Santa's Little Helper and Tiger (50th). According to a writer for McClatchy News Service, the rankings were "determined by popularity, name recognition and how long the show lasted." Among fans and critics, Santa's Little Helper has been mostly well received. He ranked seventh in a 2008 poll by "Dog Whisperer"s Cesar Millan that determined the "best-loved television dog of all time." Lassie ranked first in the poll. In addition, he was voted the tenth favorite "Simpsons" character by readers of "Simpsons Comics" in the United Kingdom in 2010. In a list of their top twelve favorite dogs from cartoons, comics, and animation, writers
Brother's Little Helper of IGN posted a "flashback review" of "Brother's Little Helper". Canning, calling the episode "funny" and "a standout episode in this later season", was particularly fond of the episode's opening. However, he was less impressed with the third act of the episode, calling it "lackluster". He felt that the part involving Mark McGwire was "a silly cop out" and that it wasn't as funny as what was leading up to it. He also stated that he was put off by the writers wanting to come across a message. "It's not that I necessarily disagreed with this sentiment", Canning wrote, "but