Actor who played 'Goofy' for 30 years shocks fans by revealing the character isn't a dog

There is no question that Mickey Mouse is a mouse because of his name, but has there ever been confirmation of what Goofy is?

Well, surely not because there's been no need has there? Mickey Mouse's beloved pal is a dog, right?

Well, according to his voice actor Bill Farmer, we've all got it wrong as the beloved cartoon isn't a pooch after all.

No, the klutzy character may have similarities to a dog, and was in fact originally named Dippy Dawg by Disney artists when he first appeared in the episode titled Mickey's Revue, which was released in 1932.

Dippy Dawg made a total of six appearances, but by his seventh in 1934 he gained a new name 'Goofy', and became a regular in the show.

But other than him originally being called a dawg, no one has ever highlighted what animal he is - and if you compare him to Mickey's dog Pluto, he's not very dog like.

Goofy walks on two feet and can talk, while Pluto just barks and gets about on all fours.

Bill Farmer has been the official voice of Goofy since 1987. (The Walt Disney Company/Getty Images/Disney)

Now, Farmer - who has been the official voice of Goofy since taking up the role way back in 1987 - has weighed into the age-old debate of what kind of animal his character is.

He revealed the answer to Yahoo! News and with absolute authority claimed that for decades people have been barking up the wrong tree.

Farmer said: "He is not a dog.

"Pluto is a dog, but Goofy seems to be in the canine family in the same way that a wolf is not a dog, but they also are in the canine family. I think Canis Goofus is the technical Latin term for what Goofy is. He’s just Goofy.

Bill Farmer revealed Goofy isn't a dog. (Disney)

Well there you have it, Goofy's voice actor has spoken... but with Goofy originally being named Dippy Dawg I'm sure there will be some people, including myself, who have their suspicions that he may still just be a clumsy dog.

One thing I will add was a Twitter user took to the social media platform to ask their followers: "The people have been debating for years & years… Is goofy a dog or a cow?"

Due to the fact that in the iconic TV show, Goofy has a romantic interest with Clarabelle Cow.

So are you swayed, do you still think he's a dog or is Goofy just, like Farmer says, Goofy?