Warning: This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.
Summary
- There have been many pet dogs introduced in the MCU’s history, including the likes of Lucky, Max, Magnum and Cosmo.
-
Deadpool & Wolverine
debuted a new canine companion to the MCU, Dogpool, who forms a close bond with Wade Wilson’s Deadpool. - Pet dogs in the MCU contribute to some of the franchise’s most heartwarming moments, and also help to humanize characters and make them more relatable.
There have been many pet dogs featured throughout the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but some can’t help but be favored over others. Connecting canine companions to some of the MCU’s most notable heroes is always a great choice. Not only do these friendly pups help to humanize some of the strongest characters in the MCU, making them more relatable for audiences, but pet dogs also contribute to some of Marvel Studios’ most adorable, memorable and warming moments.
While there have been many pets of varying species included in the MCU, such as Captain Marvel’s Goose, Ant-Man’s Ant-thony and Trevor Slattery’s Morris, more dogs have been introduced than any other pet. There have been a total of 12 main canines featured in the MCU’s history, but only a handful have been recognizable enough to become beloved characters themselves. From Max to Magnum, and from Lucky to Dogpool, some of the most heartwarming moments in the MCU have involved Man’s Best Friend.
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12 Jonathan Joined Jennifer Walters At Lulu’s Wedding
She-Hulk: Attorney At Law (2022)
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Jonathan made his first and only MCU appearance in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law episode 6, “Just Jen.” Tatiana Maslany’s Jennifer Walters attends her high school friend Lulu’s wedding as a bridesmaid in this episode, where Jonathan is revealed to be the groomsman that Jen will walk down the aisle with. Lulu’s wedding includes so much drama that Jonathan actually gets quickly forgotten, not making much impact on the event or the MCU as a whole.
Jennifer Walters is immediately asked not to be She-Hulk at Lulu’s wedding, then gets into an altercation with Titania, and begins to form a bond with Josh Miller, a friend of the groom and a member of Intelligencia. Jonathan is featured only very briefly in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, so the audience doesn’t have a great deal of time to form a connection with the small, and seemingly ailing, dog. Even so, Lulu’s other friends seem to adore Jonathan, claiming that he is “literally the best” – a sentiment that isn’t shared by Jen.
11 Toro Was Calmed By Danny Rand After His Return To New York
Iron Fist Season 1 (2017)
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Marvel Studios recently confirmed Netflix’s Defenders Saga to be canon to the MCU, which means Iron Fist’s Toro is officially a pet dog in the MCU’s continuity. Toro’s owner is Jessica Stroup’s Joy Meachum, so he is met by Finn Jones’ Danny Rand when he makes his way into Joy’s home after returning to New York City following his departure from K’un-Lun. The rottweiler Toro appears only briefly in Iron Fist season 1, episode 1, “Snow Gives Way,” and episode 8, “The Blessing of Many Fractures.”
Toro is used to demonstrate Danny Rand’s calming presence in Iron Fist. When Rand broke into Joy’s home, Toro began to growl at him, but Rand managed to approach the dog and calm him enough to shut him in a secluded room, allowing him to explore Joy’s home with more freedom. Little is known about Toro’s history, or his current whereabouts in the MCU, as Joy seems to lose the dog when she moves into her new apartment in Iron Fist season 2, with no mention of where Toro actually went.
Related Where The Defenders Series Were Added To The MCU Timeline Makes Marvel’s Best Phase Even Better
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10 Felipe Was Saved By Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones Season 2 (2018)
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Another dog featured in Netflix’s Defenders Saga is Felipe, who made a very brief appearance in Jessica Jones season 2, episode 1, “AKA Start at the Beginning.” Felipe, a small chihuahua, belonged to a client of private investigator Pryce Cheng, and was caught in the middle of a custody battle between the client and his former partner. The client’s former partner and her boyfriend had stolen Felipe, and Cheng had failed to reacquire the dog, but Jessica Jones showed him up by simply stealing Felipe back.
