We all know that dogs are a man’s and a woman’s best friend. Loyal, dependable, and unconditional in their love, they’re just the sort of companions that sports people need. They’ll be there to celebrate the victories and commiserate over the defeats.
In exchange, these lucky pooches can expect to be treated to a life of luxury and a VIP reception wherever they go.
There’s also a distinct trend for them to have a social media profile. Some are even starting to join the ever-swelling ranks of canine influencers, including several of these lucky pups.
Christopher Chip Rafael Nadal (Serena Williams)
When she’s not on the court, returning ball after ball to her training partner, one of the greatest players of all time, she is cuddling up to her cute little Yorkshire terrier. She’s so fond of him that she’s even given him the name of the similarly accomplished Spanish tennis ace. Roger Federer is said to be most put out by this revelation.
Steel and Silver (Patrick Mahomes)
Some say that the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback is the greatest of all time and features frequently in sports betting. So, it wouldn’t be a big surprise if he had a pet goat. But the more conventional Mahomes has gone for a pit bull and a cane corso with distinctly macho names of Steel and Silver. And when he throws a stick for them and calls “fetch,” they know they have a long chase ahead.
Anthony Edwards Jr (Anthony Edwards)
We’ve heard owners are starting to look like their dogs and vice versa. But having the same name is certainly a new twist on this. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ shooting guard said that he named his dog after him because, just like its owner, it also knows how to do everything. It’s unknown if Junior also shares his owner’s profound sense of modesty.
Lilo and Rambo Biles (Simone Biles)
The multiple Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast has nearly gone as far as Anthony Edwards, but at least she only shares a surname with her pair of French bulldogs. While she is all poise and grace, whether on the beam or the vaulting horse of the mat, she says that the troublesome twosome is always up to some mischief.
Lucy, Leo, and Jade (Lindsey Vonn)
Now that she has retired from professional skiing, Lindsey Vonn has more time to care for her three adorable rescue dogs. Their Instagram account is full of fabulous pics of the trio living their best life high up in the mountains, without a single black run.
Marosca (Cristiano Ronaldo)
The legendary Portuguese striker is well-known for his love of dogs. He even stepped in to save a struggling kennel by auctioning off a signed shirt and giving them the proceeds. So it’s not too big a surprise that he has a much-loved dog. What breed is Marosca? He’s an excellent big golden retriever. And what could be more appropriate for a five-time winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or?
Lua, Scooby, and Fluffy (Tom Brady)
Our next all-star quarterback started with just the one dog, Lua. But then the cute little beagle Scooby came up for adoption, and he just couldn’t resist giving him a new home. Not to be outdone, Brady’s partner Giselle Bundchen adopted her own adorable pup, Fluffy, and brought him home to join the other two. Although he hadn’t been consulted, Brady was delighted at the new arrival.
Atom and Humber (Alexis Sanchez)
He’s moved around a great deal in his career, but now he seems settled at Sevilla in Spain, which means that soccer star Sanchez can now have two dogs of his own. Atom and Humber are his golden retrievers – perhaps he’s hoping they’ll act as lucky charms to help him win his own Ballon d’Or just like Ronaldo.
Pacman (Manny Pacquiao)
It’s unknown whether it was his love of 1980s arcade games or just a desire to have a dog nearly named after him that led to his dog being called Pac-Man. He was often seen out with his owner on training runs in his owner’s boxing days, but had to take more of a back seat when Manny became a senator in the Philippines.
Onyx (Michael Phelps)
He was a great swimmer, and now he has a great dane at his side. Phelps has said that owning dogs has been vital for maintaining his mental health. Truly, man and beast in perfect harmony.
So there you have them – the dogs of the sporting elite. Now perhaps it’s time for someone to organise a show for them to decide which is the top dog.
