Dog (Fallout 3)

Dogs are animals commonly found in the Capital Wasteland, just like in most of the post-War (and pre-War) world.

Background
Through the 200 years since the War, dogs have stayed generally unaltered by radiation, seemingly a miracle. Dogs are a favored pet for traveling merchants, as they provide both companionship and protection.

As a result of the radiation, most dogs have lost their fur, but some have retained their coat and appear normal.

Biology
Dogs are quadrupedal canines that can run at incredible speeds allowing them to chase down prey. While running, they use their long tails to keep their balance. They are carnivorous, with sharp teeth designed to rip into the flesh of an animal.

Dogs are very compassionate and familial. They groom their pack members and protect them at all costs, even if it means their death. When threatened, they growl and bare low, ready to attack. If the intruder doesn't heed the warning, they will leap on the trespasser and attempt to rip out their throat.

Gameplay attributes
Dogs are usually encountered in packs of four to six. To low level characters, this could mean trouble since they can easily overwhelm the player and surround them. To higher level characters, they are little more than a nuisance. They can be difficult to put down as a result of their erratic and quick running patterns. Dogs are always hostile, unless the player possesses the Animal Friend perk.

Raider guard dog
This is a vicious dog that fights alongside its masters, the raiders; they are still affected by the Animal Friend perk.

Scavenger's dog
These dogs are found around scavenger's encampments, and will be friendly to you, as long as you don't do anything to their master. Note that the nomadic scavengers don't usually keep their dog companions nearby, and if a scavenger is killed by something other than the player, the dog will pursue their master's murderer, until the killer or the dog itself is dead. These dogs have moderately less health and attack damage than vicious dogs.

There is a karma loss for killing the scavenger's dog, as well as the scavenger themselves and/or the scavenger's brahmin if they have one. Furthermore, scavenger dogs will attack if the player continues to pursue the scavenger even after a warning is given.

While the scavenger's dogs share a model with Dogmeat, with the same breed and the same type of heterochromia, scavenger's dogs are significantly weaker than Dogmeat.

Talon Company guard dog
Identical to vicious dogs, these animals will often accompany Talon Company mercenaries, but are still affected by the Animal Friend perk, much like their raider brethren.

Vicious dog
Ruthless survivors of the wastes, these irradiated dogs will always be hostile, unless you have acquired the Animal Friend perk. They often hunt in packs of 3-5. Beware these dogs as they can sometimes spawn in semi-random areas.

Guard dog (Operation: Anchorage)
Used as guards by the Chinese soldiers in the Anchorage Reclamation simulation, and unlike raider and Talon Company guard dogs, are unaffected by the Animal Friend perk. Guard dogs are worth only 1 XP. They are identical to Dogmeat in appearance, even having the same eye color, one being blue and the other green.

Appearances
Dogs appear in Fallout 3.