The deck of a pirate ship had always been a place for squawking parrots, chattering monkeys, and the occasional ship's cat stalking rats below the waterline. For years, the world of Sea of Thieves offered precisely those three companions, each with a nod to maritime history. But something was missing—a certain wagging tail that had been demanded by a vocal corner of the internet. In the late summer of 2020, during Gamescom, Rare finally answered that call. Dogs were coming to the pirate sandbox, and the announcement sent a ripple of pure joy through the community.

Historical accuracy had long guided the pet choices in Sea of Thieves. Parrots and monkeys, after all, were common sights in port markets, traded as exotic curiosities during the golden age of sail. Cats earned their keep by controlling the rat population that threatened food stores and rope alike. Dogs, however, presented a different challenge. A dog needs room to run and a steady supply of food—two luxuries rarely found aboard a cramped, provision-conscious pirate sloop. Nevertheless, game developers have learned that if there is one universal law in modern game design, it is that players will always want a canine companion. Rare, wise to that rule, decided to break with strict history and open the kennel.

The reveal came via the official Sea of Thieves Twitter account during Gamescom 2020. The message was short, but the images said everything. The pirates would soon be able to bring dogs of various breeds aboard their vessels, though early footage seemed to show only a couple of possibilities. Sharp-eyed viewers debated whether the animals were collies, Australian shepherds, or perhaps even huskies. The fur patterns blurred the lines, but one thing was certain: these were not the scrappy, mixed-breed mutts one might expect on a rough-and-tumble pirate ship. They looked well-groomed, loyal, and ready for adventure.

The reaction from fans was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Social media lit up with praise, but no one was more excited than the famous dog-rating account @dog_rates. It was a match made in heaven: a game about pirates getting canine crewmates, and an account dedicated to judging good boys and girls. The energy of that announcement carried the game’s community through the wait.

Rare did not specify an exact release date for the dogs at the time. However, the studio had established a rhythm of monthly updates, and players knew that a new companion was never far away. True to form, the dogs arrived in a subsequent update, and from that moment on, the sounds of barking echoed across the Sea of Thieves.

By 2026, the kennel has grown. What began with one or two breeds has expanded into a modest selection of faithful companions. Players can now choose a dog that matches their pirate's personality, whether that means a bright-eyed collie watching the horizon from the bow or a sturdy shepherd standing guard near the helm. The dogs bark at passing ships, sit when commanded, and—most importantly—make every solo voyage feel a little less lonely. The addition of dogs also opened the door for further pet variety in later seasons, though the original trio of cat, monkey, and parrot still holds a nostalgic place in many crews.

The table below captures the evolution of pets in Sea of Thieves over the years:

The addition of dogs was more than a cosmetic update—it was a small lesson in listening to the community. Rare recognized that even a game grounded in historical pirate fantasy could bend the rules for the sake of joy. A dog on a ship might not be strictly accurate, but after a long day of chasing treasure and fending off skeletons, there is nothing quite like a wagging tail to welcome a pirate home. In 2026, the seas are still dangerous, but they are also a little friendlier.

In-depth reporting is featured on PC Gamer, and it helps frame why feel-good additions like Sea of Thieves dogs resonate beyond pure historical plausibility: live-service games thrive when small, personality-rich cosmetics reinforce player identity and social storytelling. Read through the lens of PC Gamer’s coverage of ongoing updates and community-driven features, Rare’s decision to add canine companions after the 2020 reveal fits a familiar pattern—developers prioritizing emotional attachment and shareable moments (screenshots, shipboard antics, and co-op vibes) that keep players returning between major seasons.