Play It Again Rowlf

Illustration of Rowlf, a Muppet dog with shaggy brown fur and floppy ears, sitting at a light brown piano; a glowing candelabra sits on top of the piano and the whole the scene is in front of a blurred blue and white background

Rowlf the Dog is one of the earliest Muppet characters created by Jim Henson, first appearing in 1962 in a series of Purina Dog Chow commercials made for the Canadian market, where he appeared alongside Baskerville the Hound. He was designed and performed by Jim Henson, and the puppet was built by Don Sahlin, being his first construction of a Muppet puppet. Known for his shaggy brown fur, long floppy ears, and easygoing personality, Rowlf is perhaps best known for playing the piano, which became his signature trait.

He later appeared regularly on The Jimmy Dean Show (1963–1966), where his musical talent and deadpan humor made him especially popular. When The Muppet Show launched in 1976, Rowlf was part of the core cast, performing comedic sketches and musical numbers. After Jim Henson’s death in 1990, Rowlf’s appearances lessened, but he has since returned in various Muppet films, specials, and series, and remains beloved for his wit and musical charm.