# Dab-Dab — The Story of Doctor Dolittle character guide

> Dab-Dab in The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Dab - Dab, Presently Dab - Dab

**First appearance:** 0002-i-puddleby

## Snapshot

The Doctor's practical duck, who keeps the chaotic Dolittle household running and packs herself along when the journey turns serious.

## Who they are

Dab-Dab is one of the five favorite pets who share the Doctor's small house, and she is the one who behaves as though someone has to be sensible about it. Where Polynesia philosophizes and Gub-Gub eats, Dab-Dab manages — a duck with a housekeeper's instincts in a home that has never once been tidy. She matters because she gives the animal family its domestic spine, and because her willingness to travel with the Doctor shows that his pets are not ornaments but companions who choose the hardship alongside him.

## Relationships

### [Doctor Dolittle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/doctor_dolittle)

_friendship_

Dab-Dab, a duck, is a devoted and practical member of Doctor Dolittle's household.

### [Jip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/jip)

_friendship_

Dab-Dab and Jip are fellow animal companions who live and travel together with Doctor Dolittle.

### [Doctor Dolittle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/doctor_dolittle)

_friendship_

Dab-Dab, a duck, is a devoted and practical member of Doctor Dolittle's household.

### [Jip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/jip)

_friendship_

Dab-Dab and Jip are fellow animal companions who live and travel together with Doctor Dolittle.

### [Doctor Dolittle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/doctor_dolittle)

_friendship_

Dab-Dab, a duck, is a devoted and practical member of Doctor Dolittle's household.

## In the story

### [Puddleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/i-puddleby)

Mentioned as one of the Doctor's favorite pets, a duck.

### [The Great Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/v-the-great-journey)

Keeps cool by swimming, dives to inspect the ship damage, retrieves the Doctor's hat with the stowaway mouse.

### [VI: Polynesia and the King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/vi-polynesia-and-the-king)

Counts the group to ensure everyone is present.

### [The Rarest Animal of All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/x-the-rarest-animal-of-all)

Packs the trunk, urges the Doctor to be sensible and take the pushmi-pullyu for financial reasons.

### [Medicine and Magic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xii-medicine-and-magic)

Brings a basin for the Doctor's mixture; expresses anger at their imprisonment and criticizes Bumpo's appearance.

### [XIII: Red Sails and Blue Wings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xiii-red-sails-and-blue-wings)

Spots the red sail and warns the Doctor; relays message to the swallows.

### [The Rats’ Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xiv-the-rats-warning)

Identifies the Canary Islands by the birds' song.

### [XVI: Too-Too, the Listener](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xvi-too-too-the-listener)

Excitedly reports the ship's luxurious interior and the locked door to the Doctor.

### [VII: The Ocean Gossips](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/vii-the-ocean-gossips)

Whispers to the Doctor to ask the porpoises about the boy's uncle.

### [Smells](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xviii-smells)

Suggests using eagles for the search and later expresses concern about the boy's welfare.

### [The Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xix-the-rock)

Relays messages between Jip and the Doctor, and is sent to ask the swallows to pull the ship.

### [The Fisherman's Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xx-the-fisherman-s-town)

Finds Jip in a stable-yard when the Mayor asks for the dog.

### [Home Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xxi-home-again)

Scolds the Doctor for letting children in free; is glad to return home but finds much dusting to do; toasts muffins for tea.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/dab_dab
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters