Travis is a fourteen-year-old boy living with his family in the rugged Texas frontier. When his father departs on a long cattle drive, Travis proudly steps up as the "man of the family," taking charge of the farm chores, hunting for food, and managing the livestock. He desires to prove his maturity but still exhibits a stubborn boyish pride and struggles with the heavy responsibilities placed upon him.

Old Yeller is a large, slick-haired, dingy yellow stray dog with a chewed-off ear and a stubby tail. Initially viewed by Travis as a worthless thief, the savvy dog quickly proves his worth on the dangerous frontier. He demonstrates exceptional bravery and intelligence when facing aggressive wild animals, securing a vital place on the homestead.

The matriarch of the Coates family manages the homestead's daily survival needs alongside Travis. She possesses immense practical knowledge of frontier living, utilizing resources like horsehair for sutures and prickly pear roots for poultices. Strong-willed and deeply protective, she balances nurturing her young sons with the steely nerve required to face wilderness dangers.

Travis's highly energetic, five-year-old younger brother. He loves capturing small wildlife, stuffing his pockets with everything from snakes to horny toads, and telling wildly exaggerated stories about his catches. He forms an immediate and passionate attachment to the stray dog.

The capable patriarch of the Coates family who originally carved their homestead out of the wilderness. He leaves his family behind for months to sell cattle for cash money, entrusting Travis with the safety and provision of the household. He serves as Travis's ultimate benchmark for manhood.

The eleven-year-old granddaughter of Bud Searcy is a quiet, observant girl with striking white hair and big brown eyes. Unlike her idle grandfather, Lisbeth is a remarkably capable and willing worker who happily steps up to assist the Coates family with demanding chores when they need extra help.

A polite, sensible cattleman who arrives in Salt Licks looking for the runaway Old Yeller. He is observant and compassionate, recognizing that the Coates family desperately needs the dog's protection while their father is away, and he treats Travis as an equal.

A big-bellied, red-faced settler who was left behind from the cattle drive to watch over the local families. He spends his days traveling from cabin to cabin avoiding actual work, chewing tobacco, and sharing alarming stories with his neighbors.

The Coates family's stubborn work mule. He provides essential labor for plowing fields and hauling equipment, but he frequently requires a firm, steady hand to keep him focused on his tasks and out of the corn.

A wild, unpredictable heifer belonging to the Coates family. She puts up a violent fight when Travis tries to handle and milk her, eventually requiring aggressive herding to bring her into submission.