Grubs the Dogcatcher is a major character in Heathcliff and Dingbat and Heathcliff and Marmaduke. He made his debut in the episode Doggone Dogcatcher, where he is introduced as the hapless animal catcher who frequently struggles to catch Heathcliff. As one of the series' major antagonists, Grubs's roles often vary depending on the episode’s plot, showcasing his versatility beyond just being a dogcatcher.
Overview[]
Bio[]
Despite his title as a dogcatcher, Grubs is primarily seen trying to capture cats, particularly Heathcliff and occasionally Sonja. Although he claims to catch stray dogs, this has not been depicted onscreen. Unlike other dogcatchers, Heathcliff consistently foils Grubs's attempts to capture him, leading to comical misadventures.
Beyond his constant pursuit of Heathcliff, Grubs takes on other responsibilities typical of a dogcatcher. For instance, he is shown transporting a mountain lion to a zoo, demonstrating that his job sometimes requires dealing with larger and more dangerous animals. In the episode Caught Cat Napping, he is tasked with tracking down an infamous catnapper, reflecting the diverse challenges he faces in his profession.
Grubs boasts an extensive combat background, proudly holding titles such as "black belt," "expert boxer," and "expert street fighter." Despite his skill set, he remains unsuccessful in his pursuits against Heathcliff, often leaving him frustrated and thwarted.
In the Heathcliff and Marmaduke episode, Caught Cat Napping, Grubs is identified as the supervisor of animal regulation, further emphasizing his role within the animal control hierarchy.
Apperance[]
Grubs is depicted as a short man with distinctive grey bushy eyebrows and a beard. He typically wears a blue dogcatcher's hat, a yellow shirt, yellow gloves, a red tip, and blue pants, completing his quirky and recognizable look.
Personality[]
Grubs is characterized by his determination and pluck, yet he is often portrayed as incompetent in his job. His valiant efforts to capture Heathcliff usually end in failure, leading to moments of frustration. For example, in his debut episode, when Heathcliff releases all the lizards from a metal shelter that Grubs had spent six months trying to catch, sending Grubs into a fit of rage as he angrily chases after Heathcliff. Despite these setbacks, Grubs is well-intentioned and strives to fulfill his duty, which adds a humorous yet endearing quality to his character.
Relationships[]
Heathcliff[]
Heathcliff serves as Grubs's foil and arch-enemy, often shifting between the roles of rival and neutral party. The dogcatcher consistently struggles to capture Heathcliff, whom he despises, especially evident in his debut episode. Interestingly, there was two occasion where Heathcliff surprisingly assisted Grubs by helping to lure a mountain lion into his truck for transport to the zoo or on catching a catnapper, showcasing a rare moment of collaboration between the two.
Sonja[]
Grubs poses a significant threat to Sonja as well. Their first interaction occurs in the episode Heathcliff of Sherwood Forest, where he attempts to capture her for not paying taxes. However, he is thwarted by Heathcliff. In another instance, in the episode Tabby and the Pirate, Grubs tries to prevent Sonja and Heathcliff from reaching the king. Despite their frequent onscreen encounters, Sonja expresses relief when Grubs successfully captures a catnapper in the episode Caught Cat Napping.
Spike[]
Grubs and Spike have only appeared together in one episode, Cat in the Beanstalk, where Grubs is portrayed as a giant and Spike as a giant dog. In this episode, Grubs treats Spike kindly and fairly, displaying a good-natured relationship as a caring master. Notably, Grubs does not show any inclination to catch Spike, despite being a dogcatcher, likely because their appearances together are infrequent.
Clem[]
Clem once assisted Grubs in capturing Heathcliff during the episode Hives, even though the two never properly interacted onscreen. This highlights a cooperative dynamic between them, albeit one that is not deeply explored in the series.
History[]
Grubs the Dogcatcher is a prominent character in the Ruby-Spears Heathcliff animated series, best known for his constant attempts to capture the clever alley cat, Heathcliff. He made his debut in 1980 in Heathcliff and Dingbat, quickly establishing himself as Heathcliff's arch-nemesis.
In his first appearance, "Doggone Dogcatcher," Grubs is introduced as a determined dogcatcher intent on apprehending not only stray dogs but also Heathcliff, whom he considers a nuisance. His character becomes a recurring source of conflict throughout the series, often leading to hilarious interactions with the mischievous feline.
As the series progressed, Grubs appeared in several episodes, taking on various roles that provided both humor and antagonism. In "Heathcliff of Sherwood Forest," he portrays a taxpayer, again embodying the antagonistic force against Heathcliff's playful antics. He also features in episodes like "Robinson Cruise Ho," where he adopts the persona of Robbie Cruso, and "Pinocchio Rides Again," presenting himself as Strongoali.
His name is formally revealed in the episode "Rodeo Dough." In "Cat in the Beanstalk," Grubs is reimagined as a giant, showcasing his versatility as a character who can adapt to various comedic scenarios.
Grubs's character takes an interesting turn in "Lion Around the House," where Heathcliff cleverly lures a mountain lion that is pursuing Sonja to Grubs's truck. The ensuing chaos highlights both Grubs's challenges and the comical nature of their rivalry.
In the episode "Caught Cat Napping," while Heathcliff and Grubs do not directly interact, they do work together indirectly towards a common goal. In this scenario, Grubs is determined to capture a catnapper who has imprisoned several cats, including Sonja. Meanwhile, Heathcliff uses his own cleverness to aid in the effort to rescue the captured felines. This episode illustrates how their paths can align, showcasing a moment of shared purpose despite their usual adversarial dynamic.
Throughout the Heathcliff series, Grubs embodies the comedic rivalry between a determined dogcatcher and a clever cat, offering a blend of conflict and unexpected cooperation, which adds depth to his character and enriches the overall narrative.
Apperances[]
Heathcliff and Dingbat[]
- Doggone Dogcatcher
- Heathcliff of Sherwood Forest (as a taxpayer)
- Lion Around the House
- Robinson Cruise Ho (as Robbie Cruso)
- Hives (cameo)
- Rodeo Dough (name revealed)
- Pinocchio Rides Again
- Cat In The Beanstalk
Heathcliff and Marmaduke[]
- Caught Cat Napping
- Dud Boat
- Tabby and the Pirate (as Blueberry the Pirate)
Trivia[]
- Lion Around the House and Caught Cat Napping are the only episodes, where he has a non-antagonistic role.
- He is absent in Heathcliff & the Catillac Cats.
- Grubs acts somewhat like the Yosemite Sam for the series.
- In his debut episode, he mentioned his possible lover called Abby.