What Kind of Dog is Snoopy?

Ah, Snoopy, the whimsical and imaginative beagle from the iconic Peanuts comic strip! Since his introduction in 1950 by Charles M. Schulz, Snoopy has captured the hearts of millions with his vivid imagination, aerial battles against the Red Baron, and of course, his dance moves. For those unfamiliar with dog breeds, there might arise the question: what kind of dog is Snoopy?

What Type of Dog is Snoopy?

Snoopy is a Beagle! Known for their sharp sense of smell and friendly demeanor, Beagles are a popular breed both in real life and in the fictional world of Peanuts.

Snoopy vs. Real-Life Beagles

Is Snoopy like a real beagle? Well, while Snoopy exhibits some common traits of a beagle, such as his size and coloring–his character has certain exaggerations that set him apart:

Size: Beagles are a small to medium-sized breed. They usually stand between 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 20 to 30 pounds.

Ears: Like Beagles, Snoopy has long, floppy ears, which are one of the defining features of this breed.

Coat Color: In the comics and animations, Snoopy is primarily shown as a white dog with black ears, which is somewhat akin to the Beagle’s tricolor or bicolor coat patterns.

Temperament: Beagles are known for being friendly, curious, and merry. They enjoy the company of other dogs and humans alike. Their playful nature is akin to Snoopy’s own zest for life.

Intelligence: Beagles are known for their intelligence, a trait that is highly pronounced in Snoopy’s character as he often assumes various intellectual personas, including being a writer and a flying ace.

Adventurous: Snoopy is renowned for his vivid imagination, which leads him to numerous adventures, akin to the curious and explorative nature of Beagles.

Life Span: Beagles generally have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Thanks to the Peanuts universe, Snoopy is over 70 years old–or pushing 500 years old in dog years!

Imagination: Real-life beagles don’t typically have alter egos like the World War I Flying Ace or the famous writer. They might, however, daydream about chasing rabbits rather than fighting the Red Baron!

Sociability: Beagles are known for being extremely social and get along well with children and other animals. This trait is reflected in Snoopy’s relationship with the other characters in the Peanuts strip, including his bird friend, Woodstock.

Habits: While beagles love to sleep, it’s unlikely you’ll find one lounging atop his doghouse like Snoopy does. And, they’re probably not going to be typing out novels or corresponding with bird friends.

Why a Beagle?

Charles M. Schulz never provided an explicit, detailed explanation for why he chose a beagle specifically for the character of Snoopy–but he did have a childhood black and white mixed breed dog named Spike that may have been an inspiration.

However, there are a few things to consider when pondering this decision:

Popularity of the Breed: Beagles were (and still are) a popular and well-known dog breed in the United States. Their familiarity would have made Snoopy immediately recognizable and relatable to many readers.
Versatile Appearance: The simple and distinct coloring and features of a beagle allowed for easy and consistent drawing, which is crucial in a daily comic strip. Snoopy’s design is minimalist, yet instantly recognizable, making him an iconic character.
Temperament: Beagles are known for their curious, playful, and friendly nature. These traits translate well into a character that gets into various adventures and scenarios. Although Snoopy’s persona diverges quite a bit from a typical beagle’s behavior (such as his sophisticated alter egos), the breed’s natural curiosity and playful spirit serve as a foundation for the character’s imaginative exploits.
Evolution of the Character: It’s also worth noting that Snoopy’s character and appearance evolved over time. In the earliest Peanuts strips, Snoopy was more dog-like in behavior and less anthropomorphic. As the character developed and became more complex, the choice of breed became less significant compared to his evolving personality and quirks.

In any case, Schulz’s decision to make Snoopy a beagle turned out to be a fortuitous one, as the character has since become one of the most beloved and recognizable comic strip characters in the world.

Snoopy is even celebrated every year on Snoopy’s Birthday!

If Snoopy has sparked your interest in beagles, remember that they’re energetic, require plenty of exercise and can be quite vocal. Always do your research before welcoming any dog into your family.

Whenever you see Snoopy doing his happy dance or gazing at the skies from his doghouse, you can appreciate the essence of the beagle that he embodies.