Dogs Bond Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Game Overview
• Game Contents
  • Dog Cards
  • Dog Tokens
  • Adopter Boards
  • House Cards
  • Rope Toy & Die
  • Tail Wag / Rescue Story
  • Event & Attribute Cards
• Game Setup
• Attribute Cards
• Game Play
  • Phase 1: Learning to Love
    • 1. ALPHA Draws an Event card.
    • 2. All DOGS check to activate special abilities.
    • 3. All DOGS track BOND Level with Adopters.
    • 4. All DOGS "Bark" and Pass the Rope Toy.
  • Phase 2: Adoption Day
• Scoring & Winning
  • Choosing an Adopter
  • Claim the Title of Top Dog
  • Happily Ever After

Game Overview

In DOGS BOND, you take on the role of a rescue shelter dog. Become the best dog you can be and find your forever home!

1. Playing The Game Cards: You're learning to love, revealing Events and collecting Attributes to build a BOND with potential Adopters. A greater BOND with an Adopter makes it easier to be adopted into your forever home.
2. Be the Best Dog: After all Event cards are revealed and last actions are played, it's time for Adoption Day. All DOGS Roll the die to find their forever home with an Adopter or continue their Rescue Story.
3. Scoring & Winning: Earn the highest sum total of BOND, House, and Bonus points to win. Claim the title of TOP DOG! Reveal your Happily Ever After story!

Game Contents

• 8 Playable Mutts (Mixed Dog Cards)
• 54 Dog Tokens
• 100 Attribute Cards
• 60 Event Cards
• 8 Adopter Boards
• 6 House Cards
• 1 Rope Toy
• 1 6-Sided Die
• 1 Tail Wag / Rescue Story Card

Dog Cards

Each Player is a DOG. The rescue has identified your dominant breed mix. Your size (small, medium or large) is indicated in the upper left corner of the card.

Each DOG has a special ability to use in the game, indicated on the DOG card. Some DOGS activate special abilities when the matching icon is shown on any Event card, on any turn. Other DOGS have special abilities that give them choices throughout the game.

Dog Tokens

These Tokens track the BOND Level achieved by each DOG on each of the Adopter boards.

The Tokens also allow DOGS to show when they intend to activate their special ability.

Adopter Boards

Each Adopter has a different pair of desired Attributes that DOGS must collect to go up in BOND Level.

The BOND Level shown in the center of the Adopter board ranges from 1 to 6. To advance with an Adopter, your DOG must have the value of both Attributes listed above and below the BOND Level.

At the end of the game, Adopters may only adopt one DOG, and will award points to their adopted DOG based on the Attribute in the heart icon. This is the way to an Adopter's heart!

House Cards

The House identifies which Adopter may be affected by certain Event cards. At the end of the game, DOGS who are adopted earn points equal to the number on the House card.

The number is a location for each Adopter and shows their experience and readiness to adopt.

Rope Toy & Die

The Rope Toy indicates the active player whose turn it is. The active player is called ALPHA.

The die is used to resolve certain Events, some special abilities, and Adoption Day.

Tail Wag / Rescue Story

Tail Wag is the final chance for DOGS to Play cards. At the end of the game, any DOG not adopted uses the Rescue Story on the back of Tail Wag to determine the next step in their rescue journey.

Event & Attribute Cards

Events (Yellow) Pile: ALPHA will Draw 1 Event at the beginning of their turn. Instructions may apply to ALPHA or multiple DOGS.

Events are resolved before any special abilities may be activated. Draw and Play instructions on Event cards always refer to Attribute cards.

Attributes (Blue) Pile: DOGS use these cards to collect Attributes to BOND with Adopters or interact with other DOGS.

Game Setup

1. Select your DOG any way you choose. Place your DOG and corresponding DOG Tokens on the table in front of you. Give your DOG a name, or they can use your name!

