Now I love all animals, big or small, furry, feathered and even scaly, they all get my appreciation. Yet in the domestic sense cats and dogs dominate our lives. As much as I love our friends of the feline variety, I accept the fact that they are kind of pricks. Aloof, indifferent, cold, judgmental and only offering companionship in exchange for food and affection. At least you know where you stand with them. Still they are a lot of fun and YouTube would have died without their clumsy contributions.
However, when it comes to dogs, I think they are the….well…Dog’s Bollocks. Adorable and adoring, they are fun frolicking creatures who are lovingly loyally and wonderfully wonderful. In fact, I cannot walk past a dog without spending at least an hour hugging, embracing, and loving it. Dogs are the best.
Today is National Dog’s Day so we’re taking a look at the best dogs on film!
Bosco – The Voices (2015)
The newest entry to the list is Bosco the cute, lovable, slightly simple pooch pal to Ryan Reynolds Jerry in The Voices. As his evil Cat Mr Whiskers tries to convert Jerry to the dark side Bosco proves wholly that dogs really are good to the chore. Reassuring Jerry that he is, in fact, good and that killing is not the way to feel alive, Bosco is the loyal pup we all need. Yet as Jerry’s delusions progress Bosco’s faith in his owner is tested as he commits ever more horrific acts. It is very telling that when the film makers were choosing to represent the good and bad side of Jerry’s conscience they choose the dog for good and the cat for bad.
Or as Bosco would say to Mr Whiskers ‘yeah, shut up cat’.
Mr Peabody – Mr Peabody and Sherman (2014)

Sparky – Frankenweenie (2012)
Frank – Men in Black (1997 – 2012)
Rowlf – The Muppets (1970 -Present)


Gromit – Wallace and Gromit (1990 – Present)
Beethoven – Beethoven (1992)


Lassie – Lassie Come Home (1943)


Now this may be a tearjerker option but even the strongest amongst us shed a tear for Lassie in her various forms. The tale of the heroic Border collie that repeatedly gets separated from her family and makes her way home has engaged generations of viewers. Her films endorse the idea that dogs are as much our protectors as they are our friends. Whenever a human was in need of saving or protecting Lassie would be there. It may be an old fashioned concept but it really dose warm your heart.
Shadow – Homeward Bound (1993)


Shadow – the Golden Retriever from the Homeward Bound film – is the embodiment of man’s best friend. When Shadow, fellow dog Chance and cat Sassy are placed at a farm while their family are away the animals collectively decide to return home. Through wilderness, on a cross country adventure the animals must face the element to return to their family.
Yes it is cheesy but by hearing all three animal’s thoughts through voice overs we grow to love the three very different characters. None more so than wise leader Shadow. As young Chance and high maintenance Sassy, (typical cat) lose faith in themselves and their humans Shadow never doubts that he must get home to look after his boy Peter. And frankly, if you do not cry when shadow finally comes over the horizon back to his best friend than its official, you have no soul!
Dug – Up (2009)
Dug is absolutely everything we love in our K9 companions and more. Happy, loving, enthusiastic, brave and loyal as they come. Dug joins old misfit Carl Frekricksen as he attempts to take his house, which is elevated by balloons, to Paradise Falls. As the last wish of he now deceased wife Mt Fredricksen’s determination to reach his goal sometime clouds his judgment. But with the help of Dug and a young Wilderness Explorer called Russell he soon realises what is important. Dugs ability to love everyone instantly even eventually breaks Mr Fredricksen.
Despite wearing a collar that translates all his thoughts into human speech Dug still feels like a regular dog. His level of excitement at the sight of a ball or the way a squirrel will interrupt his thought process is so accurate of his breed. The moment in the film where Mr Fredrickson yells at him will break anyone’s heart but like all dogs Dug is quick to forgive and comes back to his master
Happy National Dog Day!