In romantic comedies and dramas alike, dogs serve as the perfect excuse for a first encounter. Think about it: a leash tangles around a stranger’s leg, a runaway pup causes a collision of coffee cups, or a friendly golden retriever simply won’t stop licking the hand of someone who just walked by.

If you are a screenwriter, novelist, or hopeless romantic looking to understand the archetypes of this niche, exploring the is essential. From the "Grumpy Meets Sunshine" golden retriever to the jealous rescue pup, here is the definitive guide to how dogs are stealing the show—and our hearts—in romance.

Lady’s structured world is upended, forcing her to rely on Tramp's survival skills.

The protagonist (Clara) despises the dog (Goose) because it is untrained. The romantic interest (Mark) hates Clara for judging his "baby." The storyline forces them to train the dog together.

“Uh,” Liam said, looking down. “Is this a mugging?”