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Foofur
Foofur and his group
Genre
Created byPhil Mendez
Directed by
Voices ofMichael Bell
Pat Carroll
Peter Cullen
David Doyle
Dick Gautier
Christina Lange
Allan Melvin
Don Messick
Jonathan Schmock
Susan Silo
Susan Tolsky
Chick Vennera
Frank Welker
Eugene Williams
Theme music composerHoyt Curtin
Opening theme"Foofur"
Ending theme"Foofur" (Instrumental)
ComposerHoyt Curtin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes26 (46 segments)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Kay Wright (season 1)
  • Paul Sabella (season 2)
EditorGil Iverson
Running time30 minutes
Production companiesHanna-Barbera Productions
SEPP International S.A.
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseSeptember 13, 1986 (1986-09-13) –
December 5, 1987 (1987-12-05)

Foofur is an American animated children's television series from Kissyfur creator Phil Mendez that was produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions with SEPP International S.A.[1] Airing on NBC from 1986 to 1987, the show was about the everyday misadventures of the skinny blue protagonist dog in Willowby.[2] A comic book series based on the cartoon was produced by and released from Star Comics (an imprint of Marvel Comics).

Plot

[edit]

In the town of Willowby, a tall skinny blue bloodhound named Foofur has taken refuge in a mansion, in 32 Maple Street, which is also his birthplace. In Foofur's group is his niece Rocki, Fencer the Cat, a bulldog named Louis with his girlfriend, an Old English Sheepdog named Annabell, and a cocker spaniel named Hazel with her husband, a miniature schnauzer named Fritz-Carlos.[3]

Foofur and his friends, however, have an enemy in a woman named Mrs. Amelia Escrow and her pet Chihuahua named Pepe, who tries to expose Foofur's illegal roommates, but always to no avail. Mrs. Escrow has tried many times to sell the estate, but unbeknownst to her, Foofur and his friends keep the house from being bought, as they also protect their home from rodents like the Rat Brothers who tend to mess with Fencer, other cats like Vinnie and his Cat Pack, and greedy humans.

While trying to stop Mrs. Escrow, Foofur tries to avoid having his friends captured by the Bowser Busters' dog catchers Mel and Harvey. In addition, an Afghan Hound named Burt also antagonizes Foofur and competes with him to win the affection of a basset hound named Dolly.

Characters

[edit]

Main characters

[edit]
  • Foofur (voiced by Frank Welker) is a blue bloodhound who has taken refuge in a mansion, at 32 Maple Street, which is also his birthplace.
  • Rocki (voiced by Christina Lange) is an indigo bloodhound puppy and Foofur's niece.
  • Louis (voiced by Dick Gautier) is a street-smart bulldog.
  • Annabell (voiced by Susan Tolsky) is a sensitive Old English Sheepdog and Louis' wife.
  • Hazel (voiced by Pat Carroll) is a cocker spaniel and Fritz-Carlos' wife.
  • Fritz-Carlos (voiced by Jonathan Schmock) is a miniature schnauzer and Hazel's husband.
  • Fencer (voiced by Eugene Williams) is a cat with a penchant for the martial arts.
  • Mrs. Amelia Escrow (voiced by Susan Silo) is a woman who has tried many times to sell the mansion. Unbeknownst to her, Foofur and his friends keep the house from being bought.
  • Pepe (voiced by Don Messick) is Mrs. Amelia Escrow's chihuahua who tries to expose Foofur and his roommates, to no avail.
  • Rat Brothers are three rats who antagonize Fencer.
    • Sammy (voiced by Chick Vennera) is a thin black rat who is the leader of the Rat Brothers.
    • Baby (voiced by Peter Cullen) is a fat violet rat.
    • Chucky (voiced by Allan Melvin in most episodes, and by Frank Welker in a few episodes) is a fat pink rat who is the strongest of the Rat Brothers.
  • Mel and Harvey (voiced by David Doyle and Michael Bell) are the Bowser Busters dog catchers.
  • Vinnie (voiced by Peter Cullen) is the leader of a cat gang and one of the enemies of Foofur and his friends.
  • Burt (voiced by William Callaway) is an arrogant Afghan Hound who tries to win Dolly's love.
  • Dolly (voiced by Susan Blu) is a basset hound who is the object of Foofur and Burt's affections.

