Our 5 Favorite Cartoon Bulldogs – and a cheater
Source: “That’s my Pup” from Tom and Jerry
If you are reading our blog you likely have an affinity for our fun-loving companions—the bulldog. From a young age we grow up to adore bulldogs as strong, loving, trustworthy, and of course, the family pet.
What we’d like to look at today is where our love of bulldogs comes from for most people—the cartoon bulldog. Yes! I’m serious here. The first experience of bulldogs for most people is from Saturday morning cartoons. And today, we will have a tribute of sorts to our favorite cartoon bulldogs.
These bulldogs have been chosen for a variety of reasons. They may be lovable, cute, or represent everything in a bulldog we’ve fallen in love with. You will recognize some of these dogs and say, “Awe, I remember…” with a nostalgic glow in your eyes. Others, you may have never seen before, but have played a significant role for the breed in the media.
So, sit back and enjoy some of our favorite TV dogs. I bet by the end of the day you’ve had a good fill of bulldog TV on Youtube.com.
Spike and Tyke
I’ll start with the favorite of many people and the father and son duo of Spike and Tyke. Spike is one of the most iconic bulldogs in television history as he loved his dog bone and kept the cat Tom in place on America’s favorite cartoon—Tom and Jerry. Spike first appeared April 8, 1942 on the Tom and Jerry episode, Dog Trouble.
Spike and Tom Cat have a running theme of Tom seemingly always getting in Spike’s way and causing trouble for the large bulldog who simply wants to relax. While much of the show focused on the rivalry between the two animals, Spike on occasion would show a rare fondness for the cat.
In 1949 Tyke (our cheater) was introduced in Love that Pup, a favorite episode for millions of people who love the series. Tyke is a cuddly chip off his father’s shoulders as well as a regular, and favorite, supporting character in the cartoon.
Hector the Bulldog
If you grew up in the 90’s you may remember Hector the Bulldog. While not widely known by name, his appearance is likely to strike up memories as Hector was staged in several popular Looney Toons cartoons. However, what most people don’t know is that Hector has been on the cartoon circuit longer than most dogs, with his first appearance in 1945’s, Peck Up Your Troubles, costarring along with Sylvester the cat.
Hector is most known for his role as Grannies loyal guard dog in the animated series, The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries. We love Hector for his loyal nature to Granny, although he was a bit on the ditsy side.
Luiz from Rio
Luiz from Rio is a newcomer to cartoon bulldogs, but one we can’t forget due to his charm and overly excited approach to life.
Voiced by Tracy Morgan, Luiz is a loveable character whose bark is anything but his character. This fruit-hat wearing dog is full of slobber and kisses, and can’t wait for Carnival to start. Luiz is a distractible, friendly, and loyal dog who is on this list for the purity he brings to bulldogs. Any bulldog owner will find characteristics of Luiz that resonate within their own dogs.
He’s appeared in Rio and Rio 2 and we can’t wait to see him in Rio 3 (if one comes out) or a spin-off.
Marc Antony in “Feed the Kitty”
If you remember Marc Antony by name you will be in the minority. However, you may remember this series of animated shorts from Looney Toons in the 1950’s. Marc Antony was a bulldog from the animated film Feed the Kitty, which was released February 2, 1952.
Much like Ruiz from Rio, Marc Antony exemplifies everything we love in a bulldog. His muscular and intimidating appearance carrying over into kitten-like playfulness. In Feed the Kitty Marc Antony opens up by trying to intimidate with a ferocious bark and growling, that doesn’t affect the kitten at all – instead it loving brushes up to Marc Antony. Of course, as an intimidating bulldog would do, Marc Antony falls for the kitten and adopts it.
If you haven’t seen the cartoon you should put it on your list. In 1994 the cartoon was #36 out of the 50 greatest cartoons as voted on by the members of the animation field.
Bandit
With the exception of Scooby Doo, few dogs have gone on more harrowing adventures than Johnny Quest’s loyal sidekick Bandit. Bandit appeared in two animated series: 1960’s Johnny Quest series, and a follow-up series in the 1990’s called The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest. His first appearance was episode 1 of Johnny Quest, called The Mystery of the Druids.
Much like his counterparts in bulldog cartoons Bandit’s loyalty and bravery were highlighted, as well as his playfulness. He was also known for his ingenuity in helping Johnny get out of some sticky situations.
Few cartoon bulldogs bring up more Saturday morning nostalgia than Bandit and his adventures.