Finding the Perfect Pup: Our Top 20 Dogs in Video Games
Dogs in video games are more than just sidekicks, they’re symbols of loyalty, emotional grounding, and often the only pure-hearted presence in worlds full of chaos, violence, or moral ambiguity. Whether they're sniffing out enemies, helping you traverse dangerous terrain, or simply sitting by your side at camp, these canine companions tap into something primal: our need for connection, comfort, and unconditional love.
This list ranks the Top 20 Dog Companions in Video Games, based not purely on mechanical utility or screen time, but on a more nuanced blend of emotional resonance, player connection, narrative impact, and overall popularity. These rankings are loosely ordered but subjective, driven by personal sentiment, storytelling significance, and how deeply these dogs stick with us long after the game is over.
Some of these companions are battle-hardened partners. Others are fragile hearts in fragile worlds. But each one earns their place through the simple, timeless magic that only a digital dog can deliver.
So leash up! Here are the video game doggos who’ve left paw prints on our hearts.
1. Dogmeat – Fallout 3 / Fallout 4
Dogmeat is the quintessential video game dog companion. Found in the harsh wastelands of the Fallout universe, he stands as a symbol of unconditional loyalty in a world gone mad. Players form a deep psychological bond with Dogmeat because he provides safety, companionship, and loyalty without question or judgment, a rare commodity in Fallout's morally grey universe. His silence amplifies his emotional impact, making him more like a real dog: ever-present, dependable, and loving.
2. Rush – Mega Man series
Though a robot, Rush exudes all the charm and devotion of a real dog. He helps Mega Man traverse difficult terrain, acts as a springboard, submarine, or jet, and is always ready to assist. Players connect to Rush not through words, but through actions. His cheerful presence and reliability in battle represent the idealized loyal pet; always there when you need him most.
3. D-Dog (DD) – MGSV: The Phantom Pain
Discovered as a puppy and raised by the player, DD becomes a loyal and powerful ally. The emotional arc from rescue to fully-trained partner, creates a bond rooted in care and protection. His ability to take down enemies or distract them deepens gameplay strategy, but it's the simple moments riding in the chopper or quietly sitting by your side that solidify the emotional connection. He's your dog because you raised him.
4. Chop – GTA V
Chop is more than just comic relief, he’s Franklin’s loyal companion in a chaotic world. He represents a stable emotional anchor in a game filled with cynicism and satire. Players care for Chop by walking, training, and even interacting with him via an in-game app. He provides a break from violence and chaos with a simple, grounding relationship.
5. Dog – Fable II / III
Your dog in Fable isn’t just a companion he’s a reflection of your morality. Whether you're good or evil, your dog evolves with you, reinforcing the player’s psychological journey through Albion. His utility (digging treasure, alerting threats) builds functional reliance, while his loyalty, especially in the game’s ending delivers one of gaming’s most emotional choices. Few digital dogs feel this personal.
6. Boomer – Far Cry 5
Boomer is a big softie wrapped in tactical utility. In a world overrun with cultists and violence, he brings emotional relief. His ability to tag enemies and stealthily attack makes him a strategic asset, but it's his happy demeanor, tail wags, and friendly barks that create the emotional connection. He’s the heart of your resistance.
7. Koromaru – Persona 3
A stoic, Persona-wielding Shiba Inu who fights alongside your team. Koromaru never speaks, yet his quiet bravery and loyalty stand out in a game centered around death, grief, and human connection. He visits his late owner’s shrine regularly a gesture that tugs at the heart. Players see him as a symbol of loyalty and resilience.
8. Rex – Fallout: New Vegas
A cyberdog with a failing brain, Rex’s story is tragic and touching. Players are given the chance to help him and choose how. That agency creates a bond, while Rex’s expressive body language and barking make him feel emotionally real. He’s not just another companion, he’s a soul worth saving.
9. Riley – Call of Duty: Ghosts
Riley brought something new to the Call of Duty formula: emotional investment. Players could control him, creating a unique sense of embodiment. He wasn’t just a military asset; he was a brother-in-arms. In a world of bullets and bombast, Riley’s presence added heart.
