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Difference between revisions of "Santa's Little Helper"

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
(Appearances)
(46 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
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{{To-do list|Complete appearances}}
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{{Featured article}}
 
 
 
{{Animal
 
{{Animal
 
|name = Santa's Little Helper
 
|name = Santa's Little Helper
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|age = 2
 
|age = 2
 
|owner = '''Current:''' [[Simpson family]] ([[Bart Simpson]])<br>'''Previous:''' [[Les]]
 
|owner = '''Current:''' [[Simpson family]] ([[Bart Simpson]])<br>'''Previous:''' [[Les]]
|relatives = '''Children''': {{ap|Greyhound puppies|first litter|25 Puppies}}<br>{{ap|Greyhound puppies|second litter|8 Greyhound/Poodle hybrids}} <br>'''Brother:''' [[Santa's Little Helper's brother|Unnamed dog]]
+
|relatives = '''Children''': {{ap|Greyhound puppies|first litter|25 Puppies}}<br>{{ap|Greyhound puppies|second litter|8 Greyhound/Poodle hybrids}}<br>'''Brother:''' [[Santa's Little Helper's brother|Unnamed dog]]
|job = '''Currently:''' Family pet<br/>'''Formerly:''' Racing dog
+
|job = '''Currently:''' Family pet<br>'''Formerly:''' Racing dog
 
|appearance = "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]"
 
|appearance = "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]"
|voiced by = [[Frank Welker]]<br>[[Dan Castellaneta]]
+
|voiced by = [[Frank Welker]]<br>[[Dan Castellaneta]]<br>[[Hank Azaria]]<ref>"[[Treehouse of Horror XXV]]"</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
  
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== History ==
 
== History ==
[[File:Santa's Little Helper racing.jpg|thumb|left|Santa's Little Helper races at the [[Springfield Downs]].]]
+
[[File:Santa's Little Helper dog race.png|thumb|left|Santa's Little Helper races at the [[Springfield Downs]].]]
  
[[Homer]] was relying on a [[Christmas]] bonus to buy presents, but didn't get it. He was relying on this bonus because the jar of Christmas money that Marge accumulates for the family's Christmas treats was disposed of to pay for the removal of a tattoo that Bart got on his arm. Homer took the small amount of Christmas money he made working as a Santa at the Springfield Mall and bet it at the dog track. He had inside information on what dog was going to win, but instead bet on the "long shot," Santa's Little Helper, believing his name to be a sign. Santa's Little Helper finished last (apparently, it was the latest in a long string of last-place finishes), and his frustrated owner abandoned him. Running to the first person he saw, the greyhound leaped into an angry [[Homer Simpson|Homer's]] arms and kissed him, calming him immediately. Homer and Bart brought him home, and everyone was so happy with him that it was a merry Christmas after all, where he was accepted as the family pet alongside [[Snowball II]].<ref name="Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"/>
+
[[Homer]] was relying on a [[Christmas]] bonus to buy presents, but didn't get it. Santa's Little Helper concurrently shares a birthday with Homer on May 12.<ref>"[[The Springfield Files]]"</ref> He was relying on this bonus because the jar of Christmas money Marge accumulates for the family's Christmas treats was disposed of to pay for the removal of a tattoo Bart got on his arm. Homer took the small amount of Christmas money he made working as a Santa at the Springfield Mall and bet it at the dog track. He had inside information on what dog was going to win, but instead bet on the "long shot," Santa's Little Helper, believing his name to be a sign. Santa's Little Helper finished last (apparently, it was the latest in a long string of last-place finishes), and his frustrated owner abandoned him. Running to the first person he saw, the greyhound leaped into an angry [[Homer]]'s arms and kissed him, calming him immediately. Homer and Bart brought him home, and everyone was so happy with him it was a merry Christmas after all, where he was accepted as the family pet alongside [[Snowball II]].<ref>"[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]"</ref>
  
 
Sometimes, Santa's Little Helper can be seen chewing on the newspaper and other objects in the Simpson's household (sometimes ignored or tolerated by the family), tearing up the furniture, digging holes in the backyard and eating food from the living room table.
 
Sometimes, Santa's Little Helper can be seen chewing on the newspaper and other objects in the Simpson's household (sometimes ignored or tolerated by the family), tearing up the furniture, digging holes in the backyard and eating food from the living room table.
  
