Cartoons are a form of visual entertainment appealing to a wide audience regardless of their age. The characters make us laugh as they come to life on the television screen. Laughing is cathartic, and it brings us joy to see what silly antics the characters get themselves into – and how they get out of their predicaments.
Anthropomorphism is when an animal takes on human characteristics, and cartoon dogs are a perfect example of anthropomorphic creatures. Cartoons allow a fantasy world where dogs can interact on a human level and are capable of driving a narrative as the main character.
Many of us fondly remember watching animated cartoon dogs on TV. Get nostalgic about these iconic cartoon dogs of the 20th century.
A Brief History of Traditional Cartoon Animation
It may surprise you that animation began before the dawn of the movie and television eras. Archaeologists have found pottery from ancient civilizations showing characters with expressions depicting moving scenes, which some consider to be the earliest form of animation. Various ocular devices and toys were popular centuries later, where candles would illuminate glass slides spinning in a circle to create a painted object’s movement.
Early cartoon animation began developing at the turn of the century using stop-motion animation with puppets, clay, or other objects. Animators then began painting on transparent sheets called cels and created a reel, turning it into a cartoon or movie. The earliest movie using this technique is credited to Walt Disney’s film Steamboat Willy in 1928, launching Mickey Mouse into fame.
Over the years, different studios produced a variety of cartoons featuring dogs as major characters if not the main character. But which qualities make for an endearing canine character loved by millions across generations?
Qualities of an Iconic Cartoon Dog
With their loyalty, compassion, and silliness, dogs in cartoons exhibit admirable characteristics that make them great choices for animated characters. Here are some qualities of notable cartoon dogs:
- Well drawn
- Make us laugh
- Relatable personality
- Show a range of emotions
- Forms tight bonds with other characters
- Universal appeal across various age groups
10 Famous Cartoon Dogs of the 20th Century
From grandparents to young people, several generations will remember and identify with these famous cartoon dogs of the 20th century. If you’re wondering why Disney canine characters are missing, we’re saving that for a later post. Which one of these cartoon dogs is your favorite?
1. Droopy Dog
Tex Avery created Droopy Dog in 1943 during his time at the MGM cartoon studio. Droopy was a clever, lazy Basset Hound that had his own series in the 1940s-50s. His drooping face gave him his name, and fans loved seeing how he handled absurd situations with his deadpan humor, slow draw, and unique charm. When his series ended in 1958, it was not the end for Droopy. He appeared in several other cartoon shorts and shows including Tom and Jerry and other famous MGM cartoons in the Golden era of animation.
2. Snoopy
Charles M. Schultz created Snoopy the Beagle as part of the Peanuts gang debuting in a newspaper comic strip in 1950. The comic strip also became a series of animated cartoon specials featuring insecure, nervous Charlie Brown, pushy Lucy, nosy Peppermint Patty, sweet Linus, and a host of other characters. Fans loved Snoopy’s lovable, loyal nature, but he could also be conniving and mean, playing pranks on Charlie. In addition to his actions, Snoopy exhibits a wide range of human emotions, expressing himself clearly and often dramatically. Charlie Brown would often wonder, "Why can't I have a normal dog like everyone else?" Snoopy enjoyed his magical doghouse and was often seen lying or sitting on the roof with his bird friend, Woodstock. Snoopy daydreamed about being the Red Baron flying an airplane and becoming a hero. Snoopy is woven into American culture and continues to delight people more than half a century later. He has appeared in almost every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1968, and many families still keep tradition and watch holiday specials every year featuring Snoopy.
3. Deputy Dawg
Created by Terrytoons in the late 1950s, the cartoon Deputy Dawg told of the tales of a canine sherrif named Deputy Dawg in the fictional town of Whippersnapper. He was a bumbling, friendly sheriff who, alongside his dim-witted dog Muskie, tried to thwart mischief from the “varmints” Ty Coon and Vincent Van Gopher. Deputy Dawg tried to outsmart the wily varmints in hilarious precarious situations, but he was often found catfishing with the pair when not trying to catch them for petty crimes. Each 30-minute episode contained three stories about four to six minutes long and ran from 1960 to 1964. Viewers loved him for his good intentions and heart of gold.