   Recommended DOGS for FIRST-TIME or YOUNGER PLAYERS: Jack Russell, Border Collie, Golden Retriever, Boston Terrier, or Labrador.*

2. Shuffle and randomly place 6 Adopters in the center of the table.

3. In numerical order, place one House card under each Adopter. The number on the House card should always be visible.

4. Place the Tail Wag card FACE-UP in the center of the table.

5. Shuffle the appropriate number of Events and place them into a pile FACE-DOWN on top of the Tail Wag card.

   *Whichever DOGS were selected, ensure all Event cards with the corresponding special ability icons are included in the Event pile.

Number of Players	Standard Game (10 cards per player)	Advanced Short Game (8 cards per player)
2 Players	20 Event cards	16 Event cards
3 Players	30 Event cards	24 Event cards
4 Players	40 Event cards	32 Event cards
5 Players	50 Event cards	40 Event cards
6 Players	60 Event cards	48 Event cards

6. Shuffle all Attribute cards together. DOGS don't have hands; they have PAWS. Deal three Attribute cards to each DOG for their starting PAW, keeping them hidden from other DOGS. Place the remaining pile of Attribute cards FACE-DOWN in the center of the table (with room for an Event discard pile and an Attribute discard pile).
7. The Player who most recently pet a dog takes the Rope Toy and becomes ALPHA.

Attribute Cards

The different Attribute card types are Grooming, Health, Obedience, Temperament, Instinct, and Play Bow. Each type has its own icon.

All Attribute cards, except Play Bow, have values under their icon. The values range from 1 to 3. Higher values provide more points of that Attribute. Attribute 1s are most common and 3s are least common.

When playing Attributes from your PAW, create piles of Attribute cards separated by type in front of you. The most recently played Attribute card of each type is the top card of that Attribute.

During the game, Grooming, Health, Obedience, and Temperament Attribute cards are played FACE-UP in front of you in your play area.

The values of FACE-UP cards must always be visible. When your Attributes match any Adopter's desired Attribute set in any combination, go up in BOND Level and advance your DOG Tokens on the Adopter boards immediately.

EXAMPLE: You Play 1 Temperament from your PAW to your DOG, giving you a new total of 2 Temperament and 4 Grooming. You match with Chase at BOND Level 1 and April at BOND Level 2. Move your DOG Tokens to the appropriate BOND Level on each Adopter. Attribute cards apply to all Adopters simultaneously.

Instinct cards always present DOGS with two options.

Option 1: Play FACE-DOWN, and keep the value secret. The number of FACE-DOWN cards must always be visible.

At the end of the game, the DOG who reveals the highest total Instinct value goes first to attempt to be adopted into a forever home.

Also, if there is a tie in the final score of the game, Instinct breaks ties in favor of the DOG with the higher Instinct value.

Option 2: Play Instinct against another DOG to Discard one of that DOG'S top cards.

The Instinct card will indicate which Attribute may be targeted, and higher value Instinct cards allow you to choose which Attribute to target.

Last, Play Bow allows you to cancel any Event or Instinct cards that force you to Discard. You may only use Play Bow in reaction to an Event or Instinct card forcing you to Discard.

Let's Play!

Game Play

Dogs BOND has two unique phases.

Phase 1: Learning to Love

You explore Events, Drawing and Playing Attribute cards to raise your BOND Level with Adopters and interact with other DOGS.

A greater BOND with an Adopter makes it easier to be adopted. A greater Instinct value allows you to try first.

Each turn proceeds in this order:

1. ALPHA Draws an Event card.

Playing Events: Take an Event card, and read it aloud to the other DOGS. ALPHA completes the actions from the Event card as instructed. Always follow the instructions on the Event card from top to bottom.

You explore Events, Draw and Play Attribute cards to raise your BOND Level with Adopters, and interact with other DOGS. Only Play cards when instructed.

When the Attribute pile becomes depleted, reshuffle its discard pile and replace.

If the Attribute pile and its discard pile are depleted, complete the Event to the best of your ability and Discard all remaining Events.

