Dogs from TV shows and movies touch our hearts with their performances and notable dogs from history touch our hearts with their stories. We grew up watching them and learning about them. They can make us smile, laugh, cry, and wish for a dog of our own. These are the dog breeds of several famous dogs:

1. Lassie

Lassie was originally written as a female Rough Collie in the initial short story written by Eric Night. The story was later expanded into Lassie Come Home, a full-length novel that became a classic TV show and several movies. Much like the Lassie of the big screen, the Collie is a hard-working herding dog that is highly intelligent, easily trained, and family-oriented.

2. Toto

Dorothy’s trusted companion in The Wizard of Oz was Toto, a Cairn Terrier. This dog breed is a courageous and devoted dog breed. Toto shows these traits as the little dog bravely sticks by Dorothy’s side during all of her adventures and misadventures. A Cairn Terrier is dedicated to their family and gets along well with children, which makes them an excellent family dog.

3. Balto

Balto is one of the most famous and highly honored hero dogs. Balto was a Siberian Husky that led the final dog sled team into Nome, Alaska, and delivered the lifesaving serum that would save the town from a deadly diphtheria epidemic. In the Disney movie, Balto, he was portrayed as a Siberian Husky/Wolf Mix.

Siberian Huskies are descendants of the original sled dog. They are high-energy working breeds that were bred to run long distances and have retained their wanderlust. The Siberian Husky is a loving family dog that is a good fit for very active families.

4. Rin Tin Tin

Rin Tin Tin was one of the biggest movie stars of his time and earned the title of a classic dog actor. He was a German Shepherd brought back to the United States after World War I. His first starring role was in a silent film called Where the North Begins and it resulted in over twenty more screen appearances plus endorsement deals.

The German Shepherd is still a popular choice for working in military and police units, and they also make great family pets. They tend to be strong-willed and highly intelligent with a playful spirit and protective nature. As a working dog, they need a job to do and desire continued training throughout their life.

5. Snoopy

Snoopy made his first appearance in the Peanuts comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz. He was Charlie Brown’s dog and is a Beagle. In addition to books, Snoopy made appearances in TV shows and movies, including the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas.

The Beagle is a playful and energetic hound dog. They crave attention and love from their humans and make excellent family pets. This dog breed is highly intelligent and trainable with a high energy level. The AKC may recognize the Beagle as part of the Hound Group, but this only means they’re a hunting dog with the energy of a sporting breed.

6. Scooby-Doo

Scooby-Doo was the large dog from Scooby-Doo, Where Are You that was a bit of a coward and absolutely loved snacks. Before the show became what we know and love and before Scooby got his name, he was a Sheepdog. As the show went through revisions, the dog was named Scooby-Doo and became a Great Dane.

The Great Dane is a giant dog breed and one of the world’s largest dogs. They are known as gentle giants with a sweet disposition that are eager to please their owners. They are lovable dogs that are relatively easy to train, make great family pets, and are a good fit for anyone who is able to handle their size.

7. Old Yeller

The heart-wrenching tale of friendship in Old Yeller features a dog of the same name. He is presented as a mixed breed, a “rascal” that is initially unworthy because he is not a purebred dog. Old Yeller is rumored to be a Yellow Lab and Mastiff Mix and he earns the family’s love and trust by saving them on several occasions.

Yellow Labs are known for their goofy, friendly, and loyal nature. Mastiffs are large dogs known for their sweet disposition and protective nature. A mix of these two dog breeds would likely result in a loyal, fearless dog with a protective instinct that craves attention and love from their family.

8. Marley

Marley, the dog that is the star of Marley & Me, is a Yellow Labrador Retriever. The story is full of Marley’s mischievous antics and misadventures as part of the family. He ends up bringing out the best of the Grogan family and helping them all grow.

The Yellow Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. They’re known as a loyal and loving companion breed with a playful spirit. They are intelligent and tend to respond well to training. They are goofballs with a high activity level, so they require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

9. Pete the Pup

Pete the Pup, or Petey, was the dog who was part of The Little Rascals. He was known for his goofball antics and the notable circle around one eye. The dog that played the original Petey was named Pal the Wonder Dog and was an American Pit Bull Terrier. He made appearances in several movies. His last appearance was in 1938. In the 1994 remake of The Little Rascals, Pete was played by an American Bulldog.

The American Bulldog is an affectionate and gentle dog breed that gets along well with children and other pets. They do have a stubborn streak, but are always eager to please and crave attention from their humans. They tend to have a sweet disposition, a playful spirit, and a protective nature.

