Can You Name These Fictional Dogs?
- by Nicholas Conley
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Man's best friend. Our constant companion. The animal that has been right by our side for centuries, protecting us, accompanying us on fishing trips, waiting for our table scraps, feeding from our hands... and sometimes looking up with those loving, expectant eyes with the sort of loyalty that a human being can't even begin to equal.
We all love our dogs. How couldn't we? Our dogs certainly love us. And we also love our fictional dogs as well: the scrappy underdogs, the overachiever dogs, the super dogs, and even the cowardly dogs. As long as movies, TV, cartoons, and other media forms have been around, we've been seeing dogs brought to life as some of our favorite fictional character. Sometimes the dog is the protagonist. Sometimes the dog is the sidekick. But one thing's for sure, if any doggo is part of the story, we're all going to love them.
But how well do you know your favorite dogs from movies and TV shows? Would you recognize these lovable canines on sight, or would that pose a challenge? Now is your chance to test your doggy knowledge, once and for all. Get your treats ready, and have a chew toy on hand, because it's time to see, Can You Name These Fictional Dogs?
The cowardly (hungry) great dane
Named after a silly line in a Frank Sinatra song, this dog is a Great Dane who can talk, and who possesses a deep love for his human companion, Shaggy. They both have similar personalities and desires, each one desiring a life that involves lots of food and, ideally, no ghosts. Unfortunately for these two buddies, their other friends have a great love for driving around in a van and solving mysteries, unmasking ghosts, and generally engaging in spooky activities that the dog himself would rather avoid.
The dog that acts like a person
Many of the dogs on this list are very anthropomorphized, but none of them struggle with that condition as much as this guy does. He would like to consider himself a person, and for the most part, he is: he's intelligent, sardonic, practical, and with strong political views. However, he can't help but give in to his canine instincts sometimes, much to his chagrin. Though his best friend is his family's father, he lusts after the man's wife, and has a love/hate relationship with the baby.
The bastard's direwolf
In Game of Thrones, the series inspired by the fantasy epic A Song of Ice and Fire, the Stark family uses a direwolf as its symbol. On one cold night, the family stumbles upon five direwolf puppies whose mother has died. There is one puppy for each sibling -- except the bastard son, Jon Snow, who willingly suggests that the five others adopt the puppies. Except then, a lone albino puppy appears. Jon adopts this white-furred lone wolf, and it grows into his constant companion as he embarks north.
The most famous collie in the world
Arguably the most famous fictional dog in the world, and the dog that popularized the rough collie breed, this female dog got her start in a short story, and then a novel, before breaking down the walls of the mainstream when she exploded as the main character in multiple TV shows and films. This dog is most well known for saving her young boy owner from countless catastrophes, the most famous of those owners being a boy named Timmy. And yes, the rumors are true, she's always been played by a male dog.
What comic and TV show does Snoopy come from?
This good natured beagle named Snoopy belongs to a nice kid named Charlie Brown, and though he spends a lot of his time lounging around on the top of his doghouse, don't let that fool you: he's one imaginative pup. When he's not masquerading as an awesome, slick college student named Joe Cool, he straps on an aviator's helmet, along with a scarf, and envisions himself as a World War I fight pilot, steering his doghouse straight through enemy fire. What comic and TV show does Snoopy come from?
The big red dog
What's the only thing better than any old regular dog? Well, a GIANT red dog, of course! This red-furred canine is about the size of a small house, but he's extremely gentle, kind, and loving. His owner is a little girl named Emily Elizabeth, and the two of them are fiercely devoted to each other. This big red dog got his start in a book series by Norman Bridwell, then was adapted into an animated cartoon, where he was voiced by John Ritter.
What is this Dalmatian's name?
This elegant, calm, charming, and kind female dalmatian is the pet of Anita Campbell-Green. She soon falls in love with another dalmatian, Pongo, and the male dog carefully arranges to make both of their owners fall in love, whereupon the two dogs also fall in love. It doesn't take long for both of them to produce lots and lots of puppies. This little lady, along with Pongo, are absolutely heart-broken when their little brood gets kidnapped. Can you remember her name?
The worst dog in the world
When John Grogan and his wife adopted a cute little puppy Labrador Retriever, they had no idea what they are in for, and aren't experienced at raising dogs. The result was this dog, who becomes the center of Grogan's column, and also becomes famous for being "the world's worst dog." However, even if he's the world's worst, this Labrador still ends up being pretty amazing, protective, and lovable, like any dog. This was actually a real life dog, described in Grogan's memoir, before being adapted into a movie starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston.