Other characters

[edit]
  • Norris is a beagle puppy who is also a mascot for a dog food company.
  • Bertie and Bernie are two beagles belonging to a judge.
  • Harry is an easily-scared dog.
  • Pam is a Pekingese.
  • Celia is a poodle.
  • Brenda is a terrier.
  • Brigette is a poodle who belongs to Mrs. Escrow's cousin Roberto.
  • Lucy is a poodle who lives in a pawn shop.
  • Muffy is a poodle.
  • Jojo is a Scottish Terrier.
  • Sarge is a Doberman Pinscher.
  • Dobkins is a St. Bernard.
  • Trendy is a Siberian Husky.
  • Blaze is a German Shepherd.
  • Lorenzo is a dalmatian.
  • Otto is a Labrador Retriever.
  • Rover Cleveland is an elderly dog.
  • Tugboat is Foofur's brother and Rocki's father.
  • Phyllis is Foofur's sister.
  • Obscura is a cat belonging to a fortune teller.
  • Cleo is a violet cat belonging to an archaeologist.
  • Willy is a fox kit, who tries to avoid the fox hunters.
  • Duke is a singing mouse.
  • Killer (voiced by Jerry Houser) is a harmless St. Bernard.
  • Brisbane is a dog.
  • Big Boombah is a rat and the leader of the Shipyard Rats who is an opportunist.
  • Pops is a rat who lives in the Willowby Train Station.
  • Buttercup is Mrs. Escrow's pet canary.
  • Mr. Mutton is a smuggler from London.
  • Kirk is Hazel's old boyfriend, a German Shepherd trained for fire rescues who saves Fritz-Carlos and Rocki's playmate Augie when they're trapped in a burning house.
  • Augie is another local dog, Rocki's playmate.
  • Ivan is a Russian dog Foofur and Louis interact with in New York City.
  • Lulubelle is a female dog initially intended to smuggle jewels, who was replaced by Annabelle.
  • Oliver is an English puppy whom Annabelle saves after she ends up in London.

Voice cast

[edit]

Additional voices

[edit]

Episode list

[edit]

Season 1 (1986)

[edit]
No.TitleWritten byOriginal release date
1a"A Little Off the Top"S : Mark Young;
T : Tony Marino		September 13, 1986 (1986-09-13)
The gang try to help Fritz get over losing his hair, but the situation gets worse when part of his mustache is accidentally shaved off.
1b"A Clean Sweep"S : Mark Young;
T : Mark Cassutt		September 13, 1986 (1986-09-13)
Hazel forces the gang to clean the house, but then the dogcatchers come to clean the mansion for Mrs. Escrow.
2"Moving Experience"T : Mark Young;
S/T : Jim Ryan		September 20, 1986 (1986-09-20)
Foofur and the others try to help a dog named Irma who is about to give birth to puppies.
3"Dogstyles of the Rich & Famous"T : Mark Young;
S/T : Jack Enyart		September 27, 1986 (1986-09-27)
When Mrs. Escrow rests in the gang's house while her house's paint dries, the gang comes to a fancy mansion as a burglary is about to take place.
4"Foofur Falls in Love"Susan Misty Stewart and Joseph TaggartOctober 4, 1986 (1986-10-04)
Foofur goes head over heels for a girl dog named Dolly.
5a"The Last Resort"S : Mark Young;
T : Richard Merwin		October 11, 1986 (1986-10-11)
Rocki becomes friends with a pup who ran away from an obedience school.
5b"Thicker Than Water"S : Mark Young;
T : Reed Robbins		October 11, 1986 (1986-10-11)
Chaos ensues when Foofur tries to give a gold collar to Dolly and at the same time, try to help Fencer by donating blood.
6a"Hot Over the Collar"S : Mark Young;
T : Mark Edens		October 18, 1986 (1986-10-18)
Foofur uses a hatband as a makeshift collar for Rocki, and she comes to a dog show, not knowing it is a trap set by Mel and Harvey.
6b"A-Job Hunting We Will Go"S : Mark Young;
T : Tony Marino		October 18, 1986 (1986-10-18)
Pepe has the gang work odd jobs to raise $100 to pay Mrs. Escrow's house tax or the gang will be out on the streets.
7a"A Royal Pain"Mark CassuttOctober 25, 1986 (1986-10-25)
Fencer helps a group of cats after the owner's sister evicts them from the house.
7b"Nothing to Sneeze At"S : Mark Young;
T : David Schwartz		October 25, 1986 (1986-10-25)
Fencer gets a cold after Foofur and the others bathe him.
8a"Country Club Chaos"S : Mark Young;
T : Reed Robbins		November 1, 1986 (1986-11-01)
Foofur, Rocki, Fencer, and Dolly try to save a fox cub's life from a group of fox hunters at a country club.
8b"You Dirty Rat"Paul Pumpian and Franelle SilverNovember 1, 1986 (1986-11-01)
After accidentally putting Rocki in danger, the Rat Brothers are thrown out of the house by Foofur and they turn to a shipyard rat named Boombah for help.
9a"This Little Piggy's on TV"S : Mark Young and Reed Robbins;
T : Christina Adams		November 8, 1986 (1986-11-08)
The gang try to help a pig reunite with his girlfriend, who broke into show business.
9b"Fencer's Freaky Friday"S : Mark Young;
S/T : Reed Robbins		November 8, 1986 (1986-11-08)
It is Friday the 13th, Fencer is treated like bad luck and a pair of superstitious twins are in search of a treasure.
10a"Legal Beagles"Reed RobbinsNovember 15, 1986 (1986-11-15)
Foofur's house is under threat when a con artist's dog fakes an injury and the con artist sues Mrs. Escrow.
10b"Bon Voyage Rocki"S : Mark Young;
T : Don Glut;
S/T : Reed Robbins		November 15, 1986 (1986-11-15)
Just as Rocki is visited by her father Tugboat just before her birthday, she is faced by a bully and she has to choose between staying with her uncle Foofur or go with her father to sea.
11a"Russian Through New York"S : Mark Young and Reed Robbins;
T : John Bonaccorsi		November 22, 1986 (1986-11-22)
On a visit to New York City, Lewis and the others guide a Russian dog named Vladimir around the town, but have to save him from two thieves who steal dogs from Diplomats.
11b"Fritz-Carlos Bombs Out"S : Mark Young and Reed Robbins;
T : Tony Marino		November 22, 1986 (1986-11-22)
Fritz becomes jealous when Hazel's old boyfriend comes for a visit.
12"New Tricks"Mark EdensNovember 29, 1986 (1986-11-29)
Rocki hopes to become a performer after coming to the circus.
13"Mad Dogs and Englishmen"S : Mark Young and Reed Robbins;
T : Mark Edens		December 6, 1986 (1986-12-06)
Lewis tries to save Annabelle from some counterfeiters in London.