With a few exceptions, Santa's Little Helper doesn't make any sound that resembles a bark. However, he does have an ability to think just like a person. Once, he makes a sound similar to "chewy", and Homer writes it down in his review, unamazed that the dog spoke English. He is also shown to have ridden a circus ball on his hind legs and utter the phrase 'We love... you!' in an attempt to be given some attention from the Simpson family. In addition, he was mascot of [[Duff Beer]], and was known as Suds McDuff (a reference to a similar, real life mascot Spuds MacKenzie).
+
With a few exceptions, Santa's Little Helper doesn't make any sound that resembles a bark. However, he does have an ability to think just like a person. Once, he makes a sound similar to "chewy", and Homer writes it down in his review, unamazed the dog spoke English. He is also shown to have ridden a circus ball on his hind legs and utter the phrase 'We love... you!' in an attempt to be given some attention from the Simpson family. In addition, he was mascot of [[Duff Beer]], and was known as Suds McDuff (a reference to a similar, real life mascot Spuds MacKenzie).
  
Santa's Little Helper's life with the Simpsons was not always easy. He nearly died of gastric torsion (referred to in the show as a "twisting of the stomach") because Homer initially couldn't afford $750 for the required operation;<ref>"[[Dog of Death]]"</ref> and he also broke two legs when Bart's treehouse was demolished by [[Mr. Burns]]' slanted oil well drill (The latter of which caused Bart Simpson to hate Mr. Burns immensely).<ref>"[[Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One)]]"</ref>
+
Santa's Little Helper's life with the Simpsons was not always easy. He nearly died of gastric torsion (referred to in the show as a "twisting of the stomach") because Homer initially couldn't afford $750 for the required operation;<ref>"[[Dog of Death]]"</ref> and he also broke two legs when Bart's treehouse was demolished by [[Mr. Burns]]' slanted oil well drill (The latter of which caused Bart to hate Mr. Burns immensely).<ref>"[[Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One)]]"</ref>
  
At one time, Santa's Little Helper was shortly abandoned by Bart for [[Laddie]], a purebred and very well-trained dog he bought from a mail-order catalog together with various other expensive gifts and gadgets. To do that, Bart used a credit card he applied for under the name of his dog, yet the credit card company misread the form and issued a card to Mr. "Santos L. Halper". Laddie learned many tricks that Santa's Little Helper was completely unable to perform (most notably a back flip, CPR and using a toilet). The Simpson family nearly forgot about their old pet, and Bart eventually gave him away instead of Laddie when repo men take back everything he fraudulently purchased. Feeling guilty about this disloyalty and bored with his too perfect new dog, Bart tried to get Santa's Little Helper back. When he finally found him, Santa's Little Helper was serving as a seeing-eye dog for a blind man named Mr. Mitchell, but eventually decided to return to his former owner, Bart.<ref>"[[The Canine Mutiny]]"</ref>
+
At one time, Santa's Little Helper was shortly abandoned by Bart for [[Laddie]], a purebred and very well-trained dog he bought from a mail-order catalog together with various other expensive gifts and gadgets. To do that, Bart used a credit card he applied for under the name of his dog, yet the credit card company misread the form and issued a card to Mr. "Santos L. Halper". Laddie learned many tricks Santa's Little Helper was completely unable to perform (most notably a back flip, CPR and using a toilet). The Simpson family nearly forgot about their old pet, and Bart eventually gave him away instead of Laddie when repo men take back everything he fraudulently purchased. Feeling guilty about this disloyalty and bored with his too perfect new dog, Bart tried to get Santa's Little Helper back. When he finally found him, Santa's Little Helper was serving as a seeing-eye dog for a blind man named Mr. Mitchell, but eventually decided to return to his former owner, Bart.<ref>"[[The Canine Mutiny]]"</ref>
  
