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Bob is the fierce guard dog of Nuthanger Farm who proved to be an obstacle whenever the rabbits of Watership Down ventured there. Later, however, Bob unwittingly played a crucial role in thwarting General Woundwort's attack on the Watership Down Warren and defeating the Efrafans.

History[]

Book[]

When Hazel and Pipkin first ventured to Nuthanger Farm to search for does they encountered Bob, the black Labrador, sleeping in his kennel. After being discovered by the farm cat, Tab, Bob awakens and upon seeing the rabbits, starts barking furiously, attracting the attention of the Nuthanger Farm humans. This was repeated during the next visit to the farm during which Hazel attempted to bring back the hutch rabbits to Watership Down, but fails.

During General Woundwort's attack on Watership Down, Fiver went into a trance, and started moaning about "a dog loose in the wood". From this, Hazel created a plan to release Bob and lure him to the attacking Efrafans that were attacking Watership Down. After Hazel released the dog, he was caught by the farm cat Tab, but saved by Lucy, one of the humans of Nuthanger Farm. Dandelion and Blackberry then continued the plan, leading Bob back to Watership Down where he attacked and scattered the Efrafans, killing two of them. He also attacked Woundwort, the outcome being ambiguous because Woundwort's body was never found. Bob returned to Nuthanger Farm with minor injuries, presumably caused by Woundwort after he apparently killed the Chief Rabbit in a violent fight.

Film[]

In the movie, Bob's role is mostly the same, although his fur is brown instead of black. During his attack on the Efrafans, he manages to kill three of them before attacking Woundwort, who viciously lunges at the dog. Neither of them are seen again afterwards, leaving both their fates unknown.

TV series[]

In the TV Series Bob is replaced by a different dog named Duster.

Miniseries[]

In the Netflix series, Bob is a large, muscular Rottweiler with a few small, but noticeable scars. Bob is first seen sleeping in his kennel when Hazel, Fiver and Bigwig come to rescue the hutch rabbits from Nuthanger farm. When they finally manage to get them out that night, Bob awakens and attempts to attack the rabbits, but is held back by his rope.

Later, Fiver bites through Bob's rope so Hazel and Blackavar can lead him to the Efrafan army. During the chase, Bob comes very close to catching Blackavar, but Hazel gets his attention at the last second and successfully leads him to the Efrafans. Although he initially pays no attention to the Efrafans, instead trying to dig Hazel out of his warren, Bob's mere presence scares off all the the Efrafans except Woundwort, Captain Orchis and an unnamed soldier. After failing to dig himself into the warren, Bob turns to the Efrafans and manages to kill Orchis, causing the last soldier to flee. However, General Woundwort holds his ground, smirking at Bob provocatively. Almost as if he is annoyed by this, Bob barks at Woundwort when he finally notices him. Woundwort, however, refuses to flee, declaring that he fears nothing and rushes at the dog. Bob and Woundwort are last seen lunging at each other before their shadows fade, leaving both their fates unknown.

Gallery[]

Film[]

Miniseries[]

Non-rabbit characters
Cross-media
Bob (dog) • Cemetery OwlCrowsFoxHawksKehaar (seagull) • Lendri (weasel) • Tab (cat) • Yona (hedgehog)
Humans
DoctorLucyMr. CaneMrs. Cane
Folklore
Lord FrithPrince Rainbow
Books only
Introduced in Watership Down
Doctor (human) • Hawock (pheasant) • King Darzin (beaver) • Rowsby Woof (dog)
Introduced in Tales from Watership Down
Flairgold (glanbrin) • King of Tomorrow (deer) • King of Yesterday (bison) • Old Brock (badger) • Shindyke (glanbrin) • Zhuron (illip) Bark (badger) • Calohki (puffin) • Duster (dog) • Frost (lamb) • Gluk (gull) • Hannah (mouse) • Hyacinth (pig) • Katerina (gull) • OwlsPuffinsRuffle (moorhen) • Skree (hawk) • Slate (turtle) • Tabitha (cat) • Tassel (squirrel) • Weasel
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