Season 2 (1987)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleWritten byOriginal release date
14a1a"Pepe's Pet Peeve"Kristina MazzottiSeptember 3, 1987 (1987-09-03)
Pepe turns to Foofur for help to remove a dog named Killer from Mrs. Escrow's house. What Pepe doesn't know is that Killer is not dangerous as he expects.
14b1b"Clothes Make the Dog"Marion WellsSeptember 3, 1987 (1987-09-03)
Pepe hopes to win the heart of a poodle at a dog show.
15a2a"Boot Camp Blues"Mark CassuttSeptember 10, 1987 (1987-09-10)
Fritz enrolls to a boot camp, when he thought he is re-enrolling in the Foreign Legion, and Foofur and Louis are involved.
15b2b"My Pharoah Lady"Mark EdensSeptember 10, 1987 (1987-09-10)
Fencer tries to win the heart of an archeologist's cat.
16a3a"What Price Fleadom?"Kenneth KnoxSeptember 17, 1987 (1987-09-17)
The rats infest Hazel with circus fleas.
16b3b"Winging It"Marie QuickSeptember 17, 1987 (1987-09-17)
Annabelle befriends a chick, which matures into a chicken.
17a4a"The Dog's Meow"Barry BlitzerOctober 3, 1987 (1987-10-03)
Louis is hypnotized by a TV hypnotist into thinking he is a cat. At the same time, Louis is to fight Muggsy, who insulted Annabell.
17b4b"Friend Foofur's Foul-Up"Dennis MarksOctober 3, 1987 (1987-10-03)
Foofur switches places with an old friend at the Happy Glen Country Club.
18a5a"Alone at Last, Dahling"Gary GreenfieldOctober 10, 1987 (1987-10-10)
Fritz-Carlos is fed up with his friends cutting into his alone time with Hazel, so Foofur sneaks the both of them into a cruise ship, but things go awry.
18b5b"Tooth or Consequences"M.R. WellsOctober 10, 1987 (1987-10-10)
Foofur gets a toothache, just as he and his pals face against Burt's friends, called the Swells in a game of tug of war.
19a6a"Fencer Finds a Family"Mark EdensOctober 17, 1987 (1987-10-17)
After he is tricked by Louis and Fritz-Carlos into a swimming pool, Fencer leaves to join the Cat Pack, but he doesn't know they are going to use him to commit crimes.
19b6b"The Nose Knows"Kenneth KnoxOctober 17, 1987 (1987-10-17)
After Rocki returns home late because she was lost, Foofur brings her to the wilderness to teach her how to track while avoiding a hunter's dog with an incredible sense of smell.
20a7a"Just Bumming Around"Anthony AdamsOctober 24, 1987 (1987-10-24)
After Foofur grounds Rocki for running the risk of being spotted and not ruining the neighbor's flower bed, she and Irma's two pups run away.
20b7b"Annabell Goes Punk"Dennis MarksOctober 24, 1987 (1987-10-24)
Annabell gets a makeover from a punk stylist, and meets other punk dogs in a club called the Lavender Loft.
21a8a"Just Like Magic"M.R. WellsOctober 31, 1987 (1987-10-31)
The Rat Brothers scare Fencer into thinking he's got one life left, while the gang thinks about using a magician's box to safeguard him from danger.
21b8b"Puppy Love"S : Barry Blitzer;
T : Gary Greenfield		October 31, 1987 (1987-10-31)
Rocki falls in love with a dog food star, but Foofur doesn't approve since two look-a-likes (one is rude, and the other is a jokester) made a horrible impression.
22a9a"Weekend in the Condo"Kenneth KnoxNovember 7, 1987 (1987-11-07)
Foofur and the gang deal with Crooks while being in Burt's master's condo.
22b9b"Bye, Bye, Birdie"M.R. WellsNovember 7, 1987 (1987-11-07)
The Rat Brothers scare Mrs. Escrow's canary causing Foofur and the canines to accuse Fencer of swallowing the bird and throwing him out. Fencer turns to Pepe to retrieve the bird.
23a10a"Fencer Gets Soul"Kenneth KnoxNovember 14, 1987 (1987-11-14)
Fencer goes to New Orleans for a chance to be the newest member of a soul-singing cat group. Foofur comes along, but the Cat faces competition with a mouse with a golden voice.
23b10b"Rocki's Big Fib"Samantha ClemensNovember 14, 1987 (1987-11-14)
Rocki aids a white alligator, but is captured by Big Boombah and his gang of shipyard rats when the Rat Brothers fail to pay back a cheese tax.
24a11a"You Bet Your Life"Gary GreenfieldNovember 21, 1987 (1987-11-21)
In Las Vegas, with Lorenzo, Hazel is cheated by a couple of crooked dogs in games of rat race.
24b11b"Louis Sees the Light"Don Nelson and Arthur AlsbergNovember 21, 1987 (1987-11-21)
Louis meets a childhood friend who is a seeing-eye dog, but has to save him from Mel and Harvey while getting a blind boy to reunite him with his dog.
25a12a"Annabell Gets Framed"M.R. WellsNovember 28, 1987 (1987-11-28)
After Mrs. Escrow's glasses fall on Annabell's eyes, she and her friends get her a pair of glasses, but Annabell's relationship with Louis begins to falter when Louis feels threatened.
25b12b"Scary Harry"Samantha ClemensNovember 28, 1987 (1987-11-28)
While trying to join a club, Rocki encounters an easily scared green dog named Harry in an abandoned dog pound.
2613"Look Homeward, Foofur"Mark EdensDecember 5, 1987 (1987-12-05)
Foofur tells Rocki a story of how he first met his friends while searching the town for the house that his brother, sister, and owners live.

