Top 15 Famous Cartoon Dogs (Cartoon Dog Breeds)

Dogs are our loyal and amazing companions in both the real and cartoon world. In the world of cartoons, these lovable creatures are created with cute appearances and given wonderful traits.

No matter the type of cartoon, the canine cartoon characters have their own unique charm. From the foody Scooby Doo to the curious Bluey, there is always a dog cartoon that we admire and remember.

So, if you are a fan of cartoon characters that are dogs, you are in the right place. In this blog, we will explore some of the most famous cartoon dogs, their breeds, and names.

Top 10 famous cartoon dogs and their breeds

What type of dog is Snoopy?

Dog Breed: Beagle

This fictional dog is depicted with the signature traits of a beagle. The dog is imaginative as it often escapes into its fantasies. It has a human like personality and can walk on two legs.

Difference between Snoopy and Beagle (Real Dog):

• Personality: The cartoon dog is imaginative and behaves like a human. The real Snoopy dog (Beagle) is unlike the fictional character; it walks on four legs, is playful, curious, and scent-driven.

• Appearance: In the dogs cartoon, Snoopy has a white coat with black ears, and he has a round black nose. Beagle comes in three colors (black, white, and tan). They have floppy ears and a compact body.
• Communication: The cartoon dog communicates through thought bubbles.

What kind of dog is Scooby Doo?

Dog Breed: Great Dane

Scooby Doo, the adorable one among the cartoon dog characters known for its goofy and lovable personality. This cartoon dog belongs to the ‘Great Dane’ dog breed, also called Gentle Giants.

Difference between Scooby Doo and Great Dane (Real Dog):

• Personality: Scooby Doo is goofy, cowardly, and comical whereas the Great Dane is calm, gentle and composed.
• Diet: Scooby Doo is a food crazy dog that loves eating sandwiches, pizza, and all kinds of human junk food. The Great Dane requires a balanced diet and should not be overfed.

What type of dog is Bluey?

Dog Breed: Blue Heeler

Bluey is a cute dog cartoon character from the Australian animated series “Bluey”. The character is imaginative, energetic, curious, and empathetic. The cartoon is based on play themes, and adventures like pretending to be doctors, running shops, or going on magical quests.

Difference between Bluey and Blue Heeler (Real Dog):

• Personality: Bluey is curious, playful, and emotionally intelligent, whereas Blue Heelers are hardworking, protective, loyal, and intelligent.
• Appearance: The cartoon character has bright blue fur, large eyes, and a human-like expression. The real dog has blue-gray speckled fur and an athletic build.

What type of dog is Goofy?

Dog Breed: Coonhound

A human-like Disney dog that walks like a human, wears clothes, and is a close friend of Mickey Mouse. This dog cartoon is clumsy, cheerful, and always optimistic. He is known for his laugh and catchphrase “Gawrsh!”.

Difference between Goofy and Coonhound (Real Dog):

• Personality: Goofy is clumsy, naive, lovable, and optimistic. Coonhound is loyal, determined, independent, and easy-going.
• Appearance: The cartoon dog is tall, whereas the real dog is large and muscular.

What kind of dog is Pluto?

Dog Breed: Bloodhound

Pluto, another dog in the world of Disney. Unlike Goofy, Pluto is not anthropomorphized (he doesn’t wear clothes or talk like humans). He behaves like a domestic dog - loyal and obedient.

Difference between Pluto cartoon dog and Bloodhound (Real Dog):

• Personality: The bloodhounds are gentle, affectionate, and stubborn. In comparison, Pluto is depicted as a playful, loyal, and mischievous dog.
• Appearance: The cartoon dog has a tall orange body with black ears, whereas bloodhounds have a muscular body.

What kind of dog is Odie?

Dog Breed: Terrier/Dachshund Mix

This cartoon dog is a contrasting character to Garfield. Its breed is not precisely defined, but the characteristics closely resemble a Terrier/Dachshund Mix. Odie is depicted as an affectionate and lovable dog who, despite being the target of Garfield’s pranks, bounces back and always forgives him.

Difference between Odie and Terrier/Dachshund Mix (Real Dog):

• Personality: Odie has a goofy personality. He is loyal, energetic, and clumsy. The real dogs are lively, affectionate, and sometimes stubborn.
• Appearance: The cartoon dog has a yellow body, a long neck, a small, round nose, and black ears, whereas the real dog breed has a long body and a smooth coat.

