History Main / BewareOfViciousDog

* "WesternAnimation/ToyStory1" has Sid's [[AngryGuardDog]], Scud. Scud frequently chases and attacks the toys, which makes it difficult for Buzz and Woody to escape from the house. He even goes so far as to chase Buzz down a busy road. In [[WesternAnimation/ToyStory2 the sequel]], this is averted with Andy's new dog Buster, who is originally built up as this during his introduction, but quickly turns out to be a BigFriendlyDog instead.

* "WesternAnimation/ToyStory" has Sid's [[AggressiveGuardDog]], Scud. Scud frequently chases and attacks the toys, which makes it difficult for Buzz and Woody to escape from the house. He even goes so far as to chase Buzz down a busy road. In [[WesternAnimation/ToyStory2 the sequel]], this is averted with Andy's new dog Buster, who is originally built up as this during his introduction, but quickly turns out to be a BigFriendlyDog instead.

The trope takes its name from the frequent signs on the front of homeowners' gates, usually reading simply "Beware Of Dog," that warn visitors about the potential badness of the resident pooch. Incidentally, if you put up one of these signs, be warned — this will ''not'' reduce your risk of getting sued if the dog attacks someone. In fact, it ''weakens'' your legal defense, since the sign proves you know the dog is dangerous.

* In the original ''Series/LawAndOrder'', a vicious dog was actually [[CourtroomAntics brought into the courtroom]] when it was responsible for a person's death, to compel the owners into admitting they knew the dog was dangerous and kept it negligently. It worked, but the judge was not pleased with McCoy for having it brought in in the first place.

* In the original ''Series/LawAndOrder'', a vicious dog was actually [[CourtroomAntics brought into the courtroom]] when it was responsible for a person's death, to compel the owners into admitting they knew the dog was dangerous and kept it negligently. It worked, but [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome the judge was not pleased with McCoy]] for having it brought in in the first place.

* A RunningGag of this in the ComicStrip/{{Garfield}} comics that gets PlayedWith frequently will have Garfield encountering a Beware of Dog sign. The dogs referred to by the signs run the gamut from the typical cat chasing AngryGuardDog to ones who simply [[BreakThemByTalking philosophize]] Garfield to death to some who play the Vicious part terrifyingly straight.

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This is where a dog is really, ''really'' mean to anyone and everyone, anything and everything, whether rabid, [[LegoGenetics genetically tampered with]], or trained from birth to be that way. If the dog has an owner, then sometimes even the owner can get on the dog's wrong side from time to time.

If a BigFriendlyDog or a dog that's normally a GentleGiant gets infected with rabies or is genetically tampered with, chances are very good that he'll become this. In which case, [[ParanoiaFuel BE VERY]] [[OhCrap AFRAID.]]

This type of dog is ''not'' a {{Hellhound}}, but is a rather normal and standard dog aside from his viciousness. He ''can'' be [[KickTheDog kicked]], but 9 times out of 10, FailureIsTheOnlyOption where that is concerned. Indeed, [[KickTheSonOfABitch kicking him successfully will often make you look reasonable]].

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[[quoteright:350:[[Film/Dogs1976 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/519_8cpy1bl_ac_sy580.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Mailmen and Amazon drivers, beware!]]
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[[folder:Fanfiction]]

* Gru's… dog?… thing from ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe'', who strikes fear in everyone, even its master. That is until Agnes comes along.

[[quoteright:350:[[Film/Dogs1976 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/519_8cpy1bl_ac_sy580.jpg]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/519_8cpy1bl_ac_sy580.jpg]]

%% This list of examples has been alphabetized. Please add your example in the proper place. Thanks!

[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ViciousDog2_4269.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:200:Nice doggy...good doggy...]]

* In the original ''Series/LawAndOrder'' a vicious dog was actually [[CourtroomAntics brought into the courtroom]] when it was responsible for a person's death, to compel the owners into admitting they knew the dog was dangerous and kept it negligently. It worked, but [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome the judge was not pleased with McCoy]] for having it brought in in the first place.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

* The Runaway Dogs from ''Videogame/EarthBound1994'' will attack anyone who stands on their way, even defenseless children. On the other hand, once you've gotten enough levels, you can [[ShootTheDog boot them all you want as revenge]] [[OneHitKill and put them down in one shot at that]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' featured a sidequest in which a man would try to enter his home, but a mutt standing in front of the door would run him off repeatedly. There were two ways to get the dog to move: feed it, or interact with it while wearing a leather jacket. [[LegacyCharacter Dogmeat]] would then join your party, continuing to be vicious to your enemies. The latter method of recruiting him is a ShoutOut to ''Film/MadMax2TheRoadWarrior'' in which the titular, leather jacket wearing character is accompanied by a Blue Heeler.

* A ferocious dog occasionally stays at the road in the Taiwanese video game ''VideoGame/{{RichMan}}'', and mauls anyone stop at his spot. Luckily, the player can let their character ride a scooter or car to run over it.

* Earl from ''WesternAnimation/RockosModernLife''. The only one who's ''not'' afraid of Earl is Bev. Though Earl's temperment is somewhat justified, as he was used for horrific experiments and EscapedFromTheLab.

* In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', Wrex comments that if Tuchanka has a temper, its name is '''[[GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere Kalros]]''', The Mother of All Thresher-Maws.

--> '''Shadow:''' Leave us. The dog eats strangers…
* Angry dogs are among the obstacles you must run away from in ''VideoGame/{{Inside}}''. If you see or hear one, ''run the hell away'', because they are fast, persistent, and want you dead. And since the player character is a defenseless little boy, you have no choice but to run away and avoid them. You end up torn to bits if you are too slow. They come either solo or in groups of three.