Home media

[edit]

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a number of episodes of the series were released on VHS in the United States by Celebrity Home Entertainment's Just for Kids label.

[edit]

Foofur played a role in the case Nationwide Insurance v. Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, 116 F.3d 1154 (7th Cir. 1997). The case dealt with an insurer's duty to defend an insured party in light of the insured's intentional acts of property damage. The insured, a drunken college student, spelled out "FOO"—meaning "foo", a word derived from Foofur—on the artificial turf football field of Memorial Stadium with lighter fluid burning the letters into the turf. He caused $600,000 damage to the AstroTurf. The court held that such an act was not within the insurance policy's liability coverage.[4]

Reception

[edit]

In 2014, listing it among twelve 1980s animated series that supposedly did not deserve remembrance, io9 criticized the series, perceiving its premise to be contrived and remarking that "someone had the gall to think this was 'cool'".[5]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Foofur

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Foofur is an American animated created by Phil Mendez and produced by Productions in association with SEPP International that originally aired on from September 13, 1986, to 1988. The show centers on Foofur, a tall, skinny blue who inherits his late master's mansion at 32 Maple Street and turns it into a home for his rescued animal friends after they escape from the local animal pound. The series features Foofur and his diverse group of animal companions, including the intellectual cat Fencer, the rock 'n' roll-loving mutt Rocki, the fast-talking Louis, the elegant Annabell, the no-nonsense , the Southern belle Dolly, the inventive Harvey, and the strong Burt, as they navigate adventures while evading capture by animal control. Their primary antagonists are the scheming Mrs. Amelia , the executor of the estate who seeks to sell the mansion and develop the property, and her yappy Chihuahua sidekick . Voiced by a led by as Foofur, the program emphasizes themes of , , and among the pets in a world without adult human oversight. Spanning two seasons with a total of 26 episodes, each typically divided into two 11-minute segments, Foofur was part of NBC's Saturday morning lineup and later appeared in reruns, appealing to young audiences with its humorous anthropomorphic animal antics. A Marvel Comics tie-in series ran for six issues from 1987 to 1988, adapting and expanding on the show's stories.

Overview

Premise

Foofur centers on the adventures of Foofur, a tall, skinny, blue laid-back bloodhound, and his group of animal friends who inhabit a mansion inherited from Foofur's late owner in the town of Willowby. The core plot revolves around the animals' efforts to remain hidden from humans, having taken refuge in the property to avoid detection and potential relocation after Foofur frees his companions from the local pound. This setup drives the narrative, as the group navigates daily life in secrecy within the estate at 32 Maple Street, Foofur's birthplace. The primary antagonist dynamic emerges from Mrs. Escrow, the executor of the estate tasked with selling the mansion, whose persistent attempts to close deals force the animals into elaborate, comedic schemes to sabotage potential buyers and preserve their sanctuary. Her pet Chihuahua, , adds to the tension by repeatedly trying—and failing—to expose the hidden residents to his owner. These conflicts highlight the animals' resourcefulness and unity, as they employ mischief to outwit interference while maintaining their concealed existence. Episodes typically feature self-contained stories that emphasize themes of , playful antics, and the animals' humorous observations of the from their unique perspective. The series adopts a lighthearted, tone through humor, emphasizing moral lessons on and without delving into complex narratives.

Setting

The setting of Foofur is centered in the fictional town of Willowby, a suburban community , where the primary location is an abandoned mansion at 32 Maple Street. This mansion, inherited by the from his late owner, serves as the central hub for the animal protagonists, who occupy it secretly to avoid detection by humans. The series takes place in contemporary 1980s suburban America, reflecting the era's everyday human elements such as dog catchers patrolling the streets and real estate agents attempting to sell properties in the neighborhood. This temporal context grounds the story in a familiar, post-war suburban landscape with tree-lined streets and modest homes surrounding the grand but dilapidated mansion. The atmosphere evokes a cozy yet precarious hideout within the mansion's vast, empty rooms, where the animals create a makeshift home while maintaining secrecy from the encroaching human world outside, including efforts by real estate agent Mrs. Escrow to sell the property. This contrast highlights the tension between the animals' sheltered domesticity and the broader suburban human activities. The visual style draws from Hanna-Barbera's animation aesthetic, employing techniques with repeated frames to emphasize detailed interiors of the ornate —such as grand staircases and furnished rooms—and exterior shots of the Willowby neighborhood, including lawns, sidewalks, and passing vehicles.

