Rude Dog
Encyclopedia
Rude Dog is a fictional white cartoon dog originally created by artist Brad McMahon while under contract to Sun Sportswear in the 1980s as part of a line of surfing
- and skateboarding
-related clothing.
, and the name "Rude" had the dual purpose of glorifying bad behavior and referring to the Rude boy
subculture of Ska
that was popular at the time. The majority of the clothing used angular artwork and neon colors, in keeping with the fashion trend shared by Quiksilver
, Vision Street Wear
, PCH, and many others.
entitled Rude Dog and the Dweebs. Rude Dog and the Dweebs was as colorful as the clothing it advertised. The punkish pooch himself drives a 1959 pink Cadillac
across a backdrop of Beverly Hills imagined in hues of pastel and neon.
Rude Dog (voiced by Rob Paulsen
in a Brooklyn
accent) runs an auto shop, where he is assisted by the Dweebs, a motley group of mutt minions. The team includes the stuttering Caboose (voiced by Frank Welker
), the uptight Winston (voiced by Peter Cullen
in a British accent), Reginald AKA Reggie (voiced by Mendi Segal impersonating Jack Nicholson
), Barney (voiced by Dave Coulier
in a Southern accent), Ditzy Kibble (voiced by Ellen Gerstell
), Satch (voiced by Jim Cummings
impersonating Ed Wynn
), and a friendly Chihuahua named Tweek (voiced by Hank Saroyan). Rude Dog has a girlfriend named Gloria (voiced by Ellen Gerstell
).
Their feline foe is the vicious Seymour (voiced by Frank Welker
), and joining him in the chase is the ubiquitous dog catcher Herman (voiced by Peter Cullen
) and his dimwitted rotweiller assistant Rot (voiced by Frank Welker
). Each week, Rude Dog and company balance their auto shop duties with attempts to elude the persistent Seymour, Herman, and Rot.
The show debuted on CBS
in 1989 and ran for one season. It also spawned home entertainment releases by Celebrity Home Entertainment
through their Just for Kids Home Video label.
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
- and skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
-related clothing.
Sun Sportswear Projects
The character was a stylized version of a Bull TerrierBull Terrier
The Bull Terrier or English Bull Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family. They are known for their large, egg-shaped head, small triangular eyes, and "jaunty gait." Their temperament has been described as generally fun-loving, active and clownish...
, and the name "Rude" had the dual purpose of glorifying bad behavior and referring to the Rude boy
Rude boy
Rude boy, rudeboy, rudie, rudi or rudy are common terms used in Jamaica. In the 1960s it was also used for juvenile delinquents and criminals in Jamaica, and has since been used in other contexts...
subculture of Ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
that was popular at the time. The majority of the clothing used angular artwork and neon colors, in keeping with the fashion trend shared by Quiksilver
Quiksilver
Quiksilver, Inc. , is an American company based in Huntington Beach, California, one of the world's largest manufacturers of surfwear and other boardsport-related equipment...
, Vision Street Wear
Vision Street Wear
Vision Street Wear is an American footwear company which was founded in 1976 and is licensed by Collective Licensing International.The company also made skateboards and skateboarding apparel and gained notability by sponsoring and manufacturing signature skateboards for legendary skaters Mark...
, PCH, and many others.
Rude Dog and the Dweebs
To further market the character, Sun also developed a Saturday morning cartoonSaturday morning cartoon
A Saturday morning cartoon is the colloquial term for the animated television programming that has typically been scheduled on Saturday mornings on the major American television networks from the 1960s to the present; the genre's peak in popularity mostly ended in the 1990s while the popularity of...
entitled Rude Dog and the Dweebs. Rude Dog and the Dweebs was as colorful as the clothing it advertised. The punkish pooch himself drives a 1959 pink Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
across a backdrop of Beverly Hills imagined in hues of pastel and neon.
