History Main / CanineCompanion

[[caption-width-right:260:[[TitleDrop I Am Legend]], and this is my dog.]]

* ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts: Covenant'' has Blanca, a large white wolf who accompanies Yuri and the party on their journey. A series of "Wolf Bouts", a sidequest exclusive to him, also demonstrates that he's an IntellectualAnimal, conversing quite articulately with his opponent.

* ''Animation/WhiteSnake2019'': Dudou is the cowardly but [[[[UndyingLoyalty loyal]] dog companion of Xuan, who accompanies him is all his endeavors, despite disliking how prone Xuan is to getting them into trouble.

* ''WesternAnimation/BluesClues'' follows Blue, a CGI, blue-spotted dog, as she leaves a trail of (also blue) paw prints all over the house. His caretaker, a live-action young man hence asks the audience (preschooler kids) for help in finding where is Blue and what is she up to this time. Most of the episodes ended with the host and Blue happily reuniting.

* ''[[Anime/{{Pokemon}} Pokemon Sun & Moon]]'': Five (Six considering that Rockruff lived with Professor Kukui before Ash caught it) major characters own canine-like Pokemon; Ash and his Dusk Lycanroc (originally obtained as a Rockruff), Lillie and her Alolan Vulpix (nicknamed Snowy), Gladion and his Midnight Lycanroc, and Olivia and her Midday Lycanroc. The fifth is James, who had a Growlithe as a boy before running away from home. When the cast visits the mansion where James grew up, it's revealed that Growlithe is still there, waiting for him to return

* Franchise/{{Superman}} and Comicbook/{{Supergirl}} have [[Comicbook/KryptoTheSuperDog Krypto]], their super-powered pet dog. In the Silver and Bronze Ages Krypto always followed Clark around when he was Comicbook/{{Superboy}}, and he always came when Clark/Kal or Linda/Kara needed him. In ''Comicbook/KryptonNoMore'' he helped them fight an alien invasion off.

* ''Literature/AnneofGreenGables'': In the last book of the series ''Rilla of Ingleside'', in 1914 Jem Blythe, Anne;s oldest surviving son, leaves behind Dog Monday at the Ingleside train station and Dog Monday waits at the station for four years until Jem Blythe comes home.

* The ''Series/MadTV'' [[https://youtu.be/GLSlGmVrmuM ad campaign for]] [[HughMann Smith Comma John]], [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial Human Being for President]] has him pose with Nilly, a ([[EvilDetectingDog hostile]]) labrador.

* Season 9 of ''Series/TheWalkingDead'' introduces [[ADogNamedDog Dog]], who is Daryl's Belgian Malinois and his only companion for the better part of [[spoiler:six years.]]

* VideoGame/TheDevilInMe: Connie, a dog the crew encounters and can befriend ([[ShootTheDog or kill]]) during their ordeal on the island. A secret ending is unlocked if the player manages to kill everyone ''but'' the dog.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'', Superboy befriends a giant, Venom-enhanced white wolf during a mission, and he ends up adopting him.

* ''Literature/RillaOfIngleside'': In 1914 Jem Blythe, Anne;s oldest surviving son, leaves behind Dog Monday at the Ingleside train station and Dog Monday waits at the station for four years until Jem Blythe comes home.

* ''VideoGame/EndlessOceanBlueWorld'': A blond Labrador can be found by the player. Rescuing it leads L&L Diving Service to adopt it on Nineball Island, naming it "Snorkel", and it becomes involved in a sidequest.

