Rowlf the Dog Rowlf the Dog was the first Muppet to reach national stardom as a cast member of " The Jimmy Dean Show " from 1963 to 1966 . He later went on to serve as the resident piano player on " The Muppet Show " , also playing the silly surgeon Dr . Bob on the recurring sketch " Veterinarian ' s Hospital . " Origins ( 1962 ) . Rowlf first appeared in 1962 in a series of Purina Dog Chow commercials . He was paired with Baskerville the Hound in a series of ads which aired in Canada from 1962 to 1963 . Rowlf was the first Muppet built by Don Sahlin . Unlike most of the early Muppets , he was designed as a live - hand Muppet ; he was also one of the first non - abstract Muppet characters , built to resemble a dog . According to Henson ' s original notes , other names considered for the character were Barkley , Woofington , Baskerville , Barkus , Howlington , Waggington and Beowolf . Jim Henson designed three different dogs , one of which became the design for Rowlf , and another of which became the design for Baskerville . According to Jim Henson Company archivist Karen Falk , the scripts for the Purina Dog Chow commercials spelled Rowlf ' s name as " Ralph , " possibly after Ralph Freeman , the advertising account executive on the original Purina campaign . Soon , Jim Henson and Rowlf were sought after for other commercials , sales films , and appearances . In late 1963 , Bill Wright contracted Henson to make a sales film featuring Rowlf the Dog for the American Photocopy Equipment Company ( APECO ) . Rowlf also appeared in an ad for Esskay Meats during the same time period . Rise to Fame ( 1963 - 1976 ) . Rowlf rose to stardom as Jimmy Dean ' s sidekick on " The Jimmy Dean Show " . The show ran from 1963 until 1966 . Rowlf the Dog was a regular on the show , and was billed as Jimmy ' s " ol ' buddy . " Between seven and ten minutes of every show were devoted to a spot with Rowlf and Dean . Many of the comedy sketches ended with the two singing a duet together . Rowlf ' s tenure on " The Jimmy Dean Show " allowed Jim Henson to develop the character over a period of time . Rowlf continued to star on variety shows , hosting the 1967 summer variety series " Our Place " and appearing in several episodes of " The Mike Douglas Show " . He also hosted the 1968 special " Muppets On Puppets " . Rowlf appeared in the 1965 Wilson ' s Meats Meeting Film , as an example of the Muppets ' exposure ( " I ' m the Muppets ' big lovable shaggy dog Rowlf , from ABC ' s " The Jimmy Dean Show " ! " ) . He did a similar thing by " stopping by to say ' Howdy ' " in the 1966 La Choy Chow Mein Presentation Reel . He also appeared in the " Sesame Street " pitch reel , explaining the concept and production process to a wary Kermit , as both characters were the most familiar Muppets at the time . He also appeared in " Sesame Street ' s " first season , making a cameo appearance in the " Song of Nine . " Rowlf appeared in brief celebrity cameo - esque roles in the two " Muppet Show " pilots , " The Muppets Valentine Show " and " " . " The Muppet Show " ( 1976 - 1981 ) . When " The Muppet Show " debuted , Rowlf was a part of the cast . Rowlf was assigned the role of resident pianist ( abandoning his ukulele skills from " The Jimmy Dean Show " ) . At the piano , Rowlf would often perform classical music , and sing solos or duets . Rowlf also performed in the pit orchestra and sometimes sat in with the Electric Mayhem . Despite Rowlf ' s established fame among American audiences , a majority of his musical numbers were not seen in the US , as the sketches and songs starring Rowlf dominated the list of UK Spots . Apart from displaying his musical talents , Rowlf continued his comedic style from " The Jimmy Dean Show " with his customary puns and gags – most notably as Dr . Bob , " the quack who has gone to the dogs , " in Veterinarian ' s Hospital , or with a female partner in the recurring At the Dance segments . During the first season , Rowlf also appeared in two poetry segments . Rowlf would occasionally take on other character roles in the on - stage productions - including Sherlock Holmes and a Western bar piano player . Whether in