Dog

"Dog" is the default name of a Mabari war hound who can join the party at the Deserted Farmland or Highever (Human Noble Origin) and serves as the Warden's faithful companion. Dog is a full party member, counting as a warrior who has war hound-specific abilities that he can learn, and character specific equipment in the form of collars and kaddis. He also has party banter and interactions, as well as a territory-marking exploration game, which involves locating and subsequently having Dog "mark" various points in the different locales the party visits. Doing so activates Mabari Dominance, which is detailed lower on the page. Not all locations have landmarks to mark, however.

Background
Dogs are an essential part of Ferelden culture, and no dog is more prized than the mabari. The breed is as old as myth, said to have been bred from the wolves who served the legendary hero Dane.

Involvement
Dog is obtained in one of two ways in Origins; a third, "last chance" opportunity is added with the Return to Ostagar DLC.



Initial statistics
Relative attribute weightings on auto-level: strength 1.2, dexterity 1, willpower 1.5, magic 0, cunning 0, constitution 1.1.

Dog has access to a series of talents unique to it. On the console editions of the game, it can also access warrior talents. In Witch Hunt, Dog can also learn Second Wind, Peon's Plight, Grievous Insult and Massacre talents, like other warriors.

It can also sense Stealthed enemies such as Genlock Rogues at fairly close range. The Stealth is not counteracted and there is no in-game notification except for an angry warning growl. In any case, only a mage has any significant response options (such as inscribing a Glyph of Repulsion to repel an initial melee attack).

Finding items
Dog can be asked, "Do you see anything interesting?" almost everywhere outside of camp (though not while he is injured). In most areas he will have a random chance to return with either a minor item from the generic treasure list (such as Elfroot), or one of a limited number of unique items:

(Codex: Books & Songs) , Gifts (Origins) , Gifts (Origins) , Gifts (Origins)

, Gifts (Origins)

There are also area-specific items he can dig up: - at Lake Calenhad Docks - in the Deep Roads (all over, but definitely a 100% drop rate early in The Dead Trenches). - around the Brecilian Forest and Dalish Camp Assorted gemstones - at the Mountain Top

Landmark explorations

 * see Codex entry: Mabari Dominance

Throughout Ferelden are several objects, labeled with the word "Landmark", which when 'marked' by Dog will give area-only stat bonuses to Dog. These objects may have a sparkling aura much like containers. Using a landmark without Dog in the party will do nothing; if Dog is in the party, but is not the one to select the landmark, a message will hint that Dog may be interested. Mabari Dominance is only activated when Dog selects the landmark, and after one 'marking' should automatically reactivate whenever Dog is active in that location.


 * Lothering - A tree on a small rise northeast of the windmill.
 * Redcliffe - A tree next to the windmill.
 * Redcliffe Castle Courtyard - A small tree near the ground-floor door.
 * Lake Calenhad Docks - An overturned boat on the shore.
 * Brecilian Forest - A tree between the Grand Oak and the haunted camp.
 * East Brecilian Forest - The Mad Hermit's tent.
 * Dalish Camp - A tent.


 * Denerim Market - An overturned cart (during The Battle of Denerim).
 * Elven Alienage - The Vhenadahl (not during the City Elf origin).
 * Ostagar - A woodpile in the King's Camp. (only during the Return to Ostagar)

Gifts
Naturally, Dog likes bones. However, his approval starts at the cap of +100 and cannot be lowered by any means, but gifting him the Stick from Feastday Gifts will give him more dexterity (the same as other companions). Protective Cone from Feastday Pranks can be given to him as a prank.

Quotes

 * Sten: (Snarls.)
 * Dog: (Growls angrily.)
 * Sten: (Lets out a terrifying roar.)
 * Dog: (Barks angrily and lunges at Sten.)
 * Sten: "You are a true warrior, and worthy of respect."
 * Dog: (Barks excitedly.)


 * Morrigan: "Does this mean we are going to have this mangy beast follow us around? Wonderful."
 * Alistair: (Adoringly) "He's not mangy!"


 * Morrigan: "I know it was you rooting in my pack, mongrel."
 * Dog: (Innocent whine)
 * Morrigan: "Who else? Alistair? He's a likely suspect, I admit, but no."
 * Dog: (Bows head shamefully)
 * Morrigan: "I notice you avoided the hemlock."
 * Dog: (Happy bark!)
 * Morrigan: "Yes, yes, very clever. Next time I will disguise it more carefully."
 * Dog: (Sad eyes)
 * Morrigan: "Do not even try it! I would not give you a biscuit had I one."
 * Dog: (Sadder eyes)
 * Morrigan: "Oh... very well. But tell no one!"


 * Shale: I am watching you, dog. Do you know how many of your kind urinated on me in that village? And all I could do is stand there and watch, helpless. If I see one of those legs of yours lift so much as an inch in my direction -- pow!
 * Dog: (Confused whine!)
 * Shale: I am glad we have this understanding. At least your kind can be reasoned with... unlike those damned feathered fiends!

(If Dog is chosen as the Warden's champion to duel Loghain)
 * Loghain: "Will you face me yourself, or have you a champion?"
 * Warden: "My mabari will be my champion."
 * Dog: (Happy bark!)
 * Arl Eamon: "Ah, Warden... No. I'm afraid we can't leave the fate of all Ferelden up to your dog. Anyone with a leftover ham bone could buy his allegiance. Choose someone else."


 * Finn: Dog! What is that in which a tree is covered?"
 * Dog: (Bark!)
 * Ariane: (Sigh)

Trivia

 * A long-standing joke between the people who frequent the official Dragon Age: Origins forum is that Dog's "official" name is really Rabbit (which was used as an example name by one of the writers, Mary Kirby), and he is still occasionally referred to as such.
 * Dog is referenced in a Penny Arcade comic in which the character, speaking in an irreverently comical modern slang, informs a NPC that he's named his dog Barkspawn. In the DLC The Darkspawn Chronicles, Alistair named him Barkspawn after saving him at Ostagar.
 * If you speak to Dog while he has an injury, he will whine instead of his usual greetings, and you will be able to either comfort him, saying, "You've done well", or scold him for "being a baby". This has no real effect though, as you of course can't affect Dog's approval for better or worse.
 * Dog is voiced by a real dog. According to an EA rep, his body was modeled after an American Bandogge Mastiff.
 * If a mage casts Flaming Weapons or a similar spell on the party's weapons, Dog will be given the visual effect on his entire body.
 * If you talk to Dog whilst covered in blood, you can ask, "Can you do something about this gory mess?", to which Dog will happily bark and clean the blood from your character. Dog receives health for doing so.
 * Unlike most other characters, whose movement speed slows when entering combat, Dog speeds up, moving at a slightly increased rate.
 * As of the Witch Hunt DLC, it's said in his newly edited codex that Dog has sired many puppies.