Top ten literary canines

Mikita Brottman, PhD, is an Oxford-educated scholar, critic, and psychoanalyst. Her new book is The Great Grisby: Two Thousand Years of Literary, Royal, Philosophical, and Artistic Dog Lovers and Their Exceptional Animals.

One of Brottman's top ten literary canines, as shared at the Guardian:

Argos is the loyal hound who belonged to Odysseus, who recognises his disguised master after an absence of 20 years. In joyful anticipation, Homer tells us that "he dropped his ears and wagged his tail". But Argos, understanding that his master is in disguise, can't approach him and Odysseus can't acknowledge the dog without giving himself away. Odysseus sheds a secret tear, and Argos, after waiting so long to see his master again, dies after a single glimpse of him.

Read about the other dogs on the list.

"Argos" is one of Nicole Hill's ten best names in literature to give your dog.

Learn about two dogs named Argos by their writer-humans: Ceiridwen Terrill & Argos and Jehanne Dubrow & Argos.

Also see Cliff McNish's top ten dogs in children's books; Becky Ferreira's 11 best books about dogs; and Ben Frederick's eleven essential books for dog lovers.

--Marshal Zeringue