Dog

Dogs are animals that appear in towns in several games in The Legend of Zelda series, often with no plot-significant relevance, save for sidequest-like events.

Dogs first appeared in Link's Awakening with their relative, the Chomp, an enemy from the Mario series. In Link's Awakening, a dog in front of a house, Mutt, will attack Link if he attacks it. It can be killed with the Magic Rod. Chomps do not attack Link and a Chain Chomp called Bow-Wow becomes important for reaching the second dungeon, Bottle Grotto. Chain Chomps also appear in A Link to the Past. In Ocarina of Time dogs return. They are often seen running around the market at night. One dog called Richard must be found in order to complete a side-quest to get a Heart Piece. Dogs in Ocarina of Time will follow Link if he gets close to them. In this game and Majora's Mask, they resemble Yorkshire Terriers. In Majora's Mask Link can participate in a dog race. Link can use the Mask of Truth to read a dog's mind before the race to find out which ones are more confident. In this game there are more fur colors that a dog may be. When Link is in Deku form, dogs will attack him, but he will not be hurt. When Link is in Goron form, dogs will growl at him but will run away if approached. Finally, when Link is in Zora form, dogs will give affectionate barks, showing they like Link.

In Oracle of Seasons, there's a dog named Flash. Link can see him fetching a red ball, which his master throws away in the eastern part of Horon Village. Oracle of Ages involves a dog in a trading quest and a Linked Secrets quest. Mamamu Yan will trade a dumbbell for the Doggie Mask. In the Linked Secrets quest, Link must chase the dog throughout the town.

Dogs are quite frequent in The Minish Cap, the most significant being Fifi (the only Yorkshire Terrier in The Minish Cap), Rolf (Romio's dog), and Growler. Growler is a brown dog that can be found blocking a staircase next to Dr. Left's house in Hyrule Town. Link can fuse Kinstones with it if he is in Minish form.

In Twilight Princess, their last appearance to date, dogs serve little purpose, but can be found in Ordon Village and Hyrule Castle Town. The player can talk to them in Wolf form. When in Castle Town, in human form, Link can play catch with these dogs. If he tosses a bone found near where the dog is, the dog will run after it and bring it back to Link. If, when by the eastern exit (or western in the Wii version), the bone is thrown in the patch of grass between the doctor's house and the house next to it, the dog may bring Link back a rupee or two.