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, with an additional chance to recruit him through 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 him. On the console editions of the game, he 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.

Finding items
Dog can be asked, "Do you see anything interesting?", in various locations in the game. In most areas he will have a random chance to return with either a minor item from the generic treasure list (such as an Elfroot), or a limited number of unique items:

(Codex: Books & Songs) ,, ,

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In some areas, there are specific items he can obtain: - at Lake Calenhad Docks - at the Deep Roads - at the Brecilian Forest/Dalish Camp Assorted gemstones - at the Mountain Top where you find the High Dragon while on the quest for The Urn of Sacred Ashes

Landmark explorations
Throughout the game, there are several locations, referred to as "Landmarks," which will give an added bonus to both Dog and the Warden's statistics while in the area. These locations are an object with a sparkling aura, much like Elfroot or Deathroot plants. Selecting 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, the message will be a hint that Dog may be interested. Mabari Dominance is only activated if Dog selects the landmark.


 * Ostagar - A woodpile in the King's Camp
 * Lothering - A tree on a small rise to the north of town, just before you reach the water.
 * Redcliffe - A tree to the right of the windmill.
 * Redcliffe Castle - In the castle courtyard near the two Dalish elves practicing.
 * Lake Calenhad Docks - Enter the area facing a dock. Follow the coast to the left and select the abandoned boat.
 * Brecilian Forest - A tree between the Grand Oak and the cursed camp.
 * East Brecilian Forest - The Mad Hermit's tent.
 * Dalish Camp - A tent in the Dalish Camp.


 * Denerim - An overturned cart in the Denerim Marketplace during the Final Onslaught quest.
 * Denerim - The Vhenadahl in the Denerim Alienage before and during the Final Onslaught quest.

Dialogue

 * 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 you have Dog in the party during the Landsmeet & choose him as your champion when you opt 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)

Note
A another Mabari also named "Dog" appears in Dragon Age II, like a summon companion for the players if he has The Black Emporium DLC.

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, Dog's codex entry states that Alistair named him Barkspawn after he is saved 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 modelled 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.
 * One of Dog's favorite activities seems to be harassing Morrigan, or using his "dog charms" in order to get extra food or attention out of her. Despite all that Morrigan says, its easy to tell she likes Dog more than she lets on.
 * Similarly, Dog also draws out the softer side of Sten and even manages to convince the stern Qunari into playing a game of fetch with him.
 * As of the Witch Hunt DLC, it's said in his newly edited codex that Dog has sired many puppies.
 * Wynne and Alistair in particular seem to be very fond of Dog - either discussing him or interacting with him frequently throughout dialogue and/or brief cutscenes.