5/9/2025
Top dogs on TV: Iconic canine stars who stole the show
Dogs have been making us laugh, cry and say “awww” on our telly screens for nearly a century. Whether they’re the comedic foil in a sitcom or the heroic heart of a drama, these four-legged actors have carved out a place in television history.
Let’s roll credits—and give a round of ap-paws—for six of TV’s most iconic dogs.
Pete the Pup – Our Gang (1927–1938)
Real dog: Pal (the Wonder Dog
Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Before Netflix, before colour TV, there was Pete the Pup—star of Our Gang (The Little Rascals). Known for the black circle around his eye, Pete brought cheeky charm and loyal energy to every misadventure. The original Pete had a naturally occurring eye patch, but after he passed, his son stepped in—complete with a perfectly drawn Max Factor circle to keep the look alive.
Fun fact: Pete was one of the first dogs to gain widespread fame on screen, setting the bar for generations of TV pups to follow.
Image credit: IMDb
Lassie – Lassie (1943 onwards)
Real dog: Pal
Breed: Rough Collie
She rescued kids from wells, barked warnings about danger, and melted hearts with just one soulful look. But behind the legendary Lassie character was Pal, a male Rough Collie who brought the role to life in the original 1943 film—and later starred in the long-running TV series. Beautiful, brave, and clever, Pal's portrayal made Lassie one of the most beloved dog characters of all time.
Breed note: Rough Collies are known for their intelligence, loyalty and grace—all qualities that Lassie delivered in spades.
Image credit: IMDb
Eddie – Frasier (1993–2004)
Real dog: Moose
Breed: Jack Russell Terrier
Let’s be honest—Eddie was the real reason people tuned into Frasier. Played by the expressive and slightly rebellious Moose, Eddie the Jack Russell Terrier became the sitcom’s most unexpected star. Whether silently staring down Dr. Crane or causing chaos in the Crane household, Moose’s comedic timing was impeccable.
Fun fact: Moose's tongue-hanging habit became so loved that it was written into the show as part of Eddie's quirky charm.
Image credit: NBC
Sweep – Sooty (1955–Present)
Real dog: A human hand
Breed: Unknown
We know that all our other entries have been real-life dogs – but Sweep is too iconic to leave off the list! His high-pitched squeak was the soundtrack to many childhoods, and his little mischievous streak has provided entertainment to many generations.
Fun fact: Sweep loves sausages and anything about sausages.
Image credit: Sooty Instagram
Blue Peter Dogs – Blue Peter (1960s–present)
Real dogs: From Petra to Goldie, Shep to Barney
Breeds: Various
No children’s TV show celebrated dogs quite like Blue Peter. Starting with Petra in 1962, the show has had a long line of canine companions—Shep the Border Collie (famous for John Noakes’ cry of “Get down, Shep!”) became a household name, while later dogs like Bonnie, Mabel and Barney kept the tradition alive. They weren’t just pets-they were part of the presenting team!
Fun fact: Petra was the very first Blue Peter dog and even has a statue outside BBC Broadcasting House.
Image credit: BBC1
Wishbone – Wishbone (1995–1998)
Real dog: Soccer
Breed: Jack Russell Terrier
Is that a dog… dressed as Cyrano de Bergerac? Why yes, yes it is. Soccer played Wishbone, the storytelling star of this 90s PBS gem. Each episode saw this clever Jack Russell dive into the world of classic literature—becoming everyone from Sherlock Holmes to Robin Hood, all while helping his human pals learn a life lesson or two.
Fun fact: Soccer's expressive face made him the perfect pick for a role that demanded costume changes and emotional nuance. Yes, he had range
Image credit: Texas Monthly
Cheddar – Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021)
Real dog: Stewart
Breed: Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Tough on crime, soft in the middle—Cheddar the Corgi was the unofficial MVP of the 99th precinct. Played by Stewart (and later by his sister Stella), Cheddar brought comic relief, cuteness and a surprising amount of authority to Brooklyn Nine-Nine. From cake heists to Halloween heists, he was always in on the action.
Fun fact: Stewart was known for purposefully repeating funny “mistakes” on set to get more laughs. A true professional.
Image credit: That's Normal
The Littlest Hobo – The Littlest Hobo (1958 & 1963–1985)
Real dog: London
Breed: German Shepherd
While Lassie was America’s dog, Canada had The Littlest Hobo—a wandering German Shepherd named London who travelled from town to town helping people in need. With no home, no owner, and a nose for justice, Hobo left every place a little better than he found it before moving on.
Fun fact: Though London starred in several films, it was his TV adventures that made him an international canine icon—especially with that hauntingly catchy theme tune.
Image credit: Wikipedia
Pippin – Come Outside (1993–1997)
Real dog: Pippin (season one) and Mr. Higgins (season two and three)
Breed: Bearded collie and Tibetan Terrier crossbreed
Pippin lived with Auntie Mabel, in a house remote enough to have its own airfield. The show was created to teach children about the world around them, often featuring ‘How it’s made’ style segments inside factories, manufacturers and farms. In every episode, Pippin and Auntie Mabel travel by their (rather cool but not environmentally friendly) plane, piloted by Auntie Mabel – what a woman!
Fun fact: Pippin was the descendant of the famous American acting dog ‘Benji’. Mr. Higgins became the face of Bakers dog food.
Image credit: BBC
Whether chasing down criminals, rescuing children, or playing Romeo in a ruff, these TV dogs have proven time and again that you don’t need dialogue to deliver a powerful performance. They’re more than pets—they’re legends.
Got a favourite dog on screen we missed? Let us know—we’re always open to a reboot!