Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds is a cartoon version of the classic Alexandre Dumas story of d'Artagnan and The Three Musketeers. Most of the characters are anthropomorphisms of dogs, hence the title of the cartoon. Exceptions to this are the temptress Milady (a cat); Pip, Dogtanian's sidekick mouse; the avian jewel thief Blue Falcon; Planchet (a bear), Dogtanian's main servant, as well as some random townspeople and guards of the Cardinal. Of course I can still recall watching this after finishing school - I am sure that itr was usually on a Wednesday but I could be wrong!!

The story follows a young Dogtanian (D'Artacan in the original Spanish version and voiced by Cam Clarke in the English version, and Darutaniyan in the Japanese version and voiced by Satomi Majima) who travels to Paris in the 17th Century in order to become one of the King Louis XIII of France's musketeers (note that they are referred to as musketeers throughout the cartoon and only the title calls them muskehounds). He quickly befriends three musketeers (Porthos, Athos and Aramis) and falls in love with Juliette, a maid-in-waiting for Queen Anne of Austria.

The cartoon was created by Spanish studio BRB Internacional and produced in Japan by Nippon Animation. It was first broadcast in Spain (D'Artacan y los tres mosqueperros) and Japan (ワンワン三銃士) (Wanwan Sanjushi) in 1981 (while the show aired in Japan first, the initial dub was Spanish). There was also an Afrikaans adaption that was broadcast on SABC during 1985 and the early 1990s. The name was changed to "Brakkenjan", which has become a popular name for dogs in South Africa. The voice for Brakkenjan in his earliest years, was done by Gerben Kamper during his time of working for SABC.

I think my primary memories of this cartoon focus on Dogtanian's red nose, his squeaky voice and the characters of Juliet, Milady and the Cardinal. Having researched this programme via the internet I must say that I am surprised there were only 26 episodes. I am aware that Dogtanian returned some ten years later - however I didn't watch it.

 Epsidoes

Dogtanian's Journey

Dogtanian meets the Black Moustache

Paris, the City of Dreams

The Three Invincible Musketeers

Monsieur Treville, Captain of the Musketeers

Dogtanian Meets His Match

Dogtanian Meets the King

Juliette's Secret

Juliette Kidnapped

The Great Getaway

Dogtanian's Trance

Dogtanian to the Rescue

Dogtanian Meets Monsieur Pip

In Search of Juliette

Dogtanian Saves the Day

Daggers and Diamonds

The Journey to England

The Chase

Dogtanian Is Put to the Test

Dogtanian and the Blue Falcon

The Shipwreck

The Jungle Adventure

Marco's Mission

The Impostor

Milady's Revenge

Dogtanian's Dream Comes True

THEME TUNE

One for all and all for one
Muskehounds are always ready.
One for all and all for one
Helping everybody
One for all and all for one
It's a pretty story
Sharing everything with fun
That's the way to be.

One for all and all for one
Muskehounds are always steady.
One for all and all for one
Helping everybody
One for all and all for one
Can sound pretty corny
If you got a problem chum
Think how it could be!

La-la-la la-la-la
They cross their hearts and pray
La-la-la la-la-la
They cross their swords night and day
La-la-la la-la-la
They drink their beer and swear they're faithful to their King.

La-la-la la-la-la
No matter what you say
La-la-la la-la-la
They're never far away
La-la-la la-la-la
They're always ready to fight - or to sing.

One for all and all for one
Muskehounds are always ready.
One for all and all for one
Helping everybody
One for all and all for one
It's a pretty story
Sharing everything with fun
That's the way to be.

One for all and all for one
Muskehounds are always steady.
One for all and all for one
Helping everybody
One for all and all for one
Can sound pretty corny
If you got a problem chum
Think how it could be!

La-la-la la-la-la
They like to make jokes and tricks
La-la-la la-la-la
They fight with swords or with sticks
La-la-la la-la-la
They have a beer and swear they're faithful to their King.

La-la-la la-la-la
They will defend you, save you
La-la-la la-la-la
They'll always come to rescue
La-la-la la-la-la
And on their horses they fight - or they sing!