10. Beethoven

Beethoven was released in theaters in 1992 and is one of the classic dog movies. It featured a Saint Bernard named Beethoven and centered around his antics and his family’s attempts to deal with them. It resulted in several more films, including theatrical releases and direct-to-video releases, as well as a TV series, a video game, and a lot of merchandise.

The Saint Bernard is a giant dog breed that usually weighs between 110 and 220 pounds. They are a strong and powerful dog with a friendly and gentle nature. Saint Bernards are highly intelligent and eager to please. They tend to make excellent family pets as they also get along great with children.

11 & 12. Buddy and Comet

These two famous dogs were played by the same canine actor. Buddy or Air Buddy was a dog actor and a Golden Retriever. He played both Buddy in Air Bud and Comet in Full House. Buddy was found as a stray in 1989 and was adopted. He trained in several sports and loved basketball the most. He was called the “Michael Jordan of dogs”. He appeared as Comet on Full House from Season 4 through the finale of Season 8. He made several more TV and movie appearances after that, including the starring role in Disney’s Air Bud.

The Golden Retriever is a highly trainable dog breed that is intelligent, friendly, and loyal. They tend to do well with strangers, children, and other animals. Plus, they are playful with a sunny disposition and are very expressive. They are high energy, love a good game of fetch, and always seem to be smiling.

13. Hooch

Turner & Hooch was released in 1989. It was a comedy film featuring a buddy cop relationship between Scott Turner and Hooch. Hooch was played by Beasley the Dog and was a Dogue de Bordeaux. Beasley the Dog even had a stunt double that was named Igor.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is also referred to as the French Mastiff. Weighing in between 120 and 145 pounds, this is a large dog breed with plenty of energy. They are loyal and devoted to their family. They also tend to have a calm, gentle temperament with their family.

14. Nana

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, and its Disney adaptation, is a popular tale for children around the world. Although Nana is a Saint Bernard in the Disney movie, Nana is a Newfoundland in the book who is in charge of taking care of the Darling children. She dotes on the children and is very protective of them.

Newfoundlands are known for their sweet nature and their size. One of the largest dog breeds, Newfies originated in Newfoundland, Canada as working dogs for fishermen. Often called “nanny dogs”, Newfies are exceptional with children and are also protective of the whole family. They are active enough to join the family in activities but docile enough to be wonderful family pets.

15. Winn-Dixie

One of the classic books about dogs, Because of Winn-Dixie is a sweet story about a girl and her dog, Winn-Dixie. Abandoned by her mother at a young age, 10-year-old Opal struggles to make friends. When she finds an abandoned dog, she rescues him and calls him Winn-Dixie. Together they have adventures and Winn-Dixie helps her make friends.

While the book describes Winn-Dixie as a mixed breed, the movie stars a Berger-Picard. These dogs are lanky herding dogs with fawn or brindle coats. Berger-Picards can be about 24 to 26 inches in height and have very tall ears. They are stubborn in nature so good training is necessary at a young age.

16 & 17. Pongo and Perdita

101 Dalmatians is a classic Disney film. Cruella De Vil Has an evil plan to use the coats of Dalmatians to make her a beautiful coat. Pongo and Perdita set out to save their children and rescue the Dalmatians held captive by Cruella.

Known for their polka-dotted coat, Dalmatians are often associated with firemen and firehouses. Known for their bravery and loyalty, Dalmatians fiercely love their family. They tend to get along well with children and are one of the most active dog breeds.

18. Bruiser Woods

Well known as the companion of Elle Woods in the movie Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde: Red, White, and Blonde, Bruiser Woods is a sweet little Chihuahua. Rescued by Elle Woods from mistreatment, Bruiser inspires Elle to try to change animal rights laws.

Chihuahuas are a very small breed of dog originating from Mexico. Chihuahuas are often known for their big personalities and are charming and sassy. They are playful and alert and if socialized properly, they can be wonderful family dogs and good with children.

19. Sinbad the Sailor Dog

Dogs often make wonderful companions and Sinbad the Sailor Dog was no exception. The beloved mascot of the US Coast Guard, Sinbad made many journeys via the sea.

Rescued by a sailor named Blackie, Sinbad won the hearts of the USCGC Campell and became a well-known figure in the public eye. Sinbad spent 11 years on board the USCGC Campbell. Sinbad was a mixed breed; most likely Doberman Pinscher and bulldog.

