What Kind of Dog Is Odie From Garfield? Breed Information, Pictures, and Facts

A classic American comic strip, Garfield has been hating Mondays and loving lasagna since 1976. Alongside his best friend and favorite canine companion, Odie, this grumpy orange cat has continued to endear himself to the public through various animated series, video games, books, and films. Unlike Garfield, Odie is a cheerful creature who’s always excited to play. But what kind of dog is Odie? Dive in and find out!

Who Is Odie?

Odie is the canine best friend of Garfield the cat. He is sweet and sometimes acts a bit dopey, but his optimism and enthusiasm for life have made Odie a favorite with fans around the world. The Garfield comic for August 26, 2007, depicts Garfield as he attempts to pinpoint Odie’s breed. After referencing a book and considering for a moment, he declares, “Ah, here you are… purebred clown”. 

Garfield often makes Odie the brunt of his jokes and pranks, but deep down inside, he seems to have a soft spot for his doggie buddy. In the Garfield comics, Odie occasionally gets back at Garfield, and it is suggested that he has a rather sophisticated side that comes out only when he is alone. 

What Kind of Dog Is Odie From Garfield?

In the Garfield comics, Odie is a beagle. He has yellow fur, long brown ears, and often leaves his tongue hanging out of his mouth. Beagles are scent hounds who love to follow their noses — even when it gets them into trouble. Although they can make excellent family dogs, they need a lot of exercise, mental stimulation, and plenty of room to play and explore. In addition, any backyard they spend time in needs to be well-fenced, as beagles are natural-born explorers and excellent escape artists. These clever pups are skilled at digging, running, and climbing. Their natural instincts can push them to find a way to follow their noses beyond the confines of your yard. 

Beagles are friendly pups with floppy ears and soulful brown eyes. They stand 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 20 to 30 pounds. Originally bred to hunt together in packs, beagles are friendly dogs who love to be with people. They are typically good with children and even other dogs. 

Beyond the Beagle: An Alternate Odie Breed

Although traditionally Odie is portrayed as a beagle, in the live-action films Garfield: The Movie (2004) and Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006), Odie was portrayed by a wire-haired dachshund/terrier mix. These cross-bred dogs are typically small to medium in size. They are usually 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh around 15 to 25 pounds. Like beagles, they also have long, floppy ears and expressive eyes. 

Wire-haired dachshund/terrier mix dogs love to play and often have tons of energy — traits they inherit from both of their parent breeds. Much like beagles, they are also curious. Sometimes their terrier side can get them into trouble as they like to investigate just about everything. Both dachshunds and terriers are very intelligent, but terriers tend to have a stubborn streak that requires consistency, patience, and lots of positive training. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © tetiana_u/Shutterstock.com