Our Favorite Movie Dogs Ever

With The Secret Life of Pets hitting theaters a few weeks ago, who are the best movie dogs out there? If you think about it, there have been a lot of memorable hounds onscreen over the years, from Lassie to Max in Secret Life. So we present, the definitive top 10 movie dogs out there. Of course, while it’s fun to rank these pups, they’re all good dogs, very good dogs.

10. Chance and Shadow from Homeward Bound

This movie taught us that our dogs love us as much as we love them. And they miss us as much as we miss them. And they always are trying to come home to us.

9. Lady and the Tramp from Lady and the Tramp

What is cuter than cute dogs? Cute dogs who fall in love and eat spaghetti together.

8. Toto from The Wizard of Oz

We are very, very happy the Wicked Witch of the West did not get “your little dog, too.” Toto is low key the MVP of The Wizard of Oz, like when he pulls the curtain back on the Wizard himself. Dorothy would have really been lost without him.

7. Uggie from The Artist

Uggie died almost a year ago, but not before publishing a book and becoming the first dog to leave his footprints outside Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Not bad for the scene stealer from an Oscar best picture-winning movie.

6. Lassie from Lassie Come Home

The original. The movie dog all other movie dogs need to live up to.

5. Hercules, aka The Beast from The Sandlot

The most misunderstood dog in movie history just really liked baseballs. Especially priceless ones signed by Babe Ruth. Plus, he was better as a team mascot than “The Beast.”

4. Buddy from Air Bud

He can play basketball. Buddy does not need more to make him great. You hear that, all you sequels where he played football and whatnot? Basketball was enough.

3. Beethoven from Beethoven

The perfect balance of adorable and mischievous, the St. Bernard helped a family love each other.

2. Marley from Marley and Me

Marley (sob) is great (sob). He’s cute (sob) and loyal (sob) and we miss him (sob) very much.

1. Dug from Up

Dug is the best movie dog because Dug is your dog. At least, that’s what it felt like when Pixar put voice to all the little quirks of your best friend. “I hid under your porch because I love you.” “Squirrel!” That’s how your dog thinks and that’s why you love him/her.

If you got through this list without tearing up a bit, you’re probably a cat person. And we can’t help you.

Do you know of a canine charity that deserves recognition of their commitment to the healing power of the human-dog connection? Nominate them in our DGP Cares “Paws For A Cause” contest and they will be eligible to win a $500 donation.

Related: The Secret Life of Pets Movie