Blind Dog

The  is a mutant variety of dog found in all S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games.

"Several generations of the dog species have lived and died since the catastrophe. Each was more affected by the Zone than the previous one. Rapid mutation lead to a vast improvement in previously peripheral abilities, frequently at the expense of primary ones. The most notable biological change was the loss of sight, paired with an uncanny development of smell. As it turned out, blind cubs survived in the Zone as well as normal ones, if not better. As a result, the common dog quickly became extinct in the Zone, giving way to a new breed - that of blind dogs. The animals instinctively identify and avoid anomalies, radiation, and other invisible dangers that plague the Zone. Like their wild ancestors - the wolves - blind dogs hunt in packs. An encounter with a large group of these animals can be dangerous even to an experiences and well-armed stalker."

- Encyclopedia description

Overview

 * As stated in the encyclopedia:

Several generations of the dog species have lived and died since the catastrophe. Each was more affected by the Zone than the previous one. Rapid mutation lead to a vast improvement in previously peripheral abilities, frequently at the expense of primary ones. The most notable biological change was the loss of sight, paired with an uncanny development of smell. As it turned out, blind cubs survived in the Zone as well as normal ones, if not better. As a result, the common dog quickly became extinct in the Zone, giving way to a new breed - that of blind dogs. The animals instinctively identify and avoid anomalies, radiation, and other invisible dangers that plague the Zone. Like their wild ancestors - the wolves - blind dogs hunt in packs. An encounter with a large group of these animals can be dangerous even to an experienced and well-armed stalker.

Biology

 * As the name implies, these dogs have lost their eyesight, possibly due to some form of warped, mutation-induced evolution. Rather than rely on eyes, Blind Dogs have extremely keen senses of both hearing and smell. They can hunt, fight, and navigate through pockets of radiation or fields of anomalies without much problem. They also seem to have developed an unusually high resistance to electricity and acid. Perhaps due to radiation in the Zone and subsequent mutations, many Blind Dogs are albino.

Uses

 * Contrary to expectations, Blind Dogs have uses.
 * The conventional "good" ending will play a cutscene indicating that the player's actor is a dog lover.
 * During the regular gameplay, the player has many opportunities to lure this type of mutant into various anomalies with the intent to trigger artifact spawns. Practical examples being of most use in Yantar, Forgotten, The Bar and Outskirts.
 * Drops a blind dog tail that can be used for repeatable quest turn-ins. Such as Find a tail of a blind dog

Gameplay

 * A pack animal, which quickly overwhelms the player unless protected with considerable "rupture" and "bleeding" precautions.
 * Very weak to a knife blow to the head.
 * With moderate early-game protection (about 40%+ "rupture" and "bleeding" enhancement) the player will use minimal medical supplies in most cases.
 * Blind Dogs may be stalked. This will, however wake the associated pack up.
 * The white variants can be more of a challenge (if using the knife) as they tend to bark and simultaneously push the player back.

Trivia

 * Contrary to expectations, s have uses.
 * The conventional "good" ending will play a cutscene indicating that the player's actor is a dog lover.