Columbo's Dog (2024)

Etude In Black deserves a special mention because it marks the debut of the dog, Columbo's pet basset hound. Dog had his origins in NBC's persistent demands for another continuing character, Levison and link merrily decided to comply with the networks wishes. They talked to bochco who was writing the opening episode of the second season the network wanted a young cop to be his sidekick, Levinson recalled. Bill, Bochco and I said lets give him a dog.

From "Try and Catch Me" From "Forgotten Lady"

Echoing his reaction to the car idea Falk resisted the idea of a dog "this really was too much, my reaction was he has the coat, the cigar the car the wife that's enough. He doesn't need anything more". Nick said, can I show you the dog, I said well if you want to nick but I tell you I'm against it. then he brought in the dog. I said, "you're right, that's Columbo dog there was no name you could give the hound just dog". magnificently lethargic and so ugly he was cute, dog would only bark and run at the worst possible times according got the Etude In Black script Columbo found dog at the pound and decided to adopt him he spend much of the episode trying to come up with a name for him.

This dog needs a name that will give him some stature he needs all the help he can get. Dog hardly became a regular character but he does make splendid appearances in such episodes Forgotten Lady, Playback, Now You See Him, Try And Catch Me, and Make Me A Perfect Murder we learned that dog enjoys ice cream, watching television and swimming in a neighbours pool the original dog Levinson and Link related in their book "stay tuned" died and was replaced an equally passive pooch the change went unnoticed. The new dog did create some problems for Falk the second dog was much younger than the original so they had to put makeup on the second dog to make him look older.

From "Forgotten Lady" From "Forgotten Lady"

As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the world of television and iconic characters, I bring forth my in-depth knowledge to shed light on the intriguing story behind the introduction of Columbo's beloved pet basset hound in the episode titled "Etude In Black."

The inception of Columbo's dog, the basset hound, is a fascinating tale rooted in the collaborative efforts of William Link and Richard Levinson, the creators of the show, and Steven Bochco, the writer of the opening episode of the second season. The decision to incorporate a dog as a continuing character was a response to NBC's persistent demands, showcasing the creators' ability to adapt to network wishes while maintaining the essence of the show.

The debut of Columbo's dog in "Etude In Black" is noteworthy, and the decision to give him a canine companion was initially met with resistance from Peter Falk, the actor portraying Columbo. Falk, who already embodied the character with his trademark coat, cigar, car, and wife, initially deemed the addition unnecessary. However, the introduction of the basset hound, simply named "Dog," changed his perception. Described as magnificently lethargic and so ugly that he was cute, Dog became a memorable addition to the Columbo series.

In the episode, Columbo finds Dog at the pound and decides to adopt him, leading to a humorous subplot where Columbo struggles to come up with a fitting name for his new companion. Dog's limited but impactful appearances in episodes like "Forgotten Lady," "Playback," "Now You See Him," "Try And Catch Me," and "Make Me A Perfect Murder" add depth to the character, revealing his quirky traits such as enjoying ice cream, watching television, and swimming in a neighbor's pool.

The trivia section raises intriguing questions about Columbo's dog, showcasing the fans' curiosity and engagement with the show. From the information provided, it's revealed that Dog was adopted from a shelter, and the original dog, as detailed in Levinson and Link's book "Stay Tuned," eventually passed away and was seamlessly replaced by another equally passive pooch. The replacement, however, presented a challenge for Falk, as the second dog was younger, requiring makeup to age him appropriately.

Now, let's address the trivia questions:

The names considered for Columbo's dog from the shelter are not explicitly mentioned in the provided information.
There is no information about whether Columbo's dog has ever sired puppies.
The information does not indicate whether Columbo's dog has ever bitten him.
There is no mention of Columbo's dog attending obedience school.
There is no information about whether Columbo's dog has undergone "guard dog" training.

In conclusion, the introduction of Columbo's dog adds a delightful layer to the series, showcasing the creators' ability to adapt to network demands while maintaining the charm and quirkiness that defines the iconic character of Columbo.