One of the most famous dogs in the history of animation, Scooby-Doo is based on a fascinating breed that exists in real life.
For more than five decades, the Mystery Inc. group has been unraveling mysteries and thwarting the most diverse villains around.
With Shaggy, Velma, Fred and Daphne is the clumsy and fearful talking dog, Scooby-Doo. He is the Shaggy’s best friend and companion, always willing to find clues or devour a cookie.
However, what race is the iconic “Scooby-Doo” character? The answer lies in the original animation design created by Iwao Takamoto for the Hanna-Barbera studio, explains USA Today.
Inspiration
Scooby-Doo is a Great Dane. Interestingly, the American Kennel Club describes Great Danes as “the mighty Apollo of Dogs”, a description that contrasts with Scooby-Doo’s clumsy and fearful behavior.
In designing the character, Takamoto relied on guidance from a fellow Great Dane creator at Hanna-Barbera. In an interview given in 2006, Takamoto revealed that his colleague detailed all positive characteristics that define a Great Dane.
Inspired by this information, Takamoto designed Scooby-Doo with characteristics opposite to those desirable in the breed. For example, while Great Danes typically have robust backs, Scooby was bred with a sloping back. Likewise, while Scooby dogs have strong jaws, Takamoto chose to draw Scooby with a strong jaw. lower jaw retracted.
The combination of a sloping chin, spots on the body, long tail, sloping back and bowed legs gives shape to the beloved Scooby-Doo who is still able to fascinate people of different ages.
Source: Recreio
