Dog

Columbo’s Dog: The Lovable Sidekick of the Legendary Detective

If you’re a fan of the classic TV show Columbo, you probably remember the lieutenant’s faithful companion, a basset hound simply known as Dog. Dog was a cute and cuddly pet, but also an ally of sorts in Columbo’s investigations. 

Dog makes his debut in the first episode of season 2, Etude in Black Columbo rescued him from the pound. We see him again in The Most Dangerous Match, Try and Catch Me and Playback.

How did Columbo get Dog?

The studio wanted Columbo to have a partner for the second season. Peter Falk and the show' writers and creators were strongly against it, but the studio insisted. So they came up with a clever solution that both gave Falk a partner...and stuck it to the studio a bit: They gave Columbo a dog.

Not just any dog...but the absolutely least police-like dog they could think of.

Falk was reportedly not happy with the idea at first, but when he met the basset who was going to play the role he fell in love with the pooch and decided it was fine. 

What was Dog’s role in the show?

Dog added some humor and charm to the show, with his lazy and stubborn antics. He often refused to obey Columbo’s commands, or to get out of the car. He also had a habit of howling at the most inconvenient times, such as when Columbo was on the phone, or when he was trying to talk to somebody. Dog’s personality contrasted with Columbo’s, but also complemented it. They were both underdogs, who used their wits and instincts to overcome their challenges.

What are some fun facts about Dog?

• Dog was played by several different basset hounds throughout the show’s run. The first one died after the second season, and had to be replaced by a younger one, who was made up to look older. Peter Falk, who played Columbo, said that the dog spent more time in the make-up chair than he did.
• Dog was popular with the fans, and became a recurring character in the show. He appeared in 15 episodes, spanning from 1972 to 1990. 
• Dog’s name was never revealed in the show, but some sources claim that he was originally called Fang. This was the name of the dog in the spin-off series Mrs. Columbo.