September 13th is Scooby Doo Day! The beloved cartoon canine has become a fixture in American pop culture, and has been exposing the nefarious dealings of malevolent, mask-wearing schemers since the late 1960’s. A vet discusses the iconic animated pooch below.
Starting Out
Scooby Doo, Where Are You? was originally planned as a horror/mystery, but execs thought it may be too scary for kids, and made it a comedy. The show wasn’t exactly an immediate success, but it found its groove before too long. Scooby also went through some growing pains. In an early version, titled Mysteries Five, the canine star was, well, more of a dog and less of a sleuth.
A Pup By Any Other Name
Scooby Doo was actually named after the ‘Doo-be-doo-be-doo’ line in Frank Sinatra’s song Strangers in the Night. There were also fictional characters named Skooby Doo in the 1953 film Swingin Together and in the Archies’ song Feelin’ So Good (S.K.O.O.B.Y.-D.O.O.) The rest, as you know, is history. Or, as Scooby would put it, ‘Ristory.’
Voices
Scooby has been voiced by dozens of actors over the years. One of the more iconic voices behind the adorable pup was Don Messick. Messick was also the voice of the Jetsons’ beloved pup, Astro. He gave up the role after quitting smoking, which took the iconic rasp out of his voice.
Scrappy
A new member of the cast popped up in 1979. Scooby’s nephew, Scrappy Doo, definitely shared his uncle’s talent for cracking clues. The feisty pup starred with his uncle for several years in spinoff series The Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show. Puppy Power!
A Little Help From Some Friends
Scrappy isn’t Scooby’s only relative. Cousins Scooby-Dee and Scooby Dum have also lent the gang a helping paw in solving cases. Many celebrities were also happy to pitch in. Some of the stars that made guest appearances include Sonny and Cher, Don Knotts, Dick Van Dyke, Phyllis Diller, Mama Cass Elliot, and the Harlem Globetrotters!
Cameos
Scooby Doo has also popped up in cameos or guest roles on many different films and TV shows, including Johnny Bravo, Looney Tunes: Back In Action; and Space Jam II.
Breed
Ever wonder what breed Scooby is? He’s a Great Dane. Or, a not-very-good Dane. The pooch was deliberately drawn with none of the qualities breeders strive for with these gentle giants!
Do you have a Great Dane with a love for Scooby Snacks? Ruh Roh! Contact us, your local animal clinic in North Miami, FL, today!
