FX has renewed their offbeat comedy, Wilfred for a third season of 13 episodes. Production begins in the spring and the new episodes will kick off in June.

The second season of the Jason Gaan and Elijah Wood series finished airing in September and averaged a 0.5 demo rating with 1.11 million viewers. That was down from the first season of Wilfred which drew a 0.7 rating and 1.47 million.

Here’s the FX press release:

TAILS WAG FOR “WILFRED”

FX Orders Third Season of Acclaimed Comedy Series “Wilfred”

Writers Reed Agnew and Eli Jorné Elevated to Executive Producers/Showrunners

LOS ANGELES, October 31, 2012 – FX has picked up its acclaimed comedy series Wiflred for a third-season order of 13 episodes, it was announced today by Nick Grad, Executive Vice President of Original Programming for FX. Production of season three begins next spring and is slated to debut in June of 2013.

Additionally, Reed Agnew and Eli Jorné, who served as writer/producers in the first two seasons of Wilfred, have been elevated to Executive Producers and Showrunners for the upcoming season. David Zuckerman, who adapted Wilfred for American television and has served as Executive Producer and Showrunner for the first two season of the series, will remain on the series as Executive Producer.

“As John (Landgraf) said at the summer TCA, it was only a matter of time before we picked up the show, we just had to work some things out,” said Grad. “David Zuckerman has done an amazing job adapting and reconceiving Wilfred for FX. It was his decision to step down from the Showrunner’s post, but we’re very happy he is going to stay involved with the show. Both we and David have great faith in the ability of Reed and Eli to seamlessly step up and take over the reins. I have no doubt they’ll do a great job.”

Wilfred is a half-hour, live-action comedy about “Ryan,” a young man struggling unsuccessfully to make his way in the world until he forms a unique friendship with “Wilfred,” his neighbor’s canine pet. Everyone else sees Wilfred as just a dog, but Ryan sees a crude and somewhat surly, yet irrepressibly brave and honest Australian bloke in a cheap dog suit. While leading him through a series of comedic and existential adventures, Wilfred the dog shows Ryan the man how to overcome his fears and joyfully embrace the unpredictability and insanity of the world around him. Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Happy Feet) stars as “Ryan,” and Jason Gann, who co-created and starred in the Australian series, plays the title character “Wilfred. Series regulars also include Fiona Gubelmann as “Jenna,” Ryan’s beautiful neighbor and Wilfred’s owner, and Dorian Brown as “Kristen,” Ryan’s sister.

Wilfred is based on the critically acclaimed Australian series of the same title and was originally adapted for FX by David Zuckerman (Family Guy, American Dad, King of the Hill). Zuckerman serves as Executive Producer along with Jason Gann, Reed Agnew, Eli Jorné, Rich Frank, and Jeff Kwatinetz of Prospect Park, Randall Einhorn, and Joe Connor and Ken Connor of Renegade, producers of the Australian version of the series. Einhorn also serves as director. Wilfred is produced by FX Productions.

Season 2 of Wilfred averaged 2.63 million Total Viewers and 1.71 million Adults 18-49 per week on a first-run basis.

About FX

FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 98 million homes. The diverse schedule includes a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award winning original programming including the hit dramas series including Sons of Anarchy and Justified, the mini-series American Horror Story: Asylum, and acclaimed hit comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer, Wilfred, BrandX with Russell Brand, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell and Legit. Its library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any ad-supported television network. The network’s other offerings include the acquired hit series Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother, and live sports with UFC and NCAA football.

About FX Productions

FX Productions co-produces the award-winning hit drama series Sons of Anarchy and Justified. FXP produces the critically acclaimed hit comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer, Wilfred, BrandX with Russell Brand, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell and Legit.

Source: The Nielsen Company, CY12, Live+7 data thru 10/14/12, AA 000s. Basic Cable scripted series rankers based on CY12 thru 10/14/12 in primetime basic cable.

What do you think? Are you glad to hear that Wilfred is returning for a third season?