Dogs are often thought of as man’s best friend, and never has this been more apparent than when you look at how heavily they feature in our literature. Whether they start as our protagonist’s faithful companion, are the key to solving a tricky mystery or fend off an intimidating adversary, our four-legged friends have been inspiring writers for centuries. Of course, it would be impossible to list all of our favourite fictional hounds in this short blog, but nevertheless, here are 5 of the very best pooches that literature has to offer.

1.  Clifford the Big Red Dog

With over 90 titles published in his name, Clifford is without doubt one of the most infamous fictional dogs in the world. The adventures of this extremely large, extremely loveable dog and his owner, Emily Elizabeth, have captured the hearts and minds of children across the globe.

2.  Toto, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Before it became an emblematic film, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was a children’s book by Frank L. Baum, neither of which would be complete without Dorothy’s beloved cairn terrier: Toto. Toto acts as Dorothy’s trusty companion as she traverses the world of Oz, and is even the recipient of one of the film’s most iconic lines: “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”.

3.  Bullseye, Oliver Twist

Dickensian villain Bill Sykes’ dog is often depicted as a bull terrier in film and television, but the author actually describes him as a “white shaggy dog, with his face scratched and torn in twenty places”. The product of a gritty upbringing, Bullseye can always be found by Sikes’s side, ready to follow his owner’s abhorrent commands. It’s safe to say that Bullseye’s loyal yet aggressive nature is just another reason to steer well clear of old Bill Sykes.

4.  Fang, Harry Potter Series

Great Dane Fang is Hagrid’s pet dog in the Harry Potter series. In spite of his huge size, Fang is characterised as being afraid of practically everything, but is nonetheless willing to accompany Hagrid and the students on perilous journeys and protect his master from any threats.

5.  Argos, The Odyssey

Argos is Odysseyus’ dog in the ancient Greek epic poem The Odyssey, in which he plays a small but important role. When Odysseus returns home to Ithaca after 20 years, Argos is the only one who can recognise him. Now that his owner is home safe and sound, Argos can pass away in peace. As one of the first pooches to ever feature in Western literature, Argos is proof that dogs have been man’s best friend for as long as we can remember.

Veterinary Surgery in Lancashire & South Cumbria

Here at Bay Vets, we understand how important it is to ensure that your furry friend is happy, healthy and has a reliable veterinary surgery to visit when professional care is required. Our team is here for you 24/7, and will always treat your beloved pets with the utmost care and compassion. With four branches spread across Lancashire and South Cumbria – Caton, Lancaster, Morecambe and Milnthorpe – all of our surgeries have achieved accreditation by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons practice standards scheme, meaning that your pet will receive nothing less than the highest standard of treatment. For more information, please get in touch.