Claim: Jim Henson was an entertainer.

Rowlf the Dog is a Muppet character , a scruffy brown dog of indeterminate breed , though part Corgi , with a rounded black nose and long floppy ears . He was created and originally performed by Jim Henson . Rowlf is the Muppet Theatre 's resident pianist , as well as one of the show 's main cast members . Calm and wisecracking , his humor is characterized as deadpan and as such , is one of few Muppets who is rarely flustered by the show 's prevalent mayhem . He is very easy going and a fan of classical music -LRB- particularly Beethoven -RRB- and musicals .   Despite Kermit the Frog often being credited as the iconic Muppet , Rowlf was actually the first known Muppet `` star '' as a recurring character on The Jimmy Dean Show , first appearing in a telecast on September 19 , 1963 .