Through the annals of history, the dog has been a constant fixture when it comes to companionship. Despite the other pets that people have welcomed into their homes and hearts, it is the dog that has clearly stood out. In addition to real living dogs, there have been various instances where dogs have featured prominently in literature and the arts as well. Many a myth have had a reference to the role played by a dog. Similarly, many Hollywood productions too have found their stories revolving around a dog. Here, in alphabetical order, we shall see prominent dogs, both living as well as imaginary. Let us discuss about the different type of dogs that will prove to be the inspirational for you. Please explore the full article.
Anubis – Ancient Egyptian God
The God of Death, Anubis, is an important deity in Ancient Egypt. Anubis is either depicted as a jackal, or shown as a man with the head of a jackal. For the people of Ancient Egypt, Anubis held a place of significance as he wielded power both over their bodies while they lived as well as their spirits when they had left the mortal world. Initially, Anubis was feared as the God of Death. However, after the Middle Kingdom, this type of dogs were relegated to the position of an assistant while Osiris took over the mantle of the God of Death.
Argus – Odysseus’s dog
As per Greek Mythology, Argus, or Argos as he was commonly referred to, was the faithful canine of Odysseus. When Odysseus returned to his homeland Ithaca after about 20 years, there was none who recognized him, none, that is, except Argos. Despite over 20 years having elapsed and regardless of the fact that Odysseus came home in the guise of a beggar, Argos knew his master at once. Argos dropped down his ears as a greeting and tried his best at wagging his tail. Moments later, at peace that his master had indeed returned, Argos took his last breath and died.
Balto – Siberian Husky
Balto is a real life hero. This type of dogs (A Siberian Husky) with a black and white coat, Balto was a sled dog who had an important role to play in the year 1925 in the transportation of diphtheria serum– with the help of dog sleds –all the way from Anchorage in Alaska to Nome, via Nenana. While there were other dogs as well who pulled the sledge through the blizzard, Balto is somewhat better known as he lead the final 55 miles stretch of the journey.
Bingo
Bingo is the name of a dog – presumably a Collie cross – who was the main lead in the 1991 movie of the same name. A runaway from the circus, Bingo saves the life of a young boy called Chuckie. While the dog is a runaway, the boy is considered something of an outcast in his own family. Understandably enough, the two bond well.
Black Shuck – The Spectre Hound
Legends involving great black dogs have been an important part of the folklore especially in the British Isles. While a beast called Barghest is associated with North Yorkshire, Black Shuck is said to belong to East Anglia. A prominent mention of the great apparition-like black dog can be seen in The Hound of Baskervilles, a well-known classic penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Usually coming out in the night, black dogs such as Black Shuck, are said to be in close connivance with the Devil himself. The appearance of the Black Shuck is said to signal impending death and disaster.
Blondi
One of the favorite type of dogs of Adolf Hitler, Blondi was a German Shepherd. Blondi was a constant companion and always stayed by his master’s side. Blondi also featured prominently in the Nazi propaganda. With Adolf Hitler often being seen with Blondi, people were lead to believe that Hitler was a great animal lover. Towards the end, when Hitler had resolved to commit suicide with his wife Eva Braun, Hitler got his physician to test the cyanide capsules on Blondi prior to Hitler and his wife ingesting the same. Blondi died soon after.
Boatswain – Lord Byron’s Dog
Lord Byron, an English poet, was a prominent face of the Romantic Movement in Literature. Though renowned for many of his poems – such as “She Walks in Beauty” – Lord Byron was also a great lover of animals. While he kept many pets throughout his lifetime, a great favorite of his was a Newfoundland dog called Boatswain. Though a Newfoundland, Boatswain is seen to closely resemble a large Collie as depicted in a portrait hanging in Newstead Abbey at Nottinghamshire, where the dog lies buried. The love that Lord Bryon had for Boatswain is testified by the fact that a huge tombstone can be seen over the grave with an inscription containing a poem commonly referred to as “An Epitaph to a Dog”.
