Hallmark Dog Movies

Start with stories where the dog changes what the people do.

Dog sitting between two people in a community garden

Guiding Emily

Emily adjusts to losing her sight while a potential guide dog works through his training.

Explore the film
  1. 1
    Guiding Emily

    Guiding Emily

    2023 · 84 min★ 7.8
    Big CityTalking AnimalsStory setting: Office

    A standout for dog people, rated 7.8. After losing her sight in a climbing accident, high-achiever Emily (Sarah Drew) rebuilds her independence while a spirited puppy named Garth trains to become her guide dog, and the film hands Garth his own first-person inner monologue throughout. It is a sincere, emotional story about partnership and resilience, with the human-and-service-dog bond squarely at its core. If you want a film where the dog truly co-leads, this is one of the best here.

  2. 2
    A Dog Named Christmas

    A Dog Named Christmas

    2009 · 95 min★ 7.4
    Rural/FarmA choice between past and futureChristmas setting

    One of the most dog-centered films on the list, rated 7.4. On a Kansas farm, a young man with a developmental disability convinces his skeptical father and whole town to adopt shelter dogs for Christmas, bonding closely with one he names Christmas. Bruce Greenwood leads. It is a tender, sincere story about empathy and a father healing old wounds, with the human-dog bond right at its center. If you want a real dog movie, this is one of the best.

  3. 3
    Love and Sunshine

    Love and Sunshine

    2019 · 84 min★ 7.1
    July 4th setting

    A woman has been fostering a dog as she recovers from a broken heart. As the owner returns to claim the dog will sparks fly or will it just lead to another broken heart?

  4. 4
    My Christmas Guide

    My Christmas Guide

    2023 · 84 min★ 7.1
    Small TownChristmas settingStory setting: School

    One of the most dog-centered films on the list, rated 7.1 with over 1,200 votes. A literature professor (Ben Mehl) who recently lost his sight regains his confidence with the help of a loyal Lab named Max and a dedicated guide-dog trainer (Amber Marshall). The human-and-service-dog bond is squarely at the core here, not a sidekick. A sincere, warm story about independence and partnership. If you want a real guide-dog movie, this is one of the best.

  5. 5
    Love to the Rescue

    Love to the Rescue

    2019 · 84 min★ 7.0
    SuburbCareer versus family prioritiesStory setting: School

    One of the most dog-centered films on the list, rated 7.0 with over 1,500 votes. Two single parents (Nikki DeLoach, Michael Rady) both try to adopt the same shelter dog, Bruce, and settle on a month of shared custody to decide who keeps him. The rescue pup drives the entire plot here, no exaggeration. A warm matchmaker-dog romance about two families becoming one. If you want a real dog movie, this is exactly that.

  6. 6
    A Dog Named Duke

    A Dog Named Duke

    2012 · 85 min★ 7.0
    SuburbA choice between past and futureJuly 4th setting

    A homeless veteran leaves his dying dog and best friend, Duke, on the doorstep of an animal clinic. The dedicated staff nurse Duke back to health, and then launch a campaign to locate the veteran and re-unite him with his best pal.

  7. 7
    Jingle All the Way

    Jingle All the Way

    2011 · 23 min★ 7.0

    In Jingle All the Way a spirited Husky puppy looking for a home at a Christmas tree farm instantly bonds with a young boy visiting with his parents. As the boy rides away, unable to keep him, the pup escapes and embarks on a snowy journey to find his friend again. Guided by a wise cardinal and the sound of jingling bells, he eventually receives the help he needs from a big man in a red suit just in time for Christmas morning.

  8. 8
    The Christmas Shepherd

    The Christmas Shepherd

    2014 · 84 min★ 6.7
    Small TownA choice between past and futureChristmas setting

    The search for a missing dog leads to a new romance.

  9. 9
    Christmas with Tucker

    Christmas with Tucker

    2013 · 87 min★ 6.7
    Rural/FarmCareer versus family prioritiesChristmas setting

    A young boy learns to be a man after the death of his father and forms a special bond with a dog.

