The Most Popular Dog Breeds in Movie History

Dogs will always hold a special place in our hearts. Not only are they our loyal companions, but they also capture our attention as iconic figures in movies and television shows. Some pups steal the show as the main character, while others act as comic relief. Regardless of the role they play, though, we love them just the same.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the most popular dog breeds in movies and TV shows, the history behind dog breeds on film, the iconic moments they create, and our favorite characters on screen. Join us as we celebrate the canine stars that are loved the world over.

The History of Dog Breeds in Film

Dogs were first featured on film on the first-ever paid-for film show on December 28, 1895. The dogs were simply filmed on screen alongside their human counterparts in a crowd scene.

It wasn’t until the 1920s, though, that dogs started stealing the show and becoming stars, with German shepherds being among the most famous dog breeds in film at the time. It was estimated that at the height of the craze, there were around 80 German shepherds acting in Hollywood.

The biggest star was Rin Tin Tin who starred in 23 films. He was notorious for being a natural onscreen and helped dogs gain popularity in the world of film. Now, Rin Tin Tin has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Honoring the Most Famous Dog Breeds in Film and the Pups Who Represented Them

Beyond Rin Tin Tin, there are many other famous dog actors. Let’s take a look at some other famous canine characters:

• Terry the cairn terrier – You might recognize Terry for her appearance as Toto in The Wizard of Oz (1939). She earned $125 a week, which was more than some of the human actors in the film! Over her entire career, Terry appeared in a total of 23 films.
• Pal the collie – Pal was originally hired as a stunt performer for the movie Lassie. He proved he was made for movies by giving an exceptional performance, which led the directors to replace the previous pup actor with the stunt dog. Pal had an exciting career on screen, starring in numerous Lassie films, television programs, and more.
• Rando the German shepherd – Forty dogs auditioned for the movie K-9 but none of them were deemed worthy of the role. So a new litter of four puppies was purchased and trained by the famous Karl Miller. Three of these puppies made it onto the screen, but it was Rando who stole the show, proving that he could perform anywhere from 125-150 different actions.

10 of the Most Famous Dog Breeds in Movies

While German shepherds fast became the most popular dogs in productions, they’re not the only ones you’ll see on the big or small screen. In fact, the most famous dog breeds in movies and TV shows include everything from poodles to bulldogs to Saint Bernards to chihuahuas.

Without further ado, here are the most famous dog breeds in film and the number of movies they have stared in, as of 2022:

1. German shepherd (562 films and TV credits)
2. Bulldog (284)
3. Poodle (209)
4. Doberman (176)
5. Chihuahua (167)
6. Rottweiler (153)
7. Great Dane (149)
8. Golden retriever (146)
9. Dachshund (126)
10. Saint Bernard (108)

Beyond the top 10, other commonly filmed breeds include:

1. Pug (107)
2. Bloodhound (106)
3. Dalmatian (99)
4. Beagle (89)
5. Basset hound (81)
6. Greyhound (66)
7. Collie (62)
8. Border collie (60)
9. Siberian husky (50)
10. Boxer (49)
11. Pomeranian (47)
12. Yorkshire terrier (46)
13. Jack Russel terrier (45)
14. Mastiff (45)
15. French bulldog (37)

Highlighting Films Where the Dog Is the Star

Since dogs are often at the center of our lives, it’s no surprise they’re at the center of some movies, too! Here are some movies that feature dogs as the main character:

• Hachi: A Dog’s Tale – This film follows Hachiko, an Akita dog who waits for his owner at a train station every day, even after the owner’s death. This touching film showcases the love and loyalty that dogs have for their owners. According to IMDb, this movie is one of the highest ranking dog films, with an 8.1 star average from 315,000 reviews.
• A Dog’s Purpose – The modern film explores the meaning of life and the bond between dogs and humans. It tells the story of a dog who reincarnates into several dogs’ lives over the decades.
• Marley & Me – This comedic and emotional tale delves into the life of a mischievous Labrador who causes chaos to teach his owners about life. In this film, 22 different dogs played the role of Marley because the film covered a span of 14 years of the pup’s life. In IMDb’s list, Marley & Me ranks fourth with an average of 7.0 stars from 169,000 reviews

Dogs in Film: Our Favorite Characters

At Pet Palace, we love dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds. But to complete this post about dog breeds in movies, we need to talk about our absolute favorite characters and their breeds’ fame.

Here are our top five favorite stars in shows and movies:

• Bruiser Woods from Legally Blonde – Talk about a pup that is down for any adventure! Bruiser knows how to fetch the mail, take a trip to the nail salon, and, of course, be the best support system when his owner wants to go to Harvard Law School. This chihuahua also looks great while doing it! We loved watching Bruiser as Elle Woods’s sidekick in this cute film about following your dreams.
• Comet from Full House – Comet is an adorable golden retriever who was loved deeply by the Tanner family. He grew up alongside Stephanie, DJ, and Michelle and was truly a family man who added the cutest personality to the show.
• The Dalmatians in the classic 101 Dalmatians – The loyal dalmatians in this movie prove that family is always most important, and they are willing to fight against any evil woman who stands in their way. While animated, we still appreciated the dog love!
• Clue from The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley – In this series, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen added a furry friend to their dynamic duo, a pup named Clue who helped them solve crimes by dinnertime. Their faithful basset hound sidekick was adorable and a perfect addition!
• Dug from Up – Due to a special collar made by his owner, Dug’s thoughts are translated into English. He has a quirky personality, loves to chase squirrels, and doesn’t take no for an answer. This animated gold retriever perfectly captured the spirit of the breed, and we can’t help but love him!

Allow Us to Treat Your Pup Like a Movie Star!

If you’re a dog lover who needs a place to leave their pup while you’re away (and don’t want them to engage in any sort of mischievous behavior like the ones on from The Secret Life of Pets), Pet Palace is the perfect doggy day care and long-term boarding solution. Our team is passionate about all things pet-related (including film and TV shows, if you couldn’t tell).

Be sure to contact us today to schedule a reservation!

Categories: Dogs