Bob – The Parliamentary Candidate
It was in the year 1982 that a Springer Spaniel by the name of Bob stood for election to Parliament. This was one of the unique type of dogs case that took participation in elections as well.
Owned by Lord David Sutch, who was often also referred to as the “Screaming Lord Sutch”, Bob represented the so-called Official Monster Raving Loony Party. A party established in 1983 by the famous David Sutch, a musician, it was known primarily for its bizarre policies that generated much shock value.
Bullseye — Fictional Dog from Oliver Twist
An important character on its own in the classic Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, Bullseye is the constant companion of William ‘Bill’ Sikes. A Bull Terrier, Bullseye is probably as vicious as his master Bill Sikes. The characterization of Bullseye is especially brutal, making him probably one of the most menacing type of dogs in literature.
Cafall – Noble Dog of King Arthur
Cafall, also referred to as Cavall at certain places, was King Arthur’s favorite dog. Nighty and brave, Cavall was a dog known for its loyalty and regal bearing. It is said that during the course of a stag hunt, Cafall was usually the last dog to be set loose.
Cerberus – The Hound of Hades
As per Greek mythology, Cerberus was a fearsome creature – with 3 heads resembling the heads of wild dogs, snake heads all over the body and a serpent’s tail as well. Known as the guard dog protecting the gates of Hades, the underworld to which the spirits pass after they have left the mortal world, Cerberus was indeed a nightmarish character to behold.
Crab – The Shakespearean Dog
The only dog to have featured in a play by William Shakespeare is Crab. The play in question is Two Gentlemen of Verona, is which Crab, the dog, makes an appearance at Act II, Scenes iii-iv. Crab belongs to Launce, the servant of Proteus. In the play, Launce is seen lamenting the fact that while all his family members are upset by his imminent departure, his dog does not appear to be particularly concerned.
Flash – TV Dog
A Basset Hound, Flash had a significant role in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard. Aired from 1979 to 1985, the series had a prominent character named Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. Flash was Rosco’s dog and was introduced in the beginning of the third season. Codenamed “Red Dog”, Flash came to be closely associated with the series.
Fluffy
Fluffy is a type of dogs in Harry Potter series, modeled by J.K. Rowling on Cerberus, the mythical three-headed dog that guarded the entrance to Hades.
Flush
Flush was the name of the pet dog owned by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. An invalid confined indoors, Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an English poet of repute as well. Her love for poetry as well as for her dog come together in the poem “To Flush, My Dog”.
Greyfriars Bobby
A Skye Terrier, Greyfriars Bobby was the pet dog of a person named John Gray or Old Jock. On the death of John Gray, he was buried at Greyfriars Church in Edinburgh. It is said that the faithful dog of John Gray slept on his master’s grave until he died himself 14 years later. A statue of Greyfriars Bobby was since erected to pay homage to the loyalty that the dog had for its master.
Hachiko – Japanese symbol of loyalty
An Akita dog, Hachiko is remembered for his fierce loyalty towards his master Dr. Eisaburo Ueno, a professor at the Tokyo University. Following the death of his master on May 21, 1925, Hachiko kept returning to the Shibuya Railway Station for as many as 9 years, waiting for his master and returning all alone after some time. Each year on April 8, a special ceremony is held at the Shibuya Railway Station to commemorate the memory of Hachiko.
K9
K9, or K-9 as he is also referred to, is the name accorded to various robotic dogs in Doctor Who, a popular television series first aired in 1977. Though originally K9 was designed and introduced in the series keeping a much younger audience in mind, Doctor Who became quite popular among young and old alike; in the process, making K9 a household name.
Lady and the Tramp
The family dog of Walt Disney was a Poodle named Lady. It is said that this very same Lady was the inspiration behind the animation movie Lady and the Tramp, produced by Walt Disney and released in theatres on June 22, 1955. The movie follows the story of a snobbish American Cocker Spaniel named Lady and a stray dog called Tramp.
