The best dogs of 2020 that helped us through tough times

You don’t need us to tell you that things have been rubbish this year.

If there’s one thing that’s always there to cheer us up, though, it’s the sweet gift of dogs .

They’re not called man’s best friend for nothing, and have lightened the load with some funny moments and feats of bravery and loyalty.

Even if you don’t have a dog yourself, we’re sure you’ll agree that these ones are amazing and adorable.

Here are our top picks from 2020.

Dexter the musical dalmatian

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Let these adorable ticklish pets soothe your lockdown woes
So pure, so good (Pictures: Splitpics UK)People have been sharing pictures of their pets being tickled and honestly, it is exactly what our lockdown needed.Oh, to be this relaxed (Picture: Splitpics UK) This is a belly begging for a little rub (Picture: Splitpics UK) That’s a happy face, right?

‘Britain’s naughtiest dog’ Cooper

the distruction wrought by Cooper the boxer — We shouldn’t laugh, but destructive Cooper doesn’t even look guilty (Picture: Jill Kirkham/SWNS)

Rescued Lily-Mae’s pregnancy photoshoot

These well-dressed elderly dogs

Animal shelter dresses dogs as old people to get them adopted — The pups were dressed in old people clothes to help them get adopted (Picture: @flagler_humane_society)

Maxine the corgi

Wilbur, the mayor of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky

Rabbit Hash mayor dog — That’s Mr Mayor to you (Picture: Facebook)

Joe Biden’s rescue dogs Champ and Major

First dogs Major and Champ will move into White House with Joe Biden — Major and Champ will be the first rescue dogs in the White House (Picture:@Drbiden/Instagram)

A Wagging Tail Does Not Always Equal a Happy Dog. Don’t approach a strange dog just because it’s wagging it’s tail. Tail wagging isn’t always the universal sign of happiness – it can also indicate fear or insecurity. Be sure to teach your children about the basics of dog bite prevention.

Gentle giant Hammer

A baby girl cuddles the family Rottweiler in a video posted on Instagram by her mother — Although some people are scared of big dogs like Hammer, he proves some are big softies (Picture: vanessa___fernandes__)

Surfer dude Rothstein

Video grab from the incredible footage of Rothstein the Bulldog and his awesome surfing skills at the beach city of Del Mar, San Diego. See SWNS story SWBRbulldog. Meet Rothstein: the sea faring bulldog with a passion for surfing. The talented dog has been surfing at the beach city of Del Mar, San Diego since he was a puppy. Footage shows 3-year-old Rothstein clearly having the time of his life as he effortlessly glides through the water under the watchful eye of his owner John Garcia. — He’s been riding the waves since he was a puppy (Picture: John Garcia / SWNS.COM)

These curious fence-peekers

dogs peeking through holes in a fence — An owner made holes in the fence so these sweet pups could say hello (Picture: Liltroubless/TikTok)

Halloween king Toad

All of this postie’s best dog pals

Mailman makes friends with every animal he meets on the job — On his rounds, this mailman met hundreds of friendly dogs (Picture: @carteiroamigodosanimais)

Basketball star Lilo

Video grab of Lilo the corgi and her unique talent - throwing basketball trick shots!See SWNS story SWBRcorgi. Meet Lilo the adorable corgi with a unique talent - throwing basketball trick shots! Five-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi Lilo developed her talent over the lockdown period by taking out the energy she would usually get from socialising with other dogs, on balloons. Owner Denny Ku noticed the motion of Lilo hitting the balloons was similar to that of shooting a basketball and soon began teaching her 'trick shots'. Denny, 29, films and publishes her amazing trick shots on the social media page @aircorg and his talented little fluffball is now gaining a lot of attention. — Proof that any dog can learn new tricks (Picture: @aircorg / SWNS.COM)

Greedy Max who ate his lead

Dog ate his own lead — There was a happy ending for this greedy chonk (Picture: PA)

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New York Pet Fashion Show: Dogs wow in futuristic space fashion
(Picture: Johannes EISELE/AFP) He knows he looks good (Picture: Johannes EISELE/AFP) Mama alien with her fur babies (Picture: Johannes EISELE/AFP) When two divas meet on the red carpet (Picture: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs) Finishing touches for this babe (Picture: Reuters/Caitlin Ochs) The humans did pretty well at the futuristic fashion too (Picture: Reuters/Caitlin Ochs) We can’t handle this cuteness (Picture: Reuters/Caitlin Ochs) Does the outfit include batteries?