What type of dog is Rocky from Paw Patrol?

Dog Breed: Mixed Breed

Rocky is the cartoon dog with the build of a Terrier and eyebrows of a Schnauzer. He has an eco-friendly nature, which matches his catchphrases “Don’t lose it – reuse it!” and “Green means go.” In the cartoon, he is shown with his tools and gadgets used for repairing old items.

Difference between Rocky and Mixed Breed (Real Dog):

• Personality: Rocky is portrayed as a friendly, inventive, and helpful dog. The personality of mixed-breed dogs depends on the mix.
• Appearance: The cartoon character is gray and white. The appearance of the mixed breed can vary; they can have any combination of coat colors.

What dog breed is Brian Griffin?

Dog Breed: White Labrador Retriever

Brian is an anthropomorphic dog, but he can do more than just talk and walk like a human. He is a cartoon dog character who writes novels, drinks martinis, and has human girlfriends. Another interesting thing is that Brian interacts with the Griffin family as an equal despite being a dog.

Difference between Brian and White Labrador Retriever (Real Dog):

• Personality: Brian is a witty, sarcastic, and dramatic dog. On the other hand, the retrievers are friendly, outgoing, and eager to please.
• Appearance: Brian has white fur, whereas the real dogs have muscular builds with a white/light yellow coat.
• Communication: The cartoon dog speaks fluent English, something impossible for real dogs.

What type of dog is Bolt?

Dog Breed: White German Shepherd

Bolt, one of the famous cartoon dogs that teaches valuable lessons to young children, with his personality and life depicted in the cartoon. He is an actor in a TV show and thinks he has powers. In the show, he learns that he doesn’t have any powers after getting separated from his owner, but his journey taught him that he doesn’t need superpowers to be a hero.

Difference between Bolt and White German Shepherd (Real Dog):

• Appearance: Bolt is a small to medium-sized dog with short fur and huge, expressive eyes. On the other hand, the real dogs have a large and athletic build.
• Communication: In comparison to the White German Shepherd, Bolt can speak like humans.

What kind of dog is Scrappy Doo?

Dog Breed: Great Dane

The little puppy is a complete opposite of his uncle Scooby Doo often charging headfirst into danger.

His personality and size both differ from the breed of Great Dane.

Difference between Scrappy Doo and Great Dane (Real Dog):

• Appearance: Scrappy has small, light brown coat, a black nose, and is often seen standing on two legs. The Great Dane is tall, lean, and muscular with a short coat.
• Communication: The cartoon dog talks in full English sentences.

What breed is Courage the Cowardly Dog?

Dog Breed: Beagle

Courage, the cowardly dog, isn’t the name ironic? The dog is named “Courage“ because he is very brave deep down, but he is called “cowardly” because he is scared of almost everything. He is often seen reacting with fear.

Difference between Courage and a real Beagle:

• Appearance: Courage is small and pink. Beagle dogs are tall, have a muscular body, and floppy ears.
• Communication: Unlike Beagles, Courage can talk fluently and shows facial expressions like humans.

What type of dog is Chase from Paw Patrol?

Dog Breed: German Shepherd

This dog cartoon character is depicted in a police uniform and is equipped with tools like a megaphone, a net launcher, a spy drone, traffic cones, and night vision goggles.

Difference between Chase and a real German Shepherd:

• Appearance: Chase has brown and tan fur, big expressive eyes, and is always seen in uniform and a cap. German Shepherds come in different colors, have erect ears, and intelligent eyes.
• Communication: Unlike real dogs, Chase can speak fluently.

What type of dog is Akamaru?

Dog Breed: Great Pyrenees

Akamaru, a ninja dog (ninken) from the famous anime and manga series “Naruto”, is a loyal companion to Kiba Inuzuka and is trained to fight alongside him.

Difference between Akamaru and a real Great Pyrenees:

• Appearance: Akamaru is pure white with expressive anime features, whereas real Great Pyrenees dogs may have some tan, gray, or badger markings.
• Communication: The cartoon dog understands human speech and uses ninja techniques, whereas the Great Pyrenees communicates through body language and barking.

