#25: Columbo’s Dog Is Literally Named “Dog”
Columbo’s basset hound companion doesn’t have a cute or clever name. He’s simply called Dog. The lethargic pup first appears in the Season Two premiere, Étude in Black, and immediately feels like a perfect match for his absent-minded owner.
Dog isn’t trained, helpful, or particularly bright — and that’s exactly why he works. He mirrors Columbo’s underestimated presence, quietly wandering around crime scenes while suspects ignore him. Like the raincoat and the Peugeot, Dog became an unexpectedly iconic part of the show’s world.