Tobimaru

Tobimaru is a heroic dog in the anime movie Sword of the Stranger. He is the loyal companion of the orphan boy Kotaro who's being chased by a squad of Ming warriors. While Kotaro is initially very suspicious of Nanashi, Tobimaru starts quickly liking the ronin, even giving him one of the cooked fish Kotaro had prepared just for himself and Tobimaru. He's also very protective of both Kotaro and Nanashi, killing one of the soldiers threatening Kotaro and catching one of the knives thrown at Nanashi, getting himself poisoned.

When Tobimaru's left behind bound while Shouan's leading Kotaro into the hands of the Ming, the dog knows Shouan's dishonest intentions. He then gets himself free of the rope and leads Nanashi to the Ming fortress, distracting the large Ming warrior long enough for Nanashi to kill him before he can sacrifice Kotaro.