History Main / RightHandAttackDog

In contrast to the generally sedentary RightHandCat and the common stereotype of HeroesLoveDogs, this is what happens when the villains' pet ([[BewareOfViciousDog usually a Vicious]] AngryGuardDog) plays an active role as a guard/weapon against the heroes. Expect FluffyTheTerrible in terms of naming and for the villain to be a confirmed FluffyTamer. Typically, villains will either show a NightmareFetishist streak and be oblivious to how savage their pets are, and will [[PetTheDog treat them kindly]], or else, they will use the pets to (perhaps even literally) KickTheDog, sometimes by [[FedToTheBeast feeding underlings and other poor unfortunates to them]]. Finally, as the title suggests, when the creature in question isn't a fantasy animal, it's (not necessarily but) very likely to be some kind of canine.

Dogs are very faithful and loyal to humans, and given most villains are humans, [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes they also tend to own and love dogs as their loyal companions]]. As so, the dogs tend to have strong UndyingLoyalty to them, and will follow the DiabolicalMastermind's orders. In addition, dogs are pack animals who are also very prone to attack strangers and random visitors due to their lineage, making them the perfect attack animals for the villains while retaining loyalty to them. Cats on other hand can be fickle and [[HeelFaceDoorSlam sometimes can betray the villains' loyalty]], so some villains don't see them fit.

Dogs are very faithful and loyal to humans, and given most villains are humans, [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes they also tend to own and love dogs as their loyal companions]]. As so, the dogs tend to have strong UndyingLoyalty to them, and will follow the DiabolicalMastermind's orders. Cats on other hand can be fickle and [[HeelFaceDoorSlam sometimes can betray the villains' loyalty]], so some villains don't see them fit.

Dogs are very faithful and loyal to humans, and given most villains are humans, they also tend to own and love dogs as their loyal companions. As so, the dogs tend to have strong UndyingLoyalty to them, and will follow the DiabolicalMastermind's orders. Cats on other hand can be fickle and [[HeelFaceDoorSlam sometimes can betray the villains' loyalty]], so some villains don't see them fit.

It is, obviously, very prone to TheDogBitesBack. Contrast with the various heroic {{Loyal Animal Companion}}s, particularly HeroicDog. See also CanineCompanion for a non-villainous, more-generic versions.

In contrast to the generally sedentary RightHandCat, this is what happens when the villains' pet ([[BewareOfViciousDog usually a Vicious]] AngryGuardDog) plays an active role as a guard/weapon against the heroes. Expect FluffyTheTerrible in terms of naming and for the villain to be a confirmed FluffyTamer. Typically, villains will either show a NightmareFetishist streak and be oblivious to how savage their pets are, and will [[PetTheDog treat them kindly]], or else, they will use the pets to (perhaps even literally) KickTheDog, sometimes by [[FedToTheBeast feeding underlings and other poor unfortunates to them]]. Finally, as the title suggests, when the creature in question isn't a fantasy animal, it's (not necessarily but) very likely to be some kind of canine.

It is, obviously, very prone to TheDogBitesBack. Contrast with the various heroic {{Loyal Animal Companion}}s, particularly CanineCompanion.

In contrast to the generally sedentary RightHandCat, this is what happens when the villains' pet ([[BewareOfViciousDog usually a Vicious Dog]]) plays an active role as a guard/weapon against the heroes. Expect FluffyTheTerrible in terms of naming and for the villain to be a confirmed FluffyTamer. Typically, villains will either show a NightmareFetishist streak and be oblivious to how savage their pets are, and will [[PetTheDog treat them kindly]], or else, they will use the pets to (perhaps even literally) KickTheDog, sometimes by [[FedToTheBeast feeding underlings and other poor unfortunates to them]]. Finally, as the title suggests, when the creature in question isn't a fantasy animal, it's (not necessarily but) very likely to be some kind of canine.

* ''Literature/DragonSeries'': Snowgoose, a very smart and very dangerous [[RedEyesTakeWarning red-eyed]] white dog and loyal servant to the BigBad.

