Meet Superman’s Canine Companion, Krypto the Superdog

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It’s a bird! No, it’s a plane! Wait — it’s a flying dog!? Krypto the Superdog first appeared in Adventure Comics #210 (1955). The story goes that Lara Lor-Van and Jor-El sent the dog as a friendly companion for their child after he was rocketed off the dying planet of Krypton. Unfortunately, Krypto’s ship was blown off-course. He only arrived in Kal-El’s life when he was a teenager. But hey, that’s the perfect time for a young adult to get a dog. Becoming fast friends, Krypto and Superman played around and even went on missions together in Smallville and beyond.

Krypto is a complicated companion. Without any sort of augmented sentience, Krypto is, at base level, a dog. He whines and paws at things, but due to his super strength that means he’s putting holes in the house. Krypto is also not bound by Superman’s moral regulations. The dog has attempted to kill other heroes as well as Superman’s enemies. But he means well. After all, Krypto is only fulfilling his role as protector and best friend. To celebrate National Pet Day, let’s get to know this famous furry friend.

Krypto is stronger (and weaker) than Superman

 “Sometimes all the detective work in the world can’t beat a superdog with a keen sense of smell.” – Batman

Let us elaborate. In real life, humans and dogs have different strengths. For instance, we have opposable thumbs and intellect. Dogs, however, have extremely keen senses of smell and various abilities beyond our understanding. So, Superman is one of the most powerful super heroes in existence. He could overpower Krypto if he needed to. But Krypto can also drag Clark and Jonathan Kent through the snow or the sky, and sniff out super-villains. There’s no faking fetch with his powerful pooch!

Additionally, Krypto has the physiology from his home planet. So, this dog’s super powers include flight, advanced hearing/smell/vision, heat vision, super-breath, enhanced durability/speed/stamina/strength … and the added bonus of snapping jaws and killer claws. Anybody who’s been on the receiving end of their puppy’s teething or love bites knows that dogs can do damage even if they don’t mean to. So when they do? Those bad guys better watch out for this very good boy.

Krypto is a Labrador

In both the comics and cartoon, Krypto is a sleek Labrador retriever. Although, because Krypto is from outer space, he doesn’t exactly resemble any specific dog from planet Earth. He is not limited to our scientific rules about mammals. Krypto has short ears and perfectly white short fur. Most notably, Krypto looks like a purebred/pedigree animal — that is to say, specifically bred to retain aesthetically favorable features.

But in Superman (2025) and Supergirl (2026), Krypto is a mutt!

Krypto gets, in my opinion, an upgrade in Superman (2025). Based on James Gunn’s own rescue animal, Krypto’s new design gives him scruffy, tangled fur, spots of gray, and the silliest floppiest ears anyone could hope for. Beings from Krypton are generally held to extremely high human standards in terms of looks (just think of how Clark Kent is meant to embody some ideal male archetype). So isn’t it nice to see a mutt — AKA a mixed breed — take center stage? I sure think so.

Fans of Krypto will get even more of the Kryptonian canine in Supergirl. Though it looks like Krypto is in major trouble thanks to the horrible Krem, Kara Zor-El will surely save her beloved dog from certain doom.

Legion/League of Super-Pets

Of course, Krypto is not the only Super-Pet! The Justice League members have adopted various animal companions over the years who even formed the Legion of Super-Pets. You probably know about Batman’s Ace the Bat-Hound, or Supergirl’s Streaky and Whizzy the Super-Cats and Comet the Super-Horse. Young Diana Prince/Wonder Woman spent her island days with Jumpa the Kanga (a species of flying kangaroo). Robin terrorizes the Batman Family with a huge heifer simply called Bat-Cow, while the antihero Harley Quinn has her hyenas Bud and Lou. Aquaman also has a pet octopus called Topo — who, comparatively, isn’t even the strangest animal to fight alongside a DC super hero.

We’re so excited to see Krypto continue soaring into live action, especially in Supergirl!

Pick up some Superman action figures in preparation for his upcoming adventures! Then, share your excitement and your collection with other DC fans at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network. And don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!