Top 10 Greatest Animal Characters from Comic Strips

In the world of comic strips, we have been treated to a plethora of wonderful characters ranging in shape, size, and traits. But it seems as if no matter what, it's the animal characters that stick closest to our hearts.

Many popular comic strips are well known for their anthropomorphic animals that once entertained the hearts of many readers in the morning. So let's look at some of these lovely creatures today.

The Top Ten

Garfield (Garfield)

Garfield is a comic strip cat created by Jim Davis in 1978. The character has appeared in over 2,500 newspapers worldwide and starred in two live-action movies, three CGI films, and two animated TV shows: Garfield and Friends (1988-1994) and The Garfield Show (2008-2014).... read more

We all know Garfield. Obese, lazy, and in love with lasagna, this cat has entertained readers for well over 40 years.
Though his weight is a common subject of ridicule by others, Garfield doesn't take this well and refuses to accept he is in any form "overweight." He enjoys teasing his owner Jon and Jon's pet dog Odie, though he still cares for him. Of course, not as much as he cares for his teddy bear Pooky.
Snoopy (Peanuts)

Snoopy is a character in the comic strip Peanuts, created by Charles M. Schulz. He first appeared on October 4, 1950, and often sleeps on top of his doghouse. Snoopy is the pet beagle of Charlie Brown and appears in numerous television specials as well as the 2015 feature film The Peanuts Movie.
Hobbes (Calvin & Hobbes)

Hobbes is one of the two main characters in the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson. He is Calvin's stuffed tiger and best friend, depicted with two distinct identities: a lifeless toy to everyone else and a living, talking companion in Calvin's imagination. The comic ran from 1985 to 1995... read more

From what many regard as the greatest comic strip of all time, Hobbes acts as the best friend of the strip's protagonist, Calvin. Hobbes typically acts as the wiser of the two, offering insight and wit often ignored by Calvin.
Hobbes also isn't afraid to show pride in being a tiger, often remarking how his species is much better than humans.
Opus T. Penguin (Bloom County)
Odie (Garfield)

Odie is a fictional dog who appears in the comic strip Garfield by Jim Davis. He has also appeared in the animated television series Garfield and Friends and The Garfield Show. Odie is known for his happy-go-lucky personality and for being frequently teased by Garfield.
Rat (Pearls Before Swine)

The first three entries on this list have been rather light-hearted, but Rat sharply contrasts them all. An arrogant, megalomaniacal, materialistic con artist, Rat is not afraid to speak his mind and will criticize anything and anyone he feels.
He's even broken the fourth wall by complaining about the strip's quality and messaging the creator, Stephan Pastis, multiple times. Because of his antics, Rat has become a center for controversy and a character you love to hate.
Albert Alligator (Pogo)

Albert is pretty much the opposite of Pogo. Egotistical, exuberant, and dimwitted, Albert's relationship with Pogo finds itself under a surprising amount of balance given how different the two are.
Believe it or not, Albert was created before Pogo and was a highly prominent character for a while. For me, it comes off as no surprise how such an extrovert as Albert could be such a major character in a world like the one of Pogo.
Pogo Possum (Pogo)

Back to the optimistic side of things, we have Pogo. Those who've read the strip know him well for his patience and wisdom.
In a similar fashion to Opus, Pogo is one of the more kind and optimistic characters in contrast to the dominating personalities of the swamp. Unfortunately, this has gotten him into trouble with others through no fault of his own. Nevertheless, Pogo is someone we all wish we could be like.
Duke (Kelly & Duke)
Roscoe (Kelly & Duke)