He also becomes a great hero after he saves Homer in a cornfield maze, and then becomes enrolled as a police dog, teamed up with Officer Lou. Both Lou and Santa's Little Helper make a good team, foiling crimes together. After biting Bart's left leg (due to the fact he got angry when the court stated that he violated one of the police codes while catching [[Snake Jailbird]]), Santa's Little Helper is sent off by the Simpson family to live with Lou. Later on, once Springfield Elementary is in danger and Bart isn't able to escape, Santa's Little Helper comes in to save him, and goes back to living with the Simpsons.<ref>"[[Stop or My Dog Will Shoot!]]"</ref> Unlike when he was the Duff mascot (which depicts the dog as a coward),<ref name="Old Yeller Belly">"[[Old Yeller-Belly]]"</ref> Santa's Little Helper is depicted as a very brave and smart dog.
+
He also becomes a great hero after he saves Homer in a cornfield maze, and becomes enrolled as a police dog, teamed up with Officer Lou. Both Lou and Santa's Little Helper make a good team, foiling crimes together. After biting Bart's left leg (due to the fact he got angry when the court stated he violated one of the police codes while catching [[Snake Jailbird]]), Santa's Little Helper is sent off by the Simpson family to live with Lou. Later on, once Springfield Elementary is in danger and Bart isn't able to escape, Santa's Little Helper comes in to save him, and goes back to living with the Simpsons.<ref>"[[Stop or My Dog Will Shoot!]]"</ref> Unlike when he was the Duff mascot (which depicts the dog as a coward),<ref name="Old Yeller Belly">"[[Old Yeller-Belly]]"</ref> Santa's Little Helper is depicted as a very brave and smart dog.
  
Marge and Lisa visited the [[Springfield Retirement Castle]] once with Santa's Little Helper. He ran in to the building and played with the seniors. The seniors liked having him there, but a day later when Marge and Lisa returned, the seniors had resorted to watching TV while the dog, now a senior, watched it too. Marge dragged the dog and Lisa, who had turned into a senior almost immediately, out.<ref>"[[Don't Fear the Roofer]]"</ref>
+
Marge and Lisa visited the [[Springfield Retirement Castle]] once with Santa's Little Helper. He ran in to the building and played with the seniors. The seniors liked having him there, but a day later when Marge and Lisa returned, the seniors resorted to watching TV while the dog, now a senior, watched it too. Marge dragged the dog and Lisa, who turned into a senior almost immediately, out.<ref>"[[Don't Fear the Roofer]]"</ref>
  
Santa's Little Helper has been implied to be bisexual. At the time, the Simpson family is watching a gay pride parade marching down Evergreen Terrace, and one of the groups marching is the Gay Dog Alliance. The marching dogs are clothed in a series of typically camp gay costumes, and Santa's Little Helper, showing excitement by panting, shows an interest in several of the dogs, one of whom winks at him. Santa's Little Helper's attempt to join the dogs is thwarted by the fact that he is currently on a leash, noticing his interest, Homer decides to take the family away from the pride parade.
+
Santa's Little Helper has been implied to be bisexual. At the time, the Simpson family is watching a gay pride parade marching down Evergreen Terrace, and one of the groups marching is the Gay Dog Alliance. The marching dogs are clothed in a series of typically camp gay costumes, and Santa's Little Helper, showing excitement by panting, shows an interest in several of the dogs, one of whom winks at him. Santa's Little Helper's attempt to join the dogs is thwarted by the fact he is currently on a leash, noticing his interest, Homer decides to take the family away from the pride parade.
  
His kennel was destroyed during the events of [[Trappuccino]], and survived the event by doing things no dog should ever do.<ref name=Movie>"[[The Simpsons Movie]]"</ref> Homer then makes Santa's Little Helper participate in an ugly-dog contest, and embarrasses him in front of the town by making him wear an ugly costume. Lisa then tries to cheer him up.<ref>"[[Judge Me Tender]]"</ref>
+
His kennel was destroyed during the events of [[Trappuccino]], and survived the event by doing things no dog should ever do.<ref name=Movie>''[[The Simpsons Movie]]''</ref> Homer makes Santa's Little Helper participate in an ugly-dog contest, and embarrasses him in front of the town by making him wear an ugly costume. Lisa tries to cheer him up.<ref>"[[Judge Me Tender]]"</ref>
  
