The 20 Greatest TV Dogs

If you ask those who love them, dogs are basically furry kids: they make a mess, they entertain you with goofball behavior, they sulk, occasionally bark back and they’re always scrounging for food. We know they really do make a great addition to the family, and life without them quickly becomes unimaginable.

The same goes for some of the greatest TV shows and families. Can you imagine Frasier without Martin’s trusted sidekick Eddie? It’s impossible. Some of our other favorite pooches simply make a guest appearance, contaminating sets with their gassy tendencies and offering a show’s audience a new breath of farty air. Whatever their role in the greater narratives of their respective TV shows, we love these guys dearly. Here are our picks for the 20 greatest TV dogs.

1 of 21 Brian, Family Guy: Brian is probably the only sensible male in the Griffin family. He brings Stewie back to reality whenever he's off plotting to conquer the world and is the first to point out the stupidity of most of Peter's ideas. He's an intelligent, yet unemployed writer with mad love for Lois.

2 of 21 Arnold, Entourage: Arnold the Rottweiler was initially "hired" to protect Vince's mansion and his entourage. But as it turns out, Arnold is just a big love-bug who became part of the pack instead.

3 of 21 Snuffles, Rick and Morty: If dogs understood television, Snuffles – or Snowball, as he is now known – would be their idol. He's all cute and fluffy until Rick invents an IQ-enhancing helmet for him. That's when he realizes the abuse he has suffered at the hand of man and turns the whole thing around….

4 of 21 Destiny, Mongrels: The BBC described her best: "Like all sweet teenage female romantics, she has the dead-eyed psychotic ruthlessness of a freelance Serbian assassin when it comes to getting what she wants."

5 of 21 Champion, Parks and Recreation: As if Andy and April weren't the perfect couple already, they went on to adopt the sweetest, three-legged little "Champion" from the pound, making them the stars of Pawnee.

6 of 21 Paul Anka, Gilmore Girls: Yes, Lorelai Gilmore's dog was named Paul Anka. AKA "The Amazing Doggy Swami"?

7 of 21 Mr. Peanutbutter, Bojack Horseman: He may not be sharpest tool in the shed but he's got a heart of gold: Mr. Peanutbutter has the loved-up eyes of a Golden Retriever and the high energy and excitement of a Labrador.

8 of 21 Colin, Spaced: You'd think Daisy would have her hands full, what with her boding writing career and all. But we can't blame her for finding a welcomed distraction in Colin.

9 of 21 Cat Stevens, Californication: OK, so this dawg wasn't a regular on the cast of Californication, but his story is pretty entertaining. And a dog called Cat Stevens? Come one!

10 of 21 Santa's Little Helper, The Simpsons: With the love of a dog like Santa's Little Helper, even the gloomiest of silent nights can turn into a jolly affair.