Scooby-Doo Basic Information
Scooby-Doo's iconic look that made him famous
Scooby-Doo
💭Cartoon Chat with Scooby-DooCreation Info
First Appearance
September 13, 1969 ('Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!' TV series premiere)
Creator
Joe Ruby, Ken Spears (concept/writing); Iwao Takamoto (character design)
Series
Scooby-Doo (Franchise)
Copyright
Hanna-Barbera Productions / Warner Bros. Animation
Identity
Species
Dog (Great Dane)
Gender
Male
Age
7 (in dog years, often cited)
Birthday
September 13 (based on premiere date)
Occupation
Mystery Solver (Member of Mystery Inc.), Professional Eater
Scooby-Doo's Appearance
Physical Features
Height
Tall for a dog
Body Type
Lanky Great Dane, sometimes walks bipedally
Color Scheme
Brown fur with distinct black spots on his back, black nose.
Signature Style
Outfit
Blue collar with a yellow, diamond-shaped tag engraved with 'SD'.
Catchphrase
'Scooby-Dooby-Doo!''Ruh-roh!'
Accessories
Collar and tag
Character Background
Origin Story
Created by Hanna-Barbera writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, and designed by Iwao Takamoto, Scooby-Doo was conceived as part of a less violent Saturday morning cartoon in response to parental complaints about action cartoons in the late 1960s. He became the talking Great Dane companion to a group of mystery-solving teenagers.
Character Timeline
TV Debut
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! premieres on CBS, launching the franchise.
Numerous Series & Films
Scooby-Doo has starred in countless animated series, direct-to-video films, TV specials, and live-action movies, becoming an enduring animation icon.
Scooby-Doo's Personality
Personality Traits
- Cowardly / Easily Frightened
- Perpetually Hungry
- Extremely Loyal (especially to Shaggy)
- Good-natured and Friendly
- Goofy and Fun-loving
- Capable of great bravery (often motivated by friendship or Scooby Snacks)
- Speaks with a distinct speech impediment (rhotacization)
Strengths
- Loyalty to friends
- Occasional bravery
- Strong sense of smell (sometimes)
- Can run very fast (when scared)
- Lovable personality
Weaknesses
- Extreme cowardice
- Gluttony / Easily bribed with food
- Clumsy
Goals
- To eat food (especially Scooby Snacks)
- To avoid danger/ghosts
- To stay close to Shaggy
- To help solve the mystery (eventually)
Fears
- Ghosts, monsters, ghouls (real or fake)
- Spooky places
- Generally anything scary
Scooby-Doo's Gallery
Scooby-Doo's Abilities
Special Powers
- Ability to speak (though with a distinct impediment)
- Semi-anthropomorphic behavior (can walk on two legs, use paws like hands)
Skills
- Keen sense of smell (variable)
- Impressive speed and agility (when fleeing danger)
- Solving mysteries (often accidentally or with Shaggy)
- Eating large quantities of food
Scooby-Doo's Relationships
Family Members
Awards & Recognition
- The Scooby-Doo franchise has received recognition over decades, including Daytime Emmy nominations.
Cultural Influence
Pop Culture Impact
Scooby-Doo is one of the most iconic and longest-running animated franchises globally. The characters, catchphrases ('Scooby Snacks', 'Ruh-roh', 'Meddling kids'), and mystery-solving formula are deeply ingrained in popular culture.
Social Impact
The show introduced generations to mystery and light horror themes in a kid-friendly format. It emphasized teamwork and the idea that monsters are usually just humans in disguise, promoting rational explanations over superstition (most of the time).