4. Astro
The Jetsons (1962) was a cartoon also from Hanna-Barbera that portrayed life as a futuristic family in Orbit City. The family dog, Astro, is a lovable, clumsy Great Dane-type of dog with a green collar and a habit of inserting “r” where it doesn’t go. For example, Astro would often tell George, “I love, you, George” but instead came out as “I ruv roo, Reorge.” Originally named Tralfaz, he was discovered by George Jetson while working at Spacely Space Sprockets. His son Elroy took a liking to Astro, and his endearing, mischievous personality and silly antics kept the family laughing.
5. Scooby Doo
"Scooby-Doo" is an iconic animated series by Hanna-Barbera Productions that has delighted several generations since its debut in 1969. Scooby-Doo is a lovable yet cowardly Great Dane who loves “scooby snacks” and helping his friends solve mysteries involving ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural situations. Scooby-Doo travels around with his friends in the Mystery Machine looking for villains to unmask. He often gets into trouble with his favorite human, Shaggy. Scooby-Doo speaks like Astro and adds an “r” to words. Humor, bravery, and friendship are qualities that viewers can find in their own lives, making Scooby-Doo a relatable character for all.
6. Odie
Odie is an energetic, yellow Beagle who lives with trouble-making Garfield the Cat and boring human owner, Jon Arbuckle. Garfield, an orange tabby cat, is lazy, loves to stay in bed (especially on Mondays), and craves lasagna. In contrast, Odie is a lovable dog but can be dim-witted at times. The comic strip drawn by Jim Davis appeared in newspapers in 1980 with specials and an animated series starting in 1988 called Garfield and Friends. Garfield often finds it funny to tease or play pranks on Odie, taking advantage of his gullibility and eagerness to please. Despite Garfield's teasing, Odie remains unfailingly loyal and friendly towards him. Audiences can relate to the themes of friendship, loyalty, and companionship often present in the plot.
7. Gromit
Wallace & Gromit is a British stop-motion clay animation comedy series with the silent, expressive dog Gromit and his owner, Wallace debuting in 1989. Gromit is resourceful and smart and communicates through clever actions, body language, and facial expressions despite not talking. Gromit is loyal to Wallace by being the responsible caregiver, keeping him out of trouble caused by his wild ideas. Wallace and Gromit’s relationship demonstrates unwavering loyalty and friendship built upon mutual respect and a deep bond with one another. Gromit also loves tea and cheese and can often be seen trying to finish his tea time without Wallace disturbing the peace.
8. Santa’s Little Helper
The Simpsons (1989) documents the hilarious situations the dysfunctional Simpson family finds themselves in, often due to bumbling Homer or sarcastic Bart’s doing. The Simpsons show holds several accolades and awards as the longest-running American animated series, American sitcom, and American scripted primetime television series, both in seasons and individual episodes. Their family dog is named Santa’s Little Helper, an energetic, neurotic Greyhound adopted by the Simpson family after failing as a racing dog. Despite his occasional clumsiness and love of causing chaos, he is cherished by the family, especially by Bart and Lisa. Santa’s Little Helper appears in several episodes outlining his various escapades, such as becoming a guard dog for Mr. Burns, visiting Bart’s school and getting lost in the ductwork, and surviving several injuries.
9. Spike
Spike was the Pickle family’s dog of the Rugrats, an animated series appearing on the Nickelodeon channel in 1991. The series follows a group of toddlers as they go on adventures in their imagination and navigate life in the adult world. Spike was there to protect the babies from precarious situations and save the day as a hero, often when the parents weren’t around. Spike appeared in the majority of the episodes as he watched over the babies to make sure they were safe. Upon the show’s conclusion in 2004, several specials and movies were created, further documenting Spike’s loyalty and sense of protection.
10. Blue
Once called the cornerstone of Nickelodeon’s educational programming, the children’s series Blues Clues (1996) engaged young viewers in solving puzzles and riddles, encouraging critical thinking and creativity. With her trademark blue fur and perky ears, the animated dog Blue serves as the beloved companion to the show's host, Steve (later replaced by Joe), as they embark on interactive adventures in her colorful world using her paw prints as clues. Blue’s playful, gentle nature is expressed through gestures and barks, inspiring young people’s creativity. At the end of each episode, Steve or Joe would sit in The Thinking Chair and try to solve the puzzle with the audience’s help, making it one of the first interactive educational shows on television.
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