Canine Companions, Part One

Dogs are man’s best friend, so it makes sense that in the stories we tell ourselves, this is reflected – and even magnified in those fictions! Indeed, some cartoon dogs are practically iconic characters that are larger than most human characters, and we remember them well into adulthood. Here are just five of those memorable animated dogs…

1. Snoopy

We’ll start with perhaps the best-known dog in the world of cartoons: Snoopy. Creator Charles Schulz’s world of Peanuts was characterized by a generous humor and a playful sense of irony and fun about its characters, with each one playing a drastically different role in the ensemble that he managed to craft over the years. None have struck a deeper chord than Snoopy, however, whose hijinks amused us, and whose overtures of friendship touched us.

2. Pluto

Of course, we can’t forget the first dog of Disney, Pluto. Disney is, after all, the progenitor of some of the most iconic characters in all of animation, so it comes as no surprise that their dog is among the most well-known dogs in the world!

3. Goofy

Well, this is a little embarrassing; whereas Pluto is very much a dog, Goofy is an anthropomorphic dog: a dog that has human-like qualities. Where Pluto is the happy-go-lucky, energetic puppy, Goofy is the big, awkward dog, always running into things and making those puppy-dog eyes at you.

4. Astro Jetson

Astro, however, gets his own mention in the theme song of his show, the Jetsons. A classic show about a futuristic family living in the sky, Astro’s presence was a reassurance that in the end, the family is still very similar to what it is today.

5. Scooby-Doo

Whereas all the aforementioned dogs were supporting cast members, Scooby-Doo headlined his show. His strange way of talking, his friendship with Shaggy, and his utter cowardice – that somehow managed to save the day anyway – are things that stick with us decades after this show ended!