Dogs can be a pain. They chew on shoes, pee on furniture, dig holes and bark at all hours of the night. When it comes down to it though, they really are man’s best friend, and since the dawn of television, countless dogs have appeared, including a few stars of the show. Cartoon dogs are even more special. They can solve puzzles, talk to babies, walk on their hind legs and will remain loyal no matter what hair-brained scheme their owner gets them into. We look at the most loyal, interesting and awesome tail wagers around.
10. Spunky (Rocko’s Modern Life)
Though he’s the least intelligent of all on this list, he’s still loveable. Sure, he drools and stares off on most occasion and drags his butt instead of walking on four legs, but that doesn’t make him any less loyal. He often plays a central role in episodes, which is more than some dogs do. So, how lazy could Spunky really be?
9. Odie (Garfield)
Though Garfield constantly calls Odie an idiot, the beagle is perhaps the smartest character of the comic strip. Think about it: he never talks (though he probably can) so that his dirty laundry isn’t aired in every newspaper in the country. One comic strip showed him listening to classical music and reading War and Peace. Just another stupid dog? We think not.
8. Blue (Blue’s Clues)
We all thought Blue was a boy, but in reality Blue was a she. And she was one of the best detectives ever. Even though she couldn’t talk, she helped her incompetent owner figure out the puzzle by carefully selecting only three clues. She also could jump through magical drawings into another dimension. Can your dog do that trick?
7. Spike (Rugrats)
Used by talking babies as a faithful steed, Spike is always there to protect Tommy and the crew when needed. In fact he watches over them more closely than Mr. and Mrs. Pickles. He seems like an average mutt, but in reality a fictional breed was created just for him: Siberian Tiger Hound.
6. Porkchop (Doug)
Often billed as a modern day Snoopy, Porkchop helps out his owner in various situations, but never steals the spotlight. He’s the ideal best friend, and after all, isn’t that what it’s all about? Porkchop is even the sidekick of Doug’s alter-egos—most notably as Quail Dog.
5. Santa’s Little Helper (The Simpsons)
Another heart warming tale, this time of a racing dog who gets abandoned by his owner and adopted by your favorite cartoon family: the Simpsons. Homer and the clan have shown varying degrees of love towards him. He’s often neglected and even has found new owners through the series run. Nevertheless, he always finds a way back into the arms of his family.
4. Pluto (Disney)
In a world where animals walk, talk, have jobs and can drive, Pluto sure did draw the short stick. He can’t do any of those things and his owner is a mouse that it larger than him. Pluto never complains however. He has found love and has starred in countless animated shorts.
3. Scooby-Doo (Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!)
Aside from a speech impediment and the occasional lack of brains, Scooby solves nearly all of the cases the Gang takes on. Along with owner, Shaggy, the loyal dog goes after costumed villains week after week and never ask for anything more than a Scooby Snack…whatever those may be.
2. Brian (Family Guy)
Unlike most of the dogs on this list, Brian is clearly the least like a dog. This anthropomorphic dog walks on his hind legs, has opposable thumbs, can talk to humans and understand a baby that no one else is able to communicate with. Brian has written a novel, a script and a best selling self-help book.
1. Snoopy (Peanuts)
He transcends all boarders when it comes to cartoon dogs. Aside from comic strips and television, Snoopy became the official mascot for Aerospace safety and even had a lunar module named after him. Countless bomber planes, blimps and other flying machines have been named in his honor. He’s a dog with more imagination than most people.