Clarissa Corgi is a recurring antagonist in 101 Dalmatian Street. She is the neighbor of the Dalmatian family (residing at 103 Dalmatian Street) and is looked after by her human, Hugo. Clarissa's arrogance results in her acting quite hostile and bitter toward others, specifically the Dalmatians.
Development and design[]
Clarissa with Hugo in the pitch reel for 101 Dalmatian Street.
Concept art for early version of "My Fair Dolly."
Clarissa makes a brief cameo appearance in the 101 Dalmatian Street pitch reel. Here, she has a deeper voice in comparison to the final series. Clarissa's design here is mostly left unchanged for the final series.
Concept art for the prototype version of "My Fair Dolly" implies that Clarissa's "ruff-raff" catchphrase was originally meant to be the standard "riff-raff." Additionally, a nearly-finalized model sheet of Clarissa, Arabella, and Prunella collectively refers to the trio as the "Chealsea Gang" (a term never used in the series proper).
Background[]
Clarissa is the snooty neighbor of the Dalmatian family and is often seen with her human, Hugo, who gives her anything she wants. Arabella and Prunella serve as her sidekicks, acting just as haughty as she does.
Clarissa's view of herself as a high-class and respectable resident of Camden Town is indicated by her frequent use of "one" in place of pronouns such as "I" and "me." Her sophistication is further supported by her elegant, classical theme music, which also serves as the jingle for her doorbell (as seen in "The Nose Job").
In the series, Clarissa makes her silent debut in "Dog's Best Friend." Her first speaking role is in "Who the Dog Do You Think You Are?," and she is subsequently featured in "My Fair Dolly," "The Dog House," and "Fear Window," among others.
"The Nose Job," "A Right Royal Rumble," and "Yappily Ever After" show Clarissa's obsession with the Royal Corgis, whom she often tries to impress. In "D-Factor," Dylan, while mocking Clarissa, hints that Clarissa is related to the Royal Corgis (or at least that's what she tells herself).
Relationship with the Dalmatians[]
Clarissa trying to get on Dylan's good side in "Who the Dog Do You Think You Are?"
Clarissa bickering with Dolly, Doug, and Delilah in "Yappily Ever After."
The Dalmatian family, especially Dylan and Dolly, are a major frustration for Clarissa, as she believes them to lower the classy tone of the neighborhood. She refers to the Dalmatians as "ruff-raff," a play on the human term "riff-raff." Throughout her appearances in the series, Clarissa regularly attempts to get the Dalmatians in trouble with Hugo. Beyond Dylan and Dolly, Clarissa has shown insolence toward Dizzy, Dee Dee, and Dorothy.
Clarissa is particularly manipulative toward Dylan, who, in turn, is often left irritated by his neighbor's arrogance. The first instance of their feud with each other is in "Who the Dog Do You Think You Are?," wherein Clarissa kisses up to Dylan after overhearing that he may be royalty. Clarissa later uses Dylan's slight naivety to her advantage in "Flea-Mageddon" (where she uses Dylan to infest the Dalmatians with fleas), "The Dog House" (where Dylan's accidental injuring of Hugo leads to Pest Control to make their way toward 101), and "D-Factor" (in which she pranks Dylan during his stand-up routine by pouring a bucket of paint onto him).
While Dylan is hesitant to call out Clarissa's pettiness, Dolly is much more open, having a rivalry with Clarissa. While their grudge against each other is briefly glimpsed in earlier episodes, it isn't fully explored until "My Fair Dolly"; here, the two compete in the Pooch Petiquette Cup against each other, with Clarissa being outraged by Dolly's popularity. Their poor relationship is also focused on in "A Right Royal Rumble" and "Yappily Ever After." Furthermore, Clarissa and Dolly's rivalry is taken to the extreme in the Gigglebug Guarantee short "Ransom Pups."
Despite her antagonistic plots against the Dalmatians, Clarissa is redeemed in "The De Vil Wears Puppies." After witnessing Cruella De Vil's abuse against Delilah and Doug, she reasons that, despite her hatred for Dalmatians, humans shouldn't treat dogs with violence. Although she fails to help Doug out of the trunk of Cruella's car, she later provides brief assistance to Dylan and Dolly.
Filmography[]
Clarissa with a soufflé in "The Dog House."
- 101 Dalmatian Street pitch reel
- Gigglebug Guarantee
- 101 Dalmatian Street
- Theme song ("I've Got My Pups with Me")
- "Dog's Best Friend"
- "Who the Dog Do You Think You Are?"
- "May Contain Nuts"
- "Winter Funderland"
- "Poetry Scam"
- "Girls' Day Out"
- "The Nose Job"
- "My Fair Dolly"
- "Flea-Mageddon"
- "A Right Royal Rumble"
- "Fear Window"
- "The Dog House"
- "Long Tongue Day"
- "Don't Push Your Luck"
- "The Curse of the Ferrydog"
- "Diamond Dogs"
- "Ride Along"
- "Poodlewolf!"
- "Balancing Act"
- "Yappily Ever After"
- "D-Factor"
- "Puppy Dreams"
- "The De Vil Wears Puppies"
Book appearances[]
Foreign voice actors[]
- Maja Iven Ulstrup (Danish)
- Marcha Van Boven (French)
- Izabella Bukowska-Chądzyńska (Polish)
- Jennifer Gouveia (Portuguese (Brazil))
- Sofia Cruz (Portuguese (Europe))
- Lourdes Arruti (Spanish (Latin America))
Names in other languages[]
- Chinese: 卡麗莎 (Kǎlìshā)
- Greek: Κλαρίσσα (Klaríssa)