Rugrats Dog Names

More often than not, shows created from a child’s point of view usually seem to offer a unique and playful perspective of the adult world, and in this sense, Rugrats hits the nail on the head. Through their carefully defined characters, their developmental arcs and a creative angle that allows them to appeal to adults and kids alike, the creative minds behind the show were able to make some pretty large statements within the confines of their cartoon. 

While the kids alone offer unique insight into a world that most parents don’t see, this is further emphasized by one of the show’s most popular characters: Spike the dog. As a member of the Pickles family, Spike is seen by owners Stu and Didi as a somewhat “dumb” but pleasant member of the family, generally treating him well even if they do often ignore his attempts at communication. But Spike’s responsibilities go far beyond that of a simple family dog. He often acts as the overseer of the children and is witness to much more of their activities than even the adults are, a playful poke at the reality that parents may be much less in tune with their kids’ thoughts and endeavors than they may well think. 

In the show, Spike, a fictional breed named the Siberian Tiger Hound, seems to have just as much impact as nearly any other character. Even though he’s not often a main subject in the episodes or movies, he frequently plays pivotal roles, including guiding the babies through numerous endeavors most parents might find far too adventurous — Spike, on the other hand, plays and acts without judgement, and seems satisfied having fun and helping, even in the most intense situations, which could also account for his popularity. In fact, he’s such an integral part of the franchise’s many iterations, that he appears in nearly seventy-five percent of the episodes alone and that doesn’t count his storylines in any of the films, comics or video games that followed the original series. By the time Rugrats movies hit the theaters, Spike was popular enough to warrant a bit more consideration and was even given a love interest in Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, in the form of a purple Parisian Poodle named Fifi. 

As all good stories go, Spike ends up “marrying” Fifi and having a few adorable puppies, further expanding the scope of good, lovable animals in the show and further cementing his place as a paternal figure, human or not.