History Main / DogStereotype

* Thin, graceful dogs with flowing, feathery features such as the saluki or afghan hound are invariably portrayed as females, possibly portrayed as TheChick. Stockier dogs with long fur (like the shih tzu and havanese) will also get this treatment.

* ''WesternAnimation/PAWPatrol'' has a cast full of this. [[TheHero Marshall]] is a Dalmatian puppy who is a firefighter, [[TheBigGuy Rubble]] is an English Bulldog puppy who works in construction and is often hungry, Chase is a German Shepherd puppy who is a cop, Zuma is a Labrador Retriever puppy who works as a water rescuer, [[TheChick Skye]] is a female Poodle-mix puppy, and [[TwoGirlsToATeam Everest]] is a Husky puppy who handles snow related missions.

* In ''Film/KingsmanTheSecretService'', during the scene where the recruits choose a puppy to raise, Roxy chooses a poodle, much to Eggsy's surprise. She then explains that poodles were originally bred as gundogs and their high intelligence makes them easy to train.

* In the ''ComicBook/{{Nova}}'' comic book series, the hero meets Cosmos, a telepathic cosmonaut dog with a Russian accent.
* One of the narrators in ''The Gingerbread Girl'' is an English Bulldog; contrary to the stereotype, he's extremely cultured and intelligent.
* ComicBook/KryptoTheSuperdog, Franchise/{{Superman}}'s friendly and heroic dog, is often styled as a labrador retreiver.
* Franchise/{{Batman}}'s serious but loyal dog Ace is a German shepherd.
* Saucisse from the ''ComicBook/BillyTheCat'' books and show averts the associated Basset hound stereotypes, being a {{Jerkass}} who likes to [[TheBully bully the cats]]. That is, [[TookALevelInKindness until he gets better]].

* The PointAndClick AdventureGame ''VideoGame/JollyRover'' is a pirate story with a full cast of dogs. The protagonist is a nimble, carefree Dachshund named James Rover, who aspires to be a circus clown. He is captured by a gang of brutish Bulldog pirates. The authority figures are played by Great Danes, dumb door-guards Rottweilers and Bull Terriers, and lady pirates collies and cocker spaniels.
* The most common dog in ''VideoGame/StoryOfSeasons'' is a hound, likely a Beagle or Foxhound, which are a must have for [[FarmBoy farmers]].

** Averted with Jake's love interest Daisy. She's a Labrador but is a ProperLady who is grossed out by Jake.
* Many Franchise/{{Pokemon}} that are based on dogs will often follow the general stereotype the breed is known for, but at the same time also subvert it. For example, Houndoom is a Dark and Fire typed Doberman who also resembles a HellHound, and Furfrou is a french Poodle who can be clipped to be stylized. At the same time, both of them are fiercely loyal to their trainers at not typically evil or snooty as their breeds might suggest.
* There are several characters, both villagers and [=NPCs=], in the ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' series that are based on dogs (although all of them are [[BigFriendlyDog friendly dogs]]): Isabelle is a Shih Tzu who is not only very cute, but is loyal to the mayor (aka you) to a fault, Harriet is a Poodle who is in charge of Shampoodle, a hair salon, and Copper and Booker are Bulldogs that work as the police force.
* Averted in ''VideoGame/ValiantHearts''. Doberman Pincher Walt is a HeroicDog who serves as an AnimalCompanion to the main characters . He even narrates [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP8q5F6dFqQ an entire trailer]].
* Missile from ''VideoGame/GhostTrick'' is a boisterous but none-too-bright Pomeranian who is fiercely loyal to his owner Kamila.

* Dogmeat from ''VideoGame/Fallout4'' is a heroic and loyal German shepherd, tagging along with the [[PlayerCharacter Vault Dweller]] as they journey through the Commonwealth.
*Sumo from ''VideoGame/DetroitBecomeHuman''is a [[BigFriendlyDog big, friendly]] Saint Bernard with no aggressive bone in his body. While cautious of Connor when he first comes into Hank's home, he doesn't bother attacking him and lets him through. And when his owner, Hank, orders Sumo to attack, he just lays there and lets out a lazy bark. If anything, Connor was probably more intimidated by Sumo's size, but after realizing the dog's true nature, feels comfortable to know the dog's bark is worse than his bite. You can even pet him.
* The Nazi troops in ''VideoGame/{{Pathway}}'' have packs of German Shepherds as their companion and attack dogs.
* In ''VisualNovel/TheGreatAceAttorney'', a serial killer known as the Professor used a large dog to tear out the throats of his victims. The dog's breed is never identified, as it was never found by the police, but it illustrations usually depict it as a German Shepherd. [[spoiler:In reality, it was the late Lord Klint van Zieks's prized sighthound, Balmung, which looks to be a Chart Polski or English Greyhound. The unspoken implication is that Balmung was never identified as the attack dog for the same reason it took so long to identify his owner--his noble breeding put him above suspicion.]]