What movie does Chance star in?
Who could ever forget Chance, the star young American bulldog of this movie that so many people grew up? After being abandoned as a puppy, Chance was adopted by a young boy named Jamie, whom he loves deeply, particularly after his years in the pound. When Chance believes that he's been abandoned, he and his fellow pets Shadow, a Golden Retriever, and Sassy, a Himalayan Cat, all go out on a dangerous and harrowing voyage to find their owners again. What movie does Chance star in?
Which franchise is Fluffy from?
This triple-headed guard dog is the beloved pet of a half-giant, wizard professor named Rubeus. His primary purpose is to guard a trap door, behind which lingers an instrument of great magical power. Though this three-headed beast is quite vicious to anyone who tried to get past him, he evidently has a soft spot for certain people, considering that his name is "Fluffy." Furthermore, the dog has a huge weakness for music, which will generally cause him to peacefully fall asleep.
The slow, calm dog
This basset hound is easily recognized for his calm, slow, lethargic mannerisms and personality. He always speaks in a monotone voice, doesn't rush around, doesn't get too excited, but he can get mad if he's pushed hard enough. He also is known for saying the line "I'm so happy," though his jowly face and the dark circles around his eyes always make him look as if he just crawled out of the doghouse a few minutes ago, and still hasn't quite woken up.
The dog that plays out classic stories
This little terrier has a big imagination. In his regular life, he's just a regular dog, and only the audience can actually hear his thoughts, not his owners. But he has a love of classic literature, such as The Three Musketeers, Robin Hood, and Don Quixote, and whenever interesting situations arise, he likes to envision himself as the main character of these epics -- and in his imagination, none of the other characters within these stories ever see him as a dog.
The dog with a musician's name
Not every St. Bernard is a vicious killer like Cujo; some, like this guy, are adorable and cuddly family members. Though this dog began his life being stolen by a pet store, he soon becomes a member of the Newton family, and soon, the center of their lives. The film he features in just so happened to feature the surprise first film appearance of Joseph Gordon Levitt. This dog shares his name with a rather famous composer of classical music, but which one is it?
The toy dog
He might not be a "real" dog, since he's sculpted out of plastic and aluminum, but just like Pinocchio, this little guy is a real dog at heart, and every bit as loyal to his friends. Despite being man-made, this toy dog is very much alive. He appears to be modeled after a dachshund, those little weiner dogs with the long bodies, though this guys' abdomen is just a slinky. When he speaks, it is with a noticeable southern accent. What is this little guy's name?
The obnoxious little nephew
Some dogs are beloved, and some are... not so much. For example, as much as the world might cherish that Great Dane known as Scooby Doo (wherever he might be), there's pretty much no one who likes this little guy, his nephew. Unlike his uncle, this puppy is always ready for danger, even if he's not actually equipped to handle it. In fact, his catchphrases are "Puppy power!" and "Let me at 'em!," demonstrating his eagerness. However, he may secretly have a more villainous side...
A skinny cartoon greyhound
This lanky, brown-furred greyhound is the prize pet of the Simpsons household. He was originally a racing greyhound, but after losing a race, his former owner abandoned him, leading the Simpsons to adopt him as their new family pet. Since then, he has chewed on household items, gone to obedience school, and was at one point even the mascot for a famous beer brand. This pooch has a rather odd, Christmasy sort of name that's hard to forget. What is it?
The doggo that plays sports
Who says a dog can't play basketball? This 1997 Disney movie tells the story of Old Blue, a Golden Retriever owned by an alcoholic clown, until he escapes from being thrown into a dog pound and is adopted by a boy named Josh. The boy and the dog, whom he renames Buddy, form a tight bond, and it turns out that the dog has an uncanny knack for playing basketball... amongst other sports, as well. What movie did Buddy feature in?
He's a human in a dog's body
In this classic 1959 Disney film, a teenage boy named Wilbur "Wilby" Daniels accidentally reads the inscription on a magic ring, which states "in canis corpore transmuto" (into a dog's body, I change), and this act transforms him into a Bratislavian sheepdog named Chiffon. Apparently, this curse can only be broken by Wilby/Chiffon performing a heroic act. This movie was remade in 1994, and then remade again 2006, starring Tim Allen as the man-turned-dog. But what is the movie's title?
