I only wanted to post one example of MGM's
Tom & Jerry shorts, but youtube wasn't complying, so I turned to Dailymotion and found this huge playlist of the collection accidentally.
Over 130 of them here!
Here is one portrayal that I liked enough to share here:
That's My Pup!
Directed by William Hanna & Joseph Barbera
Story by William Hanna & Joseph Barbera
Released on May 28, 1953 (although wiki say April 25?)
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Spike explains to his son the rules of being a dog: 1: be man's best friend (begging, lying at feet); 2: bury bones; 3: chase cats. Just then, Tom (and Jerry) run by, offering the perfect practice subject. Spike lectures Tom to be scared by the pup or else; Jerry overhears, and is soon doing his best dog impersonation, while Tom works on various strategies to neutralize Tyke.
Wow, wikipedia provides alot of history and detailed listing of the evolution of the famed cartoon. I could actually post the entire series in order if I was so inclined. The above, created during the original Hanna-Barbera era, was near the middle of their run, and is number 76 in the series. I'll post the first
Tom & Jerry short thereafter, as soon as a reply or day has come and gone into this thread.