Similar to the sheer amount of horse companions in the video game world, there are just as many if not more dog companions available. Some of them are even playable characters. Dogs make amazing best friends in-game, and sometimes they even play crucial roles in the narrative or benefit your main character.
From a guitar playing dog, to one with an eye patch, to a dog who steals enemy guns, to one whose mind you can read, the abilities, skills, and breeds are virtually endless. Here, we created a breakdown of the most valuable canine companions in various video games, highlighting their abilities and overall personalities. Who’s your best friend of choice?
10 K.K. Slider – Animal Crossing
Who isn’t a fan of K.K. Slider, local town celebrity? This charismatic canine is a giant in the entertainment sphere, and he graciously graces our small towns and islands with his presence. He’s humble, though, and prefers a life full of music and friendship rather than fame and fortune. He simply wants to play his songs for a passionate audience.
K.K. Slider has appeared in all Animal Crossing games since its inception (Animal Forest, Animal Crossing, Wild World, City Folk, New Leaf, and New Horizons). He’s truly a free-spirited, mellow musician, and although you can buy his music in-game, he rejects putting a price on his tracks.
9 Dog – Ghostwire: Tokyo
There are many dogs scattered around the city in Ghostwire: Tokyo, and they’re definitely useful for enhancing gameplay. Unlike most interactions with dogs in many other games, not only can you feed and pet the dogs here, but you can also read their thoughts.
Feeding the dogs with dog food you find in the world will cause them to warm up to you, and they will lead you to hidden loot, money, or even a yokai. If a dog leads you to a yokai, those can be helped or absorbed for powerful ability boosts. Not only are these dogs incredibly cute, they’re even more valuable to satisfying gameplay.
8 Palamutes – Monster Hunter Rise
The Palamutes in Monster Hunter Rise are the ultimate buddies. Along with their feline counterparts, Palicoes, these wolf-like canines will assist your hunter when traveling and engaging in combat. You begin your journey with one Palamute and a Palico, but you can add to your team throughout the game from the Buddy Scout facility.
Palamutes are great for speedy travel, as you get access to a Let Me Ride! command when you have one as your companion. Additionally, when used in combat, your Palamute will coordinate its attacks with yours. They can do close melee damage, attack in a pincer formation with your character, or attack while following you. Additionally, they have other special abilities and gear which will greatly benefit your character.
7 Dog – Fable II
The dog in Fable II is useful both narratively and mechanically. In the story, the dog helps to strengthen your character’s bond and emotional connection with the land, Albion. He is found near the beginning of the game and becomes the hero’s constant companion.
He will help your character in combat and when finding treasures as well. If you knock an enemy over, the dog will attack, sometimes finishing the enemy off. You can advance the dog’s abilities by finding or purchasing books to upgrade his combat or digging skills, as well as books that will teach the dog new “tricks.” These tricks are expressions that are similar to your character’s, such as Roll Over, Chase Tail, or Play Dead.
DD, also known as D-Dog, also known as Diamond Dog, belongs to Venom Snake in Metal Gear Solid V, even going so far as to also wear an eye patch as well after losing his eye. DD was found in 1984 by Snake, and was trained as a puppy to be a combat companion.
When DD is accompanying Snake, he will locate plants and guards. He will also alert you to any enemies, hostages, loot, animals, or objectives in the area by barking. You can command DD to distract guards or attack or stun enemies. Additionally, he’s capable of extracting hostages if they’re easily accessible, depending on what gear you outfit him in.
5 Boomer – Far Cry 5
Boomer is a great companion to have when wandering through the cult-controlled areas of Hope County, Montana in Far Cry 5. He can be found at Rae-Rae’s Pumpkin Farm and petting him after his rescue will make him loyal to you, adding him to your roster of companions.
In terms of mechanics, Boomer has some useful skills. He can detect hostile and non-hostile entities, and can be sent into a cult-infested area without being detected. When engaged in combat, he also rushes an enemy, steals their gun, and brings it back to you. Additionally, he has a perk called Retriever,which allows him to search bodies for extra ammo and supplies.
4 Dogmeat – Fallout 4
Dogmeat is a wonderful friend when traversing the Commonwealth of Fallout 4, and it all comes down to his catalog of useful abilities and skills. Dogmeat is first found at the Red Rocket truck stop near Sanctuary Hills, and is instantly loyal to you after you interact with him.
This adorable German shepherd is valuable in combat as well as being a tough adventuring partner. He can carry extra loot and sniff out supplies and enemies. In combat, he can tackle a humanoid enemy and knock them down, or stall them by grabbing their arm, leaving you with an opening to do major damage. If he’s gone after a foe with low enough health, he’ll even deliver a killing bite to the neck.
3 Riley – Call of Duty: Ghosts
Riley is a working military German shepherd from Call of Duty: Ghosts. He is a member of a US Special Operations unit alongside his owner, David “Hesh” Walker, and Logan Walker. Riley is instrumental to the team by sniffing out enemies, scouting ahead, and engaging in combat.
Riley is featured most heavily in the first half of the game, where he can be controlled remotely to attack enemies or conduct reconnaissance. Riley can be used to break up enemy cover or commanded to take out a specific foe. There’s an art to using Riley in combat, though, as he will become overwhelmed if you send him to attack multiple targets. He can also be killed, which will cause you to fail your mission and have to start over.
2 Chop – Grand Theft Auto V
Chop is an interesting dog because not only is he a loyal companion, but he’s also a playable character during some missions. Mainly, Chop aids the player in finding loot and Hidden Packages in Grand Theft Auto V, but sometimes, you can transform into Chop to find certain people or complete mission checkpoints.
Chop technically belongs to Lamar Davis, but lives with Franklin Clinton for the majority of the game. Additionally, you can take Chop for a walk and even play fetch with him. When taking him for a walk, it’s best to use caution around busy roads or large bodies of water. He can be killed or can drown, but always spawns back at Franklin’s house, disgruntled yet alive.
1 Mabari Hound – Dragon Age: Origins
The marbari hound is an integral part of Dragon Age: Origins because of its versatility in the game. This useful canine is considered a full party member with his own “dialogue” and interactions. Additionally, he has his own talent tree and equipment.
There are gifts you can give to your companion to boost his dexterity and other skills, and his loyalty and regard for your character will never waver. He can occasionally detect stealthy enemies at close range, which will trigger an alert letting you know there are foes nearby. The mabari hound can also sniff out loot both average and unique. Additionally, the mabari hound has an interesting skill called Mabari Dominance. This activates near Landmarks, and gives your companion +2 strength, +2 willpower, and +2 constitution for as long as he’s in the area.
