Can You Keep a Dog in Zelda? Exploring Canine Companions in Hyrule
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The short, definitive answer is: no, you cannot keep a dog as a permanent pet in either The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. While these games feature charming canine characters throughout Hyrule, they are not designed to be adopted or permanently kept at Link’s side, or at his home in Hateno Village. Despite the desires of many fans, the bond with these furry friends is limited to brief interactions. This article will explore the relationship between Link and dogs in the Zelda universe and answer frequently asked questions about this popular subject.
The Dogs of Hyrule: Interactions and Limitations
Both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are filled with a variety of animals that add to the immersive environment of Hyrule. Dogs are commonly found in villages and stables. They often elicit a positive reaction from players due to their realistic behaviors such as barking, wagging their tails, and napping in the sun. However, despite these lifelike characteristics, the interactions with these dogs are relatively limited.
In Tears of the Kingdom, you can befriend dogs by offering them food. Specifically, when you give a dog four pieces of food it likes, it will reward your kindness by leading you to a nearby treasure chest. This chest is usually partially buried and needs to be unearthed using the Ultrahand ability. This interaction offers a brief taste of a collaborative experience with a dog but falls short of the pet ownership that many players desire.
It is worth noting that, in both titles, you cannot pet the dogs, a design choice that has upset many fans. This lack of a simple action highlights the games’ systems-driven design where every interaction has to be meticulously programmed and integrated. This specific feature was purposely left out to maintain the focus on the established gameplay systems and avoid unnecessary custom actions.
Other Rideable and Tameable Animals in Zelda
While dogs cannot be kept as pets, there are other animals that can be tamed or ridden in the Zelda games. These include:
- Horses: The most common ridable animal, which can be tamed and registered at stables.
- Giant Horse: A larger, more powerful horse found in certain areas.
- White Horse: A unique white horse associated with Princess Zelda.
- Lord of the Mountain: A mysterious, luminous creature that can be ridden but is not storable.
- Stalhorses: Skeletal horses that appear at night and can be ridden.
- Mountain Buck and Doe: These deer can be ridden but cannot be registered at stables.
- Bears: Honeyvore and Grizzlemaw Bears can be ridden, though not stabled.
- Sand Seals: Used for sand surfing in the Gerudo Desert.
- Lynels: While extremely difficult, they can be mounted, albeit not tamed.
These options allow for a diverse range of interactions with animals beyond that of the standard horse. While they do not offer the bond associated with a pet dog, they certainly add to the overall dynamic and adventurous feel of the game.
Wolf Link: A Different Kind of Canine Companion
It’s important to note that while you cannot have a pet dog in the traditional sense, the character Wolf Link does make an appearance in Breath of the Wild via the Wolf Link amiibo. This amiibo allows you to summon Wolf Link into your game. He follows you around, attacks enemies, and hunts wild creatures, offering a unique form of canine companionship. However, Wolf Link is not a dog that you encounter in the world. He is a special, amiibo-summoned companion.
Unfortunately, Wolf Link is not available in Tears of the Kingdom as a summonable companion. Scanning the Wolf Link amiibo in this game provides a supply of meat instead.
The Hylian Retriever and Other Dog Breeds
The dogs in Breath of the Wild are referred to in the Hyrule Compendium as Hylian Retrievers, suggesting a particular breed. These dogs are described as being descendants of the dog once owned by the King of Hyrule. Other than that, there is no additional info on different breeds or types within the games.
The Desire for Canine Companions
The absence of pet dogs is often cited as a missed opportunity by players. Many gamers feel a strong attachment to virtual animals and enjoy the sense of companionship that they can offer. The ability to care for and bond with a dog would certainly add a layer of depth and emotional connection to the already rich gaming experience. However, for now, this is a feature that remains absent from the main series.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to address concerns and offer a more complete understanding of canine interactions within The Legend of Zelda games:
1. Can you pet the dogs in Tears of the Kingdom?
No, despite fan desire, you cannot pet the dogs in Tears of the Kingdom.
2. Can you keep a dog at Link’s house in Hateno Village?
No, it is not possible to keep a dog at Link’s house or any other location.
3. How do you befriend a dog in Tears of the Kingdom?
You can befriend a dog by giving it four pieces of food it likes. It will then lead you to a treasure chest.
4. What kind of food do dogs like in Tears of the Kingdom?
Dogs enjoy different types of meat and cooked dishes. Experiment with different options to see their reactions.
5. Can you ride any animals other than horses?
Yes, you can also ride bears, deer, sand seals, stalhorses, and even Lynels.
6. What is the rarest animal you can encounter in Tears of the Kingdom?
Some of the rarest animals include the Giant White Stallion, Golden Horse, Dondon, and Stalhorse.
7. Why are dogs not pets in Zelda games?
The developers prioritize systemic game design, which meant avoiding custom actions like petting dogs which do not tie into other game mechanics.
8. Can you tame a zebra in Tears of the Kingdom?
No, you cannot tame or ride zebras in any of the Zelda games. Zebras are notoriously difficult to tame.
9. Is Wolf Link available in Tears of the Kingdom?
No, Wolf Link is not available as a companion in Tears of the Kingdom. Scanning the amiibo gives you meat.
10. Can you summon Wolf Link without an amiibo?
No, Wolf Link can only be summoned using the Wolf Link amiibo in Breath of the Wild.
11. What does the Wolf Link amiibo do in Tears of the Kingdom?
Scanning the Wolf Link amiibo provides a supply of meat, not Wolf Link himself.
12. Are there different dog breeds in Zelda games?
The main breed mentioned is the Hylian Retriever, described as descendants of the king’s dog.
13. Can you ride wolves in Breath of the Wild?
No, you cannot ride wolves in Breath of the Wild. Only horses, bears, deer, and other specific animals are rideable.
14. What are the Hylians?
Hylians are an elf-like race of humans that form the predominant population in Hyrule.
15. Which Zelda game allows Link to turn into a wolf?
In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Link is cursed into wolf form for a significant portion of the game.
Conclusion
While the lack of pet dogs in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is disappointing for some, these games still provide a rich and engaging experience with numerous other animal interactions. The dogs of Hyrule offer brief moments of companionship and reward through treasure-seeking, but these interactions are ultimately fleeting. The design choices made by the developers, while frustrating to fans wanting to pet dogs, are intended to enhance the overall systemic gameplay experience. Maybe in the future the series will include a way to have a pet dog.