Barkley (Sesame Street)

Barkley is a full-bodied Muppet dog who appears on Sesame Street. Barkley debuted in the premiere episode of the show's 10th season, where he was initially called "Woof-Woof" and the cast voted to rename him "Barkley."

Barkley is energetic and playful, but is not anthropomorphized in the way that Rowlf and other characters are. While he may exhibit human-like emotions, he communicates only through barks, yelps, and physical contact. He was Linda's dog and understood the American Sign Language signs for "sit" and "stay." However, Barkley also had a close relationship with Big Bird. Indeed, in the 1993 book Imagine... Big Bird Meets Santa Claus, the large bird refers to Barkley as his dog. Although Linda has since moved on from Sesame Street, Barkley has remained, presumably becoming a ward of the community as a whole. The book A Bird's Best Friend shows that Granny Bird brought Barkley as a puppy for a present for Big Bird.

Barkley's appearances in television specials include the 1978 A Special Sesame Street Christmas and the 1979 A Walking Tour of Sesame Street. More prominently, he accompanied Big Bird on his trips to China in 1982 and Japan in 1988. He also appeared with the Muppets en masse on Night of 100 Stars. Additionally, from season 12 (1980) to season 23 (1992), the Sesame Street closing credits featured Barkley running through a park with the Kids.

Barkley also appears in Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird, Where he is seen whimpering and is comforted after Big Bird left to live with the Dodos by Miss Finch. He also appears during The One Little Star song being bidding goodnight by Bob. When Big Bird was back in Sesame Street and The Sleaze Brothers arrested for their crimes, Barkley was barking with joy at him, until Miss Finch arrives who admits to him that the Dodos are not perfect for him but already found another bird family, which he barks in protest and finally conveniences her that Sesame Street is his home and proudly leaves. Later he was shown backing in fright of hearing the clanging sound, it was only Gordon, Olivia, Linda, Cookie Monster and Grover pushing the Volkswagen being consumed by Cookie Monster.

Barkley's most recent appearances on the show include cameos in "Riding My Tricycle" and episode 4214, and more prominent appearances in the premiere episode of season 40, being walked (or ran) by Bob, and in a season 43 episode.

In a season 19 episode, Elmo has a new pet fish that he names Barkley.