featured roles or non - speaking cameos , Rowlf appeared in 89 of the 120 episodes of " The Muppet Show " . Although he ' s one of the big stars of the show , Rowlf has never been spotlighted in a backstage plot . Due to Rowlf ' s musical skill , it is sometimes incorrectly assumed that he was a part - time member of The Electric Mayhem Band . Although Rowlf played in the orchestra and back - up on several numbers with musicians in the Mayhem band , Rowlf only accompanied the Electric Mayhem three times : in , in and at Fozziwig ' s Christmas party in " The Muppet Christmas Carol " . In fact , when the Electric Mayhem walked out over the apparent lameness of " The Muppet Show " theme song in , Rowlf was the only musician left . As a result , Rowlf had to play the closing theme single - handedly . In 1985 , Rowlf hosted two - hour - long video compilations of " The Muppet Show " . In " Rowlf ' s Rhapsodies with the Muppets " , Rowlf sat at his piano and presented a compilation of his best numbers and other songs from " The Muppet Show " . In " Country Music with the Muppets " , Rowlf rented a barn and hosted his own country music program while showing clips from the show . " The Muppet Movie " ( 1979 ) . Rowlf was prominently featured in " The Muppet Movie " as a piano player at The Terrace Restaurant , where he first meets Kermit . When Kermit is down , Rowlf shares his motto in life , a motto even he can ' t follow - " stay away from women . " The two sing " I Hope That Somethin ' Better Comes Along " . An original draft of the script describes the song as " a sad / funny little duet based on the old ' can ' t live with ' em , can ' t live without ' em ' theme , designed to allow for some good harmony howling from Rowlf . " The song featured a rare pairing of characters , as Jim Henson virtually performed a duet with himself . In order to achieve the effect , the vocals of the two characters were recorded separately by Henson and then combined . Because Rowlf and Kermit were at the time played by two different performers ( Bill Barretta and Steve Whitmire respectively ) , they were able to perform a duet again at the 2011 D23 Expo in honor of Henson ' s naming as a Disney Legend . Rowlf soon joined Kermit and the rest of the gang on their way to Hollywood . Before joining the Muppets , Rowlf ' s life was simple - he lived alone , would " go to work , come home , read a book , have a couple of beers , take [ himself ] for a walk and go to bed . " While in the desert , Rowlf played harmonica as Gonzo sang " I ' m Going to Go Back There Someday " ( while Fozzie played ukulele ) . Rowlf served as the film ' s cameraman in the finale , as the Muppets prepare to shoot their movie . Rowlf appeared on the piano in the promotional special " The Muppets Go Hollywood " , accompanying Johnny Mathis as he sang " Never Before , Never Again . " " The Great Muppet Caper " ( 1981 ) . In " The Great Muppet Caper " , Rowlf was a resident of the Happiness Hotel . He played piano during the song " Happiness Hotel " and commented on the chambermaids , bugs , and lice . He joined the Muppets on their quest to thwart Nicky ' s plot to steal the Baseball Diamond ( accounting for the whoopie cushion , which he thinks is on the bus ) . Rowlf saves the day with his bilingual ability to speak dog as well as English . He is able to reason with Henderson ' s attacking guard dogs at the Mallory Gallery ( a skill he would use again in " A Muppet Family Christmas " to communicate with Sprocket ) . " The Muppets Take Manhattan " ( 1984 ) . In " The Muppets Take Manhattan " , Rowlf was a supporting player , co - starring in " Manhattan Melodies " . As the gang disbands , Rowlf leaves New York on a bus headed to Delaware . Rowlf displays cinematic range as the conflicted manager of a dog kennel , looking after Mr . Skeffington ' s dog Snookums and other canine tenants . When Rowlf gets the news that the show is on , he excitedly returns to the Big Apple , bringing along a host of Muppet dogs from the kennel . A baby version of Rowlf appeared in Miss Piggy ' s fantasy , " I ' m Gonna Always Love You " . The young pup played piano , sang along , and abstractedly hammered away at a Big Bird doll . Baby Rowlf was also part of the regular cast of babies in the animated series " Muppet Babies " . Baby Rowlf ' s role was , of course , that of the nursery ' s resident musician , often leading the others into on - the - spot song breaks , with his ever - present baby piano . His voice in the animated program was performed by Katie Leigh . " The Jim Henson Hour " ( 1989 ) . On " The Jim Henson Hour " , Rowlf appeared in a series of sketches where he portrayed the character Merlin in " Merlin the Magician , MD " . The sketches ( seen in and ) were similar to his Dr . Bob days in Veterinarian ' s Hospital , but with a medieval , magical twist . The wizard Merlin would use his magic to cure people ' s medical problems , making jokes and slinging puns all the while . In one sketch , Rowlf is turned into musical icon Elvis Presley . Rowlf also narrated the film noir special " Dog City " , which aired as part of the series . The special features an all new cast of new Muppet dogs ; however , Rowlf along with a cameo by Sprocket are the only pre - established Muppets present . Rowlf is there as the audience ' s guide and is the only character to break the fourth wall . Rowlf would again be teamed with a group of Muppet dogs in the tenth episode ' s " " special , presiding over a meeting of the O . M . D . ( Organization of Muppet Dogs ) as President . Television specials and appearances ( 1979 - 1990 ) . John Denver and Rowlf sang " Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas " in the 1979 TV special " " . The duet was also featured on the Christmas album . Rowlf appeared with the Muppets on " The Merv Griffin Show " in 1983 . There , he performed his renditions of " Down Memory Lane " and " You and I and George " while at the keys of a piano Rowlf subsequently appeared in the special " Rocky Mountain Holiday " . John Denver takes Rowlf on a wild plane ride , performing one stunt after another , in order to cure Rowlf ' s hiccups . In another scene , Rowlf relaxed on an inner tube in the river , until Gonzo popped the inner tube ( and tried to break a world record , " Longest time underwater with a dog sitting on you " ) . In " A Muppet Family Christmas " , Rowlf chased the truck all the way to Emily Bear ' s house . Once there , Rowlf made himself at home , communicating with Sprocket , playing " Sleigh Ride " on Emily ' s out - of - tune piano , and joining in the festivities . Rowlf hosted his own play - along video , " Sing - Along , Dance - Along , Do - Along " , in which he taught viewers how to do a variety of musical activities . Rowlf also appeared in " The Muppets at Walt Disney World " . In the special , Rowlf was captured by the Walt Disney World pet care center manager , as Rowlf had no owner or tags . While detained , he performed " I ' m Doggin ' It , " " live from the detention hall of the Walt Disney World Pet Care Center " with the other dogs . Rowlf was a guest on " The Arsenio Hall Show " . When Rowlf came out , he pointed to Arsenio and remarked , " Son of a bitch ! " After the audience ' s hysterics died down , Rowlf added , " That ' s the nicest thing a dog can say about anybody . " An all - Rowlf album , titled " Ol ' Brown Ears is Back " , was released by BMG Records in 1993 . The album featured several songs from " The Muppet Show " , as performed by Rowlf at the piano with an orchestral accompaniment . Though it wasn ' t released until after his death , Henson recorded the vocals in 1984 . Transition after Henson ( 1990 - 2010 ) . After the death of Jim Henson , Rowlf continued to appear in Muppet productions , silently ( and usually briefly ) . A rumor arose that the character would be permanently silent as a sign of respect for Jim Henson . As Brian Henson commented on in the audio commentary for " The Muppet Christmas Carol " , Rowlf continued to appear as a tribute to the character and Henson ' s legacy . Still , Rowlf was not immediately recast and kept in the forefront like Kermit , because at the time , the Muppeteers didn ' t feel there was a suitable and appropriate performer for the task . Rowlf was featured