Click to Skip Ahead
Most everyone is familiar with the famous dog Snoopy and his funny antics, and if you’re not, good grief! Snoopy appeared in the famous comic strip called Peanuts alongside his owner and best friend, Charlie Brown, and Woodstock, a little yellow bird. Snoopy has characteristics and traits of a Beagle, and low and behold, a Beagle is what people guess him to be.
In this article, we’ll look further into Snoopy and decipher if, in fact, he was supposed to be a Beagle in the famous comic strip.
Is Snoopy a Beagle?
Yes, Snoopy is a Beagle. Even Lucy, one of the Peanuts characters whom Snoopy loves to irritate, calls him a “stupid Beagle” from time to time. In fact, Charlie Brown admits he’s a Beagle, too, rendering the question answered with a big yes.
Why Is Snoopy a White Beagle?
As we’ve mentioned, Charles Shultz modeled Snoopy after Spike, who was Shultz’s dog growing up. Spike was black and white, therefore, Snoopy is black and white. Can you imagine Snoopy being a different color? We can’t either. Although, Beagles are tri-colored, which may invoke doubt that Snoopy is a Beagle, but since Charles Shultz used his real dog Spike for inspiration, Snoopy will always be black and white.
Does Snoopy Have the Same Characteristics as Beagles?
Beagles are smart, affectionate, friendly, curious, and an overall happy breed. They are energetic and love children, and Snoopy loves the whole Peanuts gang, which are all children. Beagles have long, floppy ears and are of medium size, like Snoopy. They are scent hound dogs and love to eat, which is why Snoopy does his happy dance when it’s mealtime. All of these characteristics sound like Snoopy, don’t they?
Snoopy’s History
Charles M. Shultz created the famous comic strip Peanuts, which first appeared on October 2, 1950, in seven newspapers nationwide, an impressive feat for a 27-year-old who dreamed of becoming a cartoonist.
Shultz would draw the dog he had growing up named Spike from time to time, and in 1937, he sent a drawing of the dog into Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Subsequently, they ended up running it in Robert Ripley’s syndicated panel, and that was when Snoopy was officially born.
A fun fact: Schultz wanted to name the dog Sniffy, but that name was already taken in another comic strip, leaving him to come up with a different name. He recalled his mother saying at one time that if they ever had another family dog, its name would be Snoopy. The rest is history.
What Does Charlie Brown Say to Snoopy?
Charlie Brown has a famous quote about Snoopy: “Why can’t I have a normal, ordinary dog like everyone else?” Snoopy is certainly not your everyday ordinary dog. He often acts out his fantasy of being a World War I Flying Ace fighting his nemesis, the Red Baron, complete with goggles, a helmet, and a scarf wrapped around his neck, with the top of his doghouse serving as the cockpit. In fact, Snoopy has many fantasies of being something else, such as an author writing “The Great American Novel’ and being “Joe Cool.”
How to Care for Your Beagle
Since Beagles are traditionally hunting dogs and scent hounds, they can wander off if an enticing scent fills the air. Ensure you have a fenced yard to keep your Beagle from getting lost. We know that Beagles love to eat, and feeding a high-quality dog food will keep your Beagle healthy.
They don’t have a ton of energy, but they do like to play. Obesity is common with these dogs if not exercised, so be sure to provide your Beagle with at least 20–30 minutes of exercise daily.
These dogs have a stubborn streak, making patience while training a must. With positive reinforcement, your Beagle will be the dog you want it to be: a fun, lovable, and curious little hound.
Conclusion
We think it is safe to say that Snoopy is a Beagle. Despite his black and white coat, he holds many of the same traits as Beagles, and Lucy and Charlie Brown admit he’s a Beagle, and that’s good enough for us.
Featured Image Credit: Characters by Peanuts Worldwide LLC. All rights reserved to the copyright owners.