  10. 10
    McBride: Dogged

    McBride: Dogged

    2007 · 120 min★ 6.6

    The annual LA Kennel Club Dog Show gets treated to an unexpected surprise when a backstage murder incriminates the winning canine's handler.

  11. 11
    Walking the Dog

    Walking the Dog

    2017 · 84 min★ 6.5
    Small TownCareer versus family prioritiesValentine's Day setting

    Rival lawyers battle each other in court as their respective dogs fall madly in love, bringing their guardians together at every turn until they reluctantly realize it may not just be the pups who are each other's true Valentine.

  12. 12
    A Tail of Love

    A Tail of Love

    2022 · 87 min★ 6.5
    Small TownStory setting: Other

    When Bella discovers that funding for her dog rescue centre is discontinued, she turns to JR, a soldier who quickly becomes attached to one of her rescues, a German Shepherd named Indie.

  13. 13
    The More Love Grows

    The More Love Grows

    2023 · 84 min★ 6.5
    SuburbWedding Anniversary settingStory setting: Other

    Helen is blindsided when her husband asks for a separation. With the help of a friendly vet and a rambunctious stray dog, she rediscovers her strength and begins to rebuild her life.

  14. 14
    Love Unleashed

    Love Unleashed

    2019 · 82 min★ 6.4
    Small TownBusiness at stakeParent lead

    Hailey hosts puppy parties that help rescue dogs find homes. One event brings her together with Ryan and his daughter, Emmy. Later, Ryan’s work as a city planner puts him on the other side of Hailey’s campaign for a dog park, tying the romance to the rescue effort and a local land-use dispute.

  15. 15
    Love at First Bark

    Love at First Bark

    2017 · 84 min★ 6.3
    Big CityBusiness at stakeStory setting: Office

    A single woman with a newly adopted dog, turns to a handsome dog trainer for help. As they make progress with the dog, she realizes she may be developing feelings for the trainer.

  16. 16
    Unleashing Mr. Darcy

    Unleashing Mr. Darcy

    2016 · 84 min★ 6.2
    Big CityStory setting: OtherRivals become romantic leads

    In this modern day spin on Pride & Prejudice, Elizabeth Scott (Cindy Busby), is fishing for direction in her life and gets the opportunity to professionally show her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in a fancy New York dog show.

  17. 17
    Love on Harbor Island

    Love on Harbor Island

    2020 · 80 min★ 6.2
    Small TownCareer versus family prioritiesWedding Anniversary setting

    Interior designer Lily returns home to help her Aunt Maggie run her marina-side bed and breakfast when she meets Marcus, a handsome seaplane pilot whose work delivering rescue dogs helps Lily discover that home really is where the heart is

  18. 18
    The Dog Lover's Guide to Dating

    The Dog Lover's Guide to Dating

    2023 · 82 min★ 6.2
    Big CityStory setting: Other

    Simon believes Chloe is the girl of his dreams but can't seem to win over her beloved pup. He enlists dog trainer, Alex, and soon finds himself wondering where his real connection might be.

  19. 19
    Like Cats & Dogs

    Like Cats & Dogs

    2017 · 84 min★ 6.1
    Small TownStory setting: Beach TownRivals become romantic leads

    A reservation goes awry when two renters one with a dog and one with a cat must share a house.

  20. 20
    Eat, Play, Love

    Eat, Play, Love

    2017 · 83 min★ 6.1
    Small TownCareer versus family prioritiesStory setting: Other

    Veterinarian Dr. Carly Monroe (Jen Lilley) falls for Dan Landis (Jason Cermak), the owner of a dog shelter she frequently visits. Unfortunately, Dan is about to marry his glamorous girlfriend and move to New York City.

  21. 21
    Puppy Love

    Puppy Love

    2012 · 90 min★ 6.1
    Small TownParent lead

    A ballplayer (Victor Webster) claims to be the owner of a woman's (Candace Cameron Bure) new dog.