Lassie
Lassie, a fictitious character, is a Rough Collie made famous by the movie Lassie Come Home. Though initially a part of a short story, the character of Lassie was expanded into a full-length feature film later on. Created by Eric Night, this Lassie can be seen to be quite similar to another fictitious character – that of another Collie called Lassie who was a part of Elizabeth Gaskell’s short story, published in 1859, called “The Half Brothers”.
Luath
One of the type of dogs owned by Robert Burns, Luath is one of the prominent dogs from history. Testimony to the fact that the dog Luath was quite beloved of Robert Burn’s is borne by the fact that Burns even composed a poem dedicated to dogs.
Max
The dog in Dr. Seuss’s famous The Grinch Who Stole Christmas was named Max. As part of the plan of Grinch to undermine the spirit of Christmas, he creates a Santa suit and sleigh – with his own dog Max harnessed as a deer – and flies all over Whovillle, taking stops to steal the Christmas gifts from the different households. The dog who played the role of Max was Kelley, with the voice provided by Frank Welker. Max was the only companion that Mr. Grinch had on Mount Crumpit.
Nana – The Darling’s Dog in Peter Pan
J.M. Barrie’s writings concerning Peter Pan have quite a commendable following. Nana was the name of a Newfoundland dog that was owned by the Darling family in Peter Pan stories. Nana howled to signal the flying away of the children. Despite the warning howl, Mr Darling did nothing. Later, he was so upset at the loss of his children that he slept in Nana’s kennel till the children were safe back at home.
Nipper – His Master’s Voice
Nipper, type of dogs, is most commonly associated with the logo of the record label for His Master’s Voice, usually called HMV. Originally, the model for a painting, also entitled His Master’s Voice, the painting by Francis Barraud depicted Nipper looking down into a phonograph.
Old Shep – Faithful American dog
Lovingly referred to as Old Shep, Shep was the name given to a herding dog that first appeared, in the year 1936, at a railway station in Fort Benton, Montana. Appearing while a casket was being loaded onto the train, Shep kept coming back to the station at the approach of any incoming train. The station employees eventually realized that the casket that was carried onto the train was probably Shep’s master. In 1994, a bronze statue of Shep by Bob Scriver was unveiled at Fort Benton, to commemorate the memory of the faithful American dog.
Pickles – The World Cup Dog
Pickles, a mixed breed Collie, was made famous by his recovery of the Jules Rimet Trophy. The winners of the FIFA World Cup are awarded a gold trophy. Over the years, two trophies have been used. From 1930 to 1970, the Jules Rimet Trophy was used. Originally named Victory, the Jules Rimet Trophy was named after the FIFA President. It was stolen on March 20, 1966, just a couple of months before the commencement of the World Cup. Pickles discovered it a mere seven days later, wrapped in a newspaper, lying at the bottom of a hedge in South London.
Pongo and Perdita
The main protagonists of the Disney production 101 Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita are the senior-most among the Dalmatians, most of the other dogs being their offsprings.
Quoodle
“The Song of Quoodle” is a famous poem dedicated to dogs, composed by an eminent English Poet as well as journalist by the name of G.K. Chesterton.
Rin Tin Tin
A male German Shepherd, Rin Tin Tin or Rin-Tin-Tin as he was also referred to, was a prominent star in Hollywood. Appearing in as many as 27 Hollywood movies, Rin Tin Tin gradually gained worldwide fame and popularity. Rin Tin Tin, along with another canine movie star Strongheart, was greatly responsible for increasing the popularity of German Shepherds as reliable family pets.
Robot – The Lascaux Cave Paintings
The name of Robot, the type of dogs, is synonymous with the Lascaux Cave paintings in southwestern France. The Lascaux Cave Paintings were discovered in 1940 by Robot on an adventure with four boys – Marcel Ravidat, Georges Agnel, Simon Coencas and Jacques Marsal. Robot belonged to Marcel Ravidat who was seventeen years old at the time of the discovery of the cave paintings.
