Ever since Scooby Doo successfully aired in 1969, there have always been people who have debated just what kind of dog is Scooby Doo, as he doesn’t look like a lot of conventional dog breeds. Could this be because the creator didn’t know how to properly draw a dog? Or were Scooby Doo’s iconic features done on purpose?
What Kind of Dog does Scooby Doo Look Like?
Most people agree that Scooby Doo resembles a Great Dane. This is due to his large body and massive height, standing a little over 3 feet when on all four paws and over 6 feet when standing upright on his back legs. His cropped ears, massive paws, and large muzzle are also strong characteristics of the Great Dane breed.
Why is there Debate Over What Kind of Dog Scooby Doo is?
While Scooby Doo shares several characteristics with Great Danes, people have wondered if he truly is a Great Dane because of just how many iconic characteristics Scooby Doo is missing from the Great Dane image. Great Danes have a sleek back that slopes gently downwards, while Scooby Doo’s back is anything but that. They have prominent long legs that are powerful and straight, while Scooby Doo fans may recall something quite different from the hungry dog. Great Danes have an iconic color pattern where they have a black mask around their eyes and a solid coat color, while you might remember Scooby Doo’s fur looking a bit different than that description. Great Danes also have very strong lower jaws and chins, while Scooby Doo himself has a very small chin that is overshadowed by his upper jaw.
Aside from the debate over the physical characteristics of Great Danes and Scooby Doo, the personality of them is debated as well. Great Danes are known to be gentle giants who will protect and guard their home and those they love, while Scooby Doo is shown to be an absolute coward motivated by food in order to do anything or protect anyone. For this reason, people have debated if Scooby Doo is really a Great Dane based simply on his cowardly personality.
What Kind of Dog is Scooby Doo According to the Creator?
Scooby Doo was created in the 1960s by Iwao Takamoto, who was responsible for the canine’s character design. Iwao Takamoto came up with Scooby Doo’s breed and iconic character design after talking with a coworker of his who bred Great Danes and knew about the characteristics of Great Danes that were looked for in pedigree show dogs. Once he learned what characteristics were most desired in a Great Dane, he decided to go with the exact opposite for his character design for Scooby Doo as a Great Dane. This is the design that has been used for Scooby Doo the entire time he’s been seen in any form of media and is the same design that has sparked debate over just what kind of dog is Scooby Doo.
Why does Scooby Doo Look Different than Other Dogs of His Breed?
Because Iwao Takamoto decided to make Scooby Doo a Great Dane with less than desirable breed characteristics, Scooby Doo is almost unrecognizable as a Great Dane. While Great Danes are known for their long and straight legs and elegant sloping back, Iwao Takamoto decided to give Scooby Doo a hunched back with crooked and bowed out legs. The iconic solid-colored fur with a black mask around the eyes was changed to a darker brown and given oddly placed spots instead. Instead of a defined chin and lower jaw, Scooby Doo has a very small chin and lower jaw compared to his upper jaw, leading to a comical appearance.
While the debate over what kind of dog is Scooby Doo has raged on for decades, the creator of the character, Iwao Takamoto, who passed away in 2007, has stated Scooby Doo is indeed a Great Dane, although he decided to give the goofy dog characteristics that were not desired in a Great Dane, leading to his crooked and bowed legs and his hunched back. While Scooby Doo may not look or act like your traditional Great Dane, he is indeed one of those giant dogs.
