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.

In the words of the authors, Dogmatix is the only known "canine ecologist": he loves trees and howls in distress whenever one is damaged.

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.

Asterix and Obelix argue about whether or not Dogmatix should accompany them to Egypt, but he 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 protective of his master, especially when he falls for, or is shown affection by, beautiful young women.

Likewise, Dogmatix is unimpressed by Obelix's attraction towards Panacea in the earlier stages of Asterix the Legionary and is hostile and growls when his master asks her to look after him while he is away.