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

READ ALSO:
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)

laidback pet breeds

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)

READ ALSO:
New York Pet Fashion Show: Dogs wow in futuristic space fashion

Cancer survivor and therapy dog Jeanie

Formerly stray car company mascot Tucson

Stray dog adopted as Brazilian car company mascot — Tucson hung around so much they let him stay (Picture: @tucson_prime)

Silly blue whippet Bessie

Fur-ocious! Embarrassed dog owner reveals how their family pet was left bright BLUE for four days after rolling on an acrylic painting Travel agent Sacha Barbato, 49, from Brandiston, Norfolk, revealed how two-year-old Bessie was left a violent shade of turquoise for almost four days The Bedlington-Whippet cross decided to roll on a canvas that had been left out to dry in the garden, resulting in the colourful new look Her owner, says the family got 'funny looks' for days while out walking Bessie, as the colour refused to fade - despite two washes — Bessie got into some paint (Picture: Twitter/ @sachab71)

Goodest boy ever Niño

Sk8r boi Darrel

Meet the adventurous pup who has spent the pandemic quarantine learning how to SKATEBOARD. — Check out this cool guy (Picture: Hailey Adair / SWNS)

Golden oldie August

August just turned 20, making her the world?s oldest golden retriever — August just turned 20 this year, making her the world’s oldest golden retriever (Picture: Facebook/GoldHeartGoldenRetriever)

Pampered pups Romeo and Reggie

romeo and reggie wearing sparkling bow ties — The duo have a wardrobe that cost more than £20,000 in total (Picture: Leone Galler)

Excitable cat flap thief Jock

INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: Former Michael Vick dogs, Sox and Hector, are certified therapy dogs. They now spend their days cheering up people at hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.