Dogs are arguably some of the most remarkable creatures humans have befriended, and only a handful of canines make a name for themselves on the small screen. That said, it's easy to see the appeal of dogs. They're silly and loyal, they come in all sizes, and they convey their emotions wonderfully. Whether it's real dogs or cartoons, it's obvious why they're considered stars.
Whether dogs are comic relief characters or family pets devoted to keeping their companions safe, viewers have adored TV dogs for many decades. Some dogs are even celebrities in their own right, while others have spawned immortal franchises.
10 Ivana Is London Tipton's Cutest Accessory
Though Ivana the pomeranian wasn't a prominent figure on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody on the Disney Channel, she was undoubtedly London Tipton's best friend and spent a lot of time acting as Tipton's accessory. The show was filmed and based in the early 2000s, and it was apparent that the pureblooded pom-pom was inspired by Paris Hilton's--London Tipton's real-life counterpart--own pet Pomeranian.
Ivana did have a few moments where she had "speaking" parts voiced by Emma Stone, where she conversed with Maddie's dog, Scamp. London Tipton may not be one of Zack and Cody's most likable characters, but Ivana broke away from her owner's frivolous lifestyle and proved herself to be more down-to-earth than her owner.
9 Blue Teaches Children Pre-School Readiness
The titular blue dog in Blue's Clues who speaks to her owner Steve (or either Joe and Josh in later seasons) and guides young children through her fun pawprint clues is well known and well-loved. Though Blue is primarily nonverbal, her ability to initiate fun games that encourage children to learn is what makes her a great dog.
Blue's sweet and endearing nature entertains kids enough to keep them engaged in the series. She helps them acquire crucial pre-elementary school language and facts. Her personality might even be relatable for some children with her capacity to emote human feelings, such as shyness, sadness, or anger, securing Blue a spot amongst the most extraordinary canines.
8 Snoopy Uses His Imagination To Escape
Though he doesn't speak in the conventional sense, Charlie Brown's famous beagle Snoopy has been making audiences smile for generations. Snoopy is often seen hanging around fellow Peanuts characters and is usually lost in a world of his own. Snoopy's habit of making up alter-egos and the hints that his doghouse is 'bigger on the inside' are just a few of the elements that make Snoopy popular and recognizable.
Snoopy's unique relationships with each Peanuts character and his big personality factor into what elevates this animated dog. But it's Snoopy's annoyance with the world he lives in and his escapes into imagination that make him incredibly relatable.
7 Clifford Taught Valuable Life Lessons
Like most animated dogs on kids shows, Clifford The Big Red Dog stole the hearts of many when the series aired on PBS Kids. He started life as the runt of the litter with a normal-sized mother and siblings. Later, Clifford grew into a massive bright red-colored dog after being loved by the supporting character, Emily Elizabeth.
This series generally focused on Clifford and Emily going about their daily lives while coming across obstacles that needed to be resolved. Clifford taught young children essential moral lessons like not judging people for their appearances and basic problem-solving skills while still keeping things fun for his young viewers.
6 Brian Is The Wisest Member Of The Griffin Family
Brian Griffin is the anthropomorphic white dog in Family Guy, either seen with a glass of alcohol in his hand, following his best friend Peter around or fawning over Lois. His dry humor and wit make him a fun character to watch and laugh with. Although Brian may be flawed, his grounded personality is refreshing in this chaotic series.
Brian's ability to act more like a human while staying in tune with his canine tendencies was a running joke for the character's lifetime. Along with baby Stewie, Brian's easily the smartest member of the Griffin household. His personality and wisdom are offset by his moral laziness but he's still one of TV's most memorable canines.
5 Lassie Risked Her Life To Help Others
Perhaps one of the most famous dogs on the small screen and regarded as one of the utmost loyal canines, Lassie has sparked a lot of tears. Lassie was originally played by a male Collie owned by MGM studios named Pal, and in later seasons, by pal's puppies. Her greatest strength was acting on her instinctive drive to save family and friends who were in dire situations.
Though Lassie is an older show, the loyal main character was undoubtedly the hero and star of the series, taking the much-deserved spotlight and leaving her human co-stars to be forgotten. Lassie taught generations how dedicated these furry friends can be and she remains a reminder of why dogs are humanity's best friends.
4 Jake Is Finn's Better Half on Adventure Time
One of the more underrated dogs on television, Jake, the magical shape-shifting canine, has been Finn's best friend and partner in crime for years on Adventure Time. The defunct show detailed the wild and strange adventures that Finn and Jake had, questing through extraordinary lands and meeting dangerous villains.
The yellow dog with a body of rubber is usually lazy and he's significantly older than Finn, but he never fails to help his human counterpart when he's needed. Jake's unyielding support of Finn, basically acting as his older brother, makes Jake worthy of attention.
3 Courage The Cowardly Dog Shows It's Okay To Be Scared
Courage the Cowardly Dog was one of Cartoon Network's most underrated shows and was a cult classic for those brave enough to watch it in their youth. The series featured Courage, a dog just as terrified of the creepy events he encountered as his viewers were.
The supernatural and paranormal elements that each episode revolved around were the driving force behind Courage's goal to keep his home safe. The series turned out to be somewhat of a preparation guide for kids interested in the horror genre, and Courage remains one of the bravest, funniest, and most heartbreaking, dogs in animation. Courage is always afraid, but he somehow faces his fears, and that's always admirable.
2 Scooby-Doo Was The Glue For Mystery Inc.
Though The Scooby-Doo series had evolved into a larger franchise and even expanded into films, merchandising, and more, the numerous television shows have aired on and off since 1969 and gave audiences a new kind of story to fall in love with. With every episode following the Mystery Inc. crew, Scooby was more than Shaggy's goofball dog, but a detective and hero in his own right.
Scooby could verbally communicate in short phrases of broken English with his companions and the fake ghosts they were trying to bust. His unique voice and silly nature made this dog a natural scene-stealer. Scooby's pure loyalty to his friends and clumsy personality make him one of the best canines ever on television.
1 Dug Reminds Audiences Of Their Own Dogs
The latest addition to notable dogs in television, Dug from Up, got his television debut when Disney+ released Dug Days. The series focuses heavily on the continuation of Dug's and Carl Fredrickson's lives after the end of Up. Audiences might not feel the need to follow along when Dug and Carl are enjoying a simple life but the heart Up demonstrated remains endures show.
Dug Days examines the virtues of having a dog by exploring canine virtues, from love to loyalty. Dug Days explores daily life, like seeing a squirrel in the backyard or smelling a fire nearby, through a dog's eyes. Dug demonstrates consistent kindness and shows what it is to be a "good dog." Of course, most dogs can't talk, but everything else about Dug is reminiscent of family dogs everywhere.