<P> K9 , occasionally written K - 9 , is the name of several fictional robotic canines ( dogs , the name being a pun on the pronunciation of `` canine '' ) in the long - running British science fiction television series Doctor Who , first appearing in 1977 . K9 has also been a central character in three of the series television spin - offs : the one - off K - 9 and Company ( 1981 ) , The Sarah Jane Adventures ( 2007 -- 2011 ) and K9 ( 2009 -- 2010 ) . Although not originally intended to be a recurring character in the series , K9 was kept in the show following his first appearance because he was expected to be popular with younger audiences . There have been at least four separate K9 units in the series , with the first two being companions of the Fourth Doctor . Voice actor John Leeson has provided the character 's voice in most of his appearances , except during Season 17 of Doctor Who , in which David Brierley temporarily did so . The character was created by Bob Baker and Dave Martin , to whom rights to the character still belong ; consequently , Baker 's spin - off series K9 , which is not BBC - produced , can not directly reference events or characters from Doctor Who , though it attempts to be a part of that continuity . </P>
<P> K9 , occasionally written K - 9 , is the name of several fictional robotic canines ( dogs , the name being a pun on the pronunciation of `` canine '' ) in the long - running British science fiction television series Doctor Who , first appearing in 1977 . K9 has also been a central character in three of the series television spin - offs : the one - off K - 9 and Company ( 1981 ) , The Sarah Jane Adventures ( 2007 -- 2011 ) and K9 ( 2009 -- 2010 ) . Although not originally intended to be a recurring character in the series , K9 was kept in the show following his first appearance because he was expected to be popular with younger audiences . There have been at least four separate K9 units in the series , with the first two being companions of the Fourth Doctor . Voice actor John Leeson has provided the character 's voice in most of his appearances , except during Season 17 of Doctor Who , in which David Brierley temporarily did so . The character was created by Bob Baker and Dave Martin , to whom rights to the character still belong ; consequently , Baker 's spin - off series K9 , which is not BBC - produced , can not directly reference events or characters from Doctor Who , though it attempts to be a part of that continuity . </P>
when did k9 first appear in doctor who
when did k9 first appear in doctor who
1977
1977