* ''TabletopGame/ArkhamHorror'' has an Ally card for a dog named Duke. He's good for your sanity.
** Duke is specifically "Ashcan" Pete's companion. Pete starts with Duke and if he fails his personal story, [[UndyingLoyalty Duke is the only ally that does not abandon him.]]
* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'': Space Wolves ride Fenrisian Wolves, ginormous wolves that can grow to bigger than a rhinoceros, and are tamed by finding the pack leader and defeating it in single combat (or being raised by them, as has happened twice already). And they really do follow the hero everywhere: strategic briefings involving multiple Chapters involve either telling the nine-foot-tall space Viking in PowerArmor and a giant axe to go wait outside, or tolerate the panting, scratching, and roughhousing of half a dozen wolves bigger than the briefing room table.
** [[https://regimental-standard.com/2018/09/26/managing-your-canid/ A comedic fluff article]] states that the Astra Militarum recently got more classical examples of this trope. Judging by the article's entirely basic instructions to canine (er, [[GratuitousLatin canid]]) care, having dogs as pets was no longer commonplace.
* In the new ''TabletopGame/MutantChronicles: Warzone Resurrection'', Mitch Hunter can form a combat team with his dog Pride.
* In ''[[TabletopGame/MutantYearZero Mutant: Year Zero]]'''s Core Book, there is a class role solely dedicated to training and fighting with dogs.

* The ubiquity of this trope is why [[TabletopGame/{{Rifts}} the Coalition States]] created the Psi-Hounds, a.k.a. "dogboys". Humans and canines have worked together for so long that Coalition soldiers have no issue working alongside them, and dogboys are (with a few exceptions) fanatically loyal to humanity.

* Dog/Worthless Mutt from ''VideoGame/{{Arcanum}}''. He can join your party without taking up a companion slot and train himself to be a melee master.
%%* The orange dog from ''VideoGame/ButThatWasYesterday''.

* In ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' there's the [[CanisMajor Great Grey Wolf]], Sif. Sif was the wolf companion of Sir Artorias, the Abysswalker (a giant himself) even after his death. Sif guarded Artorias's grave until death and wielded the great sword Artorias once used.
* The ''VideoGame/DarkTales'' installment ''The Gold Bug'' provides Dupin and the player with the assistance of Arthur, a sweet-tempered and highly intelligent Newfoundland, who sniffs out various clues for them.

* The ''VideoGame/DeadToRights'' games has Shadow, an insanely vicious husky capable of killing Mooks just as easily as his CowboyCop partner Jack Slate, as well as being able to solve puzzles or get various objects needed for Jack to progress.

** In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'', five of the six potential origins have an opportunity to have a mabari hound imprint on them. The Human Noble, on the other hand, has had a mabari since they were very young and the dog is with them from almost the very beginning of the game.
** In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', the ''Black Emporium'' DLC provides a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute for the original Mabari. This time, the dog is treated much like a ranger's summoned animals were in the original, so he no longer takes up a party member slot and can be with Hawke at all times.
** The player does not get a dog in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', as they are native to the Free Marches; however, in the ''Trespasser'' DLC epilogue, Cullen - the Inquisitor's Ferelden-born military advisor - finds an abandoned mabari at the Winter Palace and they adopt each other. Most of the potential ending slides for Cullen show him with the dog at his side.

* A blond Labrador can be found by the player in ''VideoGame/EndlessOcean: Blue World''. Rescuing it leads L&L Diving Service to adopt it on Nineball Island, naming it "Snorkel", and it becomes involved in a sidequest.
* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout|1}}'':
** Dogmeat, a dog that the player can have join their party, also makes a cameo (and acted as a non-canon bonus character) in ''VideoGame/Fallout2'' (along with two normally recruitable cybernetic dog companions: K-9 and Robodog, and a "special encounter" jinxed dog called Pariah) and appears (in 3D for the first time) in ''VideoGame/Fallout3''. He's found next to a dead body named Max, a homage to Film/{{Mad Max 2|The Road Warrior}} and his dog, Dog. ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' also gives you Rex, a new cyberdog companion, and in the DLC "Old World Blues" you can get Roxie, a female cyberdog [[spoiler: (which can actually "mate" with Rex in several endings if certain conditions are attained)]].

* In ''VideoGame/FableII'', the protagonist gets a dog to help fight off enemies and find buried treasure. You get a dog in ''VideoGame/FableIII'' as well.

* ''ComicBook/BouleEtBill'': Boule has a cocker spaniel named Bill.

