Dogmatix

Dogmatix
Dogmatix
Publication information
Publisher	Dargaud
First appearance	Asterix and the Banquet (1963)
Created by	René Goscinny Albert Uderzo
In-story information
Species	dog
Supporting character of	Obelix
Notable aliases	Idéfix (French name)

Dogmatix is a fictional character, a tiny white terrier dog who belongs to Obelix in the Asterix comics. Dogmatix is a pun on the words dog and dogmatic. In the original French his name is Idéfix, itself a pun on the French expression idée fixe (fixed idea) meaning an obsession.

Dogmatix is the only animal among the main characters of the series. His role is minor in most of the stories, significant mainly as a 'bone' of contention between Asterix and Obelix as to whether he should be allowed to accompany them on their adventures. However, he is often doing something interesting in the background and occasionally fulfills an important part of the plot. In the words of the authors, Dogmatix is the only known "canine ecologist": he loves trees and howls in distress whenever one is damaged. Despite his small size, he is quite fearless. He has drunk the magic potion on a number of occasions, but his favourite treat is to 'chew a bone'.

Dogmatix makes his first appearance in Asterix and the Banquet. He is first seen sitting in front of a butcher's shop in Lutetia, watching Asterix and Obelix go in. He then follows Asterix and Obelix all around Gaul, appearing in nearly every panel of the story until the end. The two men do not notice him until the very end when he finally attracts Obelix's attention at the closing banquet and is given a pat on the head and a bone. He was meant to be a one-off character (hence his leaving the village in the final picture) but he was so effective that it was decided to bring him back.

In the next adventure, Asterix and Cleopatra he plays a more active role and is given his name. He causes Asterix and Obelix to argue about whether or not he should accompany them to Egypt, but proves his worth by following the Gauls into a pyramid in which they were lost and guiding them out safely.

Like many dogs, Dogmatix is very protective and jealous of his master, especially when he falls for, or is shown affection by, beautiful young women. In Asterix the Legionary he makes very clear his loathing for Panacea with whom Obelix had fallen in love. He shows the same attitude to Influenza in Asterix and Caesar's Gift and Melodrama in Asterix and the Great Divide. However, despite his loyalty to his master, Dogmatix has been shown to side with Asterix in arguments on various occasions, such as in Asterix and the Soothsayer and Obelix and Co.

...
Wikipedia