Characters

Main characters

Foofur is the laid-back leader of the group, a blue bloodhound characterized by his lazy yet optimistic nature, who inherited the from his late owner and allows his friends to live there while they work together to avoid detection by humans. As the central figure, he often rallies the others during their schemes to maintain their hidden life in the sprawling estate. Rocki, an energetic puppy and Foofur's niece, brings optimism and adventure to the group, frequently initiating playful escapades that test the bounds of their in the mansion. Her spirited personality complements Foofur's more relaxed demeanor, strengthening their bond as they navigate the challenges of their concealed existence. Louis, a street-smart bulldog, serves as the group's tough thinker, offering clever solutions to problems arising from their efforts to stay hidden in the inherited home. His analytical approach often balances the more impulsive actions of his companions, fostering group cohesion through reasoned strategies. Annabell, a sensitive and Louis' girlfriend, embodies playfulness within the ensemble, her curious antics providing lighthearted moments amid the tension of evading . As a key member, she looks up to the others for guidance, contributing to the familial dynamics that help sustain their covert lifestyle. , a hoity-toity and Fritz-Carlos' wife, acts as the nurturing caretaker for the group, ensuring harmony and support during their daily struggles to remain undetected in the mansion. Her protective instincts reinforce the collective's resilience against external threats. Fritz-Carlos, a suave and Hazel's husband, delivers through his exaggerated accent and self-important attitude, often clashing humorously with the group's more grounded members while sharing the mansion's shelter. His flamboyant presence adds levity to their shared mission of secrecy. Fencer, a martial arts-skilled cat, provides intellectual insight and combat skills to the group, using his abilities to protect the mansion and its inhabitants from threats. Mrs. Escrow, the greedy and primary , relentlessly schemes to evict the animals and sell the property, viewing the mansion as a lucrative opportunity rather than their sanctuary. Her determination drives much of the conflict, forcing the group to outmaneuver her persistent intrusions. Pepe, Mrs. Escrow's snobbish Chihuahua sidekick, acts as her loyal but scheming companion, harboring a personal rivalry with Foofur that intensifies their ongoing battles over the estate's fate. His haughty demeanor mirrors his owner's ambitions, making him a constant thorn in the protagonists' side.

Recurring characters

The recurring characters in Foofur encompass a range of secondary animal and human figures who appear across multiple episodes, providing , conflict, and occasional assistance to the central group of strays without dominating the narrative. The Rat Brothers, known as , Baby, and Chucky, are mischievous rats residing in the walls of the abandoned mansion. They frequently stir up trouble for Foofur and his companions through pranks and schemes but occasionally lend their cunning to aid the group in evading threats. Mel and Harvey serve as bumbling dog catchers employed by the Bowser Busters, sporadically pursuing the mansion's animal residents in attempts to capture them for the pound. Their clumsy efforts heighten tension and generate humor in various storylines involving the strays' secrecy. Burt, an arrogant Afghan Hound, competes with Foofur for the affection of Dolly, often creating rivalry and comic situations in episodes where romance plays a role. Dolly, a basset hound, is Foofur's love interest who occasionally provides aid or becomes involved in the group's adventures through her compassionate nature.

Production

Development

Foofur was created by Phil Mendez, an animator who built upon the success of his earlier series Kissyfur to develop an ensemble comedy centered on a group of stray dogs and a cat engaging in humorous misadventures. Mendez, drawing from his experience in character design and storytelling for children's animation, envisioned the series as a lighthearted exploration of animal friendships and antics, similar in appeal to successful ensemble-driven shows like but with a canine focus to capitalize on opportunities. The concept for Foofur originated from Mendez's initial design of a blue character for the toy company Dakin in the mid-1980s, which captured the era's fascination with anthropomorphic pets and tales of hidden animal communities living alongside humans. This design was adapted into a Belgian by producer Freddy , marking the third collaboration between Monnickendam's studio and following projects like The ; the comic served as a prototype that facilitated the pitch of the to Hanna-Barbera Productions around 1985. The idea drew from classic tropes of pampered pets inheriting estates and forming secret societies, evolving during pre-production to emphasize comedic rivalries and group dynamics over moral lessons. Development progressed rapidly, with the series receiving the greenlight from in early 1986 for its Saturday morning lineup, allowing for the completion of initial scripts that prioritized humor and character interactions. This timeline aligned with the growing demand for animated content in the mid-1980s, positioning Foofur as a quick-turnaround project to fill NBC's programming slate. The co-production partnership with SEPP International S.A., a Belgium-based studio, provided additional funding and ensured international distribution potential, reflecting Hanna-Barbera's strategy for global market expansion through European collaborations. This foundational concept directly influenced the final , where the animal protagonists hide out in a sprawling to evade discovery by humans.

