Dogmatix ( ; ) is a fictional white terrier dog who is a companion to Obelix in the Asterix comics. Dogmatix is a pun on the words dog and dogmatic. In the original French, his name is a pun on the 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 Dogmatix 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, serving 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 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.
The dog was meant to be a one-off character (hence his leaving the village in the final picture after Obelix gives him a bone) but he was so effective it was decided to bring him back. Pilote, 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.