Ripper

Ripper
Biographical information
Born	c. 1980s
Also known as	Rippy Rippy-pooh Rippy-pippy-pooh
Physical information
Species	Dog (breed: bulldog)
Gender	Male
Hair color	Brown and white
Eye color	Black
Affiliation
Loyalty	Marge Dursley (owner)

"Ripper just pines when I'm away."

—Marge Dursley regarding Ripper's fondness for her

Ripper was one of Marge Dursley's twelve bulldogs. He was her personal favorite and accompanied her on visits to 4 Privet Drive.

Biography

Background

Ripper was most likely born in the mid-to-late 1980s. He was one of twelve bulldogs kept by Marge Dursley and was her favorite. Whenever Marge was away, he "pine[d]" for her, leading her to take him with her on trips, while the others were left in the care of Colonel Fubster.

Although described as "evil-tempered", Marge lavished affection on Ripper, referring to him by twee nicknames like "Rippy-pooh". She often spoiled him with food, and even shared her tea with him.

Visits with the Dursleys

1990 visit

In 1990, while Marge was visiting her brother's family at 4 Privet Drive, Harry Potter accidentally stepped on Ripper's tail. Ripper proceeded to chase Harry up a tree in the Dursleys' yard. Harry was stuck there until Marge called Ripper off after midnight. The incident still made Dudley Dursley laugh years later.

1993 visit

Ripper in 1993

By 1993, Ripper was in the later part of his life, being described as "old". Marge brought him with her when she paid a visit to her brother's family that year. After they were welcomed inside, Petunia Dursley offered Marge tea, asking her what Ripper would like. Marge asked that he be given his own helping of tea in her saucer. Petunia followed this request. However, she was noted to wince as Ripper "noisily" drank, as he got drool and tea on the clean floor in the process. When Harry sat down at the table, Ripper growled at him, directing Marge's attention to the boy.

On the fourth day of Marge's stay, Marge upset Harry at dinner to the point that he had an unintentional magical outburst, causing her to inflate like a balloon. In the ensuing panic, Ripper charged into the room, barking "madly". He bit Vernon Dursley's leg when he grabbed Marge's foot in a desperate attempt to keep her from floating away.

After this, Harry never saw him again because the Dursleys never invited Marge to stay again while he was in residence.

Behind the scenes

• In December 2012 comments written for Pottermore, Rowling stated that she regretted making Marge a breeder of bulldogs, as she now knows them to be a non-aggressive breed, and her sister owns one. She does note, however, that they do look grumpy, and thus suited Marge.
• In the British version, Harry treads on Ripper's paw, rather than on his tail like in the American version.
• In the movie version, Marge let Ripper taste some brandy Vernon poured for her. In real life, this is bad since alcohol is poisonous to dogs.
  • In addition, Ripper's actions to Vernon was, albeit unintentionally, the reason why he ultimately was forced to release the newly-inflated Marge outside despite his attempts at rescuing her, as he bit onto Vernon's leg and the pain from this and the gradually increasing height had him reluctantly disobeying Marge and letting go of her.
• In the movies, Ripper never shows any signs of hostility towards Harry.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Appears in flashback(s))
• Pottermore