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The noun, dog, can be used to indicate something of an unattractive/unworthy feature/quality.
Merriam-Webster defines it as
8: one inferior of its kind
the movie was a dog : such as a: an investment not worth its price
b: an undesirable piece of merchandise
What animal(s), if any, do we use for the opposite, the adored/worthy objects?
It's not an exact opposite, but the mythical animal "unicorn" is sometimes used as a description for people and things that are so rare and special that they may seem nearly mythical. For instance, at my company, the most senior developers are jokingly referred to as "unicorns" because it's very rare for a developer to get promoted to that level --there are very few of them in the whole company.
Also --it's outdated slang at this point, but at one time "dog" and "fox" were paired opposites meaning "ugly" and "beautiful" in reference to people (most often used by boys when talking about girls). Thus "she's a dog" and "she's a fox" would be two sentences using this slang, but with opposite meanings. These usages would likely be received as offensive in modern conversation (or at least the first one would --you still occasionally do hear "she's a fox" or "he's a fox"). As noted in the comments below, vixen (literally "female fox") has a similar meaning and usage, but is more explicitly sexual, which makes it more likely to be received as offensive.
The slang word "beast" can be used to describe something that's awesome. For example:
This movie was a BEAST, cast wonderfully, directed excellently, acted superbly and just all around incredible, and the theme of the movie "Hero" by Chad Kroger is officially my theme song for whenever it's time for me to get down to business.
Not exactly an animal but more of a part of an animal, but both of the following expressions can be used to express a worthy/positive experience:
a highly admired person or thing
the best. It comes from the habit of male dog's licking their testicles and that they must taste good as they spend so much time in this activity.
In your example, you could say: That movie yesterday was the bee's knees/dog's b*llocks.
Many animal words in English have both positive and negative connotations, simultaneously. 'Dog' isn't always negative, but also also not always positive. The use of animal terms in relation of people is generally (but not always) used to denote a type of personality, not necessarily "good" or "bad". There are some exclusively bad or good though, so I'll try to make note of how each is perceived.
Swan
Swans are often used to describe grace and beauty, and are considered a superior animal compared to the duck. More upper-crusted in use. You can say something like, "She's an ugly duckling now, but she'll be a swan later." You can also say things like "She's a swan on the ice."... Downside is a swan is considered fragile and not down-to-earth. May sometimes be considered self-centered.
Ugly Duckling
Calling something an "Ugly Duckling" saying they're ugly now, that they stand out or look worse than their peers now, but will be a swan later.
Spring Chicken
Which means young and vibrant. So you can say, "She's a real spring chicken" or "I'm not a spring chicken anymore." That said, this is kind of dated terminology, and will make you sound like you're not a spring chicken. Also rural in origin. Has the negative connotation of being unexperienced.
Wolf
This means you're strong and independent ... but has a connotation of being a predator. "And the wolf went out on the dance floor."
Snake
This means clever and often (but not always) good looking ... but also not to be trusted. "And John came in, he was a real snake."
Dawg
Inner city slang. Opposed to "Dog", "Dawg" means a friend who is loyal and sticks close to you, even if they're both referencing the same animal. For example, "How's it going, Dawg?" Note that you must emphasize the "a" or it could be offensive due to being misinterpreted as "Dog".
Dog
Someone who is uncouth, uncultured, and unwise, but also very obedient and loyal... if handled properly. E.g. "Fred's a real dog..."
Prize Pig
Country slang. Means someone who is seen as high value and quality... to the right person, can be simultaneously complimenting and insulting. (Not to be confused with just "Pig" which is someone who is a slob.) For example, "Well, look at the prize pig up 'thar."
Pig
Someone who is messy and dirty and/or rude. Really not a positive connotation in any way. "He's a real pig." The rude meaning is almost exclusively used with men. HOWEVER... can also be a very rude way to refer to police officers. "Tony has the pigs on his back"
Showdog
Someone who looks good and is a showman... but also not very complicated. "Wow, look at the showdog up there."
Hoss
Believed by many to be a derivative of "Horse" (although possibly deriving from a celebrity named Hoss), inner city slang. "Hoss" means a very attractive male who is likely well-endowed in bed. Like "Dawg", the "a" sound is emphasized. Pronounced to it rhymes with "Sauce" e.g. "He's a real haws." Downside: There isn't much else to them.
Goose
Someone who's fun... but can also be a minor problem. For example, "She was just a silly goose." It's a pretty regional term though. Also, not be confused with the act of goosing, which is pinching someone's butt. (Not to be confused with "Golden Goose" which other answers here mention).
Parasite
This one is actually always bad. It means someone who takes from people constantly and never gives back.
Batty
People generally aren't called a bat, but they are called "Batty". It means kind of quirky, a little nuts, but generally harmless, and sometimes a source of amusement. "She's really batty." The one exception to not getting called a bat though is an older woman who can be called, specifically, "An old bat" which means about the same as batty or an older woman who is more emotionally cold.
Also, do not confuse with "Batman" which is a fictional character and being called "Batman" means you're being called rich, powerful, strong, larger than life, and there's a good chance it's not seriously meaning it. example: "I'm Batman"
Whale
Fat. Very fat. Also very insulting. Unless used in reference to online gaming, in which case it means someone rich who keeps free-to-play games free for everyone else by buying all the optional stuff. example for both: "She's a whale."
