From Rin Tin Tin to Lassie, and Scooby-Doo to Marley, dogs have always held a special place in our hearts and culture. Beyond their unwavering loyalty and companionship, some dogs have achieved a level of fame that extends far beyond the backyard fence. They’ve become household names, celebrated in books, films, television shows, and even history books. Join us on this paw-some journey through the lives of some of the most renowned dogs in history and fiction.
Famous Dog Names
Allegra (Hugh Jackman’s dog)
Atlas: a hilarious golden retriever
Augie (Ellen Degeneres’ dog)
Balto: a Siberian husky who successfully helped to bring life-saving diphtheria medicine to Nome, Alaska in the 1920s
Barry: a famous rescue dog in Switzerland, saving over 40 people from 1800 to 1812
Bess (Sienna Miller’s dog)
Billie (Ryan Reynolds’ dog)
Blue: Blue is the animated Blue Heeler puppy in the children’s TV series “Blue’s Clues.” Blue helps viewers solve puzzles and find clues.
Bolt: Bolt is the title character in Disney’s animated film “Bolt.” He’s a white German Shepherd who believes he has superpowers.
Boo: one of the first internet famous dogs who got her start on Facebook for being the cutest Pomeranian and earning the title of the “world’s cutest dog”
Bosco: the honorary mayor of Sunol, California from 1981 to 1994
Brian Griffin: Brian is the anthropomorphic talking dog in the animated TV series “Family Guy.” He’s known for his intellectual and sarcastic personality.
Buck: Buck is the courageous St. Bernard-Scotch Collie mix in Jack London’s novel “The Call of the Wild.”
Bud Nelson: the first dog to cross the United States in an automobile in 1903
Buddy: Buddy is the Golden Retriever who stars in the film “Air Bud” and its sequels. He’s known for his basketball skills.
Bunny: who has to be one of the smartest and most chatty dogs on the internet
Chance and Shadow: Chance and Shadow are the two dogs featured in the film “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey,” which tells the story of their journey to find their owners.
Chips: the most decorated dog from World War II
Clifford: Clifford the Big Red Dog is a beloved character in children’s literature and TV. He’s a giant red dog who gets into all sorts of adventures.
Cujo: Cujo is the title character in Stephen King’s novel and subsequent film adaptation. He’s a Saint Bernard known for his aggressive behavior after contracting rabies.
Daisy (Jessica Simpson’s dog)
Doug: People’s Choice Award winner and the most followed pug on the internet
Dug: Dug is the friendly Golden Retriever from the Pixar film “Up.” He’s known for wearing a special collar that allows him to speak his thoughts.
Eddie: Eddie was the lovable Jack Russell Terrier on the TV show “Frasier.” He became a fan favorite for his quirky personality.
Einstein: In the TV series “Back to the Future: The Animated Series,” Einstein is Doc Brown’s pet dog and serves as his companion in many adventures.
Finn (Amanda Seyfried’s dog)
Francesca (Martha Stewart’s dog)
Frank the Pug: Frank is the talking Pug in the “Men in Black” film series. He plays a humorous role as a secret agent alien.
Gertie (Katherine Heigl’s dog)
Gustavo (Lady Gaga’s dog)
Hamilton: who sheds light on the life of a NYC pug
Harley (Kate Upton’s dog)
Harlow and Sage: The dachshund duo
Hooch: In the movie “K-9,” Hooch is a Dogue de Bordeaux who becomes a police dog partner to Detective Scott Turner.
Isaboo (Rachel Ray’s dog)
Joe (Karlie Kloss’ dog)
Jofi: Sigmund Freud’s assistant chow chow
Krypto: Krypto the Superdog is a fictional character in DC Comics, known as Superman’s loyal canine companion with superpowers.
Lady and the Tramp: Lady and Tramp are the two main characters in Disney’s animated film “Lady and the Tramp.” Lady is a Cocker Spaniel, and Tramp is a stray mutt.
Laika: the first live animal to go into orbit around the Earth in 1957
Lola (Hilary Duff’s dog)
Maddie: who is always posting jaw-dropping travel pics with her dad all over the world
Manny: a French bulldog from Chicago and known for being a “philanthro-pup”
Marnie: who took the internet by storm, raising awareness for senior dog adoptions and capturing millions of hearts in the process. Her parents still update her instagram in her memory
Marutaro: a Shiba Inu from Japan who is now an internet sensation and even has his own merchandise line
Max: Max is the name of the heroic German Shepherd in the animated film “The Secret Life of Pets.” He’s known for his loyalty and bravery.
Mighty (Orlando Bloom’s dog)
Nash (P!nk’s dog)
Norman (Jennifer Aniston’s dog)
Odie: Odie is the lovable but not-so-bright dog in the comic strip “Garfield,” known for his silly antics.
Pax: Pax was the White House dog during the presidency of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy. He was a mixed-breed dog.
Peanut: Peanut is the name of the family dog in the animated film “The Nut Job.” He’s known for his comic antics.
Pearl (Lea Michele’s dog)
Penny (Chrissy Teigen’s dog)
Percy: Percy is the Pug in the Disney animated film “Pocahontas.” He’s known for his humor and loyalty to Governor Ratcliffe.
Peritas: Alexander the Great’s guard dog
Petey (John Legend’s dog)
Pongo and Perdita: Pongo and Perdita are the Dalmatian couple in Disney’s “101 Dalmatians.” They are the parents of the famous 101 Dalmatian puppies.
Poppy (Sandra Bullock’s dog)
Rex: Rex is the neurotic toy dinosaur in the “Toy Story” film series. He’s one of Andy’s beloved toys.
Scout: a published author and known for #stuffonscoutshead
Slinky Dog: Slinky Dog, or Slink, is a character in the “Toy Story” film series. He’s a loyal toy who can stretch like a Slinky.
Smoky: a Yorkshire terrier credited with being the world’s first therapy dog during World War II
Sophie (Miley Cyrus’ dog)
Soter: a Greek guard dog in 456 B.C.E who saved Corinth’s residents from oncoming attacks
Sushi: a TikTok star
Timmy: known for his unique proportions
Tinkerbell (Paris Hilton’s dog)
Toby: Toby is the Basset Hound in the TV show “This Is Us,” known for his soulful expressions.
Trakr: the Search and Rescue German shepherd named by “Time” as one of the ten most heroic animals of all time after the September 11th attacks
Tramp: Tramp is the street-smart stray dog in Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp.” He’s known for his charm and love for pasta.
Tuna: who is known for his adorable and meme-worthy smiles
Winnie (Selena Gomez’s dog)
Winston (Gwen Stefani’s dog)
Wishbone: Wishbone is the imaginative Jack Russell Terrier in the TV series of the same name. He often daydreams himself into literary classics.
Zelda (Zoey Deschanel’s dog)
Zero: Zero is the ghostly dog in Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” He’s a loyal companion to Jack Skellington.
