Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
Perfect for pet lovers and those who enjoy light spatial puzzles. The highlight is the geometric collection mechanic.
Highlights
- Adorable art and engaging theme
- Creative and tactical collection mechanic
- Simple rules and agile flow
Keep in mind
- Hunger penalty can be frustrating
- Some luck involved in the grid draft
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get your heart and dog food ready, because in Dog Lover, the goal is simple: be the best dog owner possible! You start your journey with one pup and a special trick, but the real fun lies in expanding your pack. The game revolves around a 3x3 grid of cards where you use your trick cards to 'fetch' the cards you want. The twist here is geometric: you rotate your trick card so that its shape (Tetris-style) matches the position of the cards on the grid. But watch out, as there is a 'watch dog' token that can block certain rows or columns, forcing you to rethink your strategy.
What do you do with what you collect? Dog cards go directly to your tableau. Food cards are exchanged for essential resources, and adoption cards allow you to rescue shelter dogs, who bring unique powers or endgame bonuses. There are also 'Favorite Things' (toys), which are more valuable when collected in sets, and training and walk cards, which you 'tuck' under your dogs to boost their scoring potential.
The biggest challenge is the feeding logistics. Each dog has a specific food requirement. If you fail to meet your pet's diet, you not only lose points, but all the investment in training and accessories for that dog is ignored. In short: don't let your pups go hungry! The game ends when the 'End Game' card appears, and the player with the highest score, having taken the best care of their pets, wins. It's a game of hand management and spatial positioning with an adorable theme that will appeal to any animal lover.
What do you do with what you collect? Dog cards go directly to your tableau. Food cards are exchanged for essential resources, and adoption cards allow you to rescue shelter dogs, who bring unique powers or endgame bonuses. There are also 'Favorite Things' (toys), which are more valuable when collected in sets, and training and walk cards, which you 'tuck' under your dogs to boost their scoring potential.
The biggest challenge is the feeding logistics. Each dog has a specific food requirement. If you fail to meet your pet's diet, you not only lose points, but all the investment in training and accessories for that dog is ignored. In short: don't let your pups go hungry! The game ends when the 'End Game' card appears, and the player with the highest score, having taken the best care of their pets, wins. It's a game of hand management and spatial positioning with an adorable theme that will appeal to any animal lover.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
BEST
3
REC
4
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Alderac Entertainment Group, CMON Global Limited, FoxGames, MINDOK, MYBG Co., Ltd., Primigenio, Reflexshop
Designer
David Short
Artist
Caravan Studio, Kali Fitzgerald
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
2,954owners
506wishlist
51want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is the game complex? Can a non-gamer play it?
Yes, it's very accessible! The weight is low, so the learning curve is fast. The 'hardest' part is understanding the geometric collection, but everyone gets it within two rounds.
How long does a game last?
It's a very dynamic game, lasting about 30 minutes, making it a great 'filler' between larger games.
How many people can play?
From 2 to 4 players. It works well in any configuration, but with 4 players, the grid draft interaction becomes more competitive.
Is the game purely luck or is there strategy?
There is strategy in hand management and choosing which dogs to adopt, though luck influences which cards appear in the 3x3 grid.
Who do you recommend this game for?
For families, couples, or anyone who loves animal themes and light set collection and puzzle mechanics.
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