Mythological Dog Names

Probably the most famous dog in pop culture with a mythological name is Disney’s very own Pluto. This lovable character came into creation in 1930. Pluto became a reality from drawing on inspiration from Walt Disney’s childhood dogs. Pluto was first featured in The Chain Gang, where Mickey Mouse escaped from a chain gang and a bloodhound-type dog was used to track Mickey. Walt Disney liked the reception of this dog by Disney fans and he added the pooch to Mickey’s friends.

Pluto did not begin his career with the name he is most famous for. Instead, he has had a variety of names and jobs. He started as a bloodhound searching for fugitives from the chain gang, then moved into the role as a household pet named Rover. Rover did not actually belong to Mickey Mouse; instead he was Minnie Mouse’s companion. In 1931, he was switched to Mickey Mouse’s companion in the film The Moose Hunt. It was in this film that he was officially named Pluto the Pup.

There is much debate on why producers and animators decided on the name Pluto. One belief is that he was named Pluto the Pup because the planet had been recently discovered and named Pluto. Since many planets are named after mythological gods and goddesses, the name Pluto comes from the Roman God of the Underworld. This is a far cry from the lovable, silly pup that has graced the screen of many Disney films.

Walt Disney used Pluto as the main character in 48 cartoons and he was also seen as Mickey Mouse’s sidekick in even more films. His first animated short film where he was the star was Pluto’s Quin-Puplets in 1937. In this short film, Pluto and Fifi the Pekingese are officially dubbed Mr. and Mrs. Pluto and are the parents of five puppies. This film was released after the famed Dionne quintuplets entered the spotlight.

After the success Pluto shared with Mickey Mouse, Disney began putting Donald Duck and Pluto together in 1936. Donald and Pluto was the first film with the unlikely duo and it was a successful film prompting more films with Donald and Pluto.

Pluto received the Tailwagger’s Academy Award, the Boscar, as the most promising dog actor for the year of 1942. The film Lend A Paw also won the Oscar for Best Cartoon in 1942. Even though Pluto came into existence in 1930, he is still a endearing character that children and adults alike love to watch.