Jessica Jones proved that she was a more dedicated and committed private investigator than Pryce Cheng by retrieving Felipe for the latter’s disgruntled client. Her mental battle with Pryce Cheng continued throughout Jessica Jones season 2, which culminated in Cheng hunting Jessica Jones’ mother, Alisa, and later stealing Malcolm Ducasse as his new associate. This enmity began with the spar over Felipe’s custody, but while he played an important role in Jessica Jones season 2, audiences didn’t get a chance to care all too much about the small dog.
9 Max Was Adopted By The Punisher
Daredevil Season 2 (2016)
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Max had a greater role in Netflix’s Defenders Saga than any other canine companion, as Daredevil season 2 introduced the pit bull as the guard dog of the Kitchen Irish before being adopted by Frank Castle’s Punisher. Prior to being claimed by the Punisher, Max was the guard dog of the Burren Club, which was the sight of the Punisher’s massacre of the Kitchen Irish. Castle formed a quick bond with the protective dog, so took him home after eradicating Max’s caretakers in Daredevil season 2, episode 1, “Bang.”
Later on, Max was found in the Punisher’s home by other members of the Kitchen Irish, led by Finn Cooley. While torturing Frank Castle on the hunt for their missing money, Cooley stated that, if Castle didn’t talk, he’d torture Max, too. Not wanting Max to get hurt, Castle reveals where the money is, though actually leads Cooley’s men into a trap. Castle soon escapes and kills everyone involved with the help of Daredevil. Max, unfortunately, wasn’t seen again, so it’s unclear what became of the Punisher’s friend.
Jon Bernthal is returning as Frank Castle’s Punisher in Marvel Television’s upcoming
Daredevil: Born Again
.
8 Ricky Was Bruce Banner’s Dog In Rio De Janeiro
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
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Ricky is the earliest known dog in the MCU, but is also often the most forgotten. A mongrel, Ricky was Bruce Banner’s pet while he was residing in Rio de Janeiro during 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, hiding from General Ross and SHIELD by working at a soft drink bottling facility. When General Ross caught wind of Banner living in Brazil, thanks to a drop of his gamma-irradiated blood making its way into a bottle – to be ingested by Stan Lee – Bruce Banner abandoned Ricky in Rio and went on the run.
Ricky was later tranquilized by Tim Roth’s Emil Blonsky when he and his team stormed Bruce Banner’s former home in Rio de Janeiro. They didn’t find any sign of Banner living there, as he had already run away, but Ricky still put up a fight against the soldiers. It’s a shame that Ricky was simply abandoned in Rio de Janeiro, presumably becoming a stray. It would have been lovely for Bruce Banner’s bond with his dog to be explored further, though his alter ego of the Hulk may have put Ricky in undue danger.
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7 Magnum Greeted Kamala Khan In Pakistan
Ms. Marvel (2022)
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Magnum is a beautiful golden retriever who belonged to Sana Ali, Kamala Khan’s grandmother, in Ms. Marvel. Magnum greeted Kamala and Muneeba Khan upon their arrival at Sana’s home in Karachi, Pakistan, in Ms. Marvel episode 4, “Seeing Red.” Although looking rather old, Magnum still had a great deal of energy, making him a comforting presence for Muneeba and Kamala on their journey across the world. The dog was also used by Sana to make a joke to her daughter in episode 5, “Time and Again.”
“Time and Again” saw Kamala Khan explore her family history, meeting her great-grandmother Aisha in 1947, and helping her young grandmother reconnect with her father and get on a train to safety during the Partition. In the present day, Muneeba worries about her lost daughter, but Sana Ali suggests that she could get Kamala microchipped, just as she had done with Magnum after he once got lost. Magnum seems to have a huge personality, but audiences didn’t see much of the captivating pet in Ms. Marvel.