Animation and voice production

The animation for Foofur employed traditional techniques, characteristic of Hanna-Barbera's output during the , featuring hand-drawn frames on transparent sheets that allowed for layered backgrounds and characters with vibrant, saturated colors to enhance the whimsical suburban setting. This style supported fluid character movements, particularly in comedic sequences involving the anthropomorphic dog ensemble, aligning with the studio's efficient approach to meet weekly broadcast demands. The production pipeline began with storyboarding and character design at Hanna-Barbera's facilities, where creator Phil Mendez and supervisors like Maurice Hunt developed key visuals. Animation cels were then outsourced overseas: and its subsidiary Cuckoo's Nest Studios handled the bulk for season 1, while took over for season 2, reflecting Hanna-Barbera's common practice of leveraging international partners to reduce costs and accelerate turnaround. Final , including ink-and-paint and , occurred back in the United States to integrate elements and ensure quality control before airing on . Voice recording sessions were conducted at Hanna-Barbera Studios under director Gordon Hunt, who coordinated performances to capture the playful, dog-like inflections essential to the characters' personalities. For added realism, especially in non-verbal animal moments, dialogue tracks were layered with sound effects from the library, incorporating barks, whines, and growls to blend human speech with canine authenticity. The series' music, including the upbeat theme song and episodic scores, was composed by , Hanna-Barbera's longtime musical director, who emphasized whimsical orchestration with brass and percussion to underscore the lighthearted adventures and ensemble dynamics. This approach maintained rhythmic energy suitable for young audiences, drawing on Curtin's signature style from prior hits.

Cast and crew

Voice cast

The voice cast of Foofur consisted of experienced voice actors from the era, whose performances brought distinct personalities to the anthropomorphic animal characters and human antagonists in the series. voiced Foofur, the laid-back blue bloodhound and protagonist, drawing on his renowned expertise in animal sound effects and voices to deliver a charming, relaxed portrayal that anchored the show's comedic tone. provided the voice for Mrs. Escrow, the scheming executor of the estate who seeks to sell the mansion, employing a sharp, villainous tone that emphasized her antagonistic role. lent his talents to Pepe, Mrs. Escrow's yappy Chihuahua sidekick, with a high-pitched, snarky delivery that highlighted the character's mischievous and irritable nature. Michael Bell portrayed Harvey, one of the Bowser Buster dog catchers and a recurring , using precise enunciation to convey the character's determined demeanor. Susan Blu voiced Dolly, the elegant and Foofur's love interest, infusing the role with warmth and poise. Peter Cullen handled the role of Baby, the dim-witted but affable rat from the recurring group, utilizing his deep, gravelly timbre for humorous contrast among the smaller characters. Pat Carroll brought , the gossipy , to life with an expressive, chatty style that captured her nosy and social personality. Hamilton Camp voiced Fencer, the intellectual poodle. Tara Charendoff voiced Rocki, the rock 'n' roll-loving mutt puppy. voiced Louis, the fast-talking dog. voiced Annabell, the elegant . voiced Burt, the strong .
ActorRole(s)Episodes (Main/Recurring)
Frank WelkerFoofur26
Susan SiloMrs. Escrow26
Don MessickPepe26
Michael BellHarveyRecurring
Susan BluDolly26
Peter CullenBabyRecurring
Pat CarrollHazel26
Hamilton CampFencer26
Tara CharendoffRocki26
Dick GautierLouis26
Susan TolskyAnnabell26
William CallawayBurt26

Production staff

Ray Patterson served as the supervising director for Foofur, guiding the overall direction of the series across its episodes. The writing team was led by Phil Mendez, the series' creator, who contributed to crafting scripts focused on the comedic escapades of the animal characters in the suburban Willowby neighborhood. Executive producers and , principals of Productions, oversaw the project's high-level production, while Freddy Monnickendam from SEPP International S.A. handled co-production duties, ensuring integration of international perspectives in this transatlantic collaboration.

Episodes

Season 1 (1986)

