Doggone Movies: Puppies in Film

Monday, March 23 is National Puppy Day! I know! There's a day just for puppies! Isn't it awesome?!

So here is a list of all the cutest pooches who have ever wagged a tail on the silver screen. (I promise not to pick all dead-dog movies)

Asta- "The Thin Man" Series (1936, 1939, 1941, 1945, 1947, 1957-1959)

This Wire Fox Terrier (named Skippy) compliments the perfect pair of William Powell and Myrna Loy. The pup starred in all 6 Thin Man movies and the TV show (Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk replaced the original Charles's).

Skip- "My Dog Skip" (2000)

A Jack Russell Terrier becomes a boy's best friends, getting him through bullies, criminals, and a world war. 

(Warning: Bring tissues)

Buddy- "Air Bud" Series (first 2) (1997, 1998)

This is not your average Golden Retriever. He also can dunk and make touchdowns! This dogged, named Buddy, was only in the first 2 films. (This pup also played Comet on an episode of "Full House")

Zero- "Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993)

As Jack Skellington's ghost dog, Zero's life is quite a scream. With his glowing pumpkin nose, he is also able to lead the sleigh and save Christmas.

Lady and Tramp- "Lady and the Tramp" (1955)

These two love pups (an American Cocker Spaniel and a mutt) meet in the most unlikely of ways and have one of the cutest first dates ever.

Stitch- "Lilo and Stitch" (2002)

Ok, so this is a cheat. Stitch is actually an alien posing as a dog. But he sure does make a great best friend.

Toto- "Wizard of Oz" (1939)

This little brindle Cairn terrier (played by a female named Terry) was paid $125 a week (more than many of the human actors).

Milo- "The Mask" (1994)

A brown and white Jack Russell Terrier named Max played this little bundle of joy who confused "keys" with "cheese". At least he's cute right? It was the pups first movie and some of the times struggled to listen to his cues. One of the mistakes that made it to print was the scene when Milo wouldn't let go of the Frisbee so Stanley puts Milo and the Frisbee into the closet with the stolen money.

Hooch- "Turner and Hooch" (1989)

 This French Mastiff named Beasley is the true heart and soul of this movie. He just shows that big dogs are not scary but big softies.

Bolt- "Bolt" (2008)

Bolt is the actor dog who doesn't know he's acting. Played by John Travolta, he believes he lives life fighting crime as a superhero dog with his owner Penny (played by Miley Cyrus), but in fact the whole thing is set up for a TV show. Bolt's breed is never specified but animators based him off of a white German Shepherd.

Slinky- "Toy Story" Series (1995, 1999, 2010)

Again, a small cheat. Slinky is part dog part Slinky toy. But he is a loyal friend to Woody.

All 101/2 Dalmatians- "101 Dalmatians"(1961-animated) (1996-live-action), "102 Dalmatians" (2000)

The first animated film had 101 spotted puppies and the next movie introduced us to Dipstick's (one of the original 101 pups) children (one of whom takes a while to get her spots) and more than a few other spotted puppies to make a grand total of 102. So I guess that's a total of 202 puppies! Big enough for a Dalmatian Plantation.

Hercules- "The Sandlot" (1993)

Known throughout the beginning of the movie as The Beast, this English Mastiff turns out to be a big softy who loves baseball.

Hachi- "Hachi" (2009)

One of the saddest dog movies ever!! This loyal Akita Inu's movie is based off of a true story about a man (played by Richard Gere) who finds a lost puppy at the train station and the two become best friends forever.

Maya- "Eight Below" (2006)

This Siberian Husky bravely faces the wild Antarctic with her team of other Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamutes when they get left behind by their owner Paul Walker. It's a Disney movie so you know it has a happy ending. (This pretty girl also was in "Snow Dogs")

Demon- "Snow Dogs" (2002)

This Siberian Husky named Don Juan or D.J. for short also played Max in "Snow Dogs". In this movie, he is the trouble making lead dog of a sled team who likes to give their new owner Cuba Gooding Jr. a difficult time.

Charlie- "All Dogs Go to Heaven" (1989)

Enough though this movie is on the "Kids Movie Not Made for Kids" movie list, the dog is still cute. Charlie is a German Shepherd who cheats death by stealing a watch from an angel. On the way he meets the sweet orphan Annemarie.

Jenna- "Balto" (1995)

This red husky is the dog of an adorable little girl and the love interest of the famous real-life dog Balto (although Balto is a wolf-dog hybrid in this movie he was a dog in real life).

Rhett- "Steel Magnolias" (1989)

Rhett is the St. Bernard of ill-tempered Ouiser from the cry-your-eyes-out movie that every mother and daughter needs to see.

Copper- "Fox and the Hound" (1981)

The tears are coming even thinking about this movie! Copper is the adorable Hound Dog who becomes best friends with Todd, a red fox. The pair are told that they should be natural enemies, but they would rather stay friends.