Dino.

He is a pet dogasaurus of the series’ main characters, Fred and Wilma Flintstone. In the show, he is a metaphorical pet dinosaur and exhibits the characteristics of a typical domesticated dog. In “Dino Disappears“, Fred and Wilma recall that they first met Dino one year before Pebbles Flintstone was born (however he was technically with them for three years before Pebbles according to prior episodes), where one day Fred was on his way home from work when he spotted the stray young Dino in the street and decided to play with him for a bit before moving on, but unbeknownst to him, the little dogasaurus had followed him all the way home and so Fred and Wilma decided to adopt him as their pet.

Dino debuted in the opening credits of the first episode of The Flintstones, but was not mentioned by name until the fourth episode, “No Help Wanted” which was also his debut. Here Dino is a lovable pup and would perform the traditional affectionate pounce on Fred that would define his personality for the rest of the franchise’s history.

His role was considerably altered in the eighteenth episode, “The Snorkasaurus Hunter“, where he was portrayed (in an apparent flashback story) talking and, at the end of the episode, acting like a butler for the Flintstones, answering the phone, dusting and ironing. However this incarnation of Dino was never referenced or mentioned again.

When Pebbles and then Bamm-Bamm came along, he took a protector/babysitter type role. He also gets along well with the Rubbles’ pet, Hoppy, after an initial rivalry, but their love of the babies got them to see eye to eye.

Personality

Dino is loyal, protective, playful, friendly and also usually over emotional. He will show his affection to Fred by jumping over him, yapping happily, and energetically licking his face when he gets in view, which will sometimes be followed by Dino’s tears if Fred gets cross with him. Dino can also be moved to anger, at which point he will snarl and snap.

Physical Appearance

Dino is a male Snorkasaurus with purple skin (period pink to red) and black spots and three black hairs on his head. He wears a blue dog collar with an orange tag. He can either walk on all fours all stand and walk on his hind legs. In his first appearance in “No Help Wanted“, Dino had darker skin, was a bit smaller and younger, and he also did not wear a collar which he would not wear until much later in the series.

In the show’s first opening, Dino had blue skin and a green muzzle and in the episode, “The Snorkasaurus Hunter“, he had light purple skin.