Everyone knows Scooby. If he's not the most well-known cartoon dog, Scoob's definitely in the top 3. Scooby Doo is loved by people of all ages, and his hilarious antics and charming personality continue to win our hearts.
What Kind of Dog Is Scooby-Doo?
Like there's no debate about it: Scooby-Doo is a Great Dane, a breed known for its gigantic size, beautiful appearance, and friendly disposition. Debuting in the 1969 television series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, this canine character has been entertaining generations upon generations of children and adults.
Scooby-Doo's Bio
The character of Scooby Doo is a beloved part of cartoon history. One of the main characteristics you'll remember about Scooby is his love for food, especially Scooby Snacks. He'll do anything for a Scooby Snack. And he has a never-ending appetite, as does his human counterpart, Shaggy.
Scooby is often afraid of the dangerous situations he's put in during the show, but like the real-life Great Dane, his unwavering loyalty brings him to help his friends. Also, like other Great Danes, he's particularly keen on spending time with one person, Shaggy, despite his love for the other members of the family. Shaggy is his person.
Fun Facts About Scooby-Doo
Scooby-Doo's creators, Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, intentionally chose the Great Dane breed for their central canine character. Ruby and Spears wanted a dog breed that was large and imposing, yet gentle and lovable. The Great Dane checked all these boxes, and thus, Scooby-Doo was put into action.
Here are some more fun facts:
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Did you know that Scooby-Doo actually has a full name? It's "Scoobert Doo." While it's rarely used in the series, it's an amusing tidbit that adds depth to our favorite Great Dane's character.
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Scooby-Doo's voice was originally provided by Don Messick, a legendary radio personality. Messick voiced Scooby-Doo from the character's inception in 1969 until 1997. That's a long time!
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Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! was one of the first television series to feature teenagers as the main characters without any adult figure around them. This was quite a revolutionary concept at the time.
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Scooby-Doo holds the record for the longest-running United States animated franchise produced for Saturday morning television.
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Scooby-Doo's name was developed from Frank Sinatra's song, "Stranger in the Night," from the line near the end, "Dooby-Dooby-Doo."
What You Need to Know About the Breed
The Great Dane is known for their immense size, friendly disposition, and a heart as big as their body. Great Danes are often called "gentle giants," and for good reason. Despite their formidable size, they're typically friendly, patient, and often downright goofy. They are good-natured and dependable, with a loving disposition that makes them great with children and other pets.
Like Scoob, the Great Dane is known to be a bit cowardly. Not all Danes behave this way, but many are scared of much smaller dogs, and can be easily startled.
History of Scooby Doo
We won't dive in too deep, but let's take a swim in the shallow end of Scooby-Doo's history. Here are some fun tidbits:
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Scooby-Doo was created in 1969 by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears for Hanna-Barbera Productions. The concept of the show was inspired by The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, a popular American sitcom in the early 60s.
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The character of Fred was based on Dobie Gillis from the sitcom. This is why Fred always wears an ascot, as it was a popular fashion trend in the 60s.
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During the early development stage, Scooby-Doo was initially a Sheepdog.
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The show was originally supposed to involve a rock band with a dog who plays the bongos.
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The original title was The Mysteries Five.
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The design of the Mystery Machine, the iconic van in the series, was inspired by the countercultural flower power movement of the 60s.
A Dog to Remember
Scooby's lovable nature, his unwavering friendship with Shaggy, and his comic relief made him a cherished character in the world of animation. If your child hasn't seen Scooby-Doo, sit down and turn on the TV. It's time for your child to get to know this hilarious pooch.