Shark
Someone clever, sneaky, predatory, and definitely out to get you, likely by scamming you in games of chance by having some unconventional skill like card counting. "Watch out for Lenny, he's a real card shark."
Jellyfish
Someone who can't stand up for themselves, synonym with "spineless". Example, "Don't be such a jellyfish."
Chicken
A Coward. Someone who runs at the first sign of trouble. Example, "What are you, Chicken?"
Cow
Fat. Not as bad as whale, however, unlike whale, doesn't mean they spend a lot at video games though. primarily used with women. Considered very rude, and would likely have nearby people get angry with you.
Alternatively, can mean an unpleasant woman.
Sheep
Mindless and obedient, cannot think for themselves... however, used in a positive context in religion to... mean pretty much the exact same thing. Example, "They are a bunch of sheep."
Worm
Someone who is always underfoot trying to appeal to superiors. Generally considered to have no redeeming qualities other than being an easy pawn to use who knows they're a pawn (and potentially dangerous if they see an opportunity to grab power for themselves.) "Lenny's a stooge and a real worm."
Unicorn
A unicorn can reference an ideal person for a certain situation that doesn't exist. For example, a business wanting to hire someone with 10 years of a experience with a program that's been out for 3 years, they're looking for a unicorn. (And if they do find such a person, such as the person who wrote the program and spent 10 years doing so before release, that person is a unicorn.) Example, "That last candidate was a unicorn. Don't lose them!" or "Who you're looking for a unicorn, you'll never find them."
Possibly starting as a derivative of the above, in the lgbtq subcultures, a unicorn means a sexually attractive and active woman who is bisexual and polyamorous. Or even simply someone single, gay, and available. Generally denotes someone desirable who is non-monogomous. Example, "He's a cute unicorn." or "We're having a get-together of local unicorns."
Stallion
Primarily means a sexually attractive and active man who enjoys many romantic entanglements. Can be either straight or gay. Generally denotes someone desirable who is non-monogomous.
Cold Fish
Someone is is not sexually active or romantically fulfilling. Generally used more insulting or referencing an unfulfilling marriage. "Poor Susan, she married a real cold fish."
Catty
People aren't generally called cats, but they are called Catty. This means someone who thinks they're better than other people, and is quick to point out the failings of others. Example, "Hey, don't be catty."
Not to be confused with "Catgirl" or "Catboy" which is used as Anime subculture slang to refer to someone who is playful, flirty, and cutely attractive.
We don't use an animal to describe something superior.
The use of "dog" in this slang sense is quite obscure. I'd probably understand the meaning in context, but it is rare enough that I can't recall ever hearing it used. The general sense of "inferior thing" is not found in other dictionaries
The slang meaning seems to be derived from the general idea of dogs, and animals in general being inferior. There is no animal that commonly means "superior thing". But there is also no animal that commonly means "inferior thing".
That said, "whale" can be used figuratively for something that is large, and by extension important and excellent, in the idiom "a whale of a ...."
My own father only wrote one poem in his life as far as I know, but it was a whale of a lyric, the kind you would give your whole life to write...
The expression "A whale of a time" common enough in casual speech (but it is a cliché) Other uses of "whale" to mean "excellent" are rare. I would not recommend using either "dog" or "whale" figuratively if you want to write clearly.
"Stud!" "Stud-ly!" A stud being a male horse used for breading other horses. Indicating it has those desirable qualities worthy of surviving the gene pool. (Males typically view it a positive thing to be overused for ... reproduction ... not sure how a woman would feel about it, though.)
Somewhat tenuous but you might also hear people mention a Golden Goose in reference to Aesop's fable of the goose that laid the golden egg, or a cash cow meaning a business venture that generates a steady return of profits.
A Bear can be a very tough, difficult task.
In general, using negative analogies to dogs is falling out of fashion: Dogs are members of our families. They protect our children and love us unconditionally. Most English speakers treat dogs with the same care and courtesy that they treat other people.
For example, when a terrorist gets "shot like a dog", it is common for people to retort "Don't insult dogs like that".
Update: You can also be busy as a beaver and you can be an eager beaver.
People with beautiful eyes can be doe eyed (A doe is a female deer).
People with a busy social calendars are social butterflies.
'Mutt's nuts' comes to mind - rather like earlier answers, but far more poetic! And agreeable in most class-related situations!
EDIT: on the other hand, someone who has a high opinion of themselves might feel that they are the cat's whiskers. So, reference to an animal describing 'high quality' - if only in the eyes of the beholder!
Another slang term is "cat's ass". Obviously you'd want to be careful where you use it.
That party was the cat's ass.
Wikipedia also mentions a few others (in conjunction with "cat's pajamas"), none of which I am even vaguely familiar with as a native speaker (Canada):
the snake's hips
the spider's ankles (Ireland)
the ant's pants (Australia)
We also have the much more mainstream lionhearted, meaning brave.
Traditionally young Masai men are consigned to a period of isolation in the bush in order to turn them into strong, lionhearted warriors
James mentioned bears. In another context we also have bear markets, i.e. when stocks are performing badly - and bull markets for when they're performing well. From this we can get more generally that one is feeling bullish.
Goat.
While not necessarily referring to the animal, the acronym G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) is often used to describe exceptional things/people.
