The Story of Doctor Dolittle · Character

Gub-Gub

The Doctor's perpetually hungry baby pig, whose nose for cooking smells lands him in the middle of palace intrigue and prison windows.

supporting

Also known as Gub - Gub, Poor Gub - Gub

First appearance: Puddleby

As a supporting figure in The Story of Doctor Dolittle, Gub-Gub is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

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

In the storyPuddlebyOpen this moment free

Gub-Gub is the household's comic appetite, a pig more interested in the next meal than in the Doctor's grand mission, and he is often found poking his snout toward whatever kitchen is nearest. That greed makes him both a nuisance and, occasionally, a messenger — as when Polynesia uses him to wake the Doctor in a foreign prison. He matters because he keeps the adventure grounded in ordinary, bodily wants, reminding readers that Dolittle's animal family is not a chorus of sages but a household of very specific, very stubborn personalities.

See Gub-Gub in Puddleby Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how Gub-Gub sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Animal Companions and Allies
Protagonist

+4 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of the Doctor’s jour…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Doctor Dolittle
friendship · positive
Gub-Gub, a pig, is a gluttonous but affectionate pet of Doctor Dolittle. How this plays out →
Jip
friendship · positive
Jip
friendship · positive
Doctor Dolittle
friendship · positive
Gub-Gub, a pig, is a gluttonous but affectionate pet of Doctor Dolittle. How this plays out →
Doctor Dolittle
friendship · positive
Gub-Gub, a pig, is a gluttonous but affectionate pet of Doctor Dolittle. How this plays out →
Jip
friendship · positive

Doctor Dolittle
Gub-Gub, a pig, is a gluttonous but affectionate pet of Doctor Dolittle.
Jip
Gub-Gub and Jip are fellow animal companions who often interact playfully.
Jip
Gub-Gub and Jip are fellow animal companions who often interact playfully.
Doctor Dolittle
Gub-Gub, a pig, is a gluttonous but affectionate pet of Doctor Dolittle.
Doctor Dolittle
Gub-Gub, a pig, is a gluttonous but affectionate pet of Doctor Dolittle.
Jip
Gub-Gub and Jip are fellow animal companions who often interact playfully.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Gub-Gub in Puddleby

In the story

Gub-Gub appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Puddleby
Mentioned as one of the Doctor's favorite pets, a baby pig.
A Message from Africa
Asks about beds on the ship and is shown the bunks by Polynesia.
The Great Journey
Cannot swim and is helped ashore via the lifeline.
VI: Polynesia and the King
Cries in the dungeon; is scolded by Chee-Chee.
VII: The Bridge of Apes
Gets tired easily, is carried by the Doctor and later by a big monkey, cries but is comforted with coconut milk.
The Leader of the Lions
Present during the events, though not directly mentioned in the excerpts.
The Monkeys' Council
Not directly mentioned in this excerpt, but is part of the Doctor's animal family; omitted due to lack of presence.
XI: The Black Prince
Blamed for straying off the path to hunt ginger-roots, contributing to the group getting lost.
XIII: Red Sails and Blue Wings
Expresses fear and frustration about the slow ship.
The Rats’ Warning
Finds a valley full of wild sugarcane and squeaks with joy.
The Barbary Dragon
Sneezes loudly, alerting the pirates to the escape attempt, and is frightened when threatened.
XVI: Too-Too, the Listener
Questions Too-Too's deduction about the sound of a tear, showing curiosity.
VII: The Ocean Gossips
Makes a pun about the rum-room and later asks about 'cutterigsloop'.
Smells
Skeptical of Jip's claims, teases him about finding a man by smell, and is scared of the eagles.
The Rock
Present among the animals watching Jip and the search, though not directly involved in the discovery.
The Fisherman's Town
Mentioned by Jip as an alternative target for the sister's kisses.
Home Again
Digs up the horseradish in the garden corner.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Gub-Gub unlock in the free preview.

See Gub-Gub in Puddleby