What Kind of Animal Is Disney’s Goofy Anyway?

Disney has many iconic characters, including Goofy, but there have always been questions regarding this humanoid animal. Although the famous character has humanoid characteristics, it’s still an animal. Many people think that Goofy is a cow, while others believe he’s some type of dog. So, what animal is Goofy? Follow along to find out!

What Animal is Disney’s Goofy?

Disney’s Goofy is likely a humanoid black and tan coonhound. However, there is a lot of speculation on the internet. Goofy could also be another type of Coonhound or Bloodhound. However, he closely resembles a black and tan coonhound. For instance, Goofy has long and floppy ears, just like black and tan coonhounds. He also has a black and tan coat. There has been a lot of confusion for years over what animal is Goofy. While he has dog features, Pluto is a confirmed pet dog without human-like behaviors. This fact has led people to believe Goofy’s design might be based on a cow.

Why do People Think Disney’s Goofy is a Cow?

So, what makes people think that Disney’s Goofy is a cow? While he has dog-like features, Goofy’s love interest is Clarabelle, a cow. Since these are just cartoon characters in a show, it might not be strange to see two different species together. However, the other main characters all have love interests within the same species. For example, Mickey is with Minnie and they are mice, while Donald and Daisy are ducks.

About Black and Tan Coonhounds

Now that we’ve established what animal is Goofy, we can learn more about the dog species. Black and Tan Coonhounds are adorable dogs with playful personalities. They are scent hounds first developed in the United States. Are you interested in learning more about this lovely dog breed? Keep reading to learn more including the dog’s history, size, and behaviors.

History

The history of Black and Tan Coonhounds begins in the 18th century. This dog breed, however, is descended from the Talbot Hound, a hunting hound from England during the Middle Ages. As their name suggests, Black and Tan Coonhounds were bred to hunt for raccoons, which were important animals during the early years of the United States. For years, settlers used the animal’s meat, fur, and fat. However, European settlers in the United States didn’t have a raccoon-hunting dog breed. Instead, they had fox-hunting hounds, specifically Black and Tan Virginia Foxhounds, which they bred with bloodhounds to create this unique breed.

After years of breeding, the American Kennel Club recognized the Black and Tan Coonhound as an official hound breed with six others.

Appearance and Size

Black and Tan Coonhounds are beautiful dogs. They have black and tan coats with some spots. The markings are similar to the marks on Rottweilers. These dogs are best known for their large, long, and thin floppy ears. Their ears hang well below their necks. Black and Tan Coonhounds also have long and muscular legs. They also have naturally long tails.

While Black and Tan Coonhounds aren’t the largest dog breed in the world, they are tall. Most males are about 25 to 27 inches tall. Females are slightly shorter, but not by much. The weight of this dog breed varies. Black and Tan Coonhounds weigh between 40 and 75 pounds.

Behavior

Every dog has their personality and temperament, regardless of their dog breed. But most Black and Tan Coonhounds are intelligent, calm, and strong. While they are hunting dogs, these loving furry friends are affectionate. However, while they tolerate small children, always proceed with caution. Black and Tan Coonhounds are independent and stubborn dogs. If you are someone who loves to go on walks and runs, Black and Tan Coonhounds are a good choice. They are fast runners that love to stretch their legs and can run or jog for miles without growing too tired. Black and Tan Coonhounds are also known to howl, especially when nervous.

Fun Facts About Goofy

• Goofy’s original name was Dippy Dawg. His character was older than he’s portrayed as now.
• Goofy first debuted in 1932.
• Other names for this character are George G. Geef, Goofus D. Dawg, and Super Goof.
• The first voice actor to play Goofy was Pinto Colvig, who also voice acted as Sleepy, Grumpy, and Dopey in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
• Goofy also stars in video games including the Kingdom Hearts series, Donald Duck’s Playground, and Disney’s Party.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Theme Park Tourist, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons – License / Original