Spike

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Spike's character was voiced by Billy Bletcher from 1944 to 1949, then by Patrick McGeehan, Jerry Mann, Bob Shamrock, John Brown, Stan Freberg, and Daws Butler, who gave him a thick New Yorker accent similar to Jimmy Durante's. His son Tyke was introduced in 1949 in *Love That Pup*. Spike spends much of his free time taking Tyke on father-son outings, teaching him the facts of life for dogs, and guarding him diligently when they sleep. In *The Truce Hurts* (1948), *Pet Peeve* (1954), and *Hic-Cup Pup* (1954), Spike actually cares about and shows affection for Tom, though these relationships usually end in fighting. Spike's weaknesses include his possessiveness about his bone and his ticklishness. In *Dog Trouble*, Spike as an unnamed Bulldog is the main antagonist, chasing both Tom and Jerry. In *The Bodyguard*, after Jerry saved him from being poached, he became Jerry's protector. In most subsequent shorts, Spike is typecast as a dumb brute duped into protecting Jerry from Tom. Only in *The Bodyguard* and *Fit to Be Tied* does Jerry get Spike out of a jam and the dog willingly protects him in gratitude. In *The Invisible Mouse*, Spike blames Tom even when it's obvious Tom is not responsible. In *Hic-Cup Pup*, Tom unintentionally cures Spike and Tyke's hiccups, and Spike shakes Tom's hand. In *Pet Peeve*, after believing Tom is willing to leave the house in his favor, Spike feels sorry and offers to leave instead, until he realizes Tom is using reverse psychology. In *The Truce Hurts*, Spike is portrayed as intelligent and balanced, convincing Tom and Jerry to sign a Peace Treaty, but their friendship ends when they argue over a steak. A short-lived Spike and Tyke cartoon series was produced by MGM in 1957; only two entries were completed. Hanna and Barbera later retooled Spike and Tyke to create *Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy* for television. Spike appeared in *The Tom and Jerry Show* (1970s), *The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show* (1980s), *Tom & Jerry Kids* (1990s), and the 2021 film *Tom & Jerry*, where he was voiced by Bobby Cannavale.

In Their Own Story

In *Love That Pup* (1949), Spike is introduced as a loving father to his new puppy son Tyke. The cartoon shows Spike taking Tyke on a walk, teaching him how to be a proper dog. When Tom accidentally harms Tyke during a chase with Jerry, Spike's fierce side emerges, and he blames Tom even when it is perfectly obvious that Jerry is responsible. This becomes a recurring pattern: Jerry uses Spike's love for Tyke as a weapon against Tom, luring Tom near Spike or inflicting harm on Tyke to provoke Spike's wrath. In *Hic-Cup Pup* (1954), Spike and Tyke both get hiccups, and Tom unintentionally cures them, leading Spike to shake Tom's hand in gratitude—a rare moment of affection. In *The Truce Hurts* (1948), Spike convinces Tom and Jerry to sign a Peace Treaty, but their friendship dissolves when they argue over a big steak, and Spike tears the truce contract to shreds.

Reader's Guide

Spike is a recurring character in the *Tom and Jerry* series, first appearing as an unnamed Bulldog in *Dog Trouble* (1942). His first speaking role was in *The Bodyguard* (1944), voiced by Billy Bletcher. He has been voiced by multiple actors, including Daws Butler, who styled his voice after Jimmy Durante. Spike's name varies in different shorts: he is called Killer in *Puttin' on the Dog*, *Solid Serenade*, and *Cat Fishin'*; Butch in *The Truce Hurts*; and Bulldog in *Dog Trouble*. He is also a Devil Dog in *Heavenly Puss*. Spike's son Tyke was introduced in *Love That Pup* (1949). Tyke is a sweet, happy, and innocent puppy who remains silent in most earlier cartoons, but has a speaking role in *Tom & Jerry Kids*. Spike and Tyke appeared in comic book stories in Dell Publishing's *Tom and Jerry Comics* starting with #79 (Feb 1951) until #215 (May 1963), and in their own title *M.G.M.'s Spike and Tyke* which ran until issue #24. Unlike the cartoons, both characters spoke in the comic book stories. Key cartoons featuring Spike include *Dog Trouble*, *The Bodyguard*, *Puttin' on the Dog*, *Quiet Please!*, *Solid Serenade*, *Cat Fishin'*, *The Invisible Mouse*, *The Truce Hurts*, *Love That Pup*, *Hic-cup Pup*, *Pet Peeve*, and the Spike and Tyke shorts *Give and Tyke* (1957) and *Tops with Pops* (1957).

Did You Know?

• Spike has gone by different names in different shorts: Killer for four shorts, Butch for two shorts, and Bulldog for one.
• Spike's voice was styled after Jimmy Durante, starting with Daws Butler's portrayal.
• Spike and Tyke were retooled by Hanna and Barbera to create the television series *Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy*.
• In *The Truce Hurts* (1948), Spike signs his name 'Butch' on the peace treaty paper.
• Spike and Tyke appeared in comic book stories starting with Dell Publishing's *Tom and Jerry Comics* #79 (Feb 1951).