What Kind of Dog Is Scooby Doo?

So, what kind of dog is Scooby Doo? Many Scooby fans and casual enthusiasts alike have been pondering over this question for years, and the aim of today’s post is to finally reveal the answer to this question. Read on to unmask the truth!

Scooby Doo Origin

The cartoonist Iwao Takamoto originally created the famous Scooby Doo character while working for Hanna Barbera.

The premise of the cartoon series Scooby Doo, named after the aforementioned character, is that Scooby and the Mystery Inc. gang are famous for solving mysteries that are often of a supernatural nature and that feature a wide array of different villains. The original cartoon was very well received, thus leading to many subsequent series, series spin-offs, and feature films.

What Type of Dog Is Scooby Doo?

scooby doo team - what kind of dog is scooby doo

So, it is time to get down to the reason why you are here by diving into the frequently asked question, “What kind of dog is Scooby Doo?” Many believe that Scooby is a Great Dane, but it turns out that the Scooby Doo breed is actually a fairly unique creation in its own right.

The truth is that the Great Dane was the inspiration for Scooby’s breed albeit with one slight difference. Iwao Takamoto wanted to make certain that Scooby was the complete opposite of a traditional example of this breed type.

As such, he ensured that he contrasted the breed’s typical appearance enough to make his character appear as clumsy and “goofy” as possible. This meant that all of the features that one would typically associate with a Great Dane were effectively reversed to create a comedic juxtaposition with the original breed’s appearance to enhance Scooby’s personality traits.

This served to establish the iconic profile we now know Scooby for and the “anti” Great Dane qualities he possesses are a crucial part of his awkward movements and appearance. This too contrasts with Great Danes, who are known for their elegant looks and sure footing.

Scooby Doo vs Real Great Dane

great dane - what kind of dog is scooby doo

We can easily sum up the Scooby-Doo vs Great Dane comparison with a few simple visual clues, starting with the chin. Scooby has a small and rounded chin whereas a Great Dane features a stronger, angular chin.

In conjunction with this, Scooby also has a hump in his back, a more rounded and fuller tail, and darker fur compared to the real-life breed. As a result, we can categorically say that Scooby is supposed to be an ironic variation of a Great Dane.

Conclusion

So when asking yourself what kind of dog Scooby Doo is, you probably never imagined that he would actually be a somewhat original breed despite being comparable to a well-established and well-known dog variety.

You might always have had a slight idea that Scooby was a Great Dane variant, but few could guess that he was supposed to be an altered and intentionally comic version. Finally, you have a clear answer to this entertaining question.