The Times Reveals the 10 Most Famous Dogs From Film and Television

Dogs have long been the undisputed champions of the domestic pet world, so it is hardly surprising that these four-legged companions have been stealing scenes in our favorite films and television shows since the dawn of the industry.

From loyal sidekicks to central protagonists, their roles are often as indelible as those of their human counterparts. The British publication The Times sought to honor these canine stars by compiling a definitive list of the 25 greatest dogs to ever grace the screen.

At the very top of the list sits Scooby-Doo, the animated Great Dane who has been a cornerstone of family entertainment for over half a century. Alongside his friends in the Mystery Machine, Scooby has navigated countless supernatural mysteries, proving that his universe is a gift that just keeps giving.

Following closely in second place is Lassie, the rough collie who transitioned from a literary figure to a cinema icon alongside Elizabeth Taylor. Between her 1943 debut and her long-running television series, Lassie solidified her status as the world’s most famous screen dog, a position she remains one of the very best at holding.

Third place belongs to Toto, the cairn terrier who accompanied Dorothy down the Yellow Brick Road in the 1939 masterpiece The Wizard of Oz. Interestingly, the dog who played Toto, a terrier named Terry, reportedly earned a weekly fee of $125, which famously exceeded the salaries of many human actors on the set.

Rounding out the top five are Shep, the beloved Blue Peter border collie, whose catchphrase Get down, Shep! became a staple of British childhood, and Muttley, the mischievous sidekick from Wacky Races known for his iconic, rasping laugh.

The list also celebrates diverse canine talents, from the globe-trotting German shepherd in The Littlest Hobo to the slobbering St. Bernard, Beethoven, who turned a 1992 family comedy into a massive eight-film franchise.

Animation fans were pleased to see Gromit, the silent but brilliant beagle from Aardman Animations, and Brian Griffin, the cocktail-sipping white Labrador from Family Guy, recognized for their wit. Rounding out the top ten is K9, the robotic companion from Doctor Who, a character so beloved that fans continue to hope for a comeback for the mechanical marvel.

Whether through stop-motion, high-budget CGI, or classic live-action training, the influence of these iconic dogs remains a powerful force in global pop culture, proving that man’s best friend is also the cinema’s best friend.

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