2. All DOGS check to activate special abilities.

Special Abilities: When any DOG'S special ability icon matches the special ability on an Event card, place that DOG Token on top of the Event pile. The special ability is activated after the ALPHA has completed their actions.

Once the Event has been resolved, any DOG with a Token on top of the Event pile may choose to activate their special ability.

If multiple DOGS have special abilities to activate, proceed in turn order.

Once special abilities are completed, retrieve Tokens from the Event pile and continue play.

3. All DOGS track BOND Level with Adopters.

When DOGS have played Attribute cards fulfilling both the top and bottom requirements of Attribute type and value, advance their token on that Adopter's board.

When DOGS lose any Attribute cards from their play area, they must move their Token down to the appropriate BOND Level.

4. All DOGS "Bark" and Pass the Rope Toy.

Turn Order: Once the Event and any special abilities are resolved, the turn is over. All DOGS must "Bark" loudly as the Rope Toy is passed clockwise to the next DOG, who then becomes ALPHA.

After all DOGS "Bark", all DOGS must Discard down to the PAW Limit.

Paw Limits:

Number of Players	Cards in Paw Limit
2 Players	6 Cards
3 - 4 Players	5 Cards
5 - 6 Players	4 Cards
7 - 8 Players	3 Cards

Play through all Events in the Event pile. The Tail Wag is the final action taken by all DOGS. Phase 1: Learning to Love ends after the Tail Wag is completed.

Phase 2: Adoption Day

Each Adopter may adopt one DOG. DOGS follow their Instincts to be adopted into a forever home.

1. Determine the Adoption order of DOGS. Each DOG reveals the total value of their FACE-DOWN Instinct cards. The DOG with the highest total Instinct value attempts to be adopted first, then the DOG with the second highest total, and so on.

   In case of a tie, use the following tie-breakers:

   Tied Attribute	Tie Breaker
   Instinct	Health
   Health	Temperament
   Temperament	Grooming
   Grooming	Obedience

2. Check your BOND Level with each Adopter. See SCORING to see which Adopter gives you the best opportunity to become TOP DOG!

3. In the Adoption order, choose your target Adopter and Roll the die. Any Adopter you have at least 1 BOND Level with is available to you, unless they have already adopted a DOG.

Roll for Adoption: A successful adoption occurs when your roll is equal to or less than the number of your BOND Level with the Adopter. DOGS have one attempt to be adopted per Adopter.

When you are adopted, place your DOG on top of the Adopter to show off your forever home! Each Adopter may adopt one DOG.

If you roll higher than your BOND Level with your target Adopter, you are not adopted by that Adopter.

Continue to Roll with your remaining available Adopters until you have been adopted, or have tried with each one.

Rescue Story: If you are not adopted by any Adopter, continue your journey with the Rescue Story found on the back of Tail Wag. The Rescue Story may be used by multiple DOGS.

4. Play continues to the DOG with the next highest Instinct until all DOGS are adopted or have continued their journey with the Rescue Story.

Scoring & Winning

After all DOGS have either been adopted or continued their Rescue Story, determine who is the TOP DOG.

• Gain 1 BOND point for each BOND Level earned with all Adopters in play.
• Gain House points equal to the number on the House card that adopted you. Skip if you were not adopted.
• Gain Bonus Points for your total value of the Attribute in your Adopter's heart icon, OR the result of your roll with the Rescue Story.

Choosing an Adopter

Follow your Instincts	Tom	Yasmin
BOND Points	7	7
House Points	5	6
Bonus Points	9	7
Potential Total Points	21	20

In this example, our DOG has both Tom and Yasmin as potential Adopters. While Yasmin has a higher House number, the greater BOND Level with Tom offers more potential points and a greater chance to be adopted. The BONDS of friendship can be found in unlikely places.

Claim the Title of Top Dog

The winner of the game is the player with the highest sum total of BOND, House, and Bonus Points.

Happily Ever After

Every DOG has their day, and every adoption is special.

You each flip over your DOG to reveal your Happily Ever After. Adopted DOGS flip over your Adopters as well to reveal your forever home!