The first season of Foofur premiered on on September 13, 1986, and consisted of 13 half-hour episodes featuring 21 segments that aired weekly through December 6, 1986. This season primarily focused on introducing the core ensemble of animal characters living in the inherited and their initial efforts to safeguard their home from real estate agent 's schemes to sell it. Production emphasized character establishment, with stories highlighting group dynamics and humorous mishaps among the pets. Key episodes included "Foofur Falls in Love," which aired on October 4, 1986, and explored Foofur's infatuation with Dolly, a female , providing an early look at the group's interpersonal relationships and protective instincts. The pilot segments depicted the animals thwarting Escrow's first sale attempt by creating chaos during a house cleaning to deter potential buyers. The following table lists all segments from Season 1, grouped by air date where applicable, with brief synopses where available from production records:
Air DateSegment Title(s)Synopsis
September 13, 1986A Little Off the TopFritz-Carlos panics over losing his hair and gets an unintended extreme makeover at a beauty parlor, leading to comedic chases and resolutions with the gang's support.
September 13, 1986A Clean SweepHazel orders the gang to clean the mansion, but the plan unravels when Mrs. Escrow hires rat pest control, forcing the animals to hide and sabotage the effort.
September 20, 1986A Moving ExperienceThe gang deals with the threat of moving out as Escrow prepares the house for new owners, leading to antics to make the property unappealing.
September 27, 1986Dogstyles of the Rich and FamousMrs. Escrow temporarily stays at the mansion while her home is painted; the animals sneak into a neighboring fancy estate during a burglary attempt.
October 4, 1986Foofur Falls in LoveFoofur develops a crush on Dolly, drawing the group into romantic complications and highlighting their loyalty dynamics.
October 11, 1986The Last ResortThe animals vacation at a resort but encounter trouble from Escrow's latest scheme to evict them.
October 11, 1986Thicker Than WaterRocki bonds with a runaway pup, while Foofur helps Dolly and Fencer in separate acts of kindness involving a collar gift and blood donation.
October 18, 1986Hot Over the CollarThe gang retrieves a stolen collar, leading to heated pursuits and collar-related humor.
October 18, 1986A-Job Hunting We Will GoThe animals attempt to find jobs to prove their independence and secure the mansion.
October 25, 1986A Royal PainA pompous royal pet visits, causing chaos as the gang navigates class differences and Escrow's interference.
October 25, 1986Nothing to Sneeze AtAllergies plague the mansion, complicating the animals' efforts to host a guest without alerting humans.
November 1, 1986Country Club ChaosFoofur, Rocki, Fencer, and Dolly rescue a fox cub from hunters at a country club, showcasing their adventurous side.
November 1, 1986You Dirty RatThe Rat Brothers endanger Rocki and seek unlikely alliance with a larger threat, prompting the gang's intervention.
November 8, 1986This Little Piggy's on TVThe gang aids a pig in reuniting with his showbiz girlfriend, blending media satire with rescue efforts.
November 8, 1986Fencer's Freaky FridayFencer experiences a string of bad luck on Friday the 13th during a treasure hunt with mischievous twins.
November 15, 1986Legal BeaglesA con artist's dog fakes an injury to sue Escrow, putting the mansion at legal risk as the animals uncover the scam.
November 15, 1986Bon Voyage RockiRocki faces a bully and must choose between staying with Foofur or reuniting with her father on her birthday.
November 22, 1986Russian Through New YorkThe gang tours New York with a visiting Russian dog, Vladimir, and saves him from thieves.
November 22, 1986Fritz Carlos Bombs OutFritz becomes jealous of Hazel's old boyfriend, leading to romantic rivalries within the group.
November 29, 1986New TricksThe animals learn new skills to outsmart Escrow's latest plot, emphasizing adaptation and teamwork.
December 6, 1986Mad Dogs and EnglishmenFoofur reflects on past adventures in a memory-lane episode, reinforcing the season's themes of friendship and home.

Season 2 (1987)

The second season of Foofur premiered on NBC on September 12, 1987, and concluded on February 18, 1988, comprising 13 half-hour episodes that each featured two self-contained story segments, building on the character dynamics established in the first season. These episodes continued to explore the antics of Foofur and his animal companions in their efforts to protect their mansion home from Mrs. Escrow's real estate schemes, while introducing deeper explorations of friendships and group challenges, such as collective vacation plans and collaborative problem-solving. Compared to Season 1's focus on initial group formations, Season 2 incorporated slightly more interconnected storylines, with recurring threats like Escrow's interventions linking multiple segments and allowing for character growth through ongoing alliances. The season's episodes are as follows:
EpisodeAir DateSegment 1 TitleSegment 2 Title
2-1September 12, 1987Pepe's Pet PeeveClothes Make the Dog
2-2September 19, 1987Boot Camp BluesMy Lady
2-3September 26, 1987What Price Fleadom?Winging It
2-4October 3, 1987The Dog's MeowFriend Foofur's Foul Up
2-5October 10, 1987Annabell Gets FramedScared Stiff
2-6October 17, 1987Fencer Gets Soul
2-7October 24, 1987Annabell Goes Punk
2-8October 31, 1987Weekend in the Condo
2-9November 7, 1987Rocki's Big Fib
2-10November 14, 1987Louis Sees the LightAlone at Last, Dahling
2-11November 21, 1987Tooth or ConsequencesFencer Finds a
2-12November 28, 1987Just Bumming AroundThe Nose Knows
2-13February 18, 1988Look Homeward, FoofurThe Last Adventure
Key episodes highlighted themes of and group resolution, such as "Just Bumming Around," where Foofur grounds Rocki after Irma's puppies damage a neighbor's flowers, leading Rocki and the pups to run away to a trainyard; the group must reunite them, emphasizing puppy care and bonds in a scenario tied to Irma's earlier motherhood arc from Season 1. Another pivotal entry, "Fencer Finds a ," depicts Fencer temporarily leaving the group to join a wild cat pack after a prank gone wrong, only to realize the value of his adopted home and friends, culminating in his return and reinforcing the mansion as a chosen family unit. The season finale, "Look Homeward, Foofur," serves as a reflective capstone where Foofur recounts the origins of his friendships and their collective defenses against intruders like the Bowser Brothers and Mrs. Escrow, resolving ongoing tensions by affirming the group's enduring loyalty and thwarting Escrow's latest sale attempt through unified action. Synopses across the season often showcased evolving friendships through adventurous schemes, for instance in "Weekend in the Condo," where the gang vacations at a luxury condo only to fend off burglars, highlighting their coordinated teamwork in unfamiliar settings, or "You Bet Your Life," in which a trip to Las Vegas exposes Hazel to rigged rat races, prompting the group to orchestrate a rescue that strengthens inter-species ties. These narratives progressed the series by integrating minor serialized threads, such as Escrow's persistent but ultimately foiled efforts to evict the animals, providing closure to the central conflict of home preservation.

