Dogtanian and The Three Muskehounds Dogtanian second hand figure (Loose)

Dogtanian and The Three Muskehounds: swashbuckling with a canine twist

First airing in 1981 in Spain and Japan before spreading worldwide in the mid-80s, Dogtanian and The Three Muskehounds was co-produced by BRB Internacional and Nippon Animation. It retells Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers — but with a delightful twist: all characters are anthropomorphic animals, mostly dogs.

Young Dogtanian (D’Artagnan) leaves his home in Gascony to become one of the King’s Muskehounds. Brave, impulsive, and slightly clumsy, he befriends Dog Athos, Dog Porthos, and Dog Aramis, standing together against the schemes of Cardinal Richelieu and the cunning Milady.

Turning the cast into dogs adds more than just cuteness:

• it highlights Dogtanian’s loyalty and fiery spirit,

• it makes villains larger-than-life and kid-friendly,

• and it injects humor into the swashbuckling drama.

With its vivid backgrounds, smooth Japanese animation, and catchy theme song, the show became a beloved memory of 80s childhood. It even spawned a sequel (The Return of Dogtanian, 1989), cementing its place as a cult classic.