Introduction
"The Dog House" from Pragmatic Play is a delightful yet straightforward 5-reel, 20-payline slot game that offers a semi-high volatility experience (for Pragmatic Play standards). Beneath its charming, cartoonish exterior lies a serious gambling machine designed to provide engaging gameplay and significant potential rewards. Suitable for all devices, you can wager between 0.20 and 100 USD per spin.
Game Overview
At the heart of "The Dog House" are the 2x and 3x multiplier wilds, which become particularly potent during the free spins bonus round where they lock in place upon landing.
The visual presentation of "The Dog House" may not be exceptionally sophisticated, but its colorful and playful cartoon design, coupled with upbeat waltz-style background music, creates a captivating gaming environment. The game is set against a picturesque suburban backdrop, with the reels framed within a giant dog house. Symbols include stylized playing cards (10s to Aces), bones, leashes, and various dog characters, with the Doberman being the highest-paying symbol at 37.5 times your stake for five on a payline. The wild symbol, represented by the dog house, appears on the three middle reels only and can carry multipliers of 2x or 3x.
| Symbol | Match 3 Payout | Match 4 Payout | Match 5 Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.25 |
| J | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.25 |
| Q | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.25 |
| K | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.50 |
| A | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.50 |
| Dog Treat | 0.08 | 0.20 | 1.00 |
| Dog Collar | 0.12 | 0.25 | 1.50 |
| Green Beagle | 0.20 | 0.40 | 2.00 |
| Yellow Pug | 0.25 | 0.60 | 3.00 |
| Pink Shih Tzu | 0.35 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
| Blue Rottweiler | 0.50 | 1.50 | 7.50 |
Gameplay and Features
"The Dog House" operates on a 5x3 grid where players aim to match symbols across 20 paylines. The game features a mix of regular symbols and special symbols that trigger various bonuses and multipliers. The dog house symbol acts as the wild, substituting for all other symbols except for the bonus symbol, and appears exclusively on reels 2, 3, and 4. Each wild carries a random multiplier of either 2x or 3x, and multiple wilds on a payline can combine their multipliers.
The bonus round is activated by landing the paw print bonus symbols on reels 1, 3, and 5. Triggering the bonus round not only awards an instant payout of 5x your total bet but also initiates a free spins round. In a whimsical twist, a Doberman spins a wooden machine to determine the number of free spins, ranging from 9 to 27.
During the free spins, any wilds that land will stick in place for the duration of the feature, offering substantial payout potential up to 6,750 times your stake.
The Dog House Series
Due to its popularity, "The Dog House" has inspired several spin-offs, including "The Dog House Megaways," "The Dog House Multihold," and "The Dog House Dice Show." Each version brings its own unique twist to the original concept, further cementing its status as a fan favorite among slot enthusiasts.
Summary
"The Dog House" is a testament to the appeal of straightforward, high-volatility slots. Its combination of charming visuals, engaging gameplay mechanics, and significant payout potential makes it a standout title in Pragmatic Play’s portfolio. While it may not boast cutting-edge graphics, the game's fun and immersive elements, particularly during the free spins bonus, ensure a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Whether you’re a fan of dogs or just well-crafted slot games, "The Dog House" offers plenty of excitement and rewards.
The downside is quite obvious and that is the lack of a bonus buy as this is the most exciting part of the game. Even the bonus is very simple and straight-forward, but the sticky wilds make it interesting and potentially lucrative.
There's no way to enhance the odds of spinning into a bonus, but it is certainly not the hardest game to spin into a bonus. It's not a flashy game and while it is the original version of the game, it's probably not the best version. Certainly not the worst version of the series either. There are two others that are much worse from a gameplay and RTP perspective (Multihold The Dog House and Dog or Alive: The Dog House).
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | The Dog House |
| Provider | Pragmatic Play |
| Game Type | Slots |
| Reels | 5 |
| Rows | 3 |
| Paylines | 20 |
| RTP | 96.51% |
| House Edge | 3.49% |
| Max Win | 6,750x |
| Volatility | 7.25/10 |
| Min Bet | 0.20 |
| Max Bet | 100 |
| Release Date | 09/05/2021 |
| Theme | Dogs |
| Feature Buy Available? | No |