The Simpson family adopted a carrier pigeon once, named [[Raymond Bird]]. But, in the back garden one day, Bart let the pigeon out of its cage, where it was eaten by Santa's Little Helper. Bart became resentful of him. Marge and Homer took Bart to see Dr. Thurston, a psychologist, who suggested that he should forgive Santa's Little Helper, as he is the smarter of the two and knows that dogs do not have the brain capacity to know that it is wrong to kill small birds. Bart still cannot forgive Santa's Little Helper, and the family planned to take him to live on a farm upstate, [[Ostrich World]]. Bart shared parting words with Santa's Little Helper, telling him never to kill a bird ever again. But, as the family are about to leave, Homer releases an ostrich and it starts attacking the family. Bart calls for Santa's Little Helper to help, but he is confused, since Bart told him earlier it was wrong to hurt birds. Bart ends up clobbering the bird with some nearby tools and forgives Santa's Little Helper. The family then leave, taking the seemingly dead ostrich as meat for dinner.<ref>"[[How Munched Is That Birdie in the Window?]]"</ref>
+
The Simpson family adopted a carrier pigeon once, named [[Raymond Bird]]. But, in the back garden one day, Bart let the pigeon out of its cage, where it was eaten by Santa's Little Helper. Bart became resentful of him. Marge and Homer took Bart to see Dr. Thurston, a psychologist, who suggested he should forgive Santa's Little Helper, as he is the smarter of the two and knows dogs do not have the brain capacity to know it is wrong to kill small birds. Bart still cannot forgive Santa's Little Helper, and the family planned to take him to live on a farm upstate, [[Ostrich World]]. Bart shared parting words with Santa's Little Helper, telling him never to kill a bird ever again. But, as the family is about to leave, Homer releases an ostrich and it starts attacking the family. Bart calls for Santa's Little Helper to help, but he is confused, since Bart told him earlier it was wrong to hurt birds. Bart ends up clobbering the bird with some nearby tools and forgives Santa's Little Helper. The family leave, taking the seemingly dead ostrich as meat for dinner.<ref>"[[How Munched Is That Birdie in the Window?]]"</ref>
  
It is implied that he slept with [[Snowball V]] after New Year's Eve when both Santa's Little Helper and Snowball V came out of the doghouse looking ashamed about the night before.<ref>"[[Donnie Fatso]]"</ref>
+
It is implied he slept with [[Snowball V]] after New Year's Eve when both Santa's Little Helper and Snowball V came out of the doghouse looking ashamed about the night before.<ref>"[[Donnie Fatso]]"</ref>
  
 
== Relatives ==
 
== Relatives ==
Santa's Little Helper has got a [[Santa's Little Helper's brother|brother]], which he was most likely separated from when he was bought by Les. The Simpson family (except Marge) visited the dog and his family once.<ref>"[[The Bonfire of the Manatees]]"</ref>
+
Santa's Little Helper has a [[Santa's Little Helper's brother|brother]], which he was most likely separated from when he was bought by Les. The Simpson family (except Marge) visited the dog and his family once.<ref>"[[The Bonfire of the Manatees]]"</ref>
  
 
=== Offspring ===
 
=== Offspring ===
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*[[Two Dozen and One Greyhounds|25 offspring]] with [[She's the Fastest]]: Rover, Fido, Rex, Spot, Rover II, Fido II, Rex II, Cleo, Dave, Jay, Paul, Branford, Dave II, Jay II, Paul II, Branford II, Sleepy, Dopey, Grumpy, Donner, Blitzen, Grumpy II, King, Queenie, Prince and The Puppy Formerly Known As Prince.
 
*[[Two Dozen and One Greyhounds|25 offspring]] with [[She's the Fastest]]: Rover, Fido, Rex, Spot, Rover II, Fido II, Rex II, Cleo, Dave, Jay, Paul, Branford, Dave II, Jay II, Paul II, Branford II, Sleepy, Dopey, Grumpy, Donner, Blitzen, Grumpy II, King, Queenie, Prince and The Puppy Formerly Known As Prince.
*A [[Today I am A Klown|litter of puppies]] with [[Dr. Hibbert]]'s dog [[Rosa Barks]], these puppies were given away to townspeople, these include Willie, Krusty and Snake.
+
*A [[Today I Am a Clown|litter of puppies]] with [[Dr. Hibbert]]'s dog [[Rosa Barks]], these puppies were given away to townspeople, these include Willie, Krusty and Snake.
  
 
== Abilities ==
 
== Abilities ==
 
[[File:Eeny Teeny Maya, Moe Maggie.png|200px|thumb|right|Santa's Little Helper changing Maggie's diaper while other dogs watch.]]
 
