D&D 5E Barding for War Dogs; 6000gp for Plate Barding???

[Oofta]

I remember when I worked in the pet industry hearing that adult, active dogs can carry no more than 25% of their weight without risking injury. In my mind, it's pushing things to even consider having a fully armored Halfling on a dog for any period of time, and then to add plate armor as well? That seems... unlikely.
But hey, I'm no expert and more importantly, it's a fantasy game, have fun!

Dogs wearing armor has a long history. In fact some still wear it today:

Riding a dog is a different story, their spines aren't made for it. Then again we're talking halflings and gnomes so maybe?

 

[Tonguez]

When we were kids (2- 5) we use to ride our dads hunting dogs, though admittedly we werent wearing armour or going long distances. But we can assume 30 odd lbs (which sorta confirms your 25% measure for a 120lb dog)

an English mastiff can go 200 - 230lbs which would allow a weight of 50 - 60lbs - the average Halfling is 40 lb (plus 20lb armour)

the largest known dog weighed 357 lb - which allows a rider of 90 lbs = two halflings. We should probably assume that in a world where riding dogs is common, they are deliberately bred to be larger and stronger to accomodate

 

[iserith]

Tell your DM you don't want to pay 6,000 gp for plate barding and instead buy 240 mastiffs. That'll be much more effective than one dog with a good AC.

 

[DragonBelow]

Does the dog have heavy armor proficiency?

 

[bedir than]

Tell your DM you don't want to pay 6,000 gp for plate barding and instead buy 240 mastiffs. That'll be much more effective than one dog with a good AC.

Me as the DM

You'll have to use an action to command each of them

 

[DND_Reborn]

You'll have to use an action to command each of them

24 minutes later... you're finally done, and your throat is sore from calling all those commands.

 

[Benjamin Olson]

Now I know that today pets are beloved, but ... people were a bit utilitarian back then. Would it make sense to pay 6000 gp to armor up an animal that cost a small fraction of it?

Even someone who doesn't care about the life of their mount can care about not having their mount shot out from under them mid-battle, tournament, whatever. This goes double for the adventurer who often has a long walk back to civilization.

And it's not just armor for one dog, it's armor for all the dogs that (unless it is a beastmaster companion, a sidekick-classed dog, or otherwise gaining hp as you level up, or else has the divine protection of a DM unwilling to kill your dog) will inevitably replace it when it dies.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Problem 1: There is nothing to ever spend money on in 5e. Money is useless!

Problem 2: They really need to make things cheaper.

yeah, it is feast or feminine

 

[Seramus]

When the dog dies, just clean out the armor and put another dog in. You only need ONE suit of plate.

 

[Dave Goff]

Dogs wearing armor has a long history. In fact some still wear it today:
View attachment 263207

Riding a dog is a different story, their spines aren't made for it. Then again we're talking halflings and gnomes so maybe?

Well, sure, but that doesn't look like heavy plate and there's no rider.
But like I said, I'm definitely no expert and haven't really looked into it.