Life as the Dovahkiin is a tiresome journey. The player must venture into caves to uncover some ancient artifacts, or take down an entire castle of necromancers to prevent them from wreaking havoc upon nearby towns. Skyrim is an immersive experience that allows every player to feel in charge of their actions and truly build a whole new life in-game. However, with all the adorable little animals running around Skyrim, it was a shame that keeping a dog as a pet wasn't an option.
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However, with the introduction of the Hearthfire DLC, players were finally blessed with the ability to adopt pets. From ferocious canines to docile little bunnies, here are the best eight animals in Skyrim that are fully available to keep as a pet – and not just as a follower.
Updated July 23th, 2021, by Christine Mendoza: With Skyrim's popularity showing no real signs of slowing down, every bit of information is vital to perfecting the best team. While these adorable pets may enjoy their home life, it's best to know which pets are best to take out for a walk to any new (and potentially dangerous) adventures. To allow readers to get the most of these rankings, stats and other helpful information have been added and updated.
8 Pincer, The Tame Mudcrab
Stats:
- Level: 1
- HP: 5
- Stamina: 25
- Magicka: 4
- Soul Size: Petty
- How To Obtain: Random Event (after adopting a child)
If the Dragonborn has taken in a male child, they may be able to take in this unique pet if their adopted son asks to keep him. In the vast world of Skyrim there are hundreds, if not thousands, of mudcrabs that roam the wetlands. However, Pincer is the most special mudcrab of them all.
It's never revealed how these small random creatures end up crossing paths with the Dragonborn's children. Nonetheless, the player can welcome this mudcrab home, pre-trained and all. Pincer doesn't require any upkeep and will even follow the child around the house, and wait in their bedroom while they're gone.
7 Vigilance, A Loyal Canine Companion
Stats:
- Level: 6-50
- HP: 60-500
- Stamina: 45-265
- Magicka: 0
- Unarmed Damage: 8
- Armor: 0
- How To Obtain: Bought for 500 Septim at the Markarth Stables from Banning
This adorable pup resides in Markarth. Vigilance is one of the coolest little canine friends, as he is essentially a mercenary for hire. Vigilance belongs to Banning, who runs the Markarth stables. Every time the Dragonborn decides to have this cute sidekick accompany them, they must commission him for 500 gold each time. This is a small price for a canine companion that can even level up with the Dragonborn.
For those players that found themselves too attached to Vigilance and are reluctant to let go, Hearthfire allows him to become a permanent part of the family. If an adopted child asks to keep Vigilance, the player can make him their pet. However, it'll forever be a mystery if Vigilance prefers his adventurous days as a war-dog, or his cozy life as a house pet.
How Good Is Vigilance As A Follower?
While Vigilance is described as a "war-dog" good for protection and even has the ability to level throughout the game alongside the player, Vigilance stops leveling at 50. While he may be a great follower during earlier levels, it may be a good idea to keep him at home with the kids when dealing with higher-level bosses. In addition to this, Vigilance has been said to often run into battles, even when the player is in sneak mode, and thus ruining any chances of getting in a stealthy sneak attack.
6 CuSith & Garmr, The Trusty Death Hounds
Stats:
- Level: 5
- HP: 121
- Stamina: 114
- Magicka: 0
- Soul Size: Lesser
- How To Obtain: Recruited in Castle Volkihar after transforming into a Vampire Lord
These death hounds originally reside in the Volkihar castle; a place unlocked in the Dawnguard DLC. In the war between Fort Dawnguard and Castle Volkihar, there are a few unique dogs that become available to the Dragonborn as a follower. If the Dragonborn indulges in their darker side and becomes a Vampire Lord, they will unlock CuSith and Garmr as animal companions.
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As bizarre as it may sound, death hounds are eligible to be a pet in Skyrim. Like every other canine in the game, a child must be present when the dog enters the household, and ask to keep it as a pet. Apparently, the children of Skyrim aren't fazed by CuSith and Garmr's demonic appearance.
How Good Are CuSith & Garmr As Followers?
These death hounds don't have the ability to level with the player but are still rather strong allies to have. These dogs are obviously quite intelligent as they have the ability to even send hired thugs after the Dragonborn if caught stealing something in Castle Volkihar! While they are worthy allies, the requirements to recruit them are strict, as if the Dragonborn is cured of their vampirism, neither death hound will agree to follow. It seems as they are much too loyal to their Vampire Lords to defect to any other beings.
5 Biter, The Affectionate Skeever
Stats:
- Level: 1
- HP: 15
- Stamina: 15
- Magicka: 0
- Soul Size: Petty
- How To Obtain: Random Event (after adopting a child)
The average skeever in the world of Skyrim is neither friendly nor cute. However, Biter is truly one of a kind. He's is another unique small animal that a male child can bring home randomly. Biter is a bit smaller than the average wild skeever, and much more well-behaved.
