The call of the wild characters

Buck

Also known as the great husky, the leader of the pack, the dog

A large, powerful domesticated dog who undergoes a transformation from a pampered pet to a wild leader of a wolf pack. He is the central protagonist of the novel.

As drawn: A powerful sled dog of one hundred and forty pounds, sired by a huge St Bernard out of a Scotch shepherd mother, thick-coated and broad-chested, carrying himself in right royal fashion.

Bonds:SpitzSworn rivalsFrancoisDog handlerSol-leksLeadership rivals

Spitz

The dominant and ruthless lead sled dog who serves as Buck's primary antagonist during his time in the Northland. He is a cunning and efficient driver of the sled team.

As drawn: A great snow-white sled dog from Spitzbergen, big and powerfully built, with a treacherous, smiling expression about the eyes.

Bonds:BuckSworn rivalsCurlyFighting rivals

Perrault

A French-Canadian mail carrier who is one of the first owners to employ Buck in the harsh northern environment. He is a professional and capable driver of dog teams.

As drawn: A swarthy French-Canadian courier, weather-beaten and brisk, in heavy northern furs.

Bonds:FrancoisTrail partnersSol-leksMusher–sled dogBilleeMusher–sled dogJoeMusher–sled dog

Francois

Perrault's partner and a skilled dog driver who works alongside him in the Klondike. He is a hardworking and reliable figure in the sledding community.

As drawn: A French-Canadian half-breed dog-driver, twice as swarthy as his companion, hardy and weather-worn, in heavy northern furs.

Bonds:BuckDog handlerPerraultTrail partnersSol-leksDog handlerBilleeMusher–sled dog

Toots

A Japanese pug that lived at Judge Miller's place.

As drawn: A Japanese pug, small and flat-faced with prominent eyes, a pampered indoor creature that rarely puts its nose out of doors.

Ysabel

A Mexican hairless dog that lived at Judge Miller's place.

As drawn: A Mexican hairless dog, small and bare-skinned with large upright ears, a pampered indoor creature that rarely sets foot to ground.

Elmo

Buck's father, a huge St. Bernard.

As drawn: A huge St Bernard, heavy-headed and thick-coated, the dignified companion of a country judge.

Shep

Buck's mother, a Scotch shepherd dog.

As drawn: A Scotch shepherd dog, lean and alert, with a long weather-proof coat and a keen herding expression.

Curly

A dog who is killed in a sudden attack by a husky dog near the log store.

As drawn: A large, good-natured Newfoundland with a heavy black coat and a friendly, open face.

Bonds:SpitzFighting rivals

Billee

A husky dog and brother to Joe, known for his excessive good nature.

As drawn: A husky, brother to a sourer twin, with a soft anxious face and an appeasing, excessively good-natured expression.

Bonds:PerraultMusher–sled dogFrancoisMusher–sled dog

Joe

A husky dog and brother to Billee, described as sour, introspective, and malignant.

As drawn: A husky with a perpetual snarl and a malignant eye, sour and introspective in expression.

Bonds:PerraultMusher–sled dogFrancoisMusher–sled dog

Sol-leks

An old, battle-scarred, one-eyed husky known as 'the Angry One'.

As drawn: A gaunt, embittered husky, blind in one eye, grizzled and scarred, wearing a permanently sour and forbidding look.

Bonds:BuckLeadership rivalsFrancoisDog handlerPerraultMusher–sled dog