Red Dead Redemption 2 Players Can Now Get A Dog As A Companion
It only took three years, but after Arthur Morgan first shot up the Old West and helped Rockstar Games deliver one of its best titles ever, Red Dead Redemption 2 is finally allowing you to have a dog as a companion.
Furry friends and video games go hand in hand, with everything from Silent Hill 2 to Fallout 4 showing us what a good boy (or girl) a dog can be.
With dogs in video games being so popular, there's even a site where players can check if they can pet the dog. Now, it's Red Dead Redemption 2's time to give us some canine company.
How do you get a dog companion in Red Dead Redemption 2?
Click to enlargeOver on Nexus Mods, the "Dog Companion" mod lets you go on all your rootin' tootin' adventures with a four-legged friend in tow. We know there are dogs already out there in the desert that you can pet (or hunt if you're a monster), however, it's not the same as having a loyal doggo by your side.
The mod's description rightly reads, "A cowboy without a horse is not a cowboy. But if you ever wondered how it'd be to play RDR2 with a personal dog, this mod is for you". At the time of writing, the "Dog Companion" mod has been downloaded nearly 4k times - which we're expecting to rise.
After installing the mod for RDR2 on PC, simply walk up to a homestead, find a dog, and select the new "bonding" option. Yes, you've probably just stolen some poor prospector's dog, but hey, you're supposed to be an outlaw anyway.
More than just a cosmetic overhaul like we've seen in the likes of Resident Evil Village's NSFW Lady Dimitrescu mod, the dog mod has plenty going on. Arthur can tell his dog to sit and wait, or whistle and they'll come happily running over.
If your dog gets lost, you can jump on your horse and locate your new companion like you would with your missing hat. Best yet, the dog mod gives you a ferocious ally in battle, who can tear the throats out of other ne'er-do-wells.
Will there be a dog in Red Dead Redemption 3?
While we're hopeful there will be a Red Dead Redemption 3, there's still no word from Rockstar. We guess the acclaimed developer is busy working on the mythical GTA 6. There's plenty of scope to tell more stories beyond RDR2's Arthur Morgan or Red Dead's John Marston, and with the franchise being up there with GTA in terms of fandom, it would be an easy sell.
Looking at how the Far Cry games have included the Fangs for Hire mechanic and Amigos - as well as the already fan-favourite status of Chorizo in Far Cry 6 - we'd love to imagine a similar scenario with dogs in Red Dead Redemption 3. Sadly, the timing of a dog mod for RDRD2 comes at a time the video game world is mourning a loss. Only recently, the owner of the dog that inspired Fallout 4's Dogmeat confirmed River had tragically passed away.
There's still a booming fanbase of RDR2 players, and with updates adding more to the story, here's hoping we won't have to wait as long as we have for GTA 6 before we'll get to saddle up again. In the meantime, head out on more cowboy adventures with your best doggo by your side.