[[File:Eeny Teeny Maya, Moe Maggie.png|200px|thumb|right|Santa's Little Helper changing Maggie's diaper while other dogs watch.]]
Santa's Little Helper has been shown to perform abilities that no other dog can. These include standing up on his hind legs and balancing a [[Duff Beer]] can on his nose,<ref name="Old Yeller Belly" /> changing a baby's diaper,<ref>"[[Eeny Teeny Maya, Moe]]"</ref> and speaking English.<ref>"[[Guess Who's Coming to Criticize Dinner?]]"</ref> He also said (through barks) that he survived Trappuccino by doing things no other dog should ever do.<ref name=Movie />
+
Santa's Little Helper has been shown to perform abilities no other dog can. These include standing up on his hind legs and balancing a [[Duff Beer]] can on his nose,<ref name="Old Yeller Belly" /> changing a baby's diaper,<ref>"[[Eeny Teeny Maya, Moe]]"</ref> and speaking English.<ref>"[[Guess Who's Coming to Criticize Dinner?]]"</ref> He also said (through barks) he survived Trappuccino by doing things no other dog should ever do.<ref name=Movie />
  
 
== Behind the Laughter ==
 
== Behind the Laughter ==
Even though Santa's Little Helper's first appearance was in "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]", he didn't appear in any other episodes of the first season besides "[[The Crepes of Wrath]]". He not appearing in the first seven produced shows was due to the many errors with the animation in the first version of "[[Some Enchanted Evening]]".
+
Even though Santa's Little Helper's first appearance was in "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]", he didn't appear in any other episodes of the first season besides "[[The Crepes of Wrath]]". His not appearing in the first seven produced shows was due to the many errors with the animation in the first version of "[[Some Enchanted Evening]]".
 +
 
 +
=== Foreign dubs ===
 +
{{Dub voices
 +
|daVoice={{W|da:Thomas Mørk|Thomas Mørk}} (movie; translator)
 +
}}
  
 
== Non-canon ==
 
== Non-canon ==
 
{{noncanon}}
 
{{noncanon}}
Once, Marge decided that he needed a bath, but he managed to decipher what Marge said to the rest of the family - "B-A-T-H". He ran riot around the backyard of [[742 Evergreen Terrace]], and Bart attempted to capture him in a net, but ended up capturing the rest of his family.<ref>''[[Bathing Santa's Little Helper]]''</ref>  
+
Once, Marge decided he needed a bath, but he managed to decipher what Marge said to the rest of the family - "B-A-T-H". He ran riot around the backyard of [[742 Evergreen Terrace]], and Bart attempted to capture him in a net, but ended up capturing the rest of his family.<ref>''[[Bathing Santa's Little Helper]]''</ref>  
  
After spraining his ankle and finding that Santa's Little Helper has found his way into the Bart Cave, Bart tied a rope around the dog's neck and had the dog pull him on his skateboard, renaming him Bartdog. Bartdog also helped locate criminals with his sniffing abilities.<ref>''[[Bartman - Part III: The Great Purple Hope]]''</ref> Bartdog also fought [[Squirrel Girl]]'s squirrels, who were taking over Springfield, with the help of [[Houseboy]], [[Fighting Owl]] and [[Four Eyes]].<ref>''[[The Crimespree on Springfield 2!]]''</ref>
+
After spraining his ankle and finding Santa's Little Helper found his way into the Bart Cave, Bart tied a rope around the dog's neck and had the dog pull him on his skateboard, renaming him Bartdog. Bartdog also helped locate criminals with his sniffing abilities.<ref>''[[Bartman - Part III: The Great Purple Hope]]''</ref> Bartdog also fought [[Squirrel Girl]]'s squirrels, taking over Springfield, with the help of [[Houseboy]], [[Fighting Owl]] and [[Four Eyes]].<ref>''[[The Crimespree on Springfield 2!]]''</ref>
  
 
=== The Simpsons: Tapped Out ===
 
=== The Simpsons: Tapped Out ===
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*{{ep|Clown in the Dumps}}
 
