The Call of the Wild (AmazonClassics Edition) characters

Appears from the start

A powerful, pampered dog raised on Judge Miller's California estate, with a St. Bernard father and a Scotch shepherd mother. After a servant sells him, Buck is carried into the northern gold rush and learns that strength, alertness, and adaptability now matter more than the civilized rules of his old home.

Appears from the start

A gardener's helper on Judge Miller's estate whose gambling debts lead him to steal Buck and sell him through a chain of dog traders.

Appears from the start

An unnamed dog breaker who receives Buck after his abduction. By beating him back whenever he attacks, the man teaches Buck that a human holding a club has overwhelming power, though Buck does not become obedient in spirit.

Appears from the start

A Canadian government courier who buys Buck and Curly for the mail service and travels with François. Practical and experienced, he understands sled dogs and the hazards of the northern trail.

Appears from the start

Perrault's companion and the driver responsible for the dog team. He trains Buck to pull a sled, handles the animals firmly, and recognizes both competence and disorder within the team.

Appears from the start

A friendly Newfoundland bought alongside Buck for the journey north. Unlike the more guarded dogs around her, she readily makes friendly approaches to both dogs and people.

Appears from the start

A large, white, experienced sled dog traveling north with François. He steals Buck's food during the voyage and shows a readiness to profit from another dog's vulnerability.

Appears from the start

A gloomy, seasoned sled dog traveling north with François. He avoids companionship and reacts only when another dog interferes with him, preferring to be left alone.

First appears in chapter 2

A scarred, one-eyed sled dog who avoids fights unless approached on his blind side. Like Dave, he is an exacting worker whose example helps Buck master life in harness.

First appears in chapter 5

An inexperienced American who buys the exhausted mail team with Charles and Mercedes. Armed with a club and convinced that force can replace knowledge, he overloads and underfeeds the dogs while ignoring warnings about the spring trail.

First appears in chapter 5

Mercedes's husband and Hal's companion in the disastrous attempt to travel north. He shares Hal's lack of trail experience and proves unable to manage either the overloaded sled or the quarrels within the party.

First appears in chapter 5

Charles's wife and Hal's sister, traveling with them despite the weight and hardship her presence adds. She clings to unnecessary possessions and insists on riding as the team's condition collapses.

First appears in chapter 5

An experienced outdoorsman camped beside a dangerous stretch of river. He intervenes when Hal beats the exhausted Buck, cuts Buck free, and refuses to let the dog continue onto visibly weakening ice.

First appears in chapter 6

A small Irish setter belonging to John Thornton. Gentle and attentive, she helps nurse Buck after his rescue and is one of the dogs with whom he shares Thornton's camp.

First appears in chapter 6

A large, good-natured black dog belonging to John Thornton. He welcomes Buck without jealousy and becomes his companion in Thornton's camp.

First appears in chapter 6

A violent man in a frontier saloon who attacks another patron and then turns on John Thornton. Buck responds immediately to the threat against the person he loves.