We've all seen dogs in Disney movies like 101 Dalmatians, Lady and the Tramp, and Old Yeller. We remember fondly the adorable antics of Pluto, Clifford, and Snoopy. But many of these dogs were inspired by canine characters from books, if not lifted directly off the pages. Those of us who like reading can reliably find our faithful friends bringing the same loyalty and companionship to our literary heroes as they do to our hearts. Here, we explore some of the more notable and famous dogs featured throughout literature and other written works.
Buck from The Call of the Wild
It is hard to talk about dogs in literature without talking about a book about a dog. Set in the 1890s during the Klondike Gold Rush, Jack London’s The Call of the Wild follows a St. Bernard–Scotch Shepherd mix named Buck. We meet Buck living a pampered life in the Santa Clara Valley. Sadly, he was stolen and sold by one of the gardeners. His life takes a hard turn when he is shipped to Seattle and suffers confinement, starvation, and abuse. Later, he is sold again and taken to Alaska to train as a sled dog. There, he learns survival skills and pack society from his teammates, while a rivalry develops between Buck and the pack leader, Spitz. Eventually, he falls under the care of John Thornton, whom Buck grows to love. Over the course of the story, Buck endures hardship after hardship, growing ever more aware of his primal ancestry and being drawn closer and closer to the wild.
Bulls-eye from Oliver Twist
Not all dogs are portrayed as lovable and loyal companions, or at least, not so to characters we like, as in the case with Bullseye in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. The Bull Terrier is Bill Sykes' companion, who is a major antagonist in the story. The dog is described as having “faults of temper in common with his owner.” Considering his owner is cruel and murderous, this is hardly a ringing endorsement. Bullseye is a representation of Sikes himself, in that he displays Sikes’ animalistic brutality as well as his self-destructive behavior in the form of the many scars that Bullseye bears. It’s a sad portrayal of man’s best friend, and a stark reminder of the tragedy that dogs face when they’re brought up in cruel, harsh conditions.
Huan from The Silmarillion
Most know J.R.R. Tolkien as the author of The Lord of the Rings. However, he wrote a great deal of additional stories set in the same world, most of which weren’t published until after his death in 1973. One of the more notable stories he wrote was of Beren and Luthien, a story referenced by Aragorn in the extended edition of the movie The Fellowship of the Ring. The titular characters are based on the relationship that Tolkien shared with his wife, Edith. In fact, so great was the influence that the headstones of J.R. and Edith bear the epitaphs “Beren” and “Luthien” respectively. But neither of them were dogs.
That would be Huan, the great wolfhound who was one of Luthien's companions. He accompanied her to rescue her lover, Beren, from the clutches of Sauron (this was many centuries before the incident with the Ring). With the help of Luthien’s magic, Huan was able to defeat Sauron, who had taken the form of a massive werewolf, and forced him to flee. Later, he joined Beren, Luthien, and others to pursue the evil wolf, Carcharoth. Though the dreaded wolf was defeated, Huan and Beren were both mortally wounded in the battle.
Old Yeller from Old Yeller
Almost everyone has heard the name Old Yeller, even if they haven’t read the Fred Gipson novel or seen the movie adaptation. Old Yeller tells the story of an ugly, ragged stray who wanders onto a Texas farm. Initially, the boy, Travis, is skeptical of the dog, who is stealing food from the family, but he soon proves a faithful and loyal companion. The story of Old Yeller has cemented itself as a timeless classic, being both an award-winning book and a Disney movie adaptation. It exemplifies the love, loyalty, and friendship of a faithful dog and his boy. Spoiler warning: you’ll want tissues handy.
Lassie from Lassie Come Home
Like Old Yeller, Lassie is another household name. Her story is based on Lassie Come Home, a 1940 novel by Eric Knight in which a Collie goes on an epic journey to reunite with the boy she loves. The story began as a 1938 short story and was expanded to a full-length novel in 1940, an MGM movie in 1943, and finally a TV series in 1954. The character has since seen life in a dozen movies, two radio series, 15 TV shows, and even a video game. The story, set in Depression-era England, tells of the Carraclough family who fall on hard times. Taking desperate measures, they sell their dog, Lassie, to the Duke of Rudling, much to the despondency of young Joe. After several escape attempts, the Duke takes Lassie to his home in Scotland, where his granddaughter arranges Lassie’s final escape. Thus begins the harrowing journey, where Lassie braves dog catchers and storms in order to return to her family.
