Dog Breeds (3pp)

For characters looking to purchase a dog or to sell one, consult the table below. Prices are generally considered averages. A GM should raise or lower prices anywhere from a few gold to several dozen gold depending on how rare a species is.

Nobles often keep records of the genealogy of their prize dogs, and any dog with a detailed genealogy will usually command at least twice the listed price, and sometimes as much as five times the listed price.

Some dogs are outlawed in certain cities and/or nations. Most goodly regions prohibit the ownership of any undead dog as well as the infernal dog. Some areas also prohibit the ownership of any dog considered “dangerous”, such as the bear-dog, bulldog and orcish wolf-dog, without purchasing special licenses (which can cost up to twice the value of the dog itself and usually must be renewed every year or so).

Note that that most of the magical dogs have a “+” after the gold piece value. That is because the listed value is usually a baseline beginning price and that values for those breeds are often significantly more. One usually has to know the right people in order to buy and sell most of these particular breeds to begin with.

The elven dog is a special case, in that even though it can potentially be bought or sold, it is usually not available to non-elves. In many cases, even half-elves would have a tough time purchasing one. That said, it is not unheard of for elves to honor non-elven friends with the gift of an elven dog puppy.

Average prices for each breed of dog are included in their entry.

Many of these dog breeds can be used for familiars by wizards and sorcerers or animal companions by druids and rangers. The following information details differences, if any, each breed has from the standard dog or riding dog.

Companion Information

Most of the dog breeds can become animal companions for druids and rangers, but only those breeds that are of the Animal type. The breeds detailed here that are magical beasts or undead are not available as animal companions. All of the Medium sized breeds use the standard companion advancement rules.

The information below details those Medium-sized breeds presented in this supplement that have a special ability/attack/quality and whether it gains that ability at 4th or 7th level for the druid/ranger. If a Medium sized breed is not listed here, assume it is exactly the same as the base Dog.

Apollo

4th level Advancement

Special Attacks trip attacks bonus

Blond Mastiff

4th level Advancement

Special Quality loyal beyond death

Bull Mastiff

4th level Advancement

Special Quality tenacious

Collie

4th level Advancement

Special Quality fast learner

Halfling Riding Dog

4th level Advancement

Special Quality loyal

Kuvasz

4th level Advancement

Special Quality skilled

Moorhound

4th level Advancement

Special Quality wolf hunter

Orcish Wolf-Dog

4th level Advancement

Special Quality pack mentality

Pinscher

4th level Advancement

Special Quality fight to the death

Ranger’s Hound

4th level Advancement

Special Quality tireless tracker

Schaferhund

4th level Advancement

Special Quality fast learner

Small Dogs

Small-sized breeds that are selected as animal companions all have the same base statistics, with details on differences following the base stats. If the breed does not have specific information presented below, assume it has all special qualities, bonus feats, etc. when the druid or ranger first acquires it as a companion.

Starting Statistics

Size Tiny; Speed 40 ft.; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d3); Ability Scores Str 13, Dex 13, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.

4th level Advancement

Size Small; Attack bite (1d4); Ability Scores Str +2, Con +2; Special Qualities Same, or see below.

Bulldog

4th level Advancement

Special Attacks lockjaw

Bullenbeiszer

4th level Advancement

Attack bite (1d4), 2 paws (1d3); Special Attacks Headbutt

Cavalier

4th level Advancement

Feat Weapon Focus (bite)

Corgi

4th level Advancement

Feat acrobatics

Dwarven Hound

4th level Advancement

Special Attacks goblin hunter

Dog (Tiny-Sized)

Occasionally, a halfling or gnome druid or ranger will take a breed of dog for a companion that is still Tiny when fully grown. For such breeds, use the following base statistics, with details on differences following the base stats. If the breed does not have specific information presented below, assume it has all special qualities, bonus feats, etc. when the druid or ranger first acquires it as a companion.

Starting Statistics

Size Diminutive; Speed 30 ft.; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1); Ability Scores Str 7, Dex 17, Con 11, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.

4th level Advancement

Size Tiny; Attack bite (1d3); Ability Scores Str +2, Con +2; Special Qualities same or see below.

Badgerhound

4th level Advancement

Speed burrow 10 ft.

Cairn Terrier

4th level Advancement

Special Attacks ratter

Halfling Ratter

4th level Advancement

Special Attacks ratter

Pug

4th level Advancement

Feat stealthy

Bear-Dog

The bear-dog has its own unique animal companion stats.

Starting Statistics

Size Medium; Speed 40 ft.; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d6); Ability Scores Str 17, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.

4th level Advancement

Size Large; Attack bite (1d8); Ability Scores Str +2, Dex -2, Con +2; Special Qualities Fierce

Familiar Information

Several of the smaller breeds are commonly found as familiars to dog-loving arcane casters. All breeds follow the standard advancement rules for familiars.

Breed	Familiar Bonus
Badgerhound	+2 bonus on Perception (+3 when scent is involved)
Cairn Terrier	+2 bonus on Perception (+3 when hearing is involved)
Cavalier	+3 bonus to Will saves
Corgi	+2 bonus to Will saves & Acrobatics
Foxhound	+2 bonus Sense Motive & Survival
Halfling Ratter	+2 bonus to Bluff & Sense Motive
Low Hound	Endurance feat
Pug	+1 bonus to Charisma
Rabbit Hound	+1 bonus to attack and damage when flanking & +1 bonus to Perception
Songshi Quan	+2 bonus on Perception (+3 when scent is involved)