Why is Brian both a dog and a human?
Throughout Family Guy, Brian is shown to be a personified and intelligent dog who has accomplished things such as writing a book and a play. However his is still at heart a dog. And dogs do things that humans don't.
Brian has been shown repeatedly on the show to have dog instincts:
- chasing the mailman/squirrel
- hating being in a car with the windows up
- occasionally finding/burying balls
This question was inspired by the second point when Brian is stuck in the car and the windows are closed. He then frantically tries to get out and says
I can't get out! Someone help me! I'm going to pee in here!
which suggests he is acting like an ordinary dog. It seems as though this only happens when the situation is humorous.
So why is Brian both dog and human? Surely he is smart enough to control the dog instincts. So why is he unable to stop himself doing things like this? Has Seth MacFarlane ever explained this?
Best Answer
Because he is a dog. That's the point of the character and we are shown it for the rule of funny many many times. Brian is unlike most dogs this way but he is still a dog. He knows this and it causes problems for him. From http://familyguy.wikia.com/wiki/Brian_Griffin
Brian seems somewhat ashamed of his dog instincts and insecure about his canine status in general. In "Brian: Portrait of a Dog", he refused to perform degrading pet tricks for Peter during a dog show, despite it being necessary to win the money needed to buy the family a new air conditioner. He also chastised Lady and the Tramp for acting in typical dog-like behavior, saying that "that's just what they want you to do." He suffers mistreatment as a dog, and is humiliated when the Griffins catch him with canine pornography.
There is also the episode where he is arrested for drinking from a human water fountain. Not only does he act like a dog at times, many people in the show see him as just a dog. So it's done to create conflict and character growth.
Pictures about "Why is Brian both a dog and a human?"
Why is Brian Griffin a dog?
In "Brian: Portrait of a Dog", it's revealed that Brian became a Griffin during his adulthood, when Peter offered him a home with his family in Quahog, but in "The Man with Two Brians", Brian shows the family videos of him as a puppy, already living in the Griffin's house.Is Brian a human?
Brian Griffin the only non-human member of the Griffin family, but his personality is no less human than any other character on the show. Based loosely on Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, Brian's distinctly human nature is at odds with his canine appearance.Why is Brian different from the other dogs?
The Griffin's white labrador speaks not only English, but also French, Tagalog, and even some Spanish. These linguistic abilities are just one of many "human" traits Brian possesses. He also drives a car, walks upright, and is attracted to human women.What happened to Brian the dog?
Yes, Family Guy killed off the Griffin family dog, Brian, in last night's episode. He was hit by a car as Stewie watches in horror from the front door of the house. His death scene was actually quite graphic\u2014we see him spin through the car tires, eventually spit out to lay limp on the side of the street.Family Guy - Human Brian
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Images: Pavel Danilyuk, Pavel Danilyuk, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska