Columbo gets a companion in the tenth episode, Etude in Black. Initially, the production team considered provided him with an assistant. This character would hopefully appeal to a younger female audience.

 

This assistant was, however, cancelled in favour of a dog that should henceforth accompany Columbo from time to time. This dog is a Casset. They could not mutually agree on a name for the pet, so they decided on the name "Dog".

 

In the episode Etude in Black, the audience watches Columbo taking his dog to the vet, to have him vaccinated against rabies. When asked by the doctor about the age of the dog, Columbo replies that he does not know, since had taken the dog from the animal shelter. He expressed his belief that he looked very mature.

 

We may believe the statement that he has never had a dog, since, for example, a little girl must explain to him how he sould leave the window of his car ajar, so that the dog gets air when the inspector leaves him alone in the car. Since Columbo did not consider a dog license beforehand, he receives from the vet both the vaccination and a dog tag.

 

In the episode A Friend in Deed, Columbo wishes to enrol his dog in a training academy, because the animal is just sitting around at home. Since Dog is usually incredibly slow and lethargic, the inspector is asked to take the animal back, otherwise the other students would be demoralized.

 

Asked for the name of the dog, Columbo says that he has no name. He and Mrs. Columbo would always call him "Hey" or "Dog" or even whistle. Dog hates to be left alone. He likes being around people, and he does not care who it is as long as there is someone playing with him.

 

When the dog died in real life, the figure was already established in the series so that he had to be replaced by a new and, of course, younger dog. The new dog was applied make-up in such a way that the audience could hardly notice the difference.

 

 

You may find all episodes of Inspector Columbo here.