silently in " The Muppet Christmas Carol " ( playing piano at Fozziwig ' s party ) and " Muppet Treasure Island " ( as a patron of The Admiral Benbow Inn ) . Eventually , Bill Barretta took on the character and gradually transitioned into the role . Although Rowlf only appeared in one episode of " Muppets Tonight " , he uttered his first word since Henson ' s passing in ; while playing piano during the closing number , Rowlf exclaims " Oh yeah ! " He also appeared in " Muppets from Space " as a resident of the Muppet Boarding House and , at one point , muttered an audible " Oogh ! " . Rowlf had several lines of dialogue , a first since Henson ' s passing , in " The Muppet Show Live " in 2001 and also spoke two lines of dialogue ( " Hey , Kermit ! " and " Yeah ! Heh , heh . Oh ! " ) in " It ' s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie " in 2002 . Rowlf appeared in the " Keep Fishin ' " music video for rock band Weezer . Although he ' s only briefly seen ( one " can " hear him muttering " Good job , River " and " Yeah " ) , Rowlf had a more prominent role in the behind the scenes making - of special that accompanied it , " Weezer and the Muppets Go Fishin ' " . In 2005 , Rowlf had a 190 - word monologue in the second episode of " Statler & Waldorf : From the Balcony " . Additionally , Bill Barretta recorded the vocals as Rowlf singing " The Christmas Party Sing - Along " for the 2006 " A Green and Red Christmas " album . For " The Muppets ' Wizard of Oz " , in the extended interview with Quentin Tarantino , Tarantino commented on how he was disappointed that Rowlf didn ' t appear much in the movie . Pepe explained this by saying Rowlf was in a car accident and broke his tail , and preferred to not do too many scenes . Rowlf was prominently featured in a pair of online videos in 2008 , " Rolling with the Skateboarding Dog " ( where Rizzo comments on his age ) , and " Skateboarding Dog Gets Served " ( where Rowlf tries to show up Tyson , a skateboarding bulldog ) . Rowlf made a rare live appearance on " Late Night with Jimmy Fallon " , where he sang the " 8 maids a milking " line for The Twelve Days of Christmas number while playing keyboards with the Roots . Rowlf has a speaking cameo in the " Game Day " episode of " The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora " . Referencing his absence in recent years , he comments " It ' s a small part , but times are ruff . " " The Muppets " and beyond ( 2011 - ) . Rowlf appeared as one of the main characters in " The Muppets " . He rejoins the Muppets to help put on the telethon to save the theater . At one point he laments being excluded from the montage gathering the Muppets ; a clip is then shown of Kermit , Walter , Gary , and Mary asking Rowlf , who is laying in a hammock , if he wants to join the reunion , to which he replies " Okay . " Rowlf returns to his role as pianist for the Muppet theater - playing for both " The Muppet Show Theme " and the musical finale of " Life ' s a Happy Song . " Rowlf also performs in the telethon as a part of the Muppets Barbershop Quartet - along with Link , Sam and Beaker - singing " Smells Like Teen Spirit " while shaving Jack Black . A sinister doppelgänger of Rowlf , named Roowlf , appears in the film as a member of The Moopets . Rowlf starred in the Muppets ' promotional tie - in commercial for Alamo Rent a Car , and Yamaha Entertainment ' s Muppets sweepstake . Rowlf was also featured in a series of promotional posters spoofing " The Twilight Saga : Breaking Dawn " as . He also appeared in the OK Go music video for " The Muppet Show Theme Song . " According to an interview with " Yamaha All Access " , Rowlf considers Jason Segel " a fine piano player . During the movie , we jammed together between takes . Boogie - woogie ! Jason plays a mean boogie , and my woogie is still wagging , even if I say so myself . " Rowlf appeared in the opening of Jim Henson ' s Musical World , both in a video from his performance with Jimmy Dean at Carnegie Hall in 1965 , and in the actual hall . He lamented the fact that it took Carnegie Hall 47 years to invite him back . Rowlf also sang " I Never Harmed an Onion " at