A man's best friend can also be a very handy companion for a character in a cult television show. Cocking their legs in places ranging from Smallville to the Starship Enterprise, a host of mutts have earned their places in the hearts of fans around the world. In honour of K-9's recent return to prominence in The Sarah Jane Adventures, we look at some of these pooches that have marked their territory in the realms of sci-fi telly. It's almost like a Cult Spy version of Crufts, but minus those horrific genitalia inspections the judges do...
K-9 (Doctor Who)
After joining The Doctor on his adventures back in 1977, the metallic mutt quickly won over a legion of fans with his cute voice, waggy tail and tendency to selflessly save the day with his inbuilt laser. Many shed a tear when he was swept into the sea and exploded during an ill-fated trip to Brighton. Different versions of K-9 accompanied The Fourth Doctor, as companions tended to nab him when departing the Time Lord. Fortunately, when K-9 trundled back into
Doctor Who in 2006, he still retained the same heroic qualities and retro design. He's now helping his owner Sarah Jane and the residents of Bannerman Road fend off various extraterrestrial threats.
Mr Muggles (Heroes)
The pampered Pomerian pooch, named after a word in the
Harry Potter books, is owned by the Bennett family and provides a regular source of dependable support and comfort in their turbulent lives. Such is Muggles's charm, even the villainous Sylar was won over by him - calling him "little fluffy" and looking after him in an alternate future. Memorably, Noah Bennett used Muggles's bowl of water to perform a spot of electro-torture on Elle.
Vincent (Lost)
Sadly yet to be granted his own flashback episode (booo!), Labrador Retriever Vincent was one of the fortunate survivors of Oceanic Flight 815. He was only on the plane because Walt's stepfather gave him to Michael Dawson when he came to pick up his biological son. Since the crash, Vincent was cherished by both Walt and Shannon on the island, but has since gone off to do his own thing on the island (perhaps shacking up with the polar bear?). He does occasionally pop up briefly, with his presence usually paving the way for some kind of nasty occurrence like the attack on Sun or the burial of the alive bodies of Paulo and Nikki.
Queequeg (The X-Files)
A Pomeranian breed like Mr Muggles, this doggy came into the possession of skeptical FBI Agent Dana Scully when his previous owner - an old woman - passed away in the episode 'Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose'. Scully decided to showcase her literary prowess by naming the mutt after a character in Herman Melville's novel about killer whale
Moby Dick. Ironically, it was a water-based creature that ended Queequeg's short stint on the show - some giant beastie in the story 'Quagmire'. His collar was all that remained. Sob.
Porthos (Star Trek: Enterprise)
Space. The Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Kennel. Canine's Log Stardate 37362: "Woof!" OK, the cute English beagle's importance on
Enterprise wasn't that significant, but he figured fairly prominently on occasions and provided constant companionship for Captain Jonathan Archer throughout his tenure in space. In one episode, Porthos's faltering health was the focus as the crew faced a battle against time to find a cure for a deadly pathogen he picked up on the Kreetassan homeworld. Also, the beagle was memorably interrogated by an unruly mob of Ferenghi pirates – but they couldn't quite crack the meaning of his barks.
Shelby (Smallville)
Forget Pedigree Chum. Just give a dog some Kryptonite if you want it to enhance those little grey cells. That's exactly what a couple of vets in Smallville did to this pooch, who ended up running away and being hit by Lois Lane's car. Adopted by Clark Kent, Shelby has lived on his farm ever since - although his super-intelligence and strength quickly wore off, making his recent appearances all too brief. Can't they shove some more Kryptonite into his treats?
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