Few popular kids' animated shows maintain the staying power ofPAW Patrol, and a big part of that is the core team of dogs, featuring beloved characters like Zuma. Premiering in 2013 on Nick Jr. in the US and TVO in Canada, thePAW Patrolmain characters are a group of first responder puppies who save their local community, offering a wealth of laughs and life lessons for kids along the way. Though thevoice actors forPAW Patrol’s Marshallhave been recast several times, the accident-prone pup is always good for a lot of laughs.
Zuma is also a fan favorite, and as a result, questions about the puppy’s gender have sparked curiosity among parents and young viewers alike.With the show primarily focusing on teamwork, problem-solving, and adventure, Zuma’s gender identity isn’t always as clear-cut as some might assume. For many, Zuma’s character is simply a fun and adventurous pup, and their gender doesn’t matter. Still, viewers are asking if Zuma is a girl or a boy. Now it’s time to clarify and uncover a more significant issue in children’s programming.
PAW Patrol’s Zuma Is A Boy
His Gender Identity Doesn’t Matter Too Much, Though
Zuma is a male chocolate Labrador retriever.In the context ofPAW Patrol, Zuma is a water/aquatic rescue puppy, who rescues animals and humans alike and is known for operating an orange hovercraft emergency vehicle. Viewer confusion about Zuma’s gender likely stems from the fact that, while many characters inPAW Patrolare easily identified by their gendered traits, Zuma doesn’t always conform to the typical “boy” or “girl” representation.
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Some questions about Zuma’s gender may come from his voice, which is higher pitched than the other male characters. However, it doesn’t sound like Zuma is a girl, just by listening to him, and voice, of course, doesn’t determine gender identity.
Zuma is also dressed in a “gender-neutral” color, orange, to match his hovercraft. Most of the time, orange isn’t associated with a certain gender, while pink and blue are often associated with female and male, respectively. Additionally, in Western cultures, names that end with an “A,” like Zuma, are often reserved for females. But Zuma’s gender doesn’t matter too much, as he’s still a heroic character and a valued member of PAW Patrol.
PAW Patrol’s Core Team Is Part Of A Frustrating Trend In Kids' Shows
Females Are Still Underrepresented In Children’s Media
Zuma is male, meaningPAW Patrolonly features one female member of the original team — Skye, the air rescue Cockapoo. This lack of gender diversity indicates a bigger issue in children’s shows, which is thatthere will often be only one or maybe two female characters in the main cast.
Take a look at popular kids’ shows likeSpongeBob SquarePants.Sandy Cheeks, the squirrel, is the only female main character in the cast. Sure, Mrs. Puff and Karen are females in the regularSpongeBobcast, but they aren’t in the main lineup of Bikini Bottom characters. Now, don’t get me wrong — I love SpongeBob, and my point isn’t to bashthe late Stephen Hillenburg’s iconic creation. I also understand that the show premiered in 1999, when gender wasn’t at the forefront of children’s television.
But now, many shows like Disney’sThe Owl Houseand even other Nickelodeon shows likeThe Legend of Korraoffer multiple strong female characters and a deeper look at gender identity.Steven Universeexplores gender in a more developed way than was ever allowed on television, especially shows for kids. Three women, the Crystal Gems, raise the male protagonist, Steven, who has a non-binary alter ego named Stevonnie. Since more shows for kids offer diverse gender representation, maybe it’s time forPAW Patrolto follow suit, especially with a newPAWPatrolmovie on the way.