6 Fanny Joined Yelena Belova At Her Sister’s Grave
Black Widow (2021)
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While Magnum the golden retriever is a beautiful dog, Yelena Belova’s akita, Fanny, carries a deeper meaning for the new Black Widow of the MCU. Fanny joins Yelena Belova when she visits Natasha Romanoff’s grave in Black Widow’s post-credits scene, though isn’t present for Yelena’s conversation with Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and hasn’t been seen since. It’s unclear where Fanny resides when Yelena is on a mission, as the dog wasn’t seen in Hawkeye, but the fact that Yelena has a dog is an important thing to note.
Earlier in Black Widow, Yelena reveals to her surrogate sister that she wants a dog in lieu of biological children. As children of the Red Room, both Romanoff and Belova were given hysterectomies, making it impossible for them to conceive children of their own. Yelena eventually got her wish, and Fanny’s name could have been chosen as Mason jokingly referred to Romanoff as Fanny Longbottom. This may have been mentioned to Yelena, meaning her naming her dog Fanny is a way of keeping her sister close, despite her death.
Florence Pugh will be returning as Yelena Belova in 2025’s
Thunderbolts*
, which could explain where Fanny is during her missions.
5 Billy Jack Was Biscuits’ Companion In Phase 5
Echo (2024)
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The first Marvel Spotlight series, Echo, introduced MCU audiences to Billy Jack, an Australian cattle dog who joined Biscuits, Maya Lopez’s cousin, on his adventures. Billy Jack is an incredibly loyal companion to Biscuits who welcomed Maya Lopez back to Tamaha, Oklahoma, following her experience in New York City in Hawkeye. Billy Jack joined Biscuits and Maya Lopez on their mission to plant explosives in a train heading to one of Kingpin’s depots. Billy Jack was always seen at Biscuits’ side, becoming one of the MCU’s newest and most beloved pets.
It’s unclear whether Alaqua Cox’s Maya Lopez will return to the MCU, but since she returned to her family, including Biscuits and Billy Jack, at the end of Echo, it’s possible that her return could bring this canine companion back to the MCU. Billy Jack is a personable, friendly and excitable dog, but also one who seems to take his responsibility and friendship to Biscuits very seriously. They make a brilliant pair, so it would be great to see both return in the MCU’s future.
Related Marvel’s Echo: Choctaw Creation Myth & Real World Differences Explained
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4 Sparky Met A Tragic End At The Hands Of Agatha Harkness
WandaVision (2021)
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Sparky was a young wire-haired Jack Russell terrier introduced in the MCU’s first official TV show, WandaVision. Sparky debuted as the dog to Wanda Maximoff and Vision’s children, Billy and Tommy, who was found outside their home in Westview, New Jersey, during the 1980s-themed episode 5, “On a Very Special Episode…” When told they were too young to look after a dog, Billy and Tommy used magic to age themselves up to ten years old. Sparky was a great addition to WandaVision, but also one of the series’ most tragic characters.
In a shocking turn of events, Kathryn Hahn’s Agnes claimed that Sparky had died after eating leaves from her Azalea bush. However, the viral song, “Agatha All Along,” revealed that Agnes, who is actually the witch Agatha Harkness, had killed Sparky herself in a horrific act of malice. This was a harrowing development for the Maximoff family, and for MCU audiences, but helped to demonstrate Agatha Harkness’ evil nature from the get-go. It was just a shame that the adorable Sparky had to fall victim to the witch for this to happen.
In Marvel Comics’
Vision
series in 2016, Sparky was a dog created by the titular synthezoid in an effort to reunite his family after the Grim Reaper’s corpse was found buried in their yard.
3 Lucky The Pizza Dog Became Kate Bishop’s Best Friend
Hawkeye (2021)
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Lucky the Pizza Dog was featured heavily throughout Phase 4’s Hawkeye series, as the one-eyed golden retriever was adopted by Kate Bishop after she saved him while wearing the Ronin suit. Living above a pizza restaurant, Kate Bishop only had pizza to feed to Lucky, which led to his iconic nickname. After Kate Bishop partnered with Clint Barton to investigate the Tracksuit Mafia, Lucky formed a close bond with the Avenger, as the pair took the dog on several walks, on a train journey, and the trio all spent a Christmas-themed evening together.
