Dogmatix () is a

fictional Fiction is any creative work, chiefly any narrative work, portraying individuals, events, or places Place may refer to: Geography * Place (United States Census Bureau), defined as any concentration of population ** Census-designated place, ...

white

terrier Terrier (from Latin ''terra'', 'earth') is a type of dog originally bred to hunt vermin. A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of the terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, game, and fearless. Terrier breeds vary ...

dog who is a companion to

Obelix Obelix (; french: Obélix) is a cartoon character in the French comic book series ''Asterix''. He works as a menhir sculptor and deliveryman, and is Asterix's best friend. Obelix is noted for his obesity, the menhirs he carries around on his bac ...

in the ''

Asterix ''Asterix'' or ''The Adventures of Asterix'' (french: Astérix or , "Asterix the Gaul") is a ''bande dessinée'' comic book series about a village of indomitable Gaulish warriors who adventure around the world and fight the Roman Republic, wi ...

'' comics. Dogmatix is a pun on the words

dog The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it is derived from the extinct Pleistocene wolf, and the modern wolf is the dog's nearest living relative. Do ...

and

dogma Dogma is a belief or set of beliefs that is accepted by the members of a group without being questioned or doubted. It may be in the form of an official system of principles or doctrines of a religion, such as Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Islam ...

tic. In the original French, his name is ''Idéfix'', itself a pun on the French expression '' idée fixe'' (fixed idea) meaning an obsession. On January 6, 2021, it was announced that the character would have his own animated television series titled ''Idefix and the Indomitables''.

Character synopsis

Dogmatix is the only animal among the main characters of the series. His role is minor and funny in most of the stories, significant mainly as a 'bone' of contention between

and Obelix as to whether he should be allowed to accompany them on their adventures. However, he is often seen 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'. A dog similar to Dogmatix appeared in page 28 of Asterix & the Golden Sickle. Dogmatix first appears in ''

Asterix and the Banquet ''Asterix and the Banquet'' (, "Asterix's Tour of Gaul") is the fifth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). It was first serialized in ''Pilote'' magazine, issues 172–213, in 196 ...

''. Sitting outside a butcher's shop in

Lutetia The Gallo-Roman town of ''Lutetia'' (''Lutetia Parisiorum'' in Latin, in French ''Lutèce'') was the predecessor of the modern-day city of Paris. It was founded in about the middle of the 3rd century BCE by the Parisii, a Gallic tribe. Tra ...

, he observes Asterix and Obelix go in. He then follows them all around Gaul, appearing in nearly every panel of the remainder of the story. 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 it was decided to bring him back.

Pilote Cover of the first ''Pilote'' issue #0 ''Pilote'' () was a French comic magazine published from 1959 to 1989. Showcasing most of the major French or Belgian comics talents of its day the magazine introduced major series such as ''Astérix'', '' ...

, the magazine that published Asterix, held a contest to find a name for the dog. Hundreds of suggestions were received. The winning name, Idéfix, was submitted by Hervé Ambroise, Dominique and Anne Boucard, and Rémi Dujat. In the next adventure, ''

Asterix and Cleopatra ''Asterix and Cleopatra'' is the sixth book in the Asterix album series by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. It was first published in serial form in ''Pilote'' magazine, issues 215–257, in 1963. Synopsis The book begins with an argument be ...

'', Dogmatix is given his name and plays a more active role. Asterix and Obelix argue about whether or not Dogmatix should accompany them to Egypt, but he proves his worth by following the

Gauls The Gauls ( la, Galli; grc, Γαλάται, ''Galátai'') were a group of Celtic peoples of mainland Europe in the Iron Age and the Roman period (roughly 5th century BC to 5th century AD). Their homeland was known as Gaul (''Gallia''). They s ...

into a

pyramid A pyramid (from el, πυραμίς ') is a structure whose outer surfaces are triangular and converge to a single step at the top, making the shape roughly a pyramid in the geometric sense. The base of a pyramid can be trilateral, quadrilat ...

in which they were lost and guiding them out safely. Like many dogs, Dogmatix is protective of his master, especially when he falls for, or is shown affection by, beautiful young women. In ''

Asterix the Legionary ''Asterix the Legionary'' is the tenth Asterix book in the Asterix comic book series by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. It was first published as a serial in ''Pilote'' magazine, issues 368–389, in 1966. Synopsis Asterix and Obelix are sett ...

'' he makes 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 ''Asterix and Caesar's Gift'' is the twenty-first volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). It was the first Asterix adventure that was not published in serial form in ''Pilote'' magaz ...

'' and Melodrama in ''

Asterix and the Great Divide ''Asterix and the Great Divide'' (, "The Great Ditch") is the twenty-fifth volume of the Asterix comic book series. First published in French in 1980, it was translated into English in 1981. It is the first Asterix adventure to be written by illu ...