*{{ep|Clown in the Dumps}}
 
*{{ep|The Wreck of the Relationship}}
 
*{{ep|The Wreck of the Relationship}}
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*{{THOH|Treehouse of Horror XXV}}
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*{{ep|Opposites A-Frack}}
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*{{ep|Simpsorama}}
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*{{ep|I Won't Be Home for Christmas}}
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*{{ep|Bart's New Friend}}
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*{{ep|Puffless}}
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*{{cg|Bart's Not Dead/Gags|Bart's Not Dead|(archive footage)}}
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*{{ep|Heartbreak Hotel}}
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*{{ep|From Russia Without Love}}
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*{{ep|Daddicus Finch}}
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*{{ep|Woo-hoo Dunnit?}}
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*{{ep|Crystal Blue-Haired Persuasion}}
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*{{ep|Gorillas on the Mast|(picture)}}
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*{{ep|Marge the Lumberjill}}
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*{{ep|Thanksgiving of Horror|(opening segment)}}
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*{{ep|Bobby, It's Cold Outside}}
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*{{spec|The Simpsons' Christmas Message}}
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*{{spec|Marge Simpson's ALS Ice Bucket Challenge}}
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*{{spec|3 a.m.}}
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*{{TSG}}
 
*{{bon|Bartman - Part III: The Great Purple Hope}}
 
*{{bon|Bartman - Part III: The Great Purple Hope}}
 
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*{{ad|The Dog Biscuit}} (Butterfinger ad)
 
*{{ad|The Dog Biscuit}} (Butterfinger ad)
 
*{{ad|T.G.I. Friday's}}
 
*{{ad|T.G.I. Friday's}}
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*{{ad|Domino's Pizza}}
 
*{{ad|Slaughter is the Best Medicine}}
 
*{{ad|Slaughter is the Best Medicine}}
*{{merch|The Simpsons Christmas Crackers}}
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*{{ad|The Dog Biscuit}}
*{{merch3|[[The Simpsons Pop-Out People]] Classic Collector's Set and "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" set}}
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*{{ad|The Raid}}
*{{merch|The Simpsons Deluxe Play Set}}
 
*{{merch|The Simpsons Family Photo Cell Phone Cases}}
 
 
*{{merch3|[[McFarlane Toys The Simpsons boxed sets]] (Family Couch Gag)}}
 
*{{merch3|[[McFarlane Toys The Simpsons boxed sets]] (Family Couch Gag)}}
*{{merch3|[[Footprints]] family set}}
 
*{{merch3|[[Lucky Dip]] figurine}}
 
 
*{{merch3|[[World of Springfield: Toys "Я" Us]] (Simpsons Christmas set)}}
 
*{{merch3|[[World of Springfield: Toys "Я" Us]] (Simpsons Christmas set)}}
*{{merch|The Simpsons 28 Super-Sized Dominoes}}
 
*{{merch|The Simpsons Group Photo}}
 
*{{merch|The Simpsons Losers Take All!}}
 
 
*{{merch3|[[The Simpsons Topps]] 2002 - Card 13}}
 
*{{merch3|[[The Simpsons Topps]] 2002 - Card 13}}
*{{merch|The Simpsons Dress-Up Magnet}}
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*{{spec|A Baseball Moment from the Simpsons}}
*{{merch|The Simpsons Triple Pocket Pencil Case}}
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*{{spec|The Simpsons Christmas Message}}
*{{merch3|[[Kellogg's]] magnets}}
 
*Short - "[[A Baseball Moment from the Simpsons]]" short 2
 
*Short - "[[The Simpsons Christmas Message]]"
 
 
*{{cg|Circus Line couch gag}}
 
*{{cg|Circus Line couch gag}}
 
}}
 
}}

Revision as of 19:51, March 12, 2020

Santa's Little Helper
Santa's Little Helper.png
Animal Information
Species: Dog
Color: Orange/Brown
Age: 2
Gender:
Male ♂
Status:
Alive
Owner: Current: Simpson family (Bart Simpson)
Previous: Les
Relatives: Children: 25 Puppies
8 Greyhound/Poodle hybrids
Brother: Unnamed dog
Occupation: Currently: Family pet
Formerly: Racing dog
First Appearance: "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"
Voiced by: Frank Welker
Dan Castellaneta
Hank Azaria[1]


Santa's Little Helper, also known as No. 8 or His Majesty, King Suds McDuff of Sixpakistan, is the Simpson's family dog. He is a greyhound.

History

Santa's Little Helper races at the Springfield Downs.