* The Creator/{{Disney}} short ''WesternAnimation/{{Feast}}'' is about a happy lil' Boston Terrier with a [[BigEater huge appetite]].
* ComicBook/DisneyDucksComicUniverse's The Beagle Boys (made more notable in ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales1987'' series) are an inversion of common beagle stereotype; they are a group of villainous beagles who commit organized crimes and attempt to rob Scrooge [=McDuck=].

* Inverted with the titular WesternAnimation/MrPickles, a border collie who's a VillainProtagonist with {{hellhound}} powers and high body count. (Although his violent tendencies got toned down in later seasons.)

* Subverted with Santa's Little Helper from ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''. Despite being an ex-racer, he isn't presented as particularly energetic and is rather mellow. This is TruthInTelevision for many rescued Greyhounds.
* This is to be expected whenever a dog pops up in WesternAnimation/BojackHorseman:
** Mr. Peanutbutter, [=BoJack=]'s eternal frienemy, is a yellow Labrador Retriever, the poster child of the friendly, clingy dog stereotype. As such, he is naïve, '''way''' too easily distracted, and also dull as a sack full of bricks. He is also incredibly nice, noble, and invariably loyal to the people he loves, even with [=BoJack=], despite the horse's evident contempt of him. However, as it would be expected of a human with this characteristics, this is not completely healthy, being portrayed as dependent on his relationship with Diane, and with his behavior becoming downright ''passive-aggressive'' once he is pushed a tad too hard, as seen in "Let's Find Out".

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Horseland}}'', Shep the German Shepherd is a typically paternal, protective character.
* In ''WesternAnimation/DogCity'', Ace Hart is a heroic German Shepherd while Bugsy Vile is a villainous bulldog. The same applies to Ace Yu and Bugsy Them in the original ''Series/TheJimHensonHour'' feature.

* All the characters in ''WesternAnimation/{{Bluey}}'' are based on varying dog breeds, many of whom either adhere to or avert their stereotypes.

* Pembroke Welsh corgis are often PluckyComicRelief. Sometimes they have English accents and act like English NationalStereotypes due to their association with [[UsefulNotes/HMTheQueen Queen Elizabeth II]]. Due to being very similar, these stereotypes also apply to the Cardigan Welsh corgi.

* Tadakichi-san from ''Anime/AzumangaDaioh'' is a Great Pyrenees (think of an all-white Saint Bernard and you're not far off), and is characterized exactly as you'd expect. He's a GentleGiant.

* If an unusual breed (in the public's eye) or a [[SeldomSeenSpecies seldom-seen wild dog]] (such as an African wild dog, [[{{Tanuki}} a raccoon dog]] or a dhole) is featured, this usually means one of the writers specifically had such a dog, and it might be specifically mentioned.

** The same applies for poodles, as many "designers mutts" are poodle mixes, often with a PortmanteauCoupleName (ie. "Labradoodle" for Labrador retriever/poodle, "Shih-poo" for Shih-tzu/poodle, and so on). Wiki/TheOtherWiki attributes the poodle's popularity in breed mixes to their intelligence and hypoallergenic fur, though it's of course also possible that EveryoneLooksSexierIfFrench also applies in the canine kingdom.

* Rottweilers are portrayed as being somewhat friendlier than Pit Bulls, but are dangerous if provoked with jaws like a steel trap. Like dobermans, {{Hellhound}}s tend to closely resemble, if not outright be, rottweilers due to their [[TypicalCartoonAnimalColors typical]] [[RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver red/black color scheme]] and muscular builds.

* Sid Phillips had a vicious toy-chewing Bull Terrier in ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'' who would attack Buzz and Woody when ever on screen with both of them.

* PlayedWIth when it comes to German Shepherds. While they do make great guard dogs, police dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, and just about any 'job' one can think of for them, they are surprisingly bad at the one thing they were actually bred for: Herding. While they will surely protect the herd they are assigned to, they don't actually ''herd'' the pack like a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd would. Instead, they tend to walk paremeters around the flock or herd, looking for potential threats. If there's more than one GSD, they will actually group up and patrol as a team. While this is fine if the group managed to find something, it leaves huge blind-spots where the herd can be attacked.

* On a related note -- Pomeranians being stereotyped as obnoxious and suffering from "little dog syndrome" can also be inverted by ''responsible'' owners who socialize them and train them early: Most people don't realize Pomeranians are ''actually'' simply bred-down versions of other Spitz breeds (Huskies, Akitas etc.) -- working dogs. Pomeranians tend to be just as eager to please as any other working dog, despite being small. They also won't bark just to bark -- usually, if they ''are'' trained right, they will only bark when there's something worth barking at. Amusingly, sometimes that means not barking until someone has already walked into the house.

