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Dogs are the carnivorous decedents of wolves that were domesticated by humans. While generally docile, they may become wild, cursed, unnaturally ravenous, or all of the above. In these instances, they are treated as predators.

After the Northern Wars in the 13th century, mass numbers of dogs died due to famine and their dead owners.[1]

The Witcher[]

While generally not a threat, in instances where they become dangerous, it becomes necessary for Geralt to fight them, and other times for him to even play dog catcher.

Journal Bestiary entry[]

"Whoever claims that dog is man's best friend, has probably never tamed a wyvern."
Anonymous druid

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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt[]

For the most part, dogs are domesticated pets, if they are treated well by their masters, they respond with loyalty and trust. However, dogs that are ill-treated will respond in kind.

A bestiary entry can be obtained by reading Fauna of the Northern Realms, Volume 1.

Bestiary entry[]

They say a dog's a man's best friend... But in these foul times one best be wary, even of his friends.
– Alfred Pankratz, beggar from Novigrad
Some claim dogs are reflections of their masters. A well-treated pet repays his owner with loyalty and trust, whereas an ill-treated one repays this treatment in kind as well, meeting yells with barks and kicks with bites. Since there is an abundance of bad men, so, too, is there an abundance of bad dogs. Most dangerous of all are the vagrant mutts who have lost all respect for men and developed a taste for blood and carrion.
Dogs usually attack in packs, choosing isolated victims, especially ones in whom they sense some kind of weakness. Packs of rabid dogs usually only dare attack children, drunkards, the elderly and cripples. Yet when backed into a corner, they will defend themselves with frothing bites and sharp claws against all and sundry.

Combat tactics[]

As with all non-magical creatures, a steel sword is most effective against dogs. One known weakness is simply by coating your sword with beast oil, however the sign aard is also good for pushing back a singular, or even pack of, dogs, and because a the creature is lightweight, this works really well. They are also fairly susceptible to igni, catching fire due to their fur. Generally, one-on-one with a single dog is not much of a threat at all; it's a pack of them surrounding you that is the problem.

You have to drop each one quickly while simultaneously dodging out of range of the others coming at you from the sides and behind. Dogs are also particularly fast on their feet, and while they aren't all that strong, their speed and numbers can more than make up for it if you caught unprepared.

Associated quests[]

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References[]

  1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
  2. Although game assets suggest this is the case, it has not been seen. Having the journal entry would be a minimum requirement.
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