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Discover 30 famous dog cartoons

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30 famous dogs in cartoons and comics

By Emilie Heyl Content Writer

Updated on the

If the dog is known to be a man’s best friend, he is also portrayed in many comics, cartoons and animated movies!

The dog is an animal widely used in cartoons, comics and animated movies. Disney Studios for example have cradled the childhoods of many generations with their endearing canine characters, and they are not the only ones. Whether terrifying, shy, goofy, good-natured or full of mischief, the city-worshiped dog is among the greatest heroes in cartoons, comics and animated movies.

What are some famous cartoon dogs in the UK?

Detectives, super heroes, our furry best friends are capable of anything. What could be better than to illustrate our love for them than to portray them on the big screen? From Pluto to Scooby Doo, via Snoopy, Gromit or Clifford, let’s delve back into childhood to the (re) discovery of cartoon dogs which, throughout the generations, will have marked the spirits.

Balto

Balto is an American animated film directed by Simon Wells, released in 1995. This inspired story happens In 1925, in the village of Nome, Alaska. Balto, a Siberian Husky cross Wolf, is rejected by the other dogs and suffers terribly from this. One day, a serious epidemic befalls the village. All roads are blocked by a violent blizzard and the only way to get medicine is to send dogs. Balto is courageous, fierce and loyal.

Bolt 

Bolt, is a White Shepherd dog, who believes he’s a superhero. Well that's what he thinks. Indeed, he is the hero of a series but he lives in a bubble, knowing nothing about real life.

Brian Griffin

The pet of the Griffin Family in Family Guy, Brian is a friendly Labrador Retriever dog who is extremely intelligent. When he’s not with other family members, Brian spends his time with the family’s baby: Stewart.

Chase, Marshall, Skye, Rocky, Rubble, Zuma

You might have recognised these characters from the children’s show PAW Patrol. The Canadian animated television series created by Keith Chapman follows the adventures of Ryder and his crew of search and rescue dogs. The team is composed of Chase, a German Shepherd, Marshall, a Dalmatian, Skye, a Cockapoo, Rubble a Schnauzer/Scottish Terrier mixed breed, Rubble a Bulldog and Zuma a Golden Retriever.

Clifford

This big red dog has met with great success. Endearing and sympathetic, he is a little candid, but his wisdom has earned him the recognition of all his fellows. The 65 episodes of this American animated series Clifford the big red dog ran from 2000 to 2003.

Droopy dog

Droopy is a character with human characteristics. Created by Tex Avery, this Basset Hound is incredibly sad and incredibly slow. But this dog ends all his stories as a happy hero.

Goofy

Goofy first appeared in 1932 in Mickey’s Revue directed by Wilfred Jackson. Recognised for his clumsiness and goofiness he is an anthropomorphic dog character in the Mickey Mouse universe. He regularly appears alongside his two friends Mickey and Donald.

Gromit

Gromit is a Beagle dog from the short chronicles of Wallace and Gromit. You get to follow the incredible adventures of a brilliant cracker and cheese-loving inventor (Wallace) and his clever dog (Gromit). The British show was created by Nick Park.

Max, Duke, Buddy

Released in theaters in 2016, “The Secret Life of Pets” puts the spotlight on the life of pets when the owners have their backs turned… Informative and very fun! On display, and among other four-legged heroes, are the following three dogs: Max, a Jack Russell Terrier, Duke, the huge bastard, Buddy, a short-haired Dachshund.

Muttley

Muttley is a fictional character from Wacky Races. This mixed-breed dog is part of the Satanas team that often ends up losing the race.

Nana

Nana is a sweet and kind nursemaid in Peter Pan. This Saint Bernard is very close to her little humans, Wendy, John and Michael Darling. She takes her job very seriously, she has to give medicine to the three kids every night. Nana was so upset when she saw them leaving with Peter Pan to go on their trip to Neverland.

Pluto

Created in 1930 by Norman Ferguson, director, animator and excellent American cartoonist (1902-1957), Pluto is a canine character first brought to life by the Walt Disney Company. Pluto is Mickey's companion.

Pongo, Perdita

Pongo and Perdita are one of the main characters of the Walt Disney's animated movie 101 Dalmatians, released in 1961. These two lovers are the proud parents of 15 Dalmatian dogs.

Santa's Little Helper

Santa’s Little Helper is a dog character created by Matt Groening. With such a name, one would expect an idyllic character with a huge heart. False! This Greyhound is stupid, biting, disobedient, but he is nevertheless sometimes found endearing. 

Scooby Doo

It was in 1969 that the American franchise Scooby-Doo aired on the CBS network. Scooby-Doo (short for Scoobert-Doo) is a Great Dane who expresses himself as a human. He is fearful, extremely greedy but also easygoing, which allows him to immediately gain the sympathy of young and old.

Slinky dog

Slinky dog is a fictional character from the animated movie Toy Story. The wooden Dachshund toy is one of the most lovable character probably because of his sweet Southern accent and his kindness.

Snoopy 

Snoopy is a Beagle dog and the main character of the comic strip Peanuts. These comics made their first appearance on October 4, 1950. He and his owner Charlie Brown are the main characters of the comic strip.

Snowy

Snowy is Tintin's inseparable companion, he follows him everywhere, against all odds and accompanies him on many adventures. This white Fox Terrier is rather boastful, mocking, quite sensitive and superstitious.

The Tramp, Lady, Trusty, Jock

These are famous characters from the animated film Lady and the Tramp which was first broadcast in 1955. Lady is inspired by Joe Grant’s American Cocker Spaniel. It would be after admiring her fur that Walt Disney decided to make her the heroine of the film but graphically Lady is inspired by the English cocker spaniel of Hamilton Luske. Tramp is a stray dog, a mongrel whose cross breeds are not identified, but inspired by an actual dog that was saved by the studio and then lived on the farm of Disneyland Park after the film's release.
The dog Jock is a Scottish terrier. In the movie, Jock mentions that his real name is actually Heather Lad O 'Glencairn and that he responds to Jock's only for the pleasure of his owners. Trusty is a Bloodhound with a glorious past, but who has lost his sense of smell.

Our best friends, have always held an important place in cartoons, movies or even in literature - as in the lives of many families around the world, moreover - and that's not about to stop.

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