UK licensing agency Bulldog Licensing has announced it is now handling the licensing program in the UK for the Garfield brand.

Garfield’s licensee roster currently includes Blues Clothing, Brand Alliance and Silverknit (apparel), Sert MST (pet products), Whitehouse (plush) and Smiffys (dress up).

Garfield, the lovable, lazy and sarcastic cat, debuted as a comic in 1978 and is now featured in more than 2300 newspapers worldwide, holding the Guinness World Record for the most syndicated cartoon strip.

Garfield books have sold more than 135 million copies to date and the brand has expanded into two animated television series, two feature-length live-action films, and three CG animated movies – as well as licensed merchandise.

In the UK, The Garfield Show is a top-rated animated series on digital channel Boomerang.