Ever looked at a cartoon dog and wondered why that voice sounds so familiar? It happens all the time with the Go, Dog. Go! cast. You’re sitting there with a toddler, maybe on your third cup of lukewarm coffee, and suddenly Tag Barker says something that makes you think, "Wait, is that...?" Honestly, it usually is someone you’ve heard before. Bringing a classic P.D. Eastman book to life isn't just about bright colors and slapstick; it’s about finding people who can capture that frantic, joyful energy of Pawston.
Michela Luci leads the pack as Tag Barker. She’s kind of a big deal in the Canadian voice acting scene. You might know her from Dino Dana or True and the Rainbow Kingdom. She brings this relentless, "can-do" vibe to Tag that prevents the character from being annoying, which is a tough balance to strike in preschool television. Tag is fast. She’s loud. She’s obsessed with gadgets. Luci nails that breathless excitement.
Then you have Scooch Pooch.
Callum Shoniker voices Scooch, and his performance is the perfect foil to Luci's high-speed Tag. Scooch is the best friend everyone wants—a bit more hesitant, incredibly loyal, and usually the one making sure Tag doesn't accidentally launch herself into orbit. Shoniker has been around, lending his voice to PAW Patrol (he was Rocky for a bit) and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. He gives Scooch a soft-edged sincerity that makes the duo's friendship feel grounded, even when they're racing through a fictional dog-filled city.
Meet the Barker Family: Beyond the lead Go, Dog. Go! cast
The Barker house is crowded. It’s chaotic. It’s basically a suburban dream populated entirely by canines. To make that work, DreamWorks Animation and WildBrain gathered a group of veteran voice actors who understand comedic timing.
Ma Barker is voiced by Katie Griffin. If you grew up in the 90s, her voice is probably burned into your brain. She was Sailor Mars in the original English dub of Sailor Moon. Transitioning from a fire-wielding scout to a firefighting dog mom might seem like a leap, but Griffin brings a certain "cool mom" authority to the role. She’s the anchor. Then there’s Paw Barker, voiced by Martin Roach. Roach has one of those deep, resonant voices that feels like a warm hug. He’s been in everything from The Expanse to Locke & Key. In Pawston, he’s the dad who’s always ready with a supportive word or a slightly confused look at Tag’s latest invention.
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The Grandparents and the Chaos
We have to talk about Cheddar Biscuit, voiced by Tajja Isen. She’s a powerhouse. Isen isn't just a voice actor; she's an accomplished singer and writer. Her performance as Cheddar Biscuit adds a layer of "big sister" energy that feels authentic to anyone who grew up in a big family.
And then there's the legendary Patrick McKenna.
McKenna voices Grandpaw Barker. If you know Canadian comedy, you know Patrick McKenna from The Red Green Show. He’s a master of the "lovable eccentric" trope. Grandpaw is the one telling tall tales and encouraging Tag’s wildest ideas. Having a comedic heavyweight like McKenna in the Go, Dog. Go! cast gives the show a layer of humor that actually appeals to the parents watching along. It’s not just "kinda" funny; his timing is genuinely sharp.
Why this specific cast works for modern kids
Voice acting is often overlooked, but think about the challenge here. P.D. Eastman’s book has almost no plot. It’s a series of vignettes about dogs going to a party in a tree. The show had to build an entire mythology out of "Do you like my hat?"
The cast had to create personalities from scratch.
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- Lyon Smith voices Spike Barker and Gilp.
- Joshua Graham brings Sam Whippet to life with that sleek, "fastest dog in town" charisma.
- Linda Ballantyne (another Sailor Moon alum!) pops up as various citizens of Pawston.
The chemistry—even if recorded in separate booths, as is often the case—feels electric. You can tell these actors are having fun with the absurdity of a world where dogs drive race cars and wear elaborate hats. It doesn't feel like they're just reading lines for a paycheck; there's a playfulness in the delivery of Sam Whippet’s instructions or the Barkapellas’ songs.
The Barkapellas deserve a shout-out. They are the musical heart of the show, a trio of dogs who basically narrate the emotional beats through harmony. This requires a different level of talent. The show uses actual singers who can blend their voices while maintaining their individual dog characters. It’s a subtle touch that elevates the production value far above the average "toddler distraction" show.
Small details you probably missed
If you listen closely to the Go, Dog. Go! cast, you’ll hear a lot of overlaps with other major Canadian-produced children's media. This is because the voice acting community in Toronto is tight-knit and incredibly talented. You’ll hear voices that have appeared in Abby Hatcher, Corn & Peg, and Hotel Transylvania: The Series.
One of the most interesting choices was casting Judy Marshak as some of the older, wiser dogs in town. She brings a theater-trained gravitas to the role of the Mayor or other town elders. It adds weight to the world-building. Pawston feels like a real place because the voices sound like real people—or, well, real dogs with human jobs.
Technical mastery in the recording booth
People think voice acting is easy. "Just talk into a mic," they say. It’s not. Especially for a show like this where the characters are constantly moving.
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The actors have to "act with their breath." If Tag is running, Michela Luci has to sound out of breath while still being articulate enough for a three-year-old to understand her. If Scooch is scared, Callum Shoniker has to let his voice tremble without losing the character's core sweetness. This cast manages to convey physical action through sound alone, which is why the animation feels so fluid. The animators at WildBrain actually use the voice recordings to guide the dog's expressions. It's a symbiotic relationship.
Frankly, the voice cast is the reason the "Do you like my hat?" running gag still works after three seasons. It’s all in the delivery. Each time the question is asked, the tone shifts slightly—from hopeful to proud to slightly indignant.
How to use this info for your next watch party
If you’re a parent or a caregiver, knowing the cast can actually be a fun bridge to other media.
- Follow the actors: If your kid loves Tag, look up Michela Luci’s other work. Dino Dana is a great next step that mixes live-action with education.
- Spot the "Sailor Moon" connection: It’s a fun trivia point for parents that the voices of their childhood heroes (Sailor Moon and Sailor Mars) are now voicing the dogs their kids adore.
- Appreciate the music: Pay attention to the Barkapellas next time they show up. The vocal arrangements are surprisingly complex for a preschool show.
- Check the credits: New characters join the Go, Dog. Go! cast every season. Seeing guest stars pop up is half the fun.
The show succeeds because it treats its audience—and its source material—with respect. It doesn't talk down to kids. The voice actors deliver their lines with the same commitment they’d give a primetime drama, just with more "woofs" and "arf-arfs" mixed in. That’s the secret sauce. When the cast is invested, the kids are invested. And when the kids are invested, you finally get ten minutes of peace to finish that coffee.
To get the most out of the series, try watching an episode with the captions off and just listen to the vocal performances. You'll notice the subtle growls, the happy yips, and the way the actors use their pitch to signal Tag's inventions working (or failing). It's a masterclass in vocal characterization.
Next time you hear Tag Barker shout "Go, Dog. Go!", you'll know exactly who's behind that voice, making the streets of Pawston a little brighter for the little ones in your life.