Disney has created some truly magical films since the company's inception in 1923. The franchise has evolved a great deal throughout the years and has changed for the better in many ways, especially with its depiction of dogs. It's quite easy to form a heartwarming connection with a dog in a movie, but Disney found a way to make it even easier.
It's rare for Disney to develop a film without a dog in it. Some tend to portray these adorable canines as loving companions to a protagonist, while others prefer to place them in the spotlight for the entirety of a movie's duration. No matter their purpose in a story, dogs in Disney movies will quickly touch the hearts of all those who see them.
10 Little Brother - Mulan (1998)
Though Little Brother's time onscreen is quite short, he is without a doubt one of the most adorable dogs in Disney. The opening to Mulan sees the small mixed-breed pup aiding Mulan in her daily chores by feeding the Fa Family's livestock.
Mushu fills the role of animal companion quite well, but something is endearing about Little Brother. He's a carefree spirit who seems to love nothing more than helping his owners get through their days. It would've been interesting to see him join Mulan on her adventures, but maybe it's better he stayed at home.
9 Max - The Little Mermaid (1989)
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Belonging to Prince Eric, Max is an Old English Sheepdog who spends most of The Little Mermaid sporting a smile. He is first seen excitedly bouncing around Eric's ship before catching Ariel's scent. His nose then expands while he tracks her until he finds her hiding aboard.
Instead of signaling for his master, he licks Ariel's face before being summoned back. On the outside, Max appears to be nothing more than a ball of hair, but he has a giant heart hidden beneath it all. He rarely gets angry, but it's usually for a valid reason when he does.
8 Nana - Peter Pan (1953)
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Peter Pan follows the story of three children who end up in a magical world thanks to a boy who never grows old. Peter Pan arrives at the Darling residence shortly into the movie. His initial goal was to find and reattach his shadow, but things change when he meets Wendy.
Before flying to Neverland, Wendy and her two brothers lived happy lives. Their parents loved them but their dog, Nana, worshiped them. Nana, the adorable Newfoundland, spent most evenings preparing the children for bed. She even tucked the children into their beds when their parents weren't around to do it themselves.
7 Bolt - Bolt (2008)
Where most dogs try to live relatively peaceful lives, Bolt longs for adventure. He thinks he has superpowers and believes he is capable of great things. It's only when he is accidentally shipped to New York that he slowly begins to learn of his true disposition.
Though he immediately realizes something is afoot, he continues to approach his life as if he was magic. He spends most of his time in New York attempting to locate his owner, Penny, who he believes was kidnapped by his fictional arch nemesis, Calico. Even without his powers, he refuses to halt his search.
6 Zero - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas documents the tale of a skeleton in search of something new. Jack Skellington has grown tired of Halloween and longs to spice things up, but he doesn't know how. His search for something different eventually leads him to Christmas Town, a land full of joy and wonder.
Jack's closest companion in The Nightmare Before Christmas is Zero, a ghostly dog with a glowing red nose. Zero adores his owner and will often attempt to steer him in the right direction. Though he worries about his master's state of mind throughout the narrative, he remains by his side to the very end.
5 Buster - Toy Story 2 (1999)
The climax of the original Toy Story revealed that Andy received a puppy for Christmas. Woody and Buzz were initially skeptical of this new addition to the family, but it seems they grew to love the creature before the events of the sequel.
Buster is arguably one of the sweetest canines in cinematic history. He is an adorable red dachshund who loves the company of Andy's toys. He loves Woody the most out of all Andy's possessions and will even perform tricks for the toy cowboy on command.
4 Goofy - A Goofy Movie (1995)
A Goofy Movie centers around the character of Max, a young teenager obsessed with impressing his crush, Roxanne. Max has attempted to woo Roxanne multiple times, but it was only when he played a prank on his principal that he finally managed to get her attention.
Goofy, in response to the prank, decides to bring Max on a fishing trip so the two of them can bond. Goofy cares deeply for Max and only wants what's best for him, but being forced to go fishing isn't exactly Max's idea of fun. Goofy spends the majority of the narrative trying to connect with his son and, though most of his attempts are met with disinterest, he never gives up.
3 Lady & Tramp - Lady & The Tramp (1955)
Lady and the Tramp follows the story of two unlikely canines who form an unbreakable connection. Lady, a Cocker Spaniel was pampered for most of her life, but things took a turn when she ended up on the streets. She gets chased by three stray dogs until Tramp, a terrier, intervenes and saves her.
Tramp is a stray and therefore has experience with living rough. He offers to show Lady the ins and outs of what it is to live independently, to which Lady obliges. Though they come from different backgrounds, they manage to see past their differences. The 2019 remake gave the adorable duo a more realistic design, but it's hard to forget how much heart went into their original depiction.
2 Copper - The Fox And The Hound (1981)
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When Tod, a young fox, is left orphaned, his friends devise a plan for him to get adopted. A kind-spirited widow named Tweed stumbles across Tod and decides to bring the creature home where he eventually meets Copper, a hound belonging to Tweed's neighbor.
The two form an instant connection, but Amos, Copper's owner, has no interest in allowing their friendship to blossom. As a hunting dog, Copper is destined to hunt foxes when he reaches adulthood. Though he's aware of his purpose, he refuses to hurt Tod.
1 Dug - Up (2009)
Carl and Ellie Fredricksen spent the majority of their life together saving for a trip to Paradise Falls. Every time they collected enough money, however, they were forced to spend their savings on more important matters. After Ellie suddenly passed away, Carl decided to tie thousands of balloons to his house and make the journey himself.
Carl makes several friends during his time at Paradise falls, but Dug is the most endearing. Unlike most Golden Retrievers, this unlikely canine sports an unusual collar that grants him the ability to speak. Dug is one of the most wholesome canines to grace Disney's filmography thanks to both his noble actions and his thought processes.