In contrast to the generally sedentary RightHandCat, this is what happens when the villains' pet plays an active role as a guard/weapon against the heroes. Expect FluffyTheTerrible in terms of naming and for the villain to be a confirmed FluffyTamer. Typically, villains will either show a NightmareFetishist streak and be oblivious to how savage their pets are, and will [[PetTheDog treat them kindly]], or else, they will use the pets to (perhaps even literally) KickTheDog, sometimes by [[FedToTheBeast feeding underlings and other poor unfortunates to them]]. Finally, as the title suggests, when the creature in question isn't a fantasy animal, it's (not necessarily but) very likely to be some kind of canine.

* Scud, the {{villain}} Sid's pet dog in ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'', who uses toys as... well, chew toys.

* ''Literature/StarTrekTheEugenicsWars'' features Isis, Gary Seven's right hand cat, capable of driving off a genetically augmented mercenary by herself. She can also shape shift into human form and is still capable enough to take out a pair of mooks in hand to hand combat before they even register that they're under attack.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'', Soundwave has Ravage and Laserbeak (a big cat and a bird, respectively). Overlaps with Main/DroneDeployer on account of their robotic nature.

* In WesternAnimation/TheTransformers, Soundwave has Ravage and Laserbeak (a big cat and a bird, respectively). Overlaps with Main/DroneDeployer on account of their robotic nature.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989''. Ursula the Sea Witch's pet green moray eel minions Flotsam and Jetsam, who are equally creepy as their mistress, unlike other Disney villain sidekicks who usually fall under VileVillainLaughableLackey.

[[quoteright:350:[[Disney/OliverAndCompany https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sykes1_3034.jpg]]]]

* Oddly combined with RightHandCat in ''Disney/TheGreatMouseDetective'' as the villain, Ratigan, has a pet cat larger than himself to which he feeds hapless mice.

** In ''Disney/TheRescuers'', Madame Medusa has a pair of pet alligators called Brutus and Nero, who are quite intelligent and obedient, but just as vicious as expected.
** In ''Disney/TheRescuersDownUnder'', Percival [=McLeach=] has a pet goanna lizard named Joanna, who has a massive appetite for eggs and [[AllAnimalsAreDogs behaves a lot like a dog]].
* In ''Disney/OliverAndCompany'', ruthless loan-shark Sikes has a pair of vicious Dobermanns (pictured above), who go about intimidating both the main characters and their impoverished "master" Fagin, and follow Sikes' will with gusto.

* ''Disney/{{Bambi}}''. The unseen hunters own a pack of German Shepherds that attack Bambi near the end of his film, just right before the forest fire.

* ''Disney/TheLittleMermaid''. Ursula the Sea Witch's pet green moray eel minions Flotsam and Jetsam, who are equally creepy as their mistress, unlike other Disney villain sidekicks who usually fall under VileVillainLaughableLackey.

** The Joker also had a pet hyena in ''WesternAnimation/TheNewAdventuresOfBatman'' although much more comedic in nature.

[[caption-width-right:350:When you're a LoanShark in a [[Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney film]], [[VileVillainSaccharineShow it helps your cred]] if you have a [[LiteralMinded Left-Hand Attack Dog to go with the right]].]]

->''"You've no doubt seen a dog lose its mind when a stranger comes near its home. That territorial instinct is multiplied as their territory expands. If a dog's home is several acres of farmland, it greets every visitor with primeval murderous instinct. Growing up, if we wanted to get home safely from the bus stop, we had [[CannonFodder to fill the weakest child with dog poison]]. An encounter between country dogs contains no comical ass sniffing -- it's [[BigBallOfViolence a snarling cartoon cloud]] of mortal combat."''

* Subverted in ''Series/{{CougarTown}}'' where Bobby thinks people broke into his boat and warns he has a vicious attack dog. He then plays a recording of Jingle Bells made entirely out of barking dogs

* While otherwise a total sweetheart and great companion, in ''VideoGame/TheWalkingDeadSeasonFour'' you can sic Rosie on Abel while you're interrogating him, where she proceeds to latch onto his leg and nigh eviscerate it as he screams for you to call her off.