What Breed of Dog Was Snoopy? (Theories and Photos)
About 70 years ago, there was a new comic strip in a town called Peanuts. With Peanuts, came Snoopy, arguably now the world’s most famous dog, maybe right up there with Scooby Doo.
Snoopy is one of the most beloved characters in the Peanuts comics, and for good reason. He’s witty, charming, and always up for a good time. But what many people don’t realize is that Snoopy is also one of the most complex and interesting characters in the comics.
He has a rich backstory, and his personality is always evolving. In fact, there’s a lot we can learn from Snoopy about living a happy and fulfilling life.
First, Snoopy taught us that it’s important to stay positive in the face of adversity. No matter what life throws at him, Snoopy always manages to keep his head up and look on the bright side. Second, Snoopy showed us that it’s okay to be a little bit different.
He was always marching to the beat of his own drum, and he didn’t care what anyone else thought of him. Third, Snoopy taught us that it’s important to have a good imagination. He was always dreaming up new adventures, and he showed us that it’s okay to let our minds and imagination run wild.
In this blog post, we’ll figure out what dog Snoopy was meant to be, and look more closely at this fascinating, inspirational character beloved by millions worldwide.
So What Breed of Dog Is Snoopy?
The short answer is that Snoopy is a Beagle. If you search for Snoopy’s breed, the results will show a Beagle in large bold letters. But, let’s try to dig deeper.
“Snoopy” was born under the pencils of Charles M. Schulz in 1950. As a matter of fact, Snoopy’s name was originally going to be “Sniffy.” However, someone had beaten Schulz to the name, so he decided to change it.
He remembered his mother’s suggestion of naming the new family dog “Snoopy,” and it was decided by the broadcaster against the advice of the author, and so the name stuck around. Published daily in American newspapers in a four-panel format, this comic strip is a series of gags centered above all on two of the main characters, Charlie Brown, a clumsy, unlucky little boy and baseball fan, and Snoopy, his dog.
Schulz based Snoopy on Spike, his childhood dog. Spike was not a Beagle, but a pointer crossed with an unknown dog that looked remarkably like a Beagle.
Charlie Brown and Snoopy frequently discuss the Beagle breed in the comics. Snoopy says in a comic that he can’t play as much as he’d like because he can’t find twenty-one more Beagles.
Snoopy’s Story
Peanuts was a comic strip about a group of kids and their dog Snoopy. More than 355 million people throughout seventy-five countries have followed their everyday shenanigans.
The comic has been translated into 21 languages, and over the course of over 50 years, it has accumulated over seventeen thousand comics. This made Peanuts one of the most famous stories ever told by an artist.
Even though Charlie Brown was the show’s main character, Snoopy was the star, with him still being the main character that people associate most with Peanuts. The third Peanuts comic was the first one that featured Snoopy, who happily walked by Charlie’s window as he was watering the plants. It was on this day that the world first met one of the most beloved dogs in history.
Snoopy’s Appearance
Is Snoopy a Beagle or a Pointer cross? Is he a Pointer cross or a Beagle? We believe Snoopy’s statement that he is a Beagle because he says so himself.
Let’s dive deeper into the subject and see if Snoopy looks like the Beagle.
The Beagle’s distinctive ears are long and slinky even though they are large, they have round eyes and a square nose. Their short coat is adorned with the three traditional colors of hunting dogs: black, tan, and white.
Snoopy could easily be called a Beagle. However, there are many differences. Snoopy’s most striking feature is his black and white appearance, with no brown whatsoever, which is why many think that Snoopy isn’t a Beagle.
According to the American Kennel Club, there are black and white Beagles. They are, however, much rarer than the traditional tricolor most commonly seen in Beagles.
Schulz was an illustrator with a knack for drawing who wanted his readers to feel like they were just another Peanuts friend. Schulz always saw Snoopy as a child, so his face is bigger and rounder. He smiles as if looking at you from under his jaw, which is the angle a child would view it from.
His eyes and nose are close to the mouth as to a child. Snoopy’s ears are also black, much like the Beagle’s darker ears.
Snoopy’s Temperament
So the appearance is inspired by a Beagle but not really a copy of it. What about his behavior? What is typical for a Beagle, and does Snoopy portray its characteristics?
According to the American Kennel Club, the Beagle is friendly, curious, and cheerful. Snoopy is a cheerful and funny character that we have loved from the start. We are entertained by his musical talent, much like a Beagle with his howls when playing the piano.
Snoopy is friendly, caring, and affectionate. He always knows when it is time to eat and celebrates every meal with a happy dance. Snoopy once said that junk food is one of his greatest joys.
This is a characteristic of the Beagle, which is always on the lookout for new foods.
They can easily become overweight if allowed to eat everything that the Beagle shows attention and craving for.
Snoopy is energetic and curious, following active children around and participating in their games. This has some similarities with real-life Beagles who are hunting dogs that need about 60 minutes of exercise a day.
However, Snoopy also has a lazy side. He loves to lie on top of his kennel and nap all day, lying on the rooftop of his dog house.
Charlie Brown’s friend, Snoopy, is his faithful companion. This is very similar to the Beagle breed which is the faithful companion of its hunting master.
But also he is a dreamy dog, setting off on exciting fictional adventures. One day he might be an astronaut or a hockey star, the next day a hero of the First World War with goggles in a fighter plane, a snake, or even a bat.
He brings comics to life through his fantastic imagination and is trying all the time to write the next big American novel and read War and Peace at the pace of one word per day.
Snoopy’s Size
What is Snoopy’s actual size? Snoopy’s exact measurements are unknown. But, many comic buffs have calculated the exact measurement.
Charlie Brown is eight years old. The average height of an eight-year-old boy of this age is 128 cm.
According to the comics, Snoopy is 41cm tall at the head, while the average height of a Beagle is between 13 and 38 cm at the shoulder.
Whether some similarities are intentional, or they simply developed over the years, one thing is for sure – Snoopy is one of the most loved dogs, regardless of breed!
About The Beagle
The Beagle is a small-sized Hound dog originally bred for hunting rabbits and other small game. The most distinctive feature of the Beagle is its short, powerful legs which allow it to move quickly and cover a lot of ground.
Beagles also have an excellent sense of smell, which makes them ideal hunting dogs. However, the Beagle’s agreeable disposition and cute appearance have also made it a popular pet. Beagles are cheerful, playful dogs that get along well with children and other pets.
They are also relatively easy to train and can be a great addition to any family.
Beagles – A Brief History
The Beagle is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, and it has a long and storied history. The breed is believed to have originated in ancient Greece, where it was used for hunting hare.
The Beagle’s incredible tracking abilities soon made it a coveted breed among European nobles, who used the dogs for fox hunting. Beagles were first brought to America in the 1800s, and they quickly became a favorite among farmers and hunters.
Today, the Beagle is still prized for its tracking abilities, but it is also cherished as a loving family pet.
Final Thoughts
It’s no secret that Snoopy is one of the most popular cartoon characters of all time. But what is it about this lovable Beagle that has captured the hearts of millions? For starters, Snoopy is a great role model.
He’s always cheerful, even in the face of adversity, and he never gives up on his dreams.
In addition, Snoopy has a strong sense of loyalty and friendship, always sticking by his pals no matter what. He’s also a big fan of fun and adventure, which makes him relatable to both kids and adults. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Snoopy is incredibly cute!