* ''ComicBook/TheSandman'': Delirium has Barnabas, who she picked up from her brother Destruction.

* In ''VideoGame/FableII'', the protagonist gets a dog to help fight off enemies and find buried treasure. You get a dog in ''Fable III'' as well.

* VideoGame/{{Mega Man|Classic}} has Rush, who can be used like a hoverboard and has a spring on his back that allows Mega Man to reach high platforms.
** There's also the more wolf-like Treble, who can combine with his master Bass to access his SuperMode.
* This is the central mechanic in ''VideoGame/HauntingGround'', which has [[HauntedHeroine Fiona]] rely on Hewie as both her primary means of defense and to recover items in areas that are inaccessible to her. Together, they must puzzle their way past [[MalevolentArchitecture the castle's dangers]] in order to escape.
* ''VideoGame/SuikodenII'': [[NatureHero Kinnison]] and his dog, Shiro, live in the forest surrounding Ryubei Village. If PlayerCharacter Riou puts the baby bird back in its nest and returns a short while later, Kinnison will ask if he was the one who saved it. Answer "yes" and they'll join Riou's army.

** Dogmeat, a dog that the player can have join their party, also makes a cameo (and acted as a non-canon bonus character) in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 2}}'' (along with two normally recruitable cybernetic dog companions: K-9 and Robodog, and a "special encounter" jinxed dog called Pariah) and appears (in 3D for the first time) in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''. He's found next to a dead body named Max, a homage to Film/{{Mad Max 2|The Road Warrior}} and his dog, Dog. ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' also gives you Rex, a new cyberdog companion, and in the DLC "Old World Blues" you can get Roxie, a female cyberdog [[spoiler: (which can actually "mate" with Rex in several endings if certain conditions are attained)]].

* ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'': Galford is accompanied in battle by his dog Poppy, who also assists him with some attacks.

* ''VideoGame/SecretOfEvermore'''s hero has a dog that helps him in battle and to sniff out alchemy ingredients in the area. The effects of Evermore also change the dog's shape to reflect the sort of region the boy is exploring.
* ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'' has Repede, a [[CanisMajor damned big dog]] loyal to Yuri, the main protagonist. Oh, and he's a playable party member as well.
* The ''VideoGame/{{Shinobi}}'' sequel ''Shadow Dancer'' had Yamato, who you could sick on enemies to prevent them from attacking.
* ''Franchise/DragonAge'' loves its dogs. The mabari are a cultural symbol of the kingdom of Ferelden, and it's a well-known fact that they are "smart enough to talk, wise enough not to." If a character in the franchise has a mabari, they are invariably Fereldan.
** In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'', five of the six potential origins have an opportunity to have a mabari hound imprint on them. The Human Noble, on the other hand, has had a mabari since they were very young and the dog is with them from almost the very beginning of the game.
** In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', the ''Black Emporium'' DLC provides a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute for the original Mabari. This time, the dog is treated much like a ranger's summoned animals were in the original, so he no longer takes up a party member slot and can be with Hawke at all times.
** The player does not get a dog in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', as they are native to the Free Marches; however, in the ''Trespasser'' DLC epilogue, Cullen - the Inquisitor's Ferelden-born military advisor - finds an abandoned mabari at the Winter Palace and they adopt each other. Most of the potential ending slides for Cullen show him with the dog at his side.
* ''VideoGame/ConquestOfTheCrystalPalace'': Farron and his dog Zap are the only ones brave enough to rise against the conquest.
* ''VideoGame/DeadlyPremonition'' has Forrest Kaysen's dalmatian Willie, who is exceptionally good at tracking down missing people. According to WordOfGod, [[spoiler:it also relays orders to [[HumanoidAbomination Kaysen]] from the Red World]].
* The ''VideoGame/DeadToRights'' games has Shadow, an insanely vicious husky capable of killing Mooks just as easily as his CowboyCop partner Jack Slate, as well as being able to solve puzzles or get various objects needed for Jack to progress.
* ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' lets you tame wolves so they'll follow you around and help you fight, whether that means defending you from hostile mobs or hunting down passive mobs that you have targeted. The Xbox 360 Avatar system honored this by letting you have a pet ''Minecraft'' wolf as an accessory, which shows the Avatar playing with it.
* The orange dog from ''VideoGame/ButThatWasYesterday''.