Rude Dog (voiced by Rob Paulsen
Rob Paulsen
Robert Fredrick "Rob" Paulsen III , sometimes credited as Rob Paulson, is an American voice actor, best known as the voice behind Raphael from the 1987 cartoon of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yakko Warner and Dr...
in a Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
accent) runs an auto shop, where he is assisted by the Dweebs, a motley group of mutt minions. The team includes the stuttering Caboose (voiced by Frank Welker
Frank Welker
Franklin Wendell "Frank" Welker is an American actor who specializes in voice acting and has contributed character voices and other vocal effects to American television and motion pictures.-Acting career:...
), the uptight Winston (voiced by Peter Cullen
Peter Cullen
Peter Claver Cullen is a Canadian voice actor, known as the voice of Eeyore in the Winnie-the-Pooh franchise, Optimus Prime and Ironhide in the original Transformers series, and the narrator in both of the original American Voltron series...
in a British accent), Reginald AKA Reggie (voiced by Mendi Segal impersonating Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson
John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson is an American actor, film director, producer and writer. He is renowned for his often dark portrayals of neurotic characters. Nicholson has been nominated for an Academy Award twelve times, and has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice: for One Flew Over the...
), Barney (voiced by Dave Coulier
Dave Coulier
David Alan "Dave" Coulier is an American stand-up comedian, impressionist, television and voice actor, and television host. He is well-known for his role as Joey Gladstone on the ABC sitcom Full House, which ran from 1987 to 1995....
in a Southern accent), Ditzy Kibble (voiced by Ellen Gerstell
Ellen Gerstell
-Voice roles:*Jem *Monchhichis *Dragon's Lair - Princess Daphne *My Little Pony: The Movie *Little Clowns of Happytown *My Little Pony TV series...
), Satch (voiced by Jim Cummings
Jim Cummings
James Jonah "Jim" Cummings is an American voice actor who has appeared in almost 100 roles. He has appeared in classic animated movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as taking on roles in more current films, such as Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and Winnie the Pooh.-Personal...
impersonating Ed Wynn
Ed Wynn
Ed Wynn was a popular American comedian and actor noted for his Perfect Fool comedy character, his pioneering radio show of the 1930s, and his later career as a dramatic actor....
), and a friendly Chihuahua named Tweek (voiced by Hank Saroyan). Rude Dog has a girlfriend named Gloria (voiced by Ellen Gerstell
Ellen Gerstell
-Voice roles:*Jem *Monchhichis *Dragon's Lair - Princess Daphne *My Little Pony: The Movie *Little Clowns of Happytown *My Little Pony TV series...
).
Their feline foe is the vicious Seymour (voiced by Frank Welker
Frank Welker
Franklin Wendell "Frank" Welker is an American actor who specializes in voice acting and has contributed character voices and other vocal effects to American television and motion pictures.-Acting career:...
), and joining him in the chase is the ubiquitous dog catcher Herman (voiced by Peter Cullen
Peter Cullen
Peter Claver Cullen is a Canadian voice actor, known as the voice of Eeyore in the Winnie-the-Pooh franchise, Optimus Prime and Ironhide in the original Transformers series, and the narrator in both of the original American Voltron series...
) and his dimwitted rotweiller assistant Rot (voiced by Frank Welker
Frank Welker
Franklin Wendell "Frank" Welker is an American actor who specializes in voice acting and has contributed character voices and other vocal effects to American television and motion pictures.-Acting career:...
). Each week, Rude Dog and company balance their auto shop duties with attempts to elude the persistent Seymour, Herman, and Rot.
The show debuted on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
in 1989 and ran for one season. It also spawned home entertainment releases by Celebrity Home Entertainment
Celebrity Home Entertainment
Celebrity Home Entertainment , founded by Noel C. Bloom , was a home video distributor specializing in mostly obscure material from around the world, as well as B-grade action films and soft-core adult fare, although they also released some material that...
through their Just for Kids Home Video label.