Rover
Rover is universally believed to be the first canine movie star. Starring in the successful production Rescued by Rover, released in 1905, Rover was the screen name of the dog named Blair. A short and silent movie belonging to the genre of drama, Rescued by Rover struck a chord with the audiences with the emotional depiction of the rescue by the family dog of the kidnapped child.
Scylla – The She-Dragon
A prominent figure in Greek Mythology, Scylla was a she-dragon. With the upper body of a woman, Scylla had the tail of a serpent along with forepaws of as many as six dogs in place of her legs. Scylla features prominently in various works of literature, such as – Homer’s Odyssey, Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Keats’s Endymion.
Suening – The Dog King
The ruler of Norway, King Eystein, decreed between the years 1104 and 1123 that a dog called Suening would rule in his stead. As a result, Suening the type of dogs were seen to routinely sign decrees, for the next three years, with his paw prints. This was done by King Eystein for punishing the people that he ruled over.
The Bandog
The Bandog, or Bandogge, is believed to be a term used for referring to a large-sized Mastiff with especially large jaws spewing flames. Regarded as the guardian of buried treasure in Ireland, the Bandog is projected as quite a ruthless dog.
The Dam Buster Dog
Dubbed as the Dam Busters Raid by the common populace, Operation Chastise was conducted on May 16-17, 1943 with the objective of attacking German dams, such as the Edersee Dam, the Möhne Dam and the Sorpe Dam.
Nigger, a Labrador Retriever, belonged to Guy Gibson, the Squadron Leader for Operation Chastise. Gibson gave his dog’s name ‘Nigger’ as a codename in Morse to indicate the success of the operation. Unfortunately, Nigger was run over just before the raid. Nevertheless, Guy Gibson ordered the dog to be buried exactly at midnight, the same time that the raid was being conducted.
The Hound of the Baskervilles
A prominent crime novel featuring the legendary Sherlock Holmes, The Hound of the Baskervilles is considered to be one of the best works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Featuring a terrifying beast that could usually be seen prowling at night, the Hound of the Baskervilles is believed to have been inspired by the British legend of Black Shuck in Norfolk.
Thisbe
Belonging to Marie Antoinette of France, Thisbe was a Spaniel that was her constant companion in her later years. Many stories of the French Revolution draw parallels between Thisbe and Greyfrairs Bobby in terms of unflinching loyalty. Thisbe was indeed with Marie Antoinette and her family all the time that they were imprisoned within the Temple.
Timmy
Timmy, type of dogs, came to be well-known by The Famous Five series penned by Enid Blyton. Proving to be immensely popular especially among young readers, The Famous Five books follow the adventures of children – Dick, Anne, Georgina or George, Julian – and their dog Timmy. Timmy, as is quite evident, is the fifth member of the “famous five”.
Toby – The Richest Dog in the World
Toby, or Tobey Rimes as he is also referred to, has the unique distinction of being dubbed the “richest dog in the world”. Belonging to Ella Wendel, a spinster who, on her death in 1932, bequeathed all of her reportedly 75 million dollars to her faithful Poodle called Tobey Rimes. It is said that Tobey had his own plot of ground in which to romp around, his own private bed to sleep in, as well as a velvet-colored dining table all his own. Ella Wendel is believed to have been considerably fonder of her dog than of anyone else, a fact testified by her will.
Toto – Dorothy’s dog – The Wizard of Oz
The talking dog in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Toto belonged to the main protagonist Dorothy Gale. Though the author himself did not specifically mention the breed of Toto, a prominent illustrator of the work W.W. Denslow drew up the dog to be a Cairn Terrier.
The stuff of urban legends and myths, dogs have also featured quite prominently both in the real world as well as in the world of fiction. There have been many type of dogs recorded in history that were especially noted for their fierce loyalty to their masters. There have been quite a significant number of dogs that might prove to be an inspiration for almost anyone.