What breed is Dug from Up?

Dog Breed: Golden Retriever

Dug, a golden retriever, can talk with the help of his special collar. He is a part of Charles Muntz’s pack of dogs and was on a mission to find an exotic bird. It was during this mission he encountered Charles, Russell, and the floating house.

Difference between Dug and a Golden Retriever (Real Dog):

• Communication: Dug talks using a voice translator collar and expresses emotions verbally.
• Abilities: Dug can fly planes and gets distracted by “Squirrel!” Golden Retrievers are smart and trainable.

What type of dog is Gromit?

Dog Breed: Beagle

Gromit, the cartoon dog that doesn’t require a voice, speech bubbles, or special collar to communicate. He is an expressive dog that tells you everything with his body language and facial expressions.

Difference between Gromit and a Beagle (Real Dog):

• Personality: Gromit is mature, thoughtful, and patient, whereas Beagles are playful, friendly, and like being around people.
• Special Talent: Gromit can solve problems and is sarcastic. Beagles can track scents.

Cartoon Dog Names

S.No.	Famous Cartoon Dog Names	Dog Cartoons and Dog Movie
1	Scooby-Doo	Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
2	Snoopy	Peanuts
3	Pluto	Mickey Mouse cartoons
4	Goofy	Disney cartoons (technically a dog)
5	Brian Griffin	Family Guy
6	Odie	Garfield
7	Bluey	Bluey
8	Bolt	Bolt (Disney movie)
9	Courage	Courage the Cowardly Dog
10	Clifford	Clifford the Big Red Dog
11	Spike	Tom and Jerry
12	Santa’s Little Helper	The Simpsons
13	Poochie	The Simpsons
14	Ren	Ren & Stimpy (Ren is an “Astro Dog”)
15	Max	The Secret Life of Pets
16	Gromit	Wallace and Gromit
17	Droopy	MGM Cartoons
18	Huckleberry Hound	Hanna-Barbera
19	Dogbert	Dilbert
20	Mr. Peabody	Mr. Peabody & Sherman
21	Deputy Dawg	Terrytoons
22	Spunky	Rocko’s Modern Life
23	Lady	Lady and the Tramp
24	Tramp	Lady and the Tramp
25	Copper	The Fox and the Hound
26	Dodger	Oliver & Company
27	Rowlf	The Muppet Show
28	Einstein	Oliver & Company
29	Bandit	Jonny Quest
30	Chilli	Bluey (Bluey's dad)
31	Marley	Marley & Me (animated segments and adaptations)
32	Muttley	Wacky Races and Dastardly and Muttley
33	Porkchop	Doug
34	Einstein	Back to the Future: The Animated Series
35	Buster	Toy Story (Andy's dog)
36	Zero	The Nightmare Before Christmas
37	Percy	Pocahontas (though a pug, shown with dog-like antics)
38	Slinky Dog	Toy Story series
39	Nana	Peter Pan
40	Trusty	Lady and the Tramp
41	Peg	Lady and the Tramp
42	Tito	Oliver & Company
43	Scud	Toy Story (Sid’s dog)
44	Sam	CatDog
45	Buttons	Animaniacs
46	Ruff	Dennis the Menace
47	Barkley	Sesame Street
48	Stella	The Princess and the Frog
49	Champ	Clifford’s Really Big Movie
50	Pooch the Pup	Walter Lantz cartoons

Dog and Cartoon - Wrap Up!

As we complete this journey through the world of man’s best friend, both on and off screen, we have explored various famous cartoon dogs and their real-life breeds. While these cartoons seem unique and different, their form is inspired by real-life breeds. We hope this list of famous cartoon dogs helps you discover more about cartoon dog breeds and cartoon dog names.

And if you want to capture these amazing dog cartoon characters in the form of paintings but are unsure of where to begin, get a cartoon paint by number kit from Pets by Numbers. Simply select a picture of your favourite dog cartoon and order your kit….

FAQs

1. What is the dog’s name on Tom and Jerry?

Spike is the name of the dog in Tom and Jerry.

2. Can dogs see Bluey?

Yes, dogs see fewer colors (mostly blues and yellows), and Bluey's color palette includes many shades dogs can perceive.

3. What is the dog’s name in The Jetsons?

The dog's name in The Jetsons is Astro.