Doberman Pinschers are one of the dog breeds that make good guard dogs. While they may have an intimidating reputation, Doberman Pinschers are quite loyal and loving dogs with their families. They are very energetic and will need plenty of exercise to keep them from boredom and bad behavior.

Bulldogs were all-around working dogs brought in to work on farms and ranches. They have a sweet and fun-loving nature. Due to their protective nature, they can be aloof towards strangers, but with proper socialization, they can warm up and be quite friendly.

20. Trakr

Trakr, a German Shepherd, and his handler, James Symington, are well known for finding the last survivor of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Because of his accomplishment, Trakr was named one of history’s most heroic animals by Time magazine.

German Shepherds are often used as search and rescue dogs or police dogs due to their intelligence. They are still a popular choice for a family pet. German Shepherds are very protective of their families but are also lovable and playful. Be prepared for an active dog that requires a lot of exercise.

21. Laika the Space Dog

Sent into space by the Soviet Union in 1957, Laika became the first living creature to orbit Earth. She and other dogs were used to learn about the effects of space travel on living creatures. Unfortunately, it was always understood she wouldn’t survive the mission.

Sputnik 2 was not designed to return to Earth safely and the Soviet space program did not want to delay the launch in order to make it so. With Laika on board, Sputnik 2 launched in November 1957.

She died while on her mission and after orbiting the Earth for 162 days, Sputnik 2 re-entered the atmosphere. The flight of Laika and other space dogs accelerated the space race and helped advance technology in world-changing ways.

Laika was a mixed breed dog, most likely a Siberian Husky or Samoyed and a terrier. Siberian Huskies are known for their energy and big personalities. They are a good fit for families that are very active.

Samoyeds are friendly and affable. They make wonderful companions, keeping their playful nature all throughout their life. They are a common snow dog breed so they will thrive in winter!

22. Bobbie the Wonder Dog

Bobbie the Wonder Dog lived over 100 years ago, but his story is still impressive. Accidentally left behind by his family in Indiana, Bobbie made an incredible journey and walked the entire way back home to Oregon. He traversed many different terrains, including the continental divide. His journey is estimated to have been about 2500 to 3000 miles.

Bobbie was a Scottish Collie. This breed is known for their sweet disposition and people-pleasing nature. They are a herding breed so they need plenty of activity and exercise to keep them happy and content. Collies are a great fit for families and are friendly and outgoing.

23. Hachiko

The story of Hachiko has been told in many movies and stories. Every day, Hachiko would meet his owner at the train station as he commuted home from work. When his owner unexpectedly died at work in 1925, Hachiko continued to wait by Tokyo’s Shibuya train station for nine years, waiting for him to come home. Japan honors his story yearly on March 8, the anniversary of Hachiko’s death. They also built a statue in his honor at the Shibuya train station.

Hachiko was an Akita, a popular and revered dog breed in Japan. They are extremely loyal and loving to their family, while also being a strong protector. They do require a good bit of training and early socialization, but they still make wonderful family companions.

24. Moose

If you ever watched Fraser on NBC, you probably are familiar with Eddie, his dog. Eddie was portrayed by a dog named Moose. This experienced dog actor was a Jack Russell Terrier and appeared on nearly every episode of Fraser. He also appeared in the 2000s movie, My Dog Skip alongside Frankie Muniz.

Jack Russells are terriers and a high-energy breed, meaning they will need plenty of exercise and stimulation. They are very athletic and quite intelligent. They can be hard to train, however, but once they recognize and trust you as the boss, they pick up training pretty quickly. Jack Russells are known for their affectionate personality and are good with kids. They can be stubborn so they do well with a more experienced owner.

25. Zanjeer

Zanjeer was a Labrador Retriever that spent most of the 1990s working with Mumbai police. He performed as a detection dog, sniffing out detonation devices, During the 1993 Bombay Bombings, Zanjeer was credited with identifying and preventing at least three other attacks.

Because of this and his many contributions throughout his career, the Times of India called him the “city’s savior many times over”. Zanjeer died of bone cancer in 2000 and was buried with full state honors.

Labrador Retrievers are one of the smartest dog breeds and are often used as detection or rescue dogs. One of the most popular family dogs, Labrador Retrievers are loyal, playful, and active dogs. Despite the high level of activity, they are also very gentle and patient dogs. Labrador Retrievers are wonderful for families because they are great with kids.

You don’t need a dog from the big screen or the pages of history to have your own canine star. Adding a puppy to your family, as long as the breed is a good fit, provides plenty of comedic antics, love, and laughter that feels like the red carpet treatment.