The X-Files Inspired Dog Names

When it comes to dogs that only briefly appear in only a few episodes of television shows, few are held in such high regard as Queequeg, a Pomeranian that ends up in Scully’s possession. Many fans even treat mentions of his name or references to him akin to Easter eggs, fun tidbits for only the most diehard fans.

In fact, Queequeg’s first appearance comes during Episode 4 of Season 3, titled Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose, which is, out of the show’s 217 episodes, rated as the number three fan-favorite episode of all-time. 

Queequeg’s original name is never actually known, as his original owner, Mrs. Lowe, passes away before ever revealing it. Queequeg was originally discovered by Lowe’s neighbor, Clyde Bruckman, a psychic who sees the dog in one of his visions. After Mrs. Lowe’s passing, Scully and Mulder find Queequeg and a letter from Bruckman asking if Scully happens to want a dog, describing him as paper-trained and well-behaved, despite the circumstances he was discovered in. In turn, Scully decides to adopt him. 

But Queequeg goes far beyond his side character status early on, as he warns Scully of potential threats in more than one episode. Because of Scully’s big heart, she takes care of him well, preferring to leave the dog with her mother or a local dog-sitter whenever she has a case to solve with Mulder, further cementing her overall likability (especially with dog-lovers!). 

Sadly enough, he doesn’t last long in living form beyond Season 3, as on one of the occasions that he warns Scully of potential danger (in the episode titled “Quagmire”), he disappears into the night forever, his end left open to interpretation but easily guessed within the context of the episode. Ironically enough (or perfectly written), it is assumed that Queequeg is taken by a giant alligator, not unlike the origin story of his name — Scully, obsessed with Moby Dick since her childhood, names it Queequeg after the harpooner of the story, who is taken by a giant aquatic creature as well — to match her dad’s nickname “Ahab” and her nickname, “Starbuck”. 

Although he only physically appeared in Season 3, his memory lives on, being mentioned several times by Scully throughout the series. When she clears out her desk before taking her maternity leave, she finds his name tag. In 2016, when the series finally saw its long-awaited reboot, Scully sees a dog in an animal shelter that reminds her of the dog and mentions Queequeg’s name to Mulder, a faithful and heartfelt touch that reached back to the show’s origins, proving the true impact of even the most short-lived canine characters in our lives.