He plays with a fox
In yet another classic Disney film, the 1981 release of The Fox and the Hound, this particularly puppy became famous for, well, befriending a fox. This canine companion is a young coonhound who is still very curious about the world around him, which leads to him becoming good buddies with Tod the fox, despite the fact that the two would normally be enemies. However, as he gets older, he is trained as a hunting dog, leading to some conflict between the two friends.
The scared dog
This dog might have a brave-sounding name, but his life is one of constant fear and terror. He's a sad little pink dog whose parents were sent into outer space when he was a kid, and who spends his life in the care of an elderly couple in Kansas, with the man regularly mistreating him. In the town of Nowhere, where they live, this pink dog must regularly contend with aliens, ghosts, supernatural horrors, zombies, and other creatures of the night.
Alien dog
Well, no, he's not actually a dog. He's an alien Remoolian in disguise. But he sure acts like a dog. This talking pug is known for accompanying the Men in Black, and in the second film, he's very eager to become an employee of the top secret organization, though he isn't always the most covert alien around. His most famous scene depicts him barking to the song "Who Let the Dogs Out?" So, what is the name of this strange pug?
The dog owned by a mouse
Sure, sure, this dog's name might not be the name of a planet anymore (technically), but it will always be the name of this beloved animated canine. We won't debate the strangeness of how a little rodent like Mickey Mouse can somehow have a pet dog that's smaller than him, or why all of the other "Sensational Six" Disney characters get to talk and wear clothes while this guy has to act like a regular barking dog, but... well, it's weird.
The male Lassie
The Simpsons have had other dogs, on occasion. One notable example was this guy, a fancy and trained male collie that Bart orders through a credit card scam. Laddie is no regular dog. He's calm, cool, collected, capable of performing human chores like watering the lawn, and he even uses -- and flushes -- the toilet like a human being. However, his stint with the Simpsons family comes to an end when Bart's scam is discovered by repo men. What is his name?
The world's best dog
If there is any dog in the world who could reasonably compete with Lassie for popularity, then it could only be this guy, a golden Labrador Retriever/Mastiff mix that befriends a young boy, and becomes his closest companion, in the post-Civil War Texas. This 1957 movie, inspired by the book of the same name, follows the friendship of these two comrades in arms, up to the point where the dog finally gets rabies and has to be put down, one of cinema's teariest moments ever.
The dog who gets killed for no good reason
This 2008 film, inspired by a novel by Jack Ketchum, stars Brian Cox as Avery Ludlow, an old man with an old dog, who was a gift from his late wife. Avery is lonely, but the dog is there for him... until one day, three teenage boys attempt to rob Avery, and shoot the dog dead for no good reason. After this, Avery goes on a mission to avenge the dog, and get the boys to apologize. The dog's name -- and the name of the film -- is a color. What is it?
The dog from another world
It seems that even on other planets, all the way across the galaxy, humanoid aliens like to keep dogs as pets. At least one of these dogs managed to make it all the way here to Earth, where this white-furred canine developed super powers such as flight and super strength, much like the powers of the more famous superhero whom he belongs to. Fittingly enough, considering this dog's immense ability, he often flies through the sky wearing a little red cape.
The name of the movie that features this dog is...
In this Tim Burton passion project, which began as a 1984 short and was remade as a 2012 feature film, this little dog named Sparky is the beloved pet of the infamous Victor Frankenstein. But one day, Sparky dies, and Victor is understandably heartbroken. Rather than get a new job, Victor decides to bring Sparky's corpse to his homemade laboratory, where he brings the dog back to life in a new, strange form. The name of the movie that features this dog is...
What movie does Samantha feature in?
Even if the world has ended, you're the last person left on the planet, and all that remains is rot, decay, and undead hordes... it would be nice to at least have a dog like this as a companion. The sidekick of the final man, Robert Neville, is a dog named Samantha, a German Shepherd who joins Neville on his daily rides, listening to some good Bob Marley music. Unfortunately, Samantha gets bit by the monsters. What movie does Samantha feature in?
What is the name of the 1990s comic book adaptation that Milo starred in?
Milo is a little beagle who belongs to Stanley Ipkiss, a shy and miserable bank teller played by Jim Carrey, who wants to come out of his shell. Stanley has no idea what he's in for when he purchases a strange green mask that turns him into a zany psychopath. At one point, Milo himself also wears the mask, becoming one seriously crazy dog, with a spiked collar. What is the name of the 1990s comic book adaptation that Milo starred in?
