Top 10 Best TV Dogs

Lassie

From: Lassie

Not much to say about Lassie. She, more than any female in history, exemplifies the perfect companion. She loves her master unconditionally and is willing to cross any distance or brave any danger for him. She is smart for a girl, loyal, and most importantly: beautiful.

In TV and Film adaptations, Lassie has almost always been played by a male, and almost always by direct descendants of Pal, the original. Lassie is currently played by Rockie, great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandson of the original.

The Taco Bell Chihuahua
From: Taco Bell Commercials

Contrary to popular belief, this brilliant ad campaign was not discontinued because the dog died. It just didn’t really make any money.

Ren Höek the Chihuahua
From: The Ren and Stimpy Show

I think every kid who watched Ren and Stimpy knew it was something special. Ren was a psychotic little bastard who took great pleasure in plotting Stimpy’s murder on a regular basis. They don’t make them like this anymore, because they can’t. Too many mommies would complain, and I don’t blame them

Porkchop
From: Doug

Porkchop is probably as smart as Ren, but lacks homicidal urges, as well as Ren’s ability to speak. He can play chess and tapdance. Porkchop is very brave, as demonstrated when he saves Beebe Bluff when she falls through some thin ice. Who could forget Porkchop’s sweet-ass bachelor pad, complete with satellite TV, and art collection, and even its own mailbox. Porkchop is probably the ballinest dog on this list:

Spunky
From: Rocco’s Modern Life

Another pooch from the golden age of nicktoons. Rocko’s Modern Life really pushed the limits of how much innuendo could be written into a kids’ show; some of the episodes have been edited for reruns. We kids really appreciated being exposed to adult ideas, even if some of them were soring over our heads. More trusting parents who only caught glimpses of the show didn’t notice the frequent sexual overtones and themes (like the time Rocko got a job as a sex hotline operator, the time Ed Bighead thought Mrs. Bighead was cheating with Rocko, the fact that Rocko, Heffer, and Filburt frequent a restaurant called the Chokey Chicken, and on and on).

Back to Spunky. Unlike the hyper-intelligent Ren and Porkchop, Spunky’s mental capacity is well below the average dog. Spunky is known to drink the contents of his water bowl, then sit with a blank stare while it refills with drool. He then mistakes it for more water, and drinks it again.

Spike
From: Rugrats

Last dog from a Nickelodeon show. We’ve had a couple geniuses, one dumb-ass, and now there’s Spike. He’s right on par for normal dog intelligence, sometimes doing silly things, but generally remaining affectionate and loyal to the Pickles family.

I never saw it, but in 2003 Rugrats Go Wild came out— it’s a crossover movie where the Rugrats gang meets The Wild Thornberrys on a tropical island. Since Eliza Thornberry can talk to animals, Spike needed a voice. Who could voice Spike but Bruce Willis?

I’ve queued up this trailer so you can hear Spike talk for the first time ever (he spoke in a British accent in one early episode, but it was only Chuckie’s weird dream).

Santa’s Little Helper the Greyhound
From: The Simpsons

So many good memories.

Homer rescues Santa’s Little Helper after betting on him at the dog track with the last of the Christmas gift money. SLH finishes dead last. One time Bart got a credit card name in Santa’s Little Helper’s name (Santos L. Halper), and used it to buy Laddie, a much better dog. But Laddie was too perfect and Bart got bored of him. I’m sure there’s entire fan sites for Santa’s Little Helper made by some Simpsons nuts, so let’s continue.

Comet the Golden Retriever
From: Full House

I love Golden Retrievers.

Comet was a pretty average dog, except he was a great listener. The Tanner girls always knew who to talk to when they had a serious problem. Comet would just take it all in, and then the girl(s) would realize the best thing to do is just be honest and apologize for what they did. Then the soft music would play, and there’s hugs, and the audience says “awww” and then applause and then the credits roll. See you to-fucking-morrow Tanner family.

Wishbone, yet another Jack Russel Terrier
From: Wishbone

Wishbone could talk in the old-school way that Milo and Otis and the Homeward Bound dogs could talk: a voiceover was simply added over the dog just kinda standing there. No fancy CG moving mouths here.

Wishbone reenacted literary classics right on your TV. Sounds boring, but it really wasn’t bad, and was significantly less boring than actually reading. Later, I discovered SparkNotes— when faced with having to read A Tale of Two Cities in like, seventh grade.

Scooby and Scrappy Doo, Great Danes
From: Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!

Scooby is the man da bomb. You will never forget Scoob. Watching old episodes now, it’s clear that Shaggy and Scooby were enjoying some Doobie Snacks, if you know what I’m sayin. As a kid I just thought it was funny that they loved to eat so much, and could swallow entire meals whole.

Scrappy “Dappy” Doo is, I think, pretty annoying.

Check more cool stuff