Smokey was a real bear. Found in the fifties singed and soothed saved by a team of forest fire fighters. Smokey was a survivor before he was a slogan. Orphaned at an early age, his life was spent saving the lives of other wild life from carelessly flung cigarettes back then. He retired, dead and became a cartoon whose voice no child who heard it could ever forget.

McGruff? A dog in a flasher's trench coat?

No contest. Reality wins over weak fabrication.

The bear has a shovel to put out forest fires.

The dog has a gun to shoot criminals.

The bear brought a shovel to a gun fight.

Case closed.

Now I know what you're thinking, Smokey the Bear has been in the woods fending for himself all his life, he knows how to keep himself alive. BUT, McGruff has seen some shit. Imagine watching a cat-nip addict spinning in circles on the floor, while his two buddies scratch each other to death for the last bit. Imagine walking in on an underground fight club and seeing massive pit bulls and doberman and having to fight your way in, AND out. Smokey is old and has been living with the rangers for years, he couldn't handle this police trained dog, who grew up as a street dog. McGruff would MURDER Smokey, and set his body on fire just for the irony, he's crazy like that. Thats what happens when you have to clean up a squeaky toy deal gone wrong, or having to deal with gang violence, and a shootout with blue noses and red noses. 

So how about Charlie the cat...

Versus...

Tufty the squirrel?

Only people in britain above a certain age will get these references....

Or

The Green Cross Man

vs

The spirit of dark and lonely waters? (shudder)