The blue dog
This friendly blue dog comes from the American south, and has a laid back, easygoing personality that's hard to ruffle. He often signs up for jobs that he has no experience at, and tends to botch them, but communicates with the audience that he's working on it, and through sheer persistence usually seems to come out on top. Unlike some of the other dogs on this list, he is an absolutely terrible singer, with his rendition of "Oh My Darling, Clementine" being particularly awful.
He's one clumsy dog
Seriously, we really have no explanation for why one of Disney's major dog characters acts like a dog, whereas this guy acts, dresses, and talks like a person -- even to the point of having a son who is in school. Regardless, this dog is a classic cartoon character, generally known for being habitually clumsy and seemingly dimwitted, though he does possesses a surprising cleverness from time to time. Though his original name was supposed to Dippy Dawg, he has a more popular name, which is...
The dog from Oz
This little dark-furred Cairn Terrier belongs to Dorothy Gale, the little girl who lives a boring life in Kansas until one day she gets swept away into a magical land of witches, talking scarecrows, and golden brick roads. Throughout Dorothy's journey, this dog stays tight to her side. Unlike the other animals in this strange land, this dog prefers not to speak. We all know that this scrappy little guy comes from the classic novel and film, The Wizard of Oz, but what is the dog's name?
The rabid, killer St. Bernard
Everyone loves a big lovable dog, especially when that big dog is an even more lovable St. Bernard. Well, that is, until the St. Bernard gets rabies and becomes a vicious, uncontrollable killer, so monstrous that a woman and her son are forced to remain locked in a car for days, in the hot sun, just so they don't get eaten alive. Unsurprisingly enough, this powerful beast was the central "villain" of a Stephen King novel, before being adapted into an equally popular feature film.
The lovable stray
We should always think about the stray dogs, and this guy is one example why. While Lady the cocker spaniel has a good home, as do fellow neighborhood jocks Trusty and Jock, they all forget about this dog, who is a stray that has no home, and exists only on the leftovers from a nearby Italian restaurant. This stray dog knows about the harsh ways of the world, and he begins a romance with Lady which changes both of their lives.
Which movie does Charlie feature in?
What happens to dogs when they die? That's the question posed by many kids, and maybe answered by this animated Don Bluth film from 1989. Set in New Orleans in the 1930s, the movie tells the story of a dog named Charlie B. Barkin, a rather shady character who runs a casino and ends up getting murdered by his former partner, Carface. Charlie manages to sneak his way back into the land of the living, but may face steep consequences. Which movie does Charlie feature in?
Ghost Dog
Hey, there are robot dogs, superhero dogs, and Frankenstein dogs, so what about a ghost dog? This pup comes from the cult classic stop motion film The Nightmare Before Christmas. He is a floating ghost dog, that can fly anywhere he goes, but otherwise acts just like any other dog. He has a glowing jack o'lantern nose, which in the film's conclusion allows him to become the equivalent of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. What is the ghost dog's name, exactly?
The son of Goofy
Unlike most cartoon characters, Goofy actually has something of an everyman family life, including a deceased wife and a teenage son who sometimes doesn't like his resemblance to his father. This son likes to think that he's a whole lot cooler than his weird old man, particularly as he gets older and enters high school. Like his silly old father, this rebellious teenager is definitely much more of a human than he is a dog. What is this kid's name?
Scooby's less intelligent cousin
What, you thought we were done with Scooby Doo family members? Nope, but don't worry, this guy is a lot less annoying than some of them. This not-so-bright Merle Great Dane is Scooby's cousin who comes from Georgia, and the two have known each other their whole lives, so they share a secret handshake. Despite his general dim-wittedness, this dog does seem to have some level of appreciation for classical music. Maybe. It's hard to say. What is his name?
"There's no need to fear!"
Though Shoeshine Boy may look like he's any regular old dog, he's got a big, big secret: he can take a couple of super energy pills, throw on a cape, and soar into the sky as a canine superhero who speaks in rhymes. As a superhero, Shoeshine Boy often spends his time rescuing fellow dog (and news reporter) Polly Purebred from the evil machinations of Simon Barsinister. As a superhero, he doesn't go by the name Shoeshine; what is his actual codename?
The wolfdog with a big heart
Originally inspired by a true story, this animated film depicts the life of a courageous wolfdog -- part dog, part wolf -- whose mixed breed makes him into an outcast amongst his canine peers. Living in Nome, Alaska, many humans are afraid that this dog's wolf heritage may make him a danger to others. but when a sled team goes missing, he is the one who sets off in search of them, proving his bravery and courage to everyone who ever doubted him.