This domesticated rodent will be welcomed into the household after a day an adopted son mentions that the little critter kept following him. If the Dragonborn agrees to keep him, Biter will display cute habits such as running to greet the Dragonborn's son when he returns home. He may even hop into bed to nap with them.
4 Kit & Vix, Gentle Fox Friends
Stats:
- Level: 2
- HP: 22
- Stamina: 25
- Magicka: 0
- Soul Size: Petty
- How To Obtain: Random Event (after adopting a child)
For any Dovahkiin who make it a point to rescue small foxes from attacking predators, Kit is a great fit for the family. He's is a small, (formerly) wild red fox that an adopted daughter may randomly bring home one day. Much like the other small critters, Kit follows its owner around the house. He even keeps them company (or perhaps guards them) while they sleep.
For any fox lovers, yet another bit of good news is in store. Along with Kit, another variation of a fox pet is available called Vix. Adopted daughters can take in this snow fox as well.
3 Bran & Sceolang, Canine Vampire Hunters
Stats:
- Level: 10-25
- HP: 100+(player level-1)x10
- Stamina: 100+(player level-1)x5
- Magicka: 0
- Soul Size: Leveled
- How To Obtain: Recruited in Fort Dawnguard after joining as a Vampire Hunter; after the completion of the "New Order" quest
Bran and Sceolang, despite their adorably fluffy outside, are fierce vampire hunters. In the Dawnguard DLC, these suited-up huskies can be found lounging around in Fort Dawnguard's dog pen. Sceolang and his buddy Bran are the only canines in the game to have a full set of armor, making them more resilient followers. Like Vigilance, the pair have the ability to level up alongside the Dovahkiin.
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After requesting either Bran or Sceolang's services, the player can take them in as a family pet if their child asks to keep him. Bran and Sceolang have known the art of vampire hunting all their life – who knows if they'll enjoy the break or prefer the thrill of the battleground instead.
How Good Are Bran And Sceolang As Followers?
These adorable huskies have the ability to level with the player and can adapt to more difficult enemies quite easily. Bran and Sceolang are the only fully armored dogs in the game so their defense may have a bit of an edge over other animal companions. While their overall stats don't have any spectacular details that set them apart from other dog followers, they're both referred to as "war-dogs" and have been said to have received formal training to hunt down dangerous enemies (especially vampires).
2 Cotton Is Loyal, Sweet, & Cute As Can Be
Stats:
- Level: 1
- HP: 5
- Stamina: 25
- Magicka: 0
- Soul Size: Petty
- How To Obtain: Random Event (after adopting a child)
Cotton the rabbit is a true treat for those kindhearted players. Yet another randomly acquired pet, Cotton is one of the cutest pets in all of Skyrim and can be taken in by any adopted daughter.
This adorable bunny not only follows its owner around the house, but also lies down to take little naps in throughout the day. If the child has some errands or decides to play outside, Cotton resides in their bedroom until their return. This loyal brown rabbit is a docile, kind, and the perfect friend for any adopted children.
1 Lonely Meeko Deserves A Loving Home
Stats:
- Level: 10-25
- HP: 100-250
- Stamina: 65-140
- Magicka: 0
- Unarmored Damage: 8
- Armor: 0
- Soul Size: Leveled
- How To Obtain: Found near Meeko's Shack, South of Solitude; available for recruitment after interacting
On a path just outside the Solitude Sawmill, the Dragonborn can find this dog barking for help. Upon approaching him, he will lead the player to a place marked as "Meeko's Shack". Here, they'll find a deceased Nord and a journal entry stating that Meeko's owner had contracted Rockjoint and was worried about his dog's wellbeing.
Before Hearthfire, Meeko's tragic story had broken players' hearts. Although he was available as a follower, there wasn't any way to keep him at the Dovahkiin's house. After Hearthfire's release, players fled to lonely Meeko, waiting for their adopted child to request that he become part of the family. No matter how great all the other dogs are, Meeko was the first to truly capture many players' hearts. In giving him love, a comfy home, players finally gave the courageous dog the happy ending he truly deserved.
How Good Is Meeko As A Follower?
While Meeko is adorable and trustworthy, he may be best for keeping at home with any adopted children or reserved for lower-level enemies and bosses. Meeko's overall stats aren't bad by any means, however, his low armor rating may keep the Dragonborn worried about his well-being during every battle. In addition to his stats, Meeko is also specifically listed as an "unaggressive" dog. However, his unaggressive nature goes out the window when in battle as Meeko has the tendency to sometimes sacrifice his life for the Dragonborn and even accidentally trigger traps that lead to his death. It may be best to leave Meeko at home with the kids and allow him to finally have the cozy life and loving company he deserves.