Niki from Niki: The Story of a Dog
"The Dog adopted the Ancsas in the spring of '48," begins the story. This Hungarian novel, written by Tibor Déry, follows the story of Niki, the Fox Terrier, and the Ancsas, a middle-aged couple living in Budapest under the new Communist regime installed at the end of WWII. Amid the backdrop of a post-war Hungary, the family, still reeling from the loss of their son during the war, undergoes hardship after hardship, culminating in the arrest and disappearance of Mr. Ancsa. For five long years, Mrs. Ancsa and Niki survive together with the help of a few faithful friends. This particular novel shines in its focus on the dog and the family she is in. Niki isn't anthropomorphized (given human qualities), nor is there direct allegory or commentary on war, politics, or anything else. Niki is presented as a dog of little understanding but great feeling, and this is enough to get the Ancsas, especially Mrs. Ancsa, through a very hard time.
Fang and Fluffy from Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling gives us a twofer of dogs in the Harry Potter series. The two, perhaps unwittingly, serve as a rather amusing foil for each other. While both dogs are incredibly large and drool constantly, the similarities end there. The fierce, three-headed dog that guards the trapdoor to one of the dungeons in Hogwarts is named Fluffy. He is massive, terrifying, and threatening. Fang, on the other hand, is friendly, sociable, and "a bloody coward." In the book, Fang is described as a Boarhound, or Great Dane. However, the films portray him as a Neapolitan Mastiff. Fluffy, however, isn't described as being any particular breed; he is derived from Cerberus, who guarded the gates to the Underworld in Greek mythology. For more Harry Potter dog fun, check out our article from Harry Potter Day!
Snoopy from Peanuts
Perhaps one of the most well-known dogs in history is Snoopy, the legendary Beagle. In fact, he has gained so much fame over the decades that he was named the 8th Greatest Cartoon Character of All Time by TV Guide in 2002 and was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015. The only other person related to Peanuts to have this distinction is the creator himself, Charles Shulz. Snoopy has been given a wide variety of fascinating and entertaining traits, from lovable loyalty to a hyperactive imagination and even a crush on Charlie Brown's friend, Lucy. He even has a doghouse that defies the laws of physics by being bigger on the inside than on the outside. Like any well-written character, he also displays flaws, such as gluttony, selfishness, and laziness. Interestingly, his flaws extend to his fantasy life. Oftentimes, he pretends to be something renowned (most notably a pilot in WWI), and fails. His plane is shot down, his book is never published, and so on. On the surface, this makes for some humorous entertainment. However, Schulz had this to say: "He has to retreat into his fanciful world in order to survive. Otherwise, he leads kind of a dull, miserable life. I don't envy dogs the lives they have to live." A curious statement considering the above strip.
Toto from The Wizard of Oz
Like Lassie, most associate Toto with the movie, The Wizard of Oz. But he was first a lovable companion in L. Frank Baum’s novel of the same name. He serves as Dorothy’s comfort and confidant throughout her harrowing journey. Throughout the novel and many subsequent works, Toto remained speechless despite other animals in Oz having or gaining this ability. However, this changes in Tik-Tok of Oz, the eighth book in the series (and in no way pertaining to social media), when Toto reveals that he's been able to talk all this time, but chooses not to. In the first book, Baum never directly stated Toto's breed, describing him as "a little black dog with long silky hair and small eyes that twinkled merrily on either side of his funny, wee nose." However, many have concluded that he is a Cairn Terrier, while others believe he is a Yorkie.
Clifford from Clifford the Big Red Dog
Clifford the Big Red Dog, written by Norman Bridwell, was first published in 1963 and has continued to make waves and resonate with kids worldwide. The character was inspired by author Norman Bridwell's childhood desire to own a dog the size of a horse. His wife suggested the name "Clifford" after her imaginary friend from her childhood, and Emily Elizabeth was named after Bridwell's daughter. Clifford has a mother, two brothers, and two sisters, all normal-sized dogs. Clifford was originally the runt of the litter, seemingly fated to be small and sick, but grew to an enormous size apparently due to Emily Elizabeth's love and care. Today finds Clifford as Scholastic's official mascot.
Marmaduke from Marmaduke
Rounding out our entries with one last comic strip comes Marmaduke, the titular character from the comic strip written by Brad Anderson in 1954 and bearing his name. Marmaduke centers around the Great Dane and the Winslow family. Marmaduke continues to be published, still being popular with its readers. Several attempts to cancel the strip haven't been successful, even after the death of its creator in 2015. It is now written and illustrated by Anderson's son, Paul. Fun fact: the above strip was published May 19, 2025. Still going strong!
Leap Off the Page!
As we reflect on the timeless companionship and loyalty portrayed by dogs in literature, it's clear that these beloved animals have left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. Whether you're a literature enthusiast fascinated by their symbolic roles or someone seeking to bring the joy of a canine companion into your life, exploring our selection of available puppies for sale can be the next chapter in your own tale of friendship and adventure. Discover the magic of real-life stories and write your own with a furry friend by your side!