Homer was relying on a Christmas bonus to buy presents, but didn't get it. Santa's Little Helper concurrently shares a birthday with Homer on May 12.[2] He was relying on this bonus because the jar of Christmas money Marge accumulates for the family's Christmas treats was disposed of to pay for the removal of a tattoo Bart got on his arm. Homer took the small amount of Christmas money he made working as a Santa at the Springfield Mall and bet it at the dog track. He had inside information on what dog was going to win, but instead bet on the "long shot," Santa's Little Helper, believing his name to be a sign. Santa's Little Helper finished last (apparently, it was the latest in a long string of last-place finishes), and his frustrated owner abandoned him. Running to the first person he saw, the greyhound leaped into an angry Homer's arms and kissed him, calming him immediately. Homer and Bart brought him home, and everyone was so happy with him it was a merry Christmas after all, where he was accepted as the family pet alongside Snowball II.[3]

Sometimes, Santa's Little Helper can be seen chewing on the newspaper and other objects in the Simpson's household (sometimes ignored or tolerated by the family), tearing up the furniture, digging holes in the backyard and eating food from the living room table.

With a few exceptions, Santa's Little Helper doesn't make any sound that resembles a bark. However, he does have an ability to think just like a person. Once, he makes a sound similar to "chewy", and Homer writes it down in his review, unamazed the dog spoke English. He is also shown to have ridden a circus ball on his hind legs and utter the phrase 'We love... you!' in an attempt to be given some attention from the Simpson family. In addition, he was mascot of Duff Beer, and was known as Suds McDuff (a reference to a similar, real life mascot Spuds MacKenzie).

Santa's Little Helper's life with the Simpsons was not always easy. He nearly died of gastric torsion (referred to in the show as a "twisting of the stomach") because Homer initially couldn't afford $750 for the required operation;[4] and he also broke two legs when Bart's treehouse was demolished by Mr. Burns' slanted oil well drill (The latter of which caused Bart to hate Mr. Burns immensely).[5]

At one time, Santa's Little Helper was shortly abandoned by Bart for Laddie, a purebred and very well-trained dog he bought from a mail-order catalog together with various other expensive gifts and gadgets. To do that, Bart used a credit card he applied for under the name of his dog, yet the credit card company misread the form and issued a card to Mr. "Santos L. Halper". Laddie learned many tricks Santa's Little Helper was completely unable to perform (most notably a back flip, CPR and using a toilet). The Simpson family nearly forgot about their old pet, and Bart eventually gave him away instead of Laddie when repo men take back everything he fraudulently purchased. Feeling guilty about this disloyalty and bored with his too perfect new dog, Bart tried to get Santa's Little Helper back. When he finally found him, Santa's Little Helper was serving as a seeing-eye dog for a blind man named Mr. Mitchell, but eventually decided to return to his former owner, Bart.[6]

He also becomes a great hero after he saves Homer in a cornfield maze, and becomes enrolled as a police dog, teamed up with Officer Lou. Both Lou and Santa's Little Helper make a good team, foiling crimes together. After biting Bart's left leg (due to the fact he got angry when the court stated he violated one of the police codes while catching Snake Jailbird), Santa's Little Helper is sent off by the Simpson family to live with Lou. Later on, once Springfield Elementary is in danger and Bart isn't able to escape, Santa's Little Helper comes in to save him, and goes back to living with the Simpsons.[7] Unlike when he was the Duff mascot (which depicts the dog as a coward),[8] Santa's Little Helper is depicted as a very brave and smart dog.

Marge and Lisa visited the Springfield Retirement Castle once with Santa's Little Helper. He ran in to the building and played with the seniors. The seniors liked having him there, but a day later when Marge and Lisa returned, the seniors resorted to watching TV while the dog, now a senior, watched it too. Marge dragged the dog and Lisa, who turned into a senior almost immediately, out.[9]

Santa's Little Helper has been implied to be bisexual. At the time, the Simpson family is watching a gay pride parade marching down Evergreen Terrace, and one of the groups marching is the Gay Dog Alliance. The marching dogs are clothed in a series of typically camp gay costumes, and Santa's Little Helper, showing excitement by panting, shows an interest in several of the dogs, one of whom winks at him. Santa's Little Helper's attempt to join the dogs is thwarted by the fact he is currently on a leash, noticing his interest, Homer decides to take the family away from the pride parade.

