The Best Dog Performances in Movies and TV

If you think your dog deserves an Oscar for “Best Couch Hog,” wait until you see this list.

Den of Geek has rounded up the all-time greatest canine performances in film and television, and the results prove that Hollywood’s biggest stars don’t always walk on two legs.

At the top of the list? The legendary Lassie, or rather the six heroic Collies who shared the role across decades: Pal, Lassie Junior, Spook, Baby, Mire, and Hey Hey. These pups defined loyalty, bravery, and perfectly timed barking, making “Lassie” the ultimate good dog story.

Coming in at #2 is Indy, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever from “Good Boy”, the new horror movie told entirely from a dog’s perspective. The film has been getting attention for its eerie premise and standout canine acting, so this ranking gives Indy some well-earned treats.

Third place goes to Terry, the little Cairn Terrier who stole hearts as Toto in “The Wizard of Oz”. Over 80 years later, Toto’s “We’re not in Kansas anymore” moment still lives rent-free in our collective memory.

Here’s the full Top 10 lineup of Hollywood’s best four-legged performers:

1. Pal, Lassie Junior, Spook, Baby, Mire, and Hey Hey (“Lassie”)
2. Indy (“Good Boy”)
3. Terry as Toto (“The Wizard of Oz”)
4. Spike (“Old Yeller”)
5. Buddy (“Air Bud”)
6. Messi as Snoop (“Anatomy of a Fall”)
7. Uggie (“The Artist”)
8. Higgins and Benjean (“Benji”)
9. Chris (“Beethoven”)
10. All 22 Labradors who shared the role of Marley (“Marley & Me”)

What makes this list extra fun is the reminder that dogs have been stealing scenes since long before CGI or TikTok filters. From heroic Collies and loyal Terriers to chaos-loving Labs, these stars remind us why dogs will always be Hollywood’s best co-stars.