So, What is Goofy?

[Goofy4Pluto]

Ok... just got back from the doctor, she and her family
just got back from a trip to WDW and the 5 year old girl
is having a problem determining what Goofy is... I say
he is a COW (because he was paired up with Clarabelle
Cow in the old movies) BUT, the daughter heard at WDW
that he was a dog...

The 5 year old is perplexed because Pluto doesn't talk
but Goofy does... therefore, they cannot both be dogs...

So, is Goofy a dog or a cow?

Please help us with this enduring debate that stirs
all the way back to the 80's movie (of which I forget
the name at the moment) where the kid says "Ok,
Mickey's a mouse, Donald is a duck... What the hell is Goofy?"

 

[gary403]

Q: What is Goofy? When did he debut?

A: Goofy is a dog! Good-natured but not that bright, this cartoon character made his first appearance, somewhat disguised, as a member of the audience in "Mickey's Revue" (1932).

What distinguished the character from those sitting around him was not so much his appearance but his raucous laugh. That laugh made such an impression on Walt Disney and his staff that the character soon began to be featured in other cartoons. Before long, Goofy was part of the gang that included Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Clarabelle Cow, and Horace Horsecollar.


In the newspaper comic strips, this new character was first given the name Dippy Dawg. A 1938 book indicated the first change to Dippy's name, "The Story of Dippy the Goof," and by 1939 the final change was made to Goofy with the release of the cartoon "Goofy and Wilbur."


Goofy was created as a human character, as opposed to Pluto, who was a pet, so he walked upright and had a speaking voice.


There were 48 Goofy cartoons (primarily in the 1940s and 1950s), but he also appeared in many cartoons with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. He was best known for his series of "How to" cartoons, where he bumbled through the explanations.


In the 1950s, he appeared in several cartoons as Mr. Geef, with a wife and son. The 1990s television series "The Goof Troop" reintroduced Goofy and son, but by this time the son was Max, quite different from his earlier incarnation, and the wife was no longer on the scene.


You can find lots more information about Goofy and all of your favorite Disney characters in our online Disney Archives.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

My logical inclination was to answer "a dog," since I'm not blind.

<i>On the other hand,</i> in deference to my DS#1, UseleSportsGoof, I answered, "Who cares! He rocks!"

 

[Dom13]

Goofy is a dog. When he first appeared in 1932 his name was Dippy Dawg. He later became Dippy the Goof and by 1935 he was just Goofy.

 

[Parkhopper]

Goofy is a dog and the movie that asked the question"Mickey is a mouse, Donald is a duck, what the #$%@ is Goofy?" was "Stand By Me" Based on a story by Stephen King.

Suzi

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Now why is everyone cluttering up this <b>emotion-charged</b> topic with <b><i>facts?!?</b></i> Sheesh.

 

[sue Z]

actaully we tell everyone that Goofy is my mother's boyfriend!!!!
she is such a big goofy fan!!!