Lucky met the LARPers alongside Clint Barton and Kate Bishop, and soon became close to Grills, who taught him a few tricks. After their battle against the Tracksuit Mafia, Yelena Belova and Wilson Fisk’s Kingpin, Clint Barton and Kate Bishop arrived at the Barton family home in Iowa with Lucky in tow. The beautiful dog spent Christmas surrounded by the Barton family, meaning that he could easily return in the MCU’s future, should Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld also reprise their roles.
2 Cosmo The Spacedog First Appeared In The MCU’s Phase 2
Guardians Of The Galaxy Franchise (2014-2023)
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Cosmo the Spacedog has made more appearances in the MCU than any previous canine companion, as she has had a long-running role in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Based on Laika, the first animal to orbit the Earth as part of the Soviet Union space program, Cosmo is a version of the dog who remained in space, and was eventually taken in by the Collector. She was freed from the Collector’s Museum after the Power Stone’s explosion, and eventually joined the ranks of the Guardians of the Galaxy, helping to rebuild Knowhere as the team’s new base.
Cosmo officially joined the new Guardians of the Galaxy team in 2023’s Vol. 3, with her telepathic abilities surely being a huge asset to the team. She previously helped defend Knowhere from attacks by the High Evolutionary’s Hell Spawn, earning her position in the group. Voiced by Maria Bakalova, Cosmo was last seen fighting alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy on Krylor, teasing her future in the MCU as a valued member of the team. Even so, Cosmo, along with most of the other Guardians, hasn’t been confirmed to be returning to the MCU.
|
New Guardians of the Galaxy Member |
Actor |
|---|---|
|
Rocket Raccoon |
Bradley Cooper (Voice) |
|
Groot |
Vin Diesel (Voice) |
|
Kraglin Obfonteri |
Sean Gunn |
|
Adam Warlock |
Will Poulter |
|
Phyla |
Kai Zen |
|
Cosmo the Spacedog |
Maria Bakalova (Voice) |
|
Blurp |
Dee Bradley Baker (Voice) |
1 Dogpool Is The Ugliest, But Most Lovable, Dog In The MCU
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
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Played by Peggy, who was voted the ugliest dog in the United Kingdom, Mary Puppins, a.k.a. Dogpool, made her MCU debut in 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine. Dogpool is a variant of Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson, and a member of the Deadpool Corps, who work for Cassandra Nova in the Void at the End of Time. Dogpool was originally the pet of Reynolds’ Nicepool, but formed a quick and close bond with Earth-10005’s Deadpool upon meeting him in the Void, and partnered with him permanently after Nicepool’s death.
Despite being the ugliest dog, the Merc with a Bark is also the most lovable. Mary Puppins has a huge amount of personality, which she puts on display on several occasions, particularly when putting her ridiculously long tongue to use when licking Deadpool’s face or shocking Blind Al. Dogpool returned to Earth-10005 with Wade Wilson and Logan at the end of Deadpool & Wolverine, finding a new family with Deadpool’s friends. It would be fantastic to see Dogpool return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, perhaps explaining her own history as a Deadpool variant.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
Created by Kevin Feige Upcoming Films Deadpool & Wolverine , Captain America: Brave New World , Thunderbolts (2025) , Blade (2025) , The Fantastic Four (2025) , Avengers 5 , Avengers: Secret Wars Upcoming TV Shows Agatha: Coven of Chaos , Ironheart , Daredevil: Born Again , Wakanda , Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man , Marvel Zombies , Wonder Man , Vision Quest
Upcoming MCU Movies
- Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date February 14, 2025
- Thunderbolts*
Release Date May 2, 2025
- The Fantastic Four (2025)
Release Date July 25, 2025
- Blade (2025)
Release Date November 7, 2025
- Avengers: Doomsday
Release Date May 1, 2026
- Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date May 7, 2027