Marmaduke’s comic strip and movies have tons of fans. After all, it’s hard not to fall for the giant yet humble and sweet dog. While you might have had a great time reading and watching the pooch’s stories and adventures, have you ever wondered about his breed? If so, you learn about Marmaduke’s dog breed and his origins here.
What Dog Breed is Marmaduke?
Marmaduke is a Great Dane. The nearly 40-inch tall dog was loved by the readers for his love for his human friends, and his habit of getting into trouble before trying his best to make things right. At its peak, Marmaduke appeared in more than 600 newspapers in twenty countries worldwide.
American cartoonist Bradley Jay Anderson was the mind behind the goofy yet lovable dog character for the newspaper strip. He continued to work on Marmaduke till he passed away on August 30, 2015. He was 91 at the time.
Bradley Jay Anderson always illustrated the strips. However, sometimes he used to discuss writing ideas with Phil and Dorothy Leeming, and his son Paul.
For his work, the cartoonist received the Newspaper Panel Award from the National Cartoonists Society in 1978. In 2012, the NCS awarded him the Milton Caniff lifetime achievement award.
What was Marmaduke’s first appearence?
Newspaper comic strip Marmaduke made its first appearance in 1954. It revolved around the Winslow family and their dog, a Great Dane called Marmaduke.
There are many stories about how Bradley Jay Anderson came up with Marmaduke. It is believed that his mother’s Boxer and a Great Dane, the cartoonist knew in Jamestown, were the inspiration for the character. Anderson also mentioned the strip was loosely inspired by the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy’s rowdiness.
As per Syracuse University, he said, “During the time, I was drawing various types of dogs in my magazine cartoons, I was also trying to develop a dog character specifically for eventual newspaper syndication [….] you couldn’t see the eyes of my shaggy dogs, so as I thought more about it I decided I wanted a dog where I could have an expressive face.”
Throughout the decades, Marmaduke has continued to be widely syndicated. Anderson’s work also inspired a live-action film in 2010, featuring Owen Wilson as the voice of Marmaduke. Renowned celebrities Emma Stone, Kiefer Sutherland, George Lopez, William H. Macy, and Sam Elliott were also part of the project. An animated comedy film was also released in 2022 with Pete Davidson as Marmaduke.
What are Great Danes like?
The Great Dane is a German breed of large mastiff-sighthound. They are a breed of working dogs who are swift and alert. These dogs are the tallest of the working breeds. Their name is derived from one of their French names, Grand Danois, which means Big Danish.
They are known for their courage, friendliness, and dependability. Nicknamed the “Apollo of dogs,” Great Danes are also gentle and agile dogs. But due to their large size, it can be a bit difficult to care for them.
They need a spacious sleeping space and a large area to play. Moreover, they are prone to health issues like bloat, hip dysplasia, wobbler syndrome, heart disease, and so on. Hence, looking after them may not be easy for everyone.
These eager-to-please canines respond well to consistent and firm training methods. If their needs are met, Great Danes make good family dogs that can weigh from 110 to 175 pounds. Due to their large size, their lifespan is shorter than other breeds. They can live up to 7-10 years.
Overall, Great Danes are a great addition to the family, provided one has space for a dog of this size.