Super powered monster mutts
Really, we can't blame the dogs for this one. These three dogs -- a Bull Mastiff, a Poodle, and a Pit Bull -- simply had the misfortune of being owned by a mad scientist who liked playing with people's genetics. After their genes are meddled with, the dogs grow to tremendous size, sprout enormous muscles, and rip apart anything in their path, including trees. However, when they're killed, they seem to burst apart into a spray of misty green blood. What movie did they appear in?
What popular 1990s sitcom did Eddie play a role in?
This particular Parson Russell Terrier is Eddie, the pet of proud owner Martin. Eddie is one smart dog, able to understand spelled out commands, and often staring at humans who particularly perplex him, such as the main character. Eddie never really got any good at learning tricks, and over the course of the sitcom series that he featured in, eventually became the father to six puppies (before he got neutered). What popular 1990s sitcom did Eddie play a role in?
The teleporting Inhuman dog
This dog is a Marvel superhero, and a member of the royal family of the Inhumans. In addition to being able to teleport to any location -- which itself makes him crazy powerful -- this dog can also trace the scent of anything across dimensions. On top of that, he's huge. Like, bigger than a person. Other than that, he mostly just acts like a regular bulldog. He also seems to be able to eat just about anything, but yeah, we can say that about most dogs. What's his name?
The dog that can kick your butt... maybe
Now here's a dog who really knows kung fu... or so he says, though his clumsy antics make it a bit unclear. He's actually Penrod "Penry" Pooch, the canine janitor at a police station, who keeps his head down until he hears that crime is afoot. At this point, he begins a clumsy procedure that involves jumping into the bottom drawer of his filing cabinet, and eventually emerging in his superheroic identity. Voiced by Scatman Crothers, what is this dog's superhero name?
Muppet doggo
On The Muppet Show, where would good ol' Kermit the Frog ever be if it wasn't for the devoted help of his friend and fellow muppet, this scruffy brown dog? This dog, whose breed is part-Corgi and part-something else, is rarely ruffled about all the craziness going on. His primary job on the Muppet Show is actually as the pianist, a talent he's quite skilled at. He's also a big fan of classical music, though his most famous song is "I Hope That Something Better Comes Along," a duet about women.
The Batman's best friend
Batman might be a loner, but he's still a man with a family. Aside from love interests and kids named Robin, Batman also likes to hang around with a Bat-Hound, as well, and this dog has even been seen accompanying him on crime fighting capers from time to time... sometimes even wearing his own little black mask. Most of the time, though, this dog just waits at home for Master Bruce to come back. The Bat-Hound is a German Shepherd, but what is his name?
The Captain's prize beagle
Hey, people aren't the only animals that can go to space: sometimes they bring their dogs, too. This little guy named Porthos is an English Beagle who is the constant companion of a starship captain, and accompanies him on his star-bound voyages. At one point, Porthos actually is infected with a deadly outer space virus, and the poor dog is almost killed, until an emergency surgery implants an alien gland into his body, and saves him. Needless to say, that makes Porthos one unique little dog.
Dog from the future
Like any regular family, including families from the distant future, the Jetsons have a favorite pet canine, and that's this dog. Though this dog is somewhat clumsy and not the brightest, he is nonetheless greatly loved by his owner, George Jetson. Though he still acts like a dog, doing such antics as chasing cats, he does have a slight grasp of the English language, though that might just be because he's in the future and dogs have evolved more. What's this future dog's name?
An annoying chihuahua
No, weren't not talking about the red-furred creature on the left: that's Stimpy, this dog's companion, who is actually a cat (though you'd never know it). The dog here is the one on the right, a chihuahua, a generally irritable little dog with a short fuse. This dog and his cat buddy starred in a cartoon that kids loved and their parents hated, though it has since come to be considered a cult classic. What is the name of the chihuahua?
The doggo sidekick
Even though this classic Saturday morning cartoon show ostensibly would seem to focus on the daring superhero the Blue Falcon, it was actually centered around Blue Falcon's goofy, weird, and loopy super-sidekick, a robotic dog with many strange and unique capabilities. However, his mechanical abilities, including stretching limbs, tend to not work properly, arguably making this sidekick more of a hazard than a help when it comes to the Blue Falcon's crime fighting. This dog was voiced by Frank Welker.