Everything I have ever read says we cannot pass on our common cold to our dogs. They do get their own versions of colds -- usually called kennel cough. But it is probably just a coincidence when owner and pet both wind up with "colds." I have also seen it written that we cannot pass on the flu. But.. evidently some viruses can be passed from humans to pets:
"A case of swine flu passed from owner to a mixed breed dog in New York has been confirmed, however veterinarians believe this kind of infection will remain rare. (Read more at Suite101: Dog with Swine Flu: Dogs can Catch H1N1 Virus from Humans http://www.suite101.com/content/dog-with-swine-flu-a182596#ixzz1A3ILPK8p")
"In addition to humans, live swine and turkeys, a small number of ferrets (which are highly susceptible to influenza A viruses), domestic cats and dogs have been infected with 2009 H1N1 virus. ...How do pets become infected with 2009 H1N1?..All available information suggests that the ferrets and domestic cats infected with 2009 H1N1 infections acquired the virus through close contact with ill humans.
"Can I get 2009 H1N1 influenza from my pet? Available evidence suggests that transmission has been from ill humans to their companion animals. No evidence is available to suggest that animals are infecting humans with 2009 H1N1 virus. "
"Normally a human cannot get a dog virus like canine influenza or parvo. However, people can catch viruses through exposure to dog feces and the unsafe handling of sick or infected dogs.
The dog virus a human can get is rabies. A bite from an infected dog is usually how the virus is transmitted. Though it is rare, a person can also get rabies if the saliva from an infected animal gets into their eyes, mouth or an open wound.
Read more: Can a Dog Virus Be Transmitted to Humans? "
A list of Shared Illnesses for Humans/Dogs:
Dog Human Shared Illnesses
"Fifth disease is caused by infection with human parvovirus B19. This virus infects only humans. Pet dogs or cats may be immunized against "parvovirus," but these are animal parvoviruses that do not infect humans. Therefore, a child cannot "catch" parvovirus from a pet dog or cat, and a pet cat or dog cannot catch human parvovirus B19 from an ill child.
CDC - Parvovirus: B19 -- This is one I saved because a friend of mine said their child had parvo -- I was surprised
but then found it was fifth disease which I had heard of before -- just did not know it was human parvo (not the same as dog parvo).
More than you wanted to know I bet
I just find it interesting that some viruses do cross the species barrier sometimes -- makes me wonder what makes it different when it does cross.