While each version has 6 dogs you can start with, all the dogs are actually unlockable in each version of the game. You can obtain dogs easier by trading with another version, but it's not like Pokémon where trading was the only way to get certain creatures. There’s also a few secret breeds in there too, including the Dalmatian. Due to the clear menu layout, choosing your dog is as simple as petting it on the DS's touch screen. You then choose its sex and colour and before you know it you're at home with your Nintendog!
Interacting with your puppy is done solely with DS's touchscreen and microphone; the buttons are not used at all. Naming your dog is your first task - done via the built-in microphone. By simply tapping the light bulb icon that appears whenever your dog can learn a voice command, you literally