Broadcast and distribution

Original broadcast

Foofur premiered on NBC's Saturday morning programming block in the United States on September 13, 1986, as part of the network's fall lineup for children's . The series occupied the 11:30 a.m. ET time slot, positioned after and before , within a competitive schedule that featured other productions like earlier in the morning. The program aired a total of 26 episodes across two seasons, with new installments broadcast weekly until the conclusion of original content on December 5, 1987. Following the end of production, reruns filled the slot briefly, but the series did not return for a third season. Produced in collaboration with the Belgian firm SEPP International S.A., Foofur benefited from European partnerships that facilitated its international distribution, including airings in countries such as and the throughout the late 1980s. This co-production arrangement allowed the show to reach audiences beyond the U.S. market via syndicated broadcasts tailored to regional networks.

Home media releases

In the late 1980s and early , Foofur was released on in the United States through Celebrity Home Entertainment's Just for Kids imprint, with tapes compiling select episodes from both seasons. These volumes typically featured three to four episodes each, providing partial coverage of the series rather than complete seasons. Representative titles include A Bow-WOW of a Time! (1986), which contained early episodes like "A Little Off the Top" and "Poochini"; Foofur and His Friends (1988), showcasing introductory stories; and More Amazin' Tails (1988), including "A Royal Pain," "Nothing to Sneeze At," "Country Club Chaos," and "A Clean Sweep." Additional releases encompassed Furry Tails Can Come True (1989) and He Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog (1989), extending availability to more of the 26-episode run. A longer compilation, A Bow-Wow of a Time (1990), offered an hour of content drawing from prior tapes. No official DVD release of Foofur has been produced as of , leaving fans reliant on aging copies or unofficial bootleg sets sold by third-party vendors, such as two-disc compilations claiming to include 15 episodes. The series is not available on major streaming services as of November , following Discovery's removal of many classics from platforms like Max. Due to its co-production with SEPP International S.A., a Belgian firm, Foofur saw regional distributions in during the late , including dubbed versions in languages such as Croatian (titled Slapaj).

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its in 1986, Foofur garnered mixed critical attention amid the crowded landscape. While some appreciated its cute, anthropomorphic animal designs and lighthearted antics, reviewers often highlighted its formulaic plots and lack of originality; for instance, the deemed it "the most vapid program in the history of Saturday morning ," criticizing the laid-back protagonist and predictable storylines centered on evading from a . Retrospective analyses have reinforced this ambivalence, positioning Foofur as emblematic of the animation glut. In a 2014 io9 article, the series was listed among 12 forgettable cartoons unworthy of , with critics deriding its —a blue dog and his stray friends resisting a real estate agent's schemes—as essentially "a cartoon about dog eviction" that failed to deliver compelling humor or innovation. User-generated ratings reflect this middling response, with Foofur averaging 5.9 out of 10 on IMDb from over 230 votes, underscoring its obscurity compared to era standouts. Created by Phil Mendez, the same mind behind Kissyfur, it echoed that show's focus on animal ensemble comedy but proved less enduring than blockbusters like The Smurfs, contributing to its brief two-season run of 26 episodes. Foofur developed a modest but dedicated following among fans of 1980s Saturday morning cartoons, particularly those nostalgic for Hanna-Barbera's output of anthropomorphic animal stories. Merchandise tied to the series remained limited, consisting primarily of toys, games, coloring books, and a six-issue adaptation published by from August 1987 to June 1988. The series occasionally appears in discussions of Hanna-Barbera's 1980s catalog, where it is noted for contributing to the trend of lighthearted, pet-centric narratives that echoed in subsequent animal ensemble shows. Its influence is subtle, emphasizing laid-back group dynamics among stray animals that resonated in later pet-themed animations. A distinctive legal reference to Foofur emerged in the 1997 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit case Nationwide Insurance v. Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, 116 F.3d 1154. The dispute centered on whether an insurer was obligated to defend and indemnify a policyholder, Aleck Zavalis, against claims for over $600,000 in damage to the University of Illinois' football field Astroturf. Zavalis and accomplices had poured lighter fluid to spell "FOO" and ignited it as a prank, but the fire spread uncontrollably. During Zavalis' deposition, he testified that "foo" derived from "Foofur," the "lazy but lovable blue hound dog" title character of the late-1980s NBC cartoon, symbolizing a "cool" or relaxed vibe among his group. The court referenced this explanation, along with a contemporary Los Angeles Times review describing Foofur as potentially "the most vapid program in the history of Saturday morning animation," to evaluate whether the act constituted expected or intentional property damage under the policy. Ultimately, the ruling affirmed the insurer's duty to defend based on the complaint's allegations, despite evidence of recklessness. As of November 2025, Foofur has seen no official revivals, reboots, or new productions, remaining absent from major streaming platforms or broadcast schedules. Its legacy endures through fan-preserved materials, including digitized compilations and online episode shares that sustain interest among retro animation communities.

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