Whether you’ve realized it or not, Disney has created a ton of dog characters for its films. While some are giant friendly sheepdogs, others are tiny pups that are just bursting with energy. We’re here to look at all of these and see what makes them so great. In this list, we’ll be looking only at dogs to appear in Walt Disney Animation Studios films.
As much as we love Doug and Slinky Dog, they’re both in Pixar movies, so they won’t be getting their own entries. Additionally, we’re going to be skipping over Goofy and Pluto. As great as these two are, they’re kind of givens when it comes to the greatest Disney dogs. Finally, animals that are treated like dogs but aren’t really dogs like Stitch and Maximus will also be skipping this list. No, we didn’t have room to include all 101 dalmatians, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t want to. With that said, here are the rest of the greatest dogs to appear in Disney films.
Percy
This pup from Pocahontas was Governor Ratcliffe’s sassy pug. He has loads of personality, and being that he was always at odds with Meeko, he also provided a heap of comic relief.
Being that Percy is from England, he’s used to the finer things in life and knows what it’s like to be pampered. When the ship sends John Smith back to his home country, though, Percy decides to stay behind and can be seen finally making friends with Meeko and Flit.
Nana
Nana is the caring St. Bernard that appears in Peter Pan. She is the Darling children’s nursemaid and is frequently tidying their room or giving them medicine.
When Nana is sent to sleep in the doghouse, it makes everyone in the Darling family sad. She does, however, get a cute moment when Tinker Bell puts some pixie dust on her and she starts to fly. Nana is held back by her leash and can’t join the rest of the gang on an adventure to Neverland, though she does wave goodbye.
Sultan
Though you might not recognize this pup by name, you will recognize where he’s from. Sultan is the footstool from Beauty and the Beast. Though we only get a glimpse of him in his dog form in the original movie, he’s still as cute as possible and frequently fills the castle with fun.
In the 2017 live-action Beauty and the Beast, the dog’s name is Froufrou. This version of the pup is portrayed by a Yorkshire Terrier.
Bruno
Cinderella’s father gave Bruno to his daughter when he was just a puppy. Being that Cinderella had to live under the evil rule of her stepmother, Bruno has always felt sympathy on her and has continually proven his loyalty.
Though sometimes he is sent out of the house by Lady Tremaine, he gets his revenge on the cat Lucifer by frightening him out the window at the end of the film.
Little Brother
Mulan’s energetic pup knows how to help his owner out with her chores. Though he successfully feeds the chickens he also, unfortunately, disturbs the prayers of Mulan’s father in the process.
This lively dog makes a brief cameo in Tarzan as one of the items that falls from the professor’s pocket when a gorilla shakes him. It’s also worth noting that Little Brother’s barks are provided by the same voice actor that portrays the titular alien inLilo & Stitch.
Bolt
The only computer-animated dog to make this list is none other than Bolt, who is also one of the few pups to receive his own movie. Bolt is an American White Sheppard who has believed he’s had superpowers for his entire life, having starred in an action TV show alongside his owner, Penny. When Bolt is whisked out of his fantasy world, however, he has to figure out how to get back to Penny and come to grips with reality.
Bolt’s film was met with overall positive reviews and even though it’s somewhat faded into the background in recent years, it’s impossible for us to forget this super dog.
Max
Prince Eric’s sheepdog is first seen on the ship in The Little Mermaid during the opening sequence. Max later scouts out Ariel while she watches Eric’s birthday party from the water. He then again encounters her on the beach after she’s gained a pair of legs.
Max has good instincts and can tell that Vanessa (Ursula’s human counterpart) is evil right away. He also knows that Ariel and Eric should be together, hence the reason he escorts them to each other in the end.
Toby
The lead dog of The Great Mouse Detective is a playful Basset Hound owned by Sherlock Homes. He frequently helps Basil solve cases and is very helpful and loyal to him.
Though most of the animals in the 1986 film are anthropomorphic, Toby and the cat Felicia behave like normal animals. His non-verbal interactions simply add to his charm.
Lady And Tramp
We know, we know… We’re naming two dogs instead of one here, but really, is it possible to pull this pair apart? While Lady is an upper-class Cockerspaniel, Tramp is a Schnauzer mix who is always out on the run from dog-catchers. These two have an adorable romance and also share that iconic spaghetti eating moment together.
Did we mention that these two are about to get their own live-action remake? The new Lady and the Tramp film is set to release on the Disney+ streaming service this coming November 12.
Copper
Copper is the bloodhound from The Fox and the Hound. Though nature says that foxes and hounds shouldn’t be friends, he and Tod become best buds anyway.
As a kid, Copper is curious and kind. However, as an adult, Copper has been trained and is, therefore, a little more serious and reserved. Despite this, he remembers the fun he and Tod had as kids and ultimately spares his life when the moment to do so presents itself.