''. 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 ''Asterix and the Soothsayer'' (, "The Divine") is the nineteenth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). It was originally serialized in Pilote issues 652-673 in 1972. Plot summary ...

'' and ''

Obelix and Co. ''Obelix and Co.'' is the twenty-third volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). The book's main focus is on the attempts by the Gaul-occupying Romans to corrupt the one remaining vi ...

'' His friendship with

Pepe Pepe is a pet form of the Spanish name José (Josep). It is also a surname. * People Mononyms * Pepe (footballer, born 1935), real name José Macia, Brazilian footballer *Pepe (footballer, born 1983), real name Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira ...

in ''

Asterix in Spain ''Asterix in Spain'' (, "Asterix in Hispania") is the fourteenth volume of the ''Asterix'' List of Asterix volumes, comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). It was originally serialized in ''Pilote'' magaz ...

'' and ''

Asterix in Corsica ''Asterix in Corsica'' is the twentieth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo ( artwork). It was originally serialized in Pilote issues 687–708 in 1973. It is the best-selling title in the histor ...

'' causes Obelix to become jealous. Likewise, Dogmatix is unimpressed by Obelix's attraction towards Panacea in the earlier stages of ''

'' and is hostile and growls when his master asks her to look after him while he is away. However, Panacea kisses him straightaway, putting him into a lovestruck daze. Like the other villagers, he does not like

Cacofonix This is a list of characters in the ''Asterix'' comics. Main characters Asterix, Obelix and Dogmatix are the first characters with short descriptions usually listed at the beginning of each of the ''Asterix'' books (after the map of Gaul). They ...

and his only dialogue (in a thought bubble) is in

Asterix and the Magic Carpet ''Asterix and the Magic Carpet'' is the twenty-eighth volume of the Asterix comic book series by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). It was first published in 1987, and was translated into English in 1988. It is the four ...

where he comments on Cacofonix's music skills, when Cacophonix was commenting on Wazizneim. In ''

Asterix and the Actress ''Asterix and the Actress'' (, "Asterix and Latraviata") is the 31st volume of the Asterix comic book series, written and illustrated by Albert Uderzo. Plot summary Asterix and Obelix receive a surprise birthday visit from their mothers, who ha ...

'', he finds a mate and returns with a litter of puppies.

Dogmatix books

Dogmatix's great popularity gave rise to a line of children's books in 1973 featuring his "adventures". These were in the form of text with illustrations and were not consistent with the ''Asterix'' stories. # (Dogmatix the Athlete) # (Dogmatix and the Little Girl) # (Dogmatix at the Circus) # (The Crazy Chase) # (Dogmatix Makes a Friend) # (Dogmatix and the Boar Hunt) # (Dogmatix and the Storm) # (The Well-Deserved Tea Party) # (Dogmatix and the Baby) - not translated to English # (Dogmatix and the Lost Fish) # (Dogmatix's Birthday) - not translated to English # (Dogmatix in the Snow) - not translated to English # (Dogmatix the Wizard) - not translated to English # (Dogmatix and the Parrot) # (Dogmatix and the Little Rabbit) - not translated to English Although they carry the Goscinny/Uderzo byline, these are licensed works aimed at the children's market. They lack the style and sophistication of the main ''Asterix'' creative team, and have little or no editing for continuity. Although widely translated (not by the regular English translators of the ''Asterix'' comics), these comics did not become very popular and are mostly forgotten. The English editions of these works also contain many glaring mistakes. For example, the chief's wife is referred to as "Bacteria", while her usual name is Impedimenta; Bacteria is the name of Unhygenix’s wife. In 1983, an attempt was made to revive the series with two new stories. These were translated by

Derek Hockridge Derek Hockridge (1934 – 8 August 2013) was a British translator, teacher, lecturer, and occasional actor, who was perhaps best known for his translations of the ''Asterix'' comic book series. Born in Wales and brought up in Birmingham, he comp ...

and

Anthea Bell Anthea Bell (10 May 1936 – 18 October 2018) was an English translator of literary works, including children's literature, from French, German and Danish. These include '' The Castle'' by Franz Kafka, ''Austerlitz'' by W. G. Sebald, the '' In ...

, the regular English language translators of the ''Asterix'' albums. # (Dogmatix and the Ugly Little Eagle) # (Dogmatix and the Magic Potions)

Comic albums

Idéfix et les Irréductibles #Pas de quartier pour le latin ! 2021. #Les Romains se prennent une gamelle ! 2022 June # Ça balance pas mal à Lutèce ! 2022 October

References

{{Asterix, type=char Comics characters introduced in 1963 Fictional dogs Asterix characters Male characters in comics de:Figuren aus Asterix#Idefix