Fallout 4 had a variety of companions who could be chosen to travel alongside the sole survivor of Vault 101, each with their own perks and personalities. While he can't be romanced like other companions, Dogmeat is definitely the most unique and adorable character available to accompany the player through the dangers of post-apocalyptic Boston.
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Dogmeat can be equipped with a range of cosmetics, including three varieties of dog armor. Despite being differentiated as light, regular, and heavy dog armor, none of these items actually provide any defensive benefits with the only difference between them being purely aesthetic. As well as cosmetics, Dogmeat has a variety of special perks that can help the sole survivor during their travels through the Commonwealth.
10 Where To Find The Dog Armor
All varieties of dog armor are dropped randomly from attack dogs which are commonly found in raider camps.
Should the player wish to find Dogmeat's armor more expediently, there are two locations where it can be reliably found depending on the player's level. By visiting both these locations, the player is likely to acquire all three variants of dog armor. It bears repeating that neither light, medium, or heavy dog armor offers any defensive bonus, but they are all great finds for players wishing to customize their canine companion.
9 Kate, Kyle, and Alissa
East of Jamaica Plain, the sole survivor can find a crumbling overpass with a raider camp on top. Ascending this overpass, the player will be greeted by three named attack dogs called Kate, Kyle, and Alissa. Each of these dogs has a chance to drop dog armor as well as various bandanas that can also be worn by Dogmeat.
Even with the random drops, the player is likely to leave this encounter with two types of dog armor. Like all raider camps, the enemies here will eventually respawn allowing the player to farm this area for armor, bandanas, and welding goggles should they need to.
8 Dark Hollow Pond and Med Tek
Another reliable place to find raiders with armored attack dogs is near Dark Hollow pond. In this area, there is a raider with a dog standing on the jetty in the middle of the pond and another camp of raiders close to a large silver standing tube.
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There is also a third location next to a ruined bus to the east of Med Tek that can occasionally yield heavy dog armor depending on the player's level. Visiting either one of these locations is a great way for players to collect all three variants of dog armor.
Now, let's take a look at some other facts about Dogmeat.
7 The Only Truly Neutral Companion
Fallout 4 is a game full of possibilities and it's likely many players still haven't found all of the game's hidden features. Many of the characters who can travel with the sole survivor have their own moral alignments and preferences. To complete their storylines the player will have to avoid certain actions and roleplay appropriately.
Like most real dogs, Dogmeat will never judge the player or react negatively to criminal activity. His unconditional loyalty makes him a great companion for players who dabble in illegal activities. No matter what the sole survivor does, Dogmeat will follow them and ask for nothing in return, except the odd stimpak.
6 A Helmet and Chain Collar
Should the player wish to fully armor Dogmeat, there is also a dog helmet and various collars to be found in the hidden corners of the commonwealth.
In between Walden Pond and Rock Narrows National Park, there is a small overhang with a pack of wild dogs underneath it. Killing the dogs and investigating their den will reveal three plastic dog bowls and a skeletal corpse, most likely the dog's previous owner. Here the player can find a chain collar and a dog helmet. A reinforced dog collar can be found in the Nuka World DLC to complete the dog's armor set.
5 Dogmeat's Secret Teddy Bear
Fallout 4 is full of small details, unique items, and even references to classic literature, all of which are easy to miss if the player doesn't know where to look. Idle animations are great for adding flavor to characters and making them feel more alive. However, they are difficult to witness as they require the player to stay still long enough for them to activate.
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If Dogmeat is left to his own devices long enough, he will occasionally pull out a teddy bear to play with, ragging the soft toy and throwing it into the air to catch. Dogmeat will also perform part of this animation if the player hands him a teddy bear, however, he can perform the idle animation without having a teddy in his inventory.
4 The Stealthiest Companion
Each of the sole survivor's potential comrades has their own fighting style and the player's build will often inform which companion they work best with. There are numerous exciting and varied builds to choose from in Fallout 4, but for players who prefer stealth, traveling with other humans can have its drawbacks as they are more likely to alert enemies and blow the player's cover.
Dogmeat has the highest stealth of any companion and is capable of sneakily following the player without alerting enemies. The Sole Survivor's trusty alsatian can also be commanded to attack enemies from a distance, making him a good distraction for snipers.
3 An Old Friend Of Nick Valentine
Many fans theorize that the protagonist of Fallout 4 is actually a synth. Should the player wish to roleplay as a heartless robot they may choose to reject Dogmeat's friendship when they meet him at Red Rocket. However, this doesn't mean he's out of the game for good as he is essential for certain quests.
During the quest "Getting a clue," where the player has to track a scent, Nick Valentine will mention that he " knows a guy who can help," and that he has worked with him "quite a few times before." If the player hasn't met Dogmeat or refused to travel with him, Nick will whistle and summon him to aid the player in this quest.
2 Dogmeat's Collection Of Bandanas
As far as Dogmeat's cosmetic options go, the bandanas are by far the most stylish, especially when combined with the welding goggles. There are nine different bandanas for the player to collect in Fallout 4, each of which can be worn by the sole survivor or their faithful german shepherd.
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These headscarves can be found throughout the commonwealth and some are much harder to find than others. The leopard print bandana is one of the rarest items in Fallout 4, and the jangles bandana is hidden under a gorilla chair in the Nuka World DLC, making it easy to miss.
1 Dogmeat Is Compatible With The Lone Wanderer Perk
Dogmeat is the only companion whose perk is unlocked as a skill when the player levels up. The attack dog perk is very useful and it stacks well with other charisma perks to make Dogmeat potentially one of the best companions for solo players.
The lone wanderer perk allows the sole survivor to benefit from traveling alone, offering 15% damage reduction and 50 carry weight. Thankfully, Dogmeat doesn't remove this perk as he is weaker than most other companions. This allows the player to get all the benefits of roaming the commonwealth alone, while still having their faithful hound by their side.