spaghetti scene from the movie has been mimicked so many times. Cocker Spaniels are the smallest members of the sporting group. These lively and playful pooches are quite people-oriented and keep wagging their tails all the time. They love companionship.
Do You Know? Some famous celebrities also own Cocker Spaniels. Oprah Winfrey has two Cockers named “Solomon” and “Sadie” whereas George Clooney has one named “Einstein.”
According to PDSA, they were originally bred as gundogs but later became popular family pets. These Spaniels are known for their happy disposition and easygoing personality. Their dark eyes, sweet expression, and long ears are simply irresistible.
6. Saint Bernard
Till now, we have been talking about all the lovey-dovey dogs. But here comes Cujo, a horrifying Saint Bernard from the 1983 movie “Cujo.” The dog contracts Rabies and conducts a reign of terror on a small American town.
Another popular St. Bernard is Beethoven from the 1992 comedy movie “Beethoven.” Saint Bernards are gentle giants known for their patient temperament. They make wonderful family pets and have a strong desire to protect their loved ones.
These strong dogs are highly intelligent, friendly, and eager to please. They are kind and loving, but require an experienced owner due to their large size and strength. Saint Bernards are generally healthy, but prone to certain health problems like GDV, hip dysplasia, and osteosarcoma.
7. Great Dane
We all know goofy, snack-loving, large dog Scooby Doo from “Scooby Doo, Where Are You.” This beloved character is terrified of ghosts, and his giant heart and gentle spirit make him endearing. Great Danes are large dogs with a sweet and friendly disposition.
Scooby Doo was initially a Sheepdog, but as the show went through revisions, it became a Great Dane. Another popular Great Dane is Astro from “The Jetsons.” The Jetsons, named George, Elroy, Judie, and Rosy, having a blue dog named Astro, exist in the space in future.
Great Danes are sociable and eager to please. They are moderately playful and good with children. Danes are good with other animals as well, especially if they are raised with them.
They make wonderful family pets and are an excellent choice for those who can handle large dogs. At the same time, they are wonderful guardians and can deter intruders merely with their presence.
Conclusion
Dogs are loved by man, but some dogs have gained immense popularity due to their television hits. From Scooby Doo to Snoopy to Lassie, numerous canine stars won hearts with their adorable characters.
In a nutshell, any show with a dog is a good show. These snuggle companions know how to grab attention and get love, whether in a TV show or in reality.