10. Hewie – Haunting Ground
In a horror game where you're often defenseless, Hewie is your protector, your only real hope. Players don’t just rely on him, they need him. That dependency, paired with his realistic behavior (fear, obedience, affection), creates a strong emotional tether. His growls feel like courage, and his whines, vulnerability.
11. Boney – Mother 3
Boney is one of the few constants in Lucas’s tumultuous life. In a story marked by loss, change, and emotional trauma, Boney represents innocence and loyalty. He doesn’t speak he simply stays. That quiet support resonates deeply with players, especially in a game so focused on human emotions.
12. Scratch – Baldur’s Gate 3
Scratch isn’t a combat pet (unless summoned), but he’s the emotional glue of your camp. He greets you, asks for pets, and even brings gifts. In a world of danger and darkness, Scratch is a source of joy and peace. Players bond with him because he’s pure, loyal, and loves you, no matter what choices you make.
13. Bullet – Blair Witch
Bullet is your lifeline in a game built around psychological horror. He helps you navigate, find clues, and most importantly calms your character’s panic attacks. That emotional connection transcends gameplay; Bullet isn’t just helpful, he’s necessary for emotional survival. Players often reported protecting him more fiercely than themselves.
14. Interceptor – Final Fantasy VI
Fiercely loyal to Shadow, Interceptor isn’t just a pet he’s a companion who reflects Shadow’s complex character. Though he doesn’t directly bond with the player, his occasional battle saves and devotion to his master create emotional weight. When he chooses to stay with Shadow, it means something.
15. Chorizo – Far Cry 6
Chorizo wins hearts instantly. A dachshund on wheels, he’s less useful than Boomer, but far more adorable. His animations and sheer determination make him memorable. In a game full of explosions and gunfire, Chorizo is a bright, funny, wholesome light.
16. Shadow – Dead to Rights
A police dog trained to takedown criminals, Shadow is all about trust under fire. While not deeply emotional in narrative, his fierce loyalty and badass utility make players feel powerful and connected. He’s a partner, not a pet.
17. Einstein – Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Einstein is more of a cameo than a full companion, but his presence adds to the realism and charm of the game. He’s a military working dog, not deeply developed, but still memorable for fans.
18. Cerberus – Hades
Though not a combat companion, Cerberus is Zagreus’s beloved pet and gatekeeper of the Underworld. Petting him is a ritual for many players. He’s symbolic of Zagreus’s softer side and offers emotional contrast to the game’s intensity.
19. Mutt – Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Mutt isn’t flashy, but he’s a grounded, realistic companion. You train him, hunt with him, and watch him grow. Players bond with him because he’s functional, believable, and loyal in a harsh medieval world.
20. Blade Wolf – Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Initially an antagonist, Blade Wolf becomes a companion who questions morality. While robotic and more philosophical than dog-like, his later loyalty and evolution create a bond. Still, he’s just sentient enough to edge away from pure dog energy.
Honorable Mentions
Repede (Tales of Vesperia)
Amaterasu (Ōkami)
Parappa the Rapper
Wolf Link
Simply put: A Tail Worth Telling
Video game dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and species, some bark, some whine, some don't make a sound at all, but every one of them holds the potential to mean something real in a digital world. Whether they fight beside you, fetch loot, or simply sit quietly and remind you you're not alone, these companions speak to the emotional depth games can reach when they lean into loyalty, vulnerability, and heart.
Of course, this list is by no means definitive. It’s shaped by memory, emotion, and experience and like any good dog story, it’s personal. If we’ve missed a powerful pooch, an memorable mutt, or a thought-provoking pup who meant the world to you, please know it wasn’t intentional. There are far more than 20 deserving digital doggos out there, and we’d love to hear who you'd add to the pack.
Because in the end, no matter the game, no matter the genre, one thing is true: when a good dog is by your side, the game always hits harder.