the Just for Laughs show in July 2012 . In 2014 , Rowlf subsequently appeared in " Muppets Most Wanted " , performing as an on - stage pianist and as part of the ensemble backstage . He took part in the songs " We ' re Doing a Sequel " and " Something So Right " . In the former , Rowlf sings the verse " We can ' t do any worse than " The Godfather 3 " " and suggests a grim film plot about a lonely dog to Kermit . While both of Rowlf ' s contributions to the song were deleted from the final film version , they are preserved on the soundtrack , and in the extended cut featured on the Blu - ray release . Rowlf was prominently featured in segments shown during " Puppy Bowl X " , where he coached three live puppies . He is also present in the Muppets ' tie - in commercials for the Toyota Highlander and Lipton Tea , as well as 2014 appearances on BuzzFeed and " The View " . Rowlf also appears in a few of the " Muppet Moments " shorts that air on Disney Junior . In the 2015 ABC series " The Muppets " , Rowlf is the proprietor and piano player of his own bar , Rowlf ' s Tavern . In in the series ( as well as the network presentation pilot ) , Rowlf is seen wearing a cone , which he explains is to keep him from biting his stitches from a recent surgery . Performing Rowlf . Rowlf is a live hand puppet . Jim Henson would usually perform the head ( and voice ) and left hand , while another Muppeteer ( including , at various times , Frank Oz , Jerry Juhl , Jerry Nelson , Louise Gold , and Steve Whitmire ) performed his right hand . However , when Rowlf played the piano , Henson would helm the head and the second performer would control both hands on the keys . Steve Whitmire commented on performing Rowlf ' s piano - playing hands in a 1999 interview : Derek Scott , a musical consultant for " The Muppet Show " , supplied Rowlf ' s pre - recorded piano playing on the program . Rowlf ' s fingering was never actually worked to be accurate , yet the illusion was not broken due to careful practice and skill of timing and approximating . Steve Whitmire said that when he was going to helm the hands on the keys he would spend hours learning every nuance of a pre - recorded piano track to make it look believable . Rowlf ' s piano was a dud , the hands could bang the keys with no sound being emitted ; instead , the pre - recorded piano track would handle the music . However , in Rowlf had to come in and start playing the same piano which guest star Liberace was performing on . Since the number , including Liberace ' s actual piano playing , was recorded live , Derek Scott was off camera tickling the ivories while Rowlf mimed the actions on stage . On close inspection of the scene , a viewer can see that Rowlf is actually not touching any of the keys , just banging the air above them so as to not emit any stray sounds and ruin the take . Although people tend to identify Jim Henson with Kermit the Frog , according to many sources ( including " " ) , Rowlf ' s laid back and down to earth personality was perhaps the closest to Henson ' s real life demeanor and personality . Brian Henson stated in a Muppet Show introduction that " Kermit was my father ' s best - known character , but a lot of people think he was more like Rowlf in real life . . . except he couldn ' t play the piano as well . " On most occasions , Muppets do not appear to have legs , as they are meant to be shown primarily above the waist . There are times , however , in which a character ' s legs are visible for certain scenes . In the case of Rowlf , his legs can be glimpsed at the beginning of " Never Before , Never Again " in of " The Muppet Show " . One " goof " includes a Veterinarian ' s Hospital sketch , where Rowlf falls into the operating table , and the bottom of the puppet is shown , sans legs . In the " Dog City " special , Rowlf comes rolling out on his piano , playing it and driving it at the same time during the dramatic chase scene . In this appearance , Rowlf ' s full body is shown ( it is shown that he is rather chubby in the middle , like Fozzie Bear ) . In " The Great Muppet Caper " , his full legs are also exposed several times . _ _ NOWYSIWYG _ _