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* Pitt Bulls and their various breeds are generally stereotyped as dangerous and vicious dog breeds, whether as wild dogs or as pets of criminals. It is true that Pitt bulls and their various breeds are among the more dangerous dogs due to being bred primarily as guard dogs and for the outlawed (but still prominent) dog fighting, and make up a fairly large percent of attacks on both humans and other animals. In recent years, an unfortunately "nanny dog" myth has spread through the general public, claiming that Pitt bulls are naturally protective of children, leading to even more attacks as a consequence of inexperienced dog owners purchasing them en-masse.

* Pit bulls (staffordshire bull terriers, American staffordshire terriers, and American pit bull terriers) are often portrayed as [[BullyBulldog invariably savage and ferocious]]. That stereotype is the very reason they are the biggest targets of breed-specific legislation (BSL) in RealLife. In older works (and even many newer works, due to pit bull activism becoming common in the 2000s) they tend to be portrayed as UglyCute dogs who are good with kids and are often portrayed as patriotic {{Gentle Giant}}s, much like modern American works portray German Shepherds. The Nanny Dog myth has since been abandoned by pro-pitbull organizations since it led to owners taking irresponsible actions with the dog (as no dog, let alone one with a high prey drive, should be left alone with children). Staffordshire bull terriers are sometimes stereotyped as British, especially in older works.

* Old English sheepdogs are lovable goofs [[BlindingBangs who are half blind with their fur covering their eyes]].

* Larger hound breeds (such as basset hounds, coonhounds, or especially bloodhounds) are commonly depicted as [[SleepyHead sleepy]], laid-back {{Mellow Fellow}}s with [[BigEater large stomaches]] and are mostly associated with having a Southern accent. Sometimes they are also portrayed as seemingly dumb {{Good Ol Boy}}s, but are [[GoodIsNotDumb actually more intelligent]] than their lazy-looking, dopey appearances let on. Alternatively, they are often used as the basis for {{Hellhound}}s due to [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast similar-sounding names]]. The polar opposite for the former is true in RealLife; hounds are actually among the most energetic dogs out there.

* Chihuahuas are often portrayed as TheNapoleon, a NervousWreck, and/or being AxCrazy, often even by dog standards. Often portrayed with a Mexican {{National Stereotype|s}} or a {{Mayincatec}} stereotype. If the AngryGuardDog or a RightHandAttackDog isn't a doberman or a German shepherd, it's this. Positive portrayals of Chihuahuas tend to be HotBlooded heroes or PluckyComicRelief. If a chihuahua is a larger "deerhead" (which isn't an official term and isn't to Breed Standard), they're more likely to be portrayed positively.

* This trope is played pretty straight in ''WesternAnimation/AllDogsGoToHeaven.'' Charlie is a German Shepherd and is generally portrayed as TheHero of the movie, while Carface is a Pitbull who is an aggressive, murderous mob boss and is the main villain of the movie. The [[WesternAnimation/AllDogsGoToHeaven sequel]] features a female Saluki as Charlie's love interest.

* Almost played straight in ''WesternAnimation/OliverAndCompany''. Dodger (a [[MeaningfulName Jack]] Russell Terrier) is a fast-talking, street-wise mutt JiveTurkey; Tito is a Chihuahua with a HairTriggerTemper; Georgette the poodle is a spoiled, literal RichBitch; the {{Ironic Nickname}}d Einstein exemplifies the Great Dane's GoodIsDumb stereotype; Rita the Saluki, as per the SmurfettePrinciple, is the only female member of Dodger's gang; and Dobermans Rosco and Desoto are the classic {{Angry Guard Dog}}s. Only Francis runs contrary to stereotypes, being a well-educated bulldog with an appreciation for the arts and an upper-class [[UsefulNotes/BritishAccents British accent]].

BigFriendlyDog and MisterMuffykins are stereotypes concerning the dog's size. BullyBulldog and PsychoPoodle are subtropes. See also AngryGuardDog, NationalAnimalStereotypes, DogsAreDumb, and ThisIndexBarks.

** In the [[TastesLikeDiabetes over-idealized]] film the Secretariat biopic eventually becomes, the protagonist is seen giving a bland RousingSpeech to a group of Latino gangbangers. One of them is a tank top-wearing, tattoo-covered Pit Bull with dark gray fur.

* Hairless dog breeds are primarily susceptible to the dog version of BaldOfEvil trope, since they don't come off as friendly as their fluffy counterparts. Positive portrayals of hairless dog breeds can range from BaldOfAwesome, CreepyHairlessAnimal to UglyCute, though.

** Indy and her mother are Afghan Hounds, a breed known for its very long hair, allowing the use of the EarsAsHair trope in their designs.

* All the characters in ''WesternAnimation/Bluey'' are based on varying dog breeds.

** Eggsy on the other hand, chooses a pug, thinking they're related to bulldogs and it wil grow much bigger. He could not be more wrong.