Questions about riding dogs

[Ostler]

One of the players in a new campaign I am starting (tomorrow) wants a riding dog. Having never run a game or played in one where a character had a riding dog this brings up several questions.

1. Does the cost for a riding dog listed in the PHB include a saddle?

2. If not, how much should a saddle for a dog cost?

3. Is is possible to put a military type saddle on a riding dog? Cost?

The MM says that riding dogs can be trained for war. This allows them to make trip attacks like a wolf. How much more should a trained riding dog cost?

4. Could a riding dog be an animal companion? Awakened?

5. How much would barding cost for a dog? Or is it possible/worthwhile?


I have considered buying Natural 20 Press's In the Saddle but I'm not sure if it has any info that would help or that deals with riding dogs. Anybody know?

The player is really excited about having a riding dog so I want to make it as fun as possible for him. (It's refreshing to have a player excited about something like a riding dog rather than trying to figure out how their character can get ahold Thanks for the help.

Ostler

 

[coyote6]

Briefly, answers I know off the top of my head:

1. No. Saddles & the like are extra for all mounts.

2. Either the same as a regular saddle, or the same as an exotic saddle. It depends on whether you consider a riding dog "exotic" or not; the SRD's sample "exotic" creature is a pegasus. Me, I'd use the price of a regular saddle, reasoning that any price increase for making a saddle for a dog would be offset by the reduced amount of materials required.

3. I don't see why not; use the same cost as a military saddle of the type you chose in 2 (i.e., either a regular or exotic military saddle).

I've no idea on how much war training would cost; seems like I've seen some guidelines, but I don't remember where.

4. Yes. They are animals.

5. The rules are in the PH. Riding dogs are medium animals, so you simply double the price of a comparable set of armor. As for how possible it is -- IIRC, police/military dogs in the real world have armor made for them. So, yeah, it's possible.

 

[Sanackranib]

riding dog

coyote6 answered most of this the same way I would have. for the dog training use the riding house vs. light warhorse and there is your training cost. you player must be playing one of the smaller races. viva la cheaper mounts for the little people!

 

[Maldur]

he, now another question.
What race is a riding dog. One player presumes its a Golden retreiver. the other has this shaggy sheepdog.

But is there concenses?

 

[bloodymage]

[grognard mini-rant]
Tell your player if he's an orc, he can have a worg! Another ridiculous 3e "innovation" IMNSHO.
[/grognard mini-rant]

 

[garyh]

If you read the riding dog entry in the PHB, despite the fact it's called a "riding" dog, it says it is "brave in combat like a warhorse." So I'm not sure that any additional cost is necessary. I think it's a bit confusing, and that they should have just called it a war dog.

If you want your dog to do tricks like a trip attack, you'd either need to use the Handle Animal skill, or pay someone to train him, as that's outside the abilities of a warhorse.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

he, now another question.
What race is a riding dog. One player presumes its a Golden retreiver. the other has this shaggy sheepdog.

But is there concenses?

well, this isn't concensus, but if I get the Dog20 supplement out...

Riding dogs are a breed unto themselves. They were bred over the life of a gnome who wanted a good mount and was disatisfied with miniture ponies. They are generally mastiff like in appearance, with powerful shoulders. The standard riding dog has very short horselike hair for the sake of easy care. One exotic breed has cords (like the komondor or puli) which provide additional natural armor, but take time to care for and stink like crazy if they get wet then aren't dried propperly.

kahuna burger

 

[Hand of Evil]

A thread from earlier that I found very enlighten...

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34084

 

[Hand of Evil]

well, this isn't concensus, but if I get the Dog20 supplement out...

kahuna burger

And I know a few people that are looking foward to it!

 

[Tewligan]

[grognard mini-rant]
Tell your player if he's an orc, he can have a worg! Another ridiculous 3e "innovation" IMNSHO.
[/grognard mini-rant]

I could swear that worgs were in the 1e MM, and I thought there was reference to them being ridden by goblins.