Current:Home > BackWhat kind of dog is Snoopy? Here's some history on Charlie Brown's canine companion.-LoTradeCoin
What kind of dog is Snoopy? Here's some history on Charlie Brown's canine companion.
View Date:2025-01-13 22:41:26
On Oct. 2, 1950, "Peanuts" made its comic strip debut. Featured in seven newspapers, the four panels introduced the nation – and eventually the world – to Good ol' Charlie Brown.
For the next 50 years, creator Charles Schulz would chronicle the Peanuts gang and their daily lives, introducing new characters and stories.
Each member had their quirks, from bossy Lucy to pensive Linus. But none were quite like Charlie Brown's canine companion, Snoopy.
The pup was first introduced on Oct. 4, 1950, just two days after the initial comic strip appeared. Soon after, readers would discover that Snoopy was no average dog.
What type of dog is Snoopy?
Snoopy is a beagle, according to his official profile on the Peanuts website. While real beagles are bred to be hunting dogs, Snoopy's role was never that simple.
Throughout his life, Schulz had several dogs. But it was his childhood dog Spike that served as the biggest inspiration for Snoopy. The black-and-white, mixed-breed dog was very smart, according to Schulz. Spike could understand at least 50 words, he said in 1983.
This intelligence and cleverness made its way into Snoopy's character. The cartoon beagle "is a collector of fine art and a root beer connoisseur." He also enjoys having suppertime, playing make-believe and writing, according to his profile.
Snoopy also has several alter-egos, including "Flying Ace" and "Joe Cool". Whether he's battling the Red Baron or exuding charm, Snoopy can be anyone he wants to be with the help of his immense, creative imagination. Despite being a dog, Snoopy and his abilities seemingly have no limits.
Snoopy was promoted to "Head Beagle" in the Feb. 16, 1970 Peanuts strip, an honor that was recognized at the time by then-Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty.
Meet Bayley:The mini sheepadoodle who looks like a real-life version of Charlie Brown's dog Snoopy
Does Snoopy have siblings?
Initially, Snoopy was introduced as an only child. In the June 6, 1959 strip, Snoopy's thought bubbles read, "I've never had any sisters or brothers. I was an only dog!"
Snoopy's family tree eventually grew. In the comic strips, five siblings are introduced: four brothers, Spike, Marbles, Olaf and Andy, and one sister, Belle.
Spike was introduced in the Aug. 13, 1975 strip: "My brother has arisen! Eggs Benedict for my brother, Spike!" Snoopy says.
Belle, the second sibling to be introduced, debuted on June 28, 1976. "I found my sister Belle ... and what a reunion we're having!" Charlie Brown reads from Snoopy's letter in a later strip.
Marbles was introduced in the Sept. 28, 1982 strip. "Peppermint Patty said your brother, "Marbles," is at her house," Charlie Brown tells Snoopy in the following day's comic.
On Jan. 24, 1989, the Peanuts audience met Olaf. "He won! Olaf won! Your brother won the "Ugly Dog" contest!" Lucy tells Snoopy.
In the June 18, 1989 strip, Snoopy sends a letter to his father for Father's Day. He discloses that there were "eight of us in the litter."
In the 1991 television special "Snoopy's Reunion", the remainder of the litter was revealed: Andy, Molly and Rover. Andy was later featured in the comics.
Rover and Molly, however, never appear or are named in the strips.
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "What kind of dog is Scooby Doo?" to "What kind of fish is Dory?" to "What animal is Arthur?" – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Advocacy group sues Tennessee over racial requirements for medical boards
- Baltimore bridge collapse and coping with gephyrophobia. The fear is more common than you think.
- Horoscopes Today, March 26, 2024
- Family of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett speaks out following his death
- Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
- Upgrade Your Meals with These Tasty Celebrity Cookbooks, from Tiffani Thiessen to Kristin Cavallari
- Elizabeth Chambers Addresses Armie Hammer Scandal in Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise Trailer
- Where to get free eclipse glasses: Sonic, Jeni's, Warby Parker and more giving glasses away
- Contained, extinguished and mopping up: Here’s what some common wildfire terms mean
- As Powerball nears $1 billion, could these winning numbers help step up your lottery game?
Ranking
- Opinion: NFL began season with no Black offensive coordinators, first time since the 1980s
- Punxsutawney Phil is a dad! See the 2 groundhog pups welcomed by Phil and his wife, Phyllis
- Down ACC? Think again. Conference reminding all it's still the king of March Madness.
- Powerball winning numbers for March 27 drawing: Did anyone win the $865 million jackpot?
- Wildfires burn from coast-to-coast; red flag warnings issued for Northeast
- Love Is Blind's Brittany Mills Reveals the Contestant She Dated Aside From Kenneth Gorham
- Punxsutawney Phil, the spring-predicting groundhog, and wife Phyliss are parents of 2 babies
- Why did more than 1,000 people die after police subdued them with force that isn’t meant to kill?
Recommendation
-
Opinion: Chris Wallace leaves CNN to go 'where the action' is. Why it matters
-
Italy expands controversial program to take mafia children from their families before they become criminals
-
How do you move a massive ship and broken bridge? It could keep Baltimore port closed for weeks
-
Punxsutawney Phil is a dad! See the 2 groundhog pups welcomed by Phil and his wife, Phyllis
-
Oprah Winfrey denies being paid $1M for Kamala Harris rally: 'I was not paid a dime'
-
'Shirley': Who plays Shirley Chisholm and other politicians in popular new Netflix film?
-
Horoscopes Today, March 27, 2024
-
Horoscopes Today, March 28, 2024