As mentioned on Chirol’s main profile, this early incarnation showcases a strikingly different design from the version fans are familiar with today. Notably, Chirol appears without his signature gloves and shoes, and his figure is slightly leaner and less exaggerated.

Chirol's first appearance in this form was in the 1922 short film The Mutt and the Mummy. The plot follows Chirol as he forgets where he buried his beloved bone, prompting a chaotic, world-spanning adventure that climaxes with him unearthing a mummy inside an Egyptian pyramid. Despite its whimsical premise, this short remains one of the few surviving pieces featuring Chirol’s initial design.

Why the studio decided to revamp his appearance after 1924 remains uncertain. Due to the scarcity of archival material from that era, it is unknown how many other shorts featured this version of Chirol. Some animation historians speculate that the redesign was a strategic move to modernize the character for wider appeal, while others believe it was simply a reflection of the studio’s evolving art style.

Regardless, this early version of Chirol is regarded as a rare glimpse into the experimental phase of Brian & Chirol Dog Studio’s character development—a fascinating footnote in the studio’s enigmatic history.