Snoopy Facts You May Not Know

Originally published here at AKC.org on October 3, 2025 by Melanie Haid

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Snoopy and Peanuts are turning 75 in 2025! This famous cartoon dog is one of the most iconic members of the Peanuts gang. But there’s some things you may not know about this character. Read on for some Snoopy fun facts!

Snoopy was the First Fictional AKC-Registered Dog

For Snoopy, the AKC made an exception to its rule that dogs must be real to be registered. The AKC gave him the honorary number of Beagle-1. He was, and remains, the first AKC-registered fictional dog.

Snoopy no doubt played a large role in bringing the Beagle to the top of the AKC charts in 1953, after trailing behind the Cocker Spaniel for six years.

Snoopy is a Beagle!

If you’ve ever wondered what breed the famous cartoon dog was, you have your answer! While Snoopy may not look like your typical Beagle, he was confirmed as a member of the breed about a decade after he made his first appearance in the comic strip.

Snoopy’s Breed Wasn’t Confirmed for a Decade

Snoopy wasn’t specifically designated as a member of any breed when Charles Schulz debuted him in the comics. In fact, Snoopy was actually just based on Schulz’ childhood dog, “Spike,” who he modeled Snoopy’s character after.

“Spike, however, was not really a Beagle when the strip first began,” Schulz says in in his book, “Around the World in 45 Years: Charlie Brown’s Anniversary Celebration,” published in 1994. ” think it took Snoopy almost the better part of 10 years before he was labeled a Beagle, simply because I think the word Beagle is a good word.” And that, we’d say, it is.

Snoopy Had a Previous Owner

Snoopy wasn’t only Charlie Brown’s dog – something that was actually not confirmed until September 1, 1958, eight years after the comic strip debuted. Later, in the 1972 movie “Snoopy Come Home,” Snoopy is depicted as a dog that Charlie Brown got with his parents from the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm.

In “Snoopy Come Home,” he visits his previous home, and reconnects with Lila, his previous owner. In the film, he weighs whether to stay with her, or go back home to Charlie Brown. He is conflicted, but goes with her to her new apartment, where he sees a sign that says “NO DOGS ALLOWED,” and returns home to Charlie Brown, relieved.

Snoopy Has Seven Siblings

Though in a 1959 comic strip, Snoopy referred to himself as an “only dog” (like an only child), it was later revealed that he had siblings. And not just any number of siblings – Snoopy was one of eight! His siblings include Spike, Bella, Olaf (or “Ugly Olaf”), Marbles, Andy, Molly, and Rover.

This is not uncommon for Beagle litters in real life either. Most Beagle litters are between 1 to 10 puppies, but usually average about six. The largest known Beagle litter was 13 puppies!

Snoopy Wasn’t in the First Peanuts Strip

While Snoopy was one of the original four members of the Peanuts comic strip, he wasn’t in the first two comics. He made his debut on October 4, 1950, two days after the first Peanuts strip on October 2. The other original Peanuts characters include, of course, Charlie Brown, as well as Patty and Shermy.

But he wasn’t named Snoopy right away either. It wasn’t until November 10, 1950, that Snoopy was named in the comic strip, and not until 1952 that his thought bubbles began to voice his inner monologue in the comics.

Snoopy Has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Snoopy may have been around for over 75 years, but he actually got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame just over a decade ago. Snoopy’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star was presented in 2015, right next to Schulz’s star, which he received in 1996.

Snoopy’s star is the 2,563rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which now has over just over 2,800 stars. His star depicts him in the comic book strip backyard, and he is the first Beagle to receive a star on the Walk of Fame.

Snoopy Has Many Different Personas

Snoopy is known for his imagination. He has many different aliases, some, like the World War I Flying Ace, more popular than others. Creator Charles Schulz has said, “he can win or lose, be a disaster, a hero, or anything, and yet it all works out. I like the fact that when he’s in real trouble, he can retreat into a fantasy.”

Other alter egos of Snoopy’s include Joe Cool, World Famous Author, Masked Marvel, Flashbeagle, Joe Motocross, and more. He considers himself, in his vivid imagination, often “world famous” in many regards.

Snoopy is a NASA Mascot

Snoopy became, among his other alter egos, a mascot for NASA in 1968. He joined as the mascot for the Manned Flight Awareness program, which began five years prior. It is now called the Space Flight Awareness Program, and aimed to boost morale after three astronauts were killed in the Apollo I fire. There was a new and strict emphasis on safety, and after NASA had seen Snoopy’s chops as an Olympic skier and World War I Flying Ace, they knew he’d be up to the challenge.

Schulz was so flattered by the proposal that he accepted and donated all of the strips depicting Snoopy’s astronaut adventures free of charge. Snoopy is even presented as an award in the form of the Silver Snoopy, which began in 1968, to recognize those who made valuable contributions to safety and mission assurance programs.

Snoopy is Not a Standard Colored Beagle

While the original comic is in black and white, colorized versions of the Peanuts characters also exist. Charlie Brown’s iconic yellow shirt and Snoopy’s red collar, are both now synonymous with their characters. But even before the comic strip was reimagined in color, Snoopy was always black and white.

Standard Beagle colors recognized by the AKC are Black Red & White, Blue Tan & White, Black & Tan, Black Tan & Bluetick, Black Tan & White, Black White & Tan, Brown & White, Brown White & Tan, Lemon & White, Tan & White, and Red & White.

Snoopy Was Voted Top Dog in Pop Culture

In 2009, as part of the American Kennel Club’s 125th anniversary celebration, a vote was cast to determine the No. 1 dog in pop culture. Snoopy, to no surprise, took home the crown.

He was voted top dog, rightfully so, as his cultural significance spans decades and continues to remain at the forefront of pop culture. Whether you’re in the United States or Japan, you’re sure to find some sort of Snoopy memorabilia.

In second place was Texas A&M’s “Reveille,” followed by Scooby Doo. Other popular fictional dogs that made the list were the dogs in the painting “Dogs Playing Poker,” and “Brian Griffin” from the TV show Family Guy.

Snoopy was voted number one dog in pop culture in 2009, as part of the American Kennel Club’s 125th anniversary.