# What the hell kind of animal is Goofy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 14, 2001, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829 "2001-06-14T18:03:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/1 "2001-06-14T18:03:36Z")
ok Mickey’s a mouse, Donald’s a duck, Pluto’s a dog, what the heck is Goofy? originally from an old movie, but recently brought up in my office…Any suggestions ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/2 "2001-06-14T18:06:36Z")
He’s a dog that can walk on two legs and talk, which distinguishes him from Pluto. ---
**Author:** ![Protesilaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Protesilaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Protesilaus)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/3 "2001-06-14T18:07:02Z")
Also a dog. Cecil’s column on this can be found [here](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_077.html). ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/4 "2001-06-14T18:10:50Z")
Goofy is a much more evolved dog. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/5 "2001-06-14T18:51:26Z")
So will all Disney dogs eventually evolve into Goofys? ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/6 "2001-06-14T19:30:44Z")
They would if the Disney Universe hadn’t stopped expanding about 50 Earth years ago. In ancient times, it was thought that by looking at Pluto, other dogs could see how their ancestors must have looked; how they ate, how they walked on all fours, and so on. “And if we look forward,” said the Disney dogs, “at Goofy over there (“Hyuck! Gawrsh!”), we’ll see how we’ll look in the FUTURE!” But alas, it wasn’t to be. Shortly after making this pontification, those Disney dogs (all very astute scientists, mind you) all died in a freak accident involving Dumbo and a truckload of kamikazes. And after those scientists ceased to be, the Disney Universe suddenly hiccuped, paused, looked around furtively, and stopped expanding. “What’s the use,” it said with a whimper. “I might as well contract now.” And so it did. The only thing that remains of the works of those wonderful scientists is Goofy himself, the alleged epitome of canine evolution. He is a mutant, an unexpected freak, an accidental glimpse into a future that might have been but never was or will be. ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/7 "2001-06-14T19:48:08Z")
Stop me if you’ve heard this one: Mickey appears in Family Court. Judge: "Now, Mickey, why do you think your wife, Minnie, is crazy? Mickey: “I didn’t say she was crazy. I said she was f\*ing Goofy!” ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2001, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/8 "2001-06-14T21:38:07Z")
Here’s a hint: Walt Disney’s original name for Goofy was “Dippy Dawg.” ---
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/9 "2001-06-15T01:49:20Z")
OK, now that that’s settled, what sort of creature is Grover from Sesame Street??? ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/10 "2001-06-15T02:08:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DaveRaver \* > \*\*OK, now that that’s settled, what sort of creature is Grover from Sesame Street??? \*\* That’s easy. He’s a monster. ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/11 "2001-06-15T03:34:07Z")
I thought Grover was a muppet? ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/12 "2001-06-15T03:43:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by StephenG \* > \*\*I thought Grover was a muppet? \*\* Well sure. He’s a muppet that’s a monster. Just like Harry Monster is, or even Elmo. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/13 "2001-06-15T05:00:23Z")
So, what’s Gonzo? ---
**Author:** ![orr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e47c2d/32.png) [@orr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orr)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/14 "2001-06-15T05:36:07Z")
Gonzo was some kind of bird wasn’t he? I have no idea why I think this, but I remember hearing somewhere that he was a… vulture? ---
**Author:** ![Phobos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Phobos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phobos)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/15 "2001-06-15T12:28:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by orr \* > \*\*Gonzo was some kind of bird wasn’t he? I have no idea why I think this, but I remember hearing somewhere that he was a… vulture? \*\* As revealed in the latest Muppet Movie (Muppets from Space), Gonzo is, in fact, a space alien. Before that, Gonzo was always described as a “whatever”. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/16 "2001-06-15T19:10:49Z")
Oversimpified answer: Pluto is a “dawg”. Goofy is an anthropomorphic character (caraciture?) loosely based on a dog. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2001, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/17 "2001-06-16T04:30:21Z")
I saw one of those t-shirts in Disneyworld once (official, licenced, endorsed product in the middle of the place), the kind whera character is drawn by the character from an earlier era. This Goofy t-shirt was of a modern Goofy successively drawn by earlier Goofy’s, until the original character was a 1920’s era b&w cartoon with a tail and a YOKE. Goofy is a HORSE. Or possibly a mule. ---
**Author:** ![orr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e47c2d/32.png) [@orr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orr)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2001, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/18 "2001-06-16T07:40:19Z")
> [@](#): > > As revealed in the latest Muppet Movie (Muppets from Space), Gonzo is, in fact, a space alien. Before that, Gonzo was always described as a “whatever”. --Phobos– That’s too easy. An alien vulture… That I could buy…😉 ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2001, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/19 "2001-06-16T10:39:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by enolancooper \* > \*\*I saw one of those t-shirts in Disneyworld once (official, licenced, endorsed product in the middle of the place), the kind whera character is drawn by the character from an earlier era. This Goofy t-shirt was of a modern Goofy successively drawn by earlier Goofy’s, until the original character was a 1920’s era b&w cartoon with a tail and a YOKE. > > Goofy is a HORSE.\*\* Methinks you’re hallucinating. Goofy _never_ wore a yoke in any early film. The character you’re probably thinking of is Horace Horsecollar, a character that appeared initially as a regular horse and was eventually anthropomorphized into Mickey’s friend. The character never caught on, though, and was eventually phased out. ---
**Author:** ![ryoushi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@ryoushi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryoushi)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2001, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-kind-of-animal-is-goofy/68829/20 "2001-06-16T10:58:40Z")
It’s Goofy’s kind of animal, sir! [sub]Ok, so it’s a bit of a stretch. Can anyone actually tell where it’s from so I don’t look bad?[/sub]