We all grew up with a talking cartoon dog. Now, Netflix wants us to see Scooby-Doo as a real animal in a world that feels a bit more like our own.

WHAT HAPPENED

Netflix just gave fans their first look at the new Scooby-Doo origin series. Instead of using computer graphics to make a cartoon dog, they are using a real Great Dane.

The show will tell the story of how the Mystery Inc. gang first met. It is meant to be a "gritty" look at the early days of the teen sleuths.

Fans are already split on the news. Some love the realistic look, while others miss the goofy dog they remember from Saturday mornings.

What the evidence shows

• 1 real Great Dane is playing the lead role.
• 0 CGI dogs will be used for the main character.
• 1969 was the year the original cartoon first aired.
• 1 new origin story series is currently in the works.
• Millions of fans are already sharing the photo online.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

Why do we feel the need to make everything from our childhood "gritty" and "real"? Does a talking dog still work if he looks like a pet you would see at the park?

We should ask if the magic of these stories lives in the characters or the style. Sometimes, making a cartoon "real" takes away the very thing that made us love it as kids.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

This show could change how studios handle famous cartoon animals. If it is a hit, expect more "real" versions of your favorite childhood characters. It also puts a lot of pressure on one very large dog to carry a massive TV show.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

1. Will the dog "talk" using a voice-over or just act like a normal pet?
2. How dark will this "gritty" story actually get for viewers?
3. Which actors will play the roles of Shaggy, Fred, Velma, and Daphne?