Which Fictional Dog Should You Own?

Lifestyle · Pets & Animals · What Should I Do?

By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 30, 2024

Spoiled dog, wild dog, big dog, little dog, hot dog. Dogs of every kind earn all of humanity’s ‘appaws.’ Perhaps you haven’t found the right four-legged friend to earn your praise. Not everyone is meant to own a family dog, but the anthropomorphic answer might lie in adopting one outside of the realm of reality.

If you nod your head in agreement, you’re barking up the right tree! We scratched and pawed to build a quiz that matches fiction’s good boys with the real world’s good owners. Whether you howl at Hanna-Barbera, PBS, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, or a good ol’ comic strip, we will solve your canine conundrum. In order to do so, we ask you to fetch your feelings regarding standard pet care, including relationship goals, affordability, exercise, time commitments, and compatibility with your other potential pets.

Our questionnaire might be boneheaded, but there’s a method to our muttness!

Fictional dog

Fictional dog stories gained prevalence in the first half of the 20th century. Disney's Dippy Dawg debuted in 1932 (renamed Goofy in 1940) as part of a comedic trio with Mickey and Donald Duck. Fans and critics lauded his inclusion, leading to the short "How to Play Football" starring Goofy being nominated for an Oscar in 1944. Tex Avery's Droopy character was created a year prior. Television and comic strip icon Snoopy debuted in 1950. Hanna-Barbera's Huckleberry Hound appeared by the end of the decade and proved even every fictional dog has its day by winning an Emmy in 1960.

The hippie lifestyle set pop culture ablaze in 1969, leading to the debut of Scooby-Doo that year. Scooby achieved arguably unparalleled success as a fictional dog benefiting from fun innuendos that provided the backdrop for silly-yet-engaging detective adventures. Fictional dog popularity continued throughout the remainder of the century. The biggest fictional dog of the 21st century is literally and figuratively Clifford. Although he debuted decades prior in children's books, his extremely successful PBS show started in 2000 and sparked worldwide fame, including several movies.

Which Fictional Dog Should You Own?

Have you ever found yourself watching a show or reading a book and thinking, "Wow, that pup is adorable—I wish they could jump out of the page and into my living room!" Well, imagine if you could leaf through a catalog of fictional furry friends and pick the perfect one to call your own. We, your fellow dog-loving daydreamers at BrainFall, are totally on board with this fantasy. Let’s wag our tails through the whimsical world of fictional dogs to find the paw-some companion best suited for us!

Now, before you get your leashes in a tangle, we know it's a serious decision—even in our make-believe merriment. Choosing a dog from a universe of fictional ones is no small task. Do you go for the super-powered, crime-fighting canine who can save your bacon when push comes to shove? Or perhaps a cuddly, talking fluff-ball whose witty banter can outdo any stand-up comedian is more your style?

It's time for the ultimate 'Which Fictional Dog Should You Own?' breakdown. Sharpen those pencils and mark your answers, because we're about to embark on a quest to find our dream doggo. Keep in mind, the pup that catches your eye also has to match your lifestyle—after all, not ever apartment allows a direwolf, and a dog who can phase through walls might make house-training a rather, um, transparent process. Ready? Set? Fetch!

The Canine Cast: Choosing Your Fictional Four-Legged Friend

Welcome to the ultimate fictional dog draft! We're on the hunt for the perfect pooch to join your pack, and we've scoured the pages and pixels of pop culture far and wide. Ready to find out which fictional furry friend is destined to be your new sidekick?

Loyal Companions: From Argos to Buck

Argos might not be the most famous name in your household, but for those of us who geek out over Greek epics, he's the MVP of The Odyssey. Loyal to the bone, this pupper waited years for his master, Odysseus, to return from his treacherous journey—talk about patience! Want a dog who'll out-wait a postal service queue? Argos is your go-to!

Switching literary gears, if wilderness adventure is your jam, then Buck from The Call of the Wild might just be your spirit animal. This St. Bernard-Scotch Collie will lead you through thick and forest without batting an eye. A born leader with a wild heart, Buck's the dog you want by your side when the GPS fails and the cell service is sketchy.

The Humor Hounds: Scooby-Doo and Snoopy's Shenanigans

Now, if you're all about those giggles and a less-than-serious sidekick, let's chat about our favorite Great Dane, Scooby-Doo. A bit of a scaredy-cat—er, dog—Scooby is the friendliest ghost-hunting goof you'll ever meet. His charm? Unmatched. His appetite? Bottomless. A Scooby Snack for the pup who can eat a sandwich taller than yours truly!

But hey, if you'd rather swap the Mystery Machine for a dog house-turned-Sopwith Camel, Snoopy has you covered. This beagle from Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts does it all: flying ace, novelist, paw-tastic dancer—you name it, Snoops has probably dreamed it! His imagination knows no bounds and neither will yours with this delightful doggo by your side.

Choosing your fictional four-legged friend is a serendipitous blend of loyalty, friendship, and a dash of whimsy. We at BrainFall encourage you to let your imagination off its leash as you ponder which pet from pages and screens alike would best fit into the quirky, wonderful world that is your life. Ready to make the "paw-some" choice? Let's fetch your perfect companion!