His kennel was destroyed during the events of Trappuccino, and survived the event by doing things no dog should ever do.[10] Homer makes Santa's Little Helper participate in an ugly-dog contest, and embarrasses him in front of the town by making him wear an ugly costume. Lisa tries to cheer him up.[11]

The Simpson family adopted a carrier pigeon once, named Raymond Bird. But, in the back garden one day, Bart let the pigeon out of its cage, where it was eaten by Santa's Little Helper. Bart became resentful of him. Marge and Homer took Bart to see Dr. Thurston, a psychologist, who suggested he should forgive Santa's Little Helper, as he is the smarter of the two and knows dogs do not have the brain capacity to know it is wrong to kill small birds. Bart still cannot forgive Santa's Little Helper, and the family planned to take him to live on a farm upstate, Ostrich World. Bart shared parting words with Santa's Little Helper, telling him never to kill a bird ever again. But, as the family is about to leave, Homer releases an ostrich and it starts attacking the family. Bart calls for Santa's Little Helper to help, but he is confused, since Bart told him earlier it was wrong to hurt birds. Bart ends up clobbering the bird with some nearby tools and forgives Santa's Little Helper. The family leave, taking the seemingly dead ostrich as meat for dinner.[12]

It is implied he slept with Snowball V after New Year's Eve when both Santa's Little Helper and Snowball V came out of the doghouse looking ashamed about the night before.[13]

Relatives

Santa's Little Helper has a brother, which he was most likely separated from when he was bought by Les. The Simpson family (except Marge) visited the dog and his family once.[14]

Offspring

Main article: Greyhound puppies

He sired twenty-five puppies with She's The Fastest once, as well as another litter with Dr. Hibbert's poodle, Rosa Barks.

  • 25 offspring with She's the Fastest: Rover, Fido, Rex, Spot, Rover II, Fido II, Rex II, Cleo, Dave, Jay, Paul, Branford, Dave II, Jay II, Paul II, Branford II, Sleepy, Dopey, Grumpy, Donner, Blitzen, Grumpy II, King, Queenie, Prince and The Puppy Formerly Known As Prince.
  • A litter of puppies with Dr. Hibbert's dog Rosa Barks, these puppies were given away to townspeople, these include Willie, Krusty and Snake.

Abilities

Santa's Little Helper changing Maggie's diaper while other dogs watch.

Santa's Little Helper has been shown to perform abilities no other dog can. These include standing up on his hind legs and balancing a Duff Beer can on his nose,[8] changing a baby's diaper,[15] and speaking English.[16] He also said (through barks) he survived Trappuccino by doing things no other dog should ever do.[10]

Behind the Laughter

Even though Santa's Little Helper's first appearance was in "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", he didn't appear in any other episodes of the first season besides "The Crepes of Wrath". His not appearing in the first seven produced shows was due to the many errors with the animation in the first version of "Some Enchanted Evening".

Foreign dubs

Language Voice dubber
Denmark flag.png Dansk Thomas Mørk (movie; translator)

Non-canon

Donut Homer.png The contents of this article or section are considered to be non-canon and therefore may not have actually happened or existed.

Once, Marge decided he needed a bath, but he managed to decipher what Marge said to the rest of the family - "B-A-T-H". He ran riot around the backyard of 742 Evergreen Terrace, and Bart attempted to capture him in a net, but ended up capturing the rest of his family.[17]

After spraining his ankle and finding Santa's Little Helper found his way into the Bart Cave, Bart tied a rope around the dog's neck and had the dog pull him on his skateboard, renaming him Bartdog. Bartdog also helped locate criminals with his sniffing abilities.[18] Bartdog also fought Squirrel Girl's squirrels, taking over Springfield, with the help of Houseboy, Fighting Owl and Four Eyes.[19]

The Simpsons: Tapped Out

This section is transcluded from The Simpsons: Tapped Out characters/Animals. To edit it, please edit the transcluded page.
Santa's Little Helper
Image Cost Unlock method Unlock message Yearbook
Tapped Out Unlock SLH.png Tapped Out Santa Coin.png1,500 Christmas 2012 ...(dogs don't talk) Character is available via the Yearbook Mystery Box
Donut Tapped Out.png30
Donut Tapped Out.png150 Level 7
Premium
FREE A Simpsons Christmas Special
Santa's Little Helper, 30 Years Ago
Santa's Wonderland Ticket.png1 Clash of Creeds: Christmas Royale
Santa's Wonderland
Gift Card.png1 Holiday Whodunnit
Last Minute Gifts
Technical Information ID Groups Internal Name
50 N/A SantasLittleHelper

Santa's Little Helper Balloon

Template:Tapped Out decoration

Appearances

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References

The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to Santa's Little Helper.