  22. 22
    Hometown Hero

    Hometown Hero

    2017 · 84 min★ 6.0
    Small TownCareer versus family prioritiesJuly 4th setting

    A young divorce mediator remains cynical until a client's dog pairs her with a local vet.

  23. 23
    My Boyfriends' Dogs

    My Boyfriends' Dogs

    2014 · 86 min★ 5.8
    Small TownStory setting: Restaurant

    The owners of a small diner are surprised one rainy evening when, just after close, a young woman wearing a wedding dress--with three dogs in tow--begs to come into their restaurant. What follows is the young woman's retelling of how she arrived at this curious junction in her life and how, through the search for the right man, she ended up as a runaway bride with three new dogs.

  24. 24
    Romance to the Rescue

    Romance to the Rescue

    2022 · 87 min★ 5.8
    Small TownBusiness at stakeStory setting: Other

    To impress a potential love interest, Kyra enters her dog in an agility show. The problem is, she has no dog so she needs to find (and train) one, and quick.

  25. 25
    A Royal Corgi Christmas

    A Royal Corgi Christmas

    2022 · 84 min★ 5.7
    Royal/EstateChristmas settingStory setting: Castle

    To win his mother's love, Prince Edmond gives her a corgi and hires Cecily, a dog trainer. Edmond and Cecily bond over the dog, and discover that love can grow in unexpected places.

  26. 26
    You Lucky Dog

    You Lucky Dog

    2010 · 87 min★ 5.7
    Small TownCareer versus family prioritiesJuly 4th setting

    Lisa returns to her family’s cattle farm and adopts Lucky, a border collie with a talent for herding. As the family weighs a shift from cattle to sheep, Lucky trains for a herding competition that could help the farm earn new income.

  27. 27
    Sweet Home Carolina

    Sweet Home Carolina

    2017 · 84 min★ 5.6
    Small TownCareer versus family prioritiesMother's Day setting

    Diane is a struggling single mom in LA. Just when things are at their worst, she inherits a house, but she will have to live in small town USA and take care of a dog for a year before she can sell the house.

  28. 28
    A Christmas Wedding Tail

    A Christmas Wedding Tail

    2011 · 90 min★ 4.3
    Small TownCareer versus family prioritiesChristmas setting

    It's love at first sight when Rusty the Labrador and Cheri the Poodle meet one day while jogging in the park. Even better- their owners fall in love too! But love is more complicated for the people, Susan and Jake, who marry and attempt to join together their large family of five children. With kids fighting and a household in complete chaos, it's up to the dogs to keep the family together.

  29. 29
    The Finnish Line

    The Finnish Line

    2024 · 84 min
    InternationalA choice between past and futureChristmas setting

    Anya follows her father's footsteps in sled dog racing. In Finland, she enters his last race but her lead dog is injured. Teaming with Cole's dog, she battles her father's rival Monty while learning to trust her new canine partner to win.

  30. 30
    Sherlock Bones: A K-9 Mystery

    Sherlock Bones: A K-9 Mystery

    2024 · 84 min
    Small TownA choice between past and futureStory setting: School

    When Jazz Ramsey and her crime detection dog Zeus stumble upon an old crime scene, the K9 trainer, her star pup, and ex-boyfriend and lead detective Nick are thrown into the investigation.

About this list

30 movies · Updated 2026-09-26

A dog must materially shape the story, relationship or central activity. Other pets and incidental dog appearances do not qualify. Eligible films follow saved IMDb rating.

A dog changes what the people do in these stories. Training, adoption or daily care can bring characters together and create the problem they need to solve. The dog has to matter to the plot, beyond appearing as a pet in the background.

How we research film facts

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch Hallmark dog movies?

Open a film's HallmarkDB record for its provider links, then check the provider's catalogue in your country. A historical premiere or a place in this list does not establish present streaming availability.

Which titles put an animal in the central story?

Guiding Emily follows Emily after she loses her sight and Garth through his daily training to become a guide dog. A Dog Named Christmas follows a young man rallying his family and community around shelter adoptions. Both give the dogs more to do than appear beside the human leads.