A dog lover and owner of several dogs herself, actress Denise Richards couldn’t resist giving this dog a little pet and a smile while walking around in Malibu this past Sunday.

We imagine it’s because this dog reminds her of Hank, her own French bulldog!

Taking a break from her custody battle with ex-husband Charlie Sheen, Denise Richards treated her daughters Sam, 3, and Lola, 2, (not pictured) – and the dog we’ve never seen before in the Richards home – to some fun in the sun on a beach in Malibu on Wednesday.

Denise Richards was seen walking with this dog on March 19th. We’re not quite sure if this is a French Bulldog or a Boston Terrier. We confuse those dogs constantly, anyone know which breed?

Update: This is a French bulldog named Hank!

The quality of the picture isn’t great but Animal Fair never responded to our inquiries about getting a better image. The November 2006 cover has a quote from Denise Richards that says:

“Not all men are dogs…”

Denise Richards has a crowded bed because she regularly sleeps with her FIVE dogs. OK, I didn’t know she had five dogs, I just might become a Denise Richards fan after all. The former Bond girl has two Boston terriers named Lucy and Stella, Hank the French bulldog, Henry the pug and Tina the golden retriever. Wowza! She’s giving Jodie Marsh a run for her money!

“I dress them up all the time. They sleep with me often,” Richards tells Animal Fair magazine. “The other night, I had both the kids and all the dogs in my bed. I didn’t sleep very well that night. I woke up with a kink in my neck.”

Sounds like it’s time for a bigger bed Denise!