* Dog/Worthless Mutt from ''VideoGame/{{Arcanum}}''. He can join your party without taking up a companion slot and train himself to be a melee master.
* ''VideoGame/RuleOfRose'' has an example of this in the form of Brown, the protagonist's best friend and companion throughout the game. In addition, his sense of smell is used as a core gameplay mechanic in locating items.
* Quite a few Franchise/{{Pokemon}} are based on dogs; examples include the Growlithe, Eevee, Snubbull, Houndour, Poochyena, Zigzagoon, Riolu, Lillipup, Rockruff, and Yamper families, along with Furfrou.
** If you include foxes, then the Vulpix, Zorua, Fennekin, and Nickit families also count.
* In ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'', Bladewolf accompanies Raiden from File-02 onward and by the end [[spoiler: he's more or less become [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots Sunny's]] CanineCompanion instead]].
* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain'': D-Dog, who can be selected to accompany Big Boss on his missions.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls''
** Clavicus Vile, the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]] of [[DealWithTheDevil Bargains]] and [[LiteralGenie Wishes]], is often accompanied by Barbas, Vile's [[MoralityChain external conscience]]. While Barbas might appear closer to a HellHound in statues, he is much closer to a BigFriendlyDog in personality and when he takes form in the mortal world.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' both have optional dog companions. ''Oblivion''[='s=] in the form of a skinned hound reward for a quest, and in ''Skyrim'' a pet dog can be obtained in one of three ways. Firstly, stray dogs may appear in random encounters in the wilderness; secondly, a dog named Vigilance may be purchased; and thirdly, a dog named Meeko can be found lingering around a shack in the wilderness. Meeko's previous master died and Meeko is unwilling to leave him unless he is adopted by the player. Additionally, one quest has the aforementioned Barbas join you for a time. The ''Dawnguard'' DLC adds extra dog companions which can be obtained by joining either of the added factions; they are not permanently the player's pets but can be taken along on quests as followers.
* ''VideoGame/NosferatuTheWrathOfMalachi'': Aunt Sophie's dog Buster will follow you around and fight off monsters once you free him.
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic: Knights of the Fallen Empire'' introduces a purchasable [[HorseOfADifferentColor Akk Dog]] as a combat companion (which can somehow heal the player). Although this is playing a little bit loose with the definition of "canine" -- akk dogs look and act roughly like -- wolves actually -- but biologically they're more like giant, angry, [[GunsAreWorthless blaster-resistant]] reptiles with MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily.

* In ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' there's the [[CanisMajor Great Grey Wolf]], Sif. Sif was the wolf companion of Sir Artorias, the Abysswalker (a giant himself) even after his death. Sif guarded Artorias's grave until death and wielded the great sword Artorias once used.
* ''VideoGame/DarkestDungeon'''s hero lineup includes the [[TheBeastmaster Houndmaster]], who's never seen without his faithful canine. [[AttackAnimal She assists in several of his attacks and abilities]], and his combat animations include [[HeroesLoveDogs hugging her and shielding her from harm with his body]].
* In ''VideoGame/IansEyes'', North is Ian's seeing-eye dog. He's also the PlayerCharacter.
* ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'' lets you get your own kubrow, an Orokin-engineered oviparous dog-like creature that assists you in missions and is an adorable furball in [[PlayerHeadquarters your orbiter]]. Just remember to regularly treat them with DNA stabilizers and pet them so that they remain at peak functionality.
* ''VideoGame/YuuyamiDooriTankentai'' has Meros, Nao's dog, who frequently follows him and his friends around town.

* ''VideoGame/CandiesNCurses'' features a ghost puppy named Goober who will aid the player in slaying ghosts if they have the Pup Charm equipped.
* ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts: Covenant'' has Blanca, a large white wolf who accompanies Yuri and the party on their journey. A series of "Wolf Bouts", a sidequest exclusive to him, also demonstrates that he's an IntellectualAnimal, conversing quite articulately with his opponent.

* The ''VideoGame/DarkTales'' installment ''The Gold Bug'' provides Dupin and the player with the assistance of Arthur, a sweet-tempered and highly intelligent Newfoundland, who sniffs out various clues for them.
* Charles-Ingvar [[RememberTheNewGuy suddenly, yet without comment,]] gains one called Ingo in ''VideoGame/JonssonliganJaktenPaMjolner'' after not having had any pets in the original film series. While Ingo can't be controlled on his own and there is no way to interact with him, he will always follow Charles around and is useful for a few puzzles.

* A blond Labrador can be found by the player in ''VideoGame/EndlessOcean: Blue World''. Rescuing it leads L&L Diving Service to adopt it on Nineball Island, naming it "Snorkel", and it becomes involved in a sidequest.

* The player character in most installments of the ''[[Creator/ElephantGames Mystery Trackers]]'' series has Elf, a miniature pinscher, who accompanies her on missions. Elf can be used to retrieve items from places too small for the player to go and performs other various helpful functions. One of the games even has an adorable bonus activity in which the player acquires various items for Elf, his mate, and their litter of puppies.

* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls'' turns [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Spike the dragon]] into a dog when he follows Twilight Sparkle through the mirror portal into the human world. Human!Pinkie Pie notes when she meets them that they look just like another girl and her dog living in the city; we meet them in TheStinger of [[WesternAnimaton/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks the second film]], and Spike the dog is featured in the [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsFriendshipGames subsequent]] [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsLegendOfEverfree films]] in place of Spike the dragon.

* In ''Animation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolf: Mighty Little Defenders'', Wolffy is [[BalefulPolymorph turned into a dog against his will]]. He becomes a TeamPet for the goats, but [[TheMole is actually still on the wolves' side]] and is only pretending to help the goats.

A dog who travels with a character wherever he or she goes, and traditionally known as "man's best friend." This may be anything from a MisterMuffykins or a RightHandAttackDog to a PreciousPuppy or a NonHumanSidekick. If you're lucky, your PostApocalypticDog will be one of these, and not a SuperPersistentPredator dog hunting you down.

* ''Anime/DoraemonNobitaAndTheHauntsOfEvil'' have Nobita having his wishes of owning a pet fulfilled when he adopts a stray dog that he names Pekko, which his mother Tamako (who usually dislikes animals and forbids Nobita from owning a pet, but decide make an exception when Pekko retrieves her lost purse for her) allows him to keep in the house. But it turns out Pekko is actually the Prince of a tribe of dog-people living in the heart of Africa, who was casted out of his country by an evil usurper before escaping all the way to Japan, and the entire adventure revolves around the efforts of Nobita, Doraemon and their friends to help Pekko reclaim his throne.

* ''Anime/MazingerZ'': Saijyo -a secondary character appeared in episode 26- and his female dog, Norako. He was an orphan, homeless boy, and she was her only friend. He was ''fiercely'' protective of her.

* ''Anime/NeoHumanCasshern'': Casshern travels with his dog partner Friender. Friender was originally the family dog -- brave and fierce, who got killed, but was revived as a trusted companion. Friender can become a tank, car, jet, or a submarine, and can breathe fire. He is the inspiration of [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Rush]].

* ''Animation/WhiteSnake2019'': Dudou is the cowardly but [[[[UndyingLoyalty loyal]] dog companion of Xuan, who accompanies him is all his endeavors, despite disliking how prone Xuan in getting them into trouble.

* ''ComicBook/SuskeEnWiske'': In some stories Wiske has a dog named Tobias.

* In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' fics of Creator/AAPessimal, Assassin Johanna Smith-Rhodes has experience of keeping companion pets. Her first animal companion was vetoed by Lord Downey, who politely requested her to consider the best place for a fully grown lion (raised from a rejected cub) might be the Zoo and not the Assassins' Guild. She then got two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, nominally big fierce attack dogs, but which became beloved House animals to the girls of Raven House. Marrying and moving out, Kaffee and Creme went with her and became family pets. In the inevitable fullness of time, they were relaced by two even bigger [[UsefulNotes/SouthAfrica Rimwards Howondalandian]] dogs: two Boerboels, called [[EdibleThemeNaming Rooibuis and Klipdrift]]. Like the previous dogs, the two huge mastiffs are friendly, affectionate, ideal housepets to a growing family, who loved being taken on walkies by Raven House girls, and gentle with the children - until anything threatens their mistresses.

* In the ''Fanfic/SkyholdAcademyYearbook'' series, later installments see [[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Cole]] as the proud owner of a mabari called Snow. Since mabari, in ''Franchise/DragonAge'', are highly intelligent creatures who select their own masters, this is a big deal for the boy.

--> '''Chance''': But we didn't ask for this job.\\
'''Shadow''': We didn't have to. It's built in. Has been ever since the dawn of time, when a few wild dogs took it upon themselves to watch over man. To bark when he's in danger, to run and play with him when he's happy, to nuzzle him when he's lonely. That's why they call us "man's best friend."

%%* Bullseye, Bill Sikes]s dog in ''Oliver''.

* ''Literature/HarryPotter'': When James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew found out that Remus Lupin was a werewolf, they secretly trained themselves to become Animagi (wizards who can transform into an animal form) so they could keep him company during his monthly transformations. Sirius's form is that of a large black dog.

* In ''Literature/PocketInTheSea'', Vicky, Lulu's dog, visits him in prison (and it apparently a regular visitor), is brought on board a deployed military submarine and even goes to prison with the crew later on in the book. Despite her adventures, Vicky is very distinctly a dog.

* In ''Literature/TheOdyssey'', the only one to recognize Odysseus when he returns home in disguise is his aged, faithful dog Argos--who had never abandoned hope, andwho died happy after seeing his master one last time.

* Gry trains a guide dog named Coaly for Orrec in ''[[Literature/AnnalsOfTheWesternShore Gifts]]'' when he goes blindfold due to [[PowerIncontinence being unable to control]] his DeadlyGaze. [[spoiler:He keeps her even after he takes the blindfold off.]]

* Gaspode the Wonder Dog in ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' sometimes finds himself in this role; most notably to Victor in ''Literature/MovingPictures'' and to Carrot in ''Literature/TheFifthElephant''. As with all canine stereotypes, he hates it, but feels compelled to go along with it anyway.

* ''Literature/JourneyToTheWest'' features Erlang Shen, the warrior god who defeats Sun Wukong. He has a faithful dog called Xiaotianquan/Shoutenken ("Howling Celestial Dog"). In Erlangs fight with Wukong, Xiaotianquan bites Wukong's leg at a critical moment. When they fight a giant multi-headed insect demon, Xiaotianquan bites off its head.

* Vincent from ''Series/{{Lost}}'', a yellow Labrador owned by Walt Lloyd, who surived the plane crash that stranded everyone on the island. He's the second character introduced after Jack and [[spoiler: in the final scene of the series lies down next to Jack as he's dying so he won't be alone.]]

* ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'': Charlie Brown and his dog, Snoopy are among the most famous examples in the world of comics.

** Dogmeat, a dog which the player can have join their party, also makes a cameo (and acted as a non-canon bonus character) in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 2}}'' (along with two normally recruitable cybernetic dog companions: K-9 and Robodog, and a "special encounter" jinxed dog called Pariah) and appears (in 3D for the first time) in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''. He's found next to a dead body named Max, a homage to Film/{{Mad Max 2|The Road Warrior}} and his dog, Dog. ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' also gives you Rex, a new cyberdog companion, and in the DLC "Old World Blues" you can get Roxie, a female cyberdog [[spoiler: (which can actually "mate" with Rex in several endings if certain conditions are attained)]].
** Many players have been known to SaveScum should their dog companions die in ''Fallout''. Human companions, meanwhile, are generally considered expendable. This is now sufficiently accepted that after ''VideoGame/Fallout4'' was announced, the games director publicly stated that this time [[http://ign.com/articles/2015/06/17/e3-2015-fallout-4-director-discusses-companion-functionality-immortality "... the dog can't die, because you're just going to re-load."]]

** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' both have optional dog companions. ''Oblivion''[='s=] in the form of a skinned hound reward for a quest, and in ''Skyrim'' a pet dog can be obtained in one of three ways. Firstly, stray dogs may appear in random encounters in the wilderness; secondly a dog named Vigilance may be purchased; and thirdly a dog named Meeko can be found lingering around a shack in the wilderness. Meeko's previous master died and Meeko is unwilling to leave him unless he is adopted by the player. Additionally, one quest has the aforementioned Barbas join you for a time. The ''Dawnguard'' DLC adds extra dog companions which can be obtained by joining either of the added factions; they are not permanently the player's pets, but can be taken along on quests as followers.

* Polterpup, starting with the end of ''VideoGame/LuigisMansionDarkMoon'', where Luigi adopts him. By the time of ''[[VideoGame/LuigisMansion3 3]]'', Polterpup has become the TeamPet of the Mario Crew, going on a holiday trip with them. After Luigi escapes getting trapped, Polterpup ends up being a near constant companion and guide for Luigi, pointing him towards things that are important, like finding and leading Luigi to the [[WeaponsThatSuck Poltergust G-00]].

* The player character in most installments of the ''[[Creator/ElephantGames Mystery Trackers]]'' series has Elf, a miniature pinscher, who accompanies her on missions. Elf can be used to retrieve items from places too small for the player to go, and performs other various helpful functions. One of the games even has an adorable bonus activity in which the player acquires various items for Elf, his mate, and their litter of puppies.

* Pom from ''VideoGame/ThemsFightinHerds'' is accompanied by a small litter of puppies named Woof, Ruff, Tuft and Puff, as well as their giant mother and father (not counting all of the puppies that show up in Pom's Level 2 Super attack) who accompany her on her adventure, as well as [[PuppetFighter play a role in her moveset.]]

* ''Webcomic/{{Unsounded}}'': Emil's loyal canine Pantoffel follows him and protects him through long journeys and battle.

* Creator/TessMasazza, creator of the Italian webseries ''Insopportabilmente Donna'', owns a little pug named Zoë, whom she basically treats as a children of her own and [[EvenTheDogIsAshamed sometimes looks genuinely perplexed by its owner’s behaviour]].

* Blue Falcon has ''WesternAnimation/DynomuttDogWonder'', although as the title suggests its the companion who's the star of the show.

* Jake the Dog from ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' overlaps this with NonHumanSidekick, and is the sidekick of Finn the TokenHuman.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' has Santa's Little Helper, Bart's loyal yet fickle dog whom sometimes end up making mistakes. [[BadBoss Mr. Burns]] also has the Hounds as his loyal and [[AngryGuardDog dangerous guard dogs]].

* ''Manga/OnePiece'' has a villainous eample with [[StrawNihilist Ohm]] and his ''very'' large dog, Holy.

* Polterpup, starting with the end of ''VideoGame/LuigisMansionDarkMoon'', where Luigi adopts him. By the time of ''[[VideoGame/LuigisMansion3 3]]'', Polterpup has become the TeamPet of the Mario Crew, going on a holiday trip with them. After Luigi escapses getting trapped, Polterpup ends up being a near constant companion and guide for Luigi, pointing him towards things that are important, like finding and leading Luigi to the [[WeaponsThatSuck Poltergust G-00]].

* WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse and Pluto. Donald also has a dog in some comic strips, but whether or not it's canon depends on the writer. Same shorts even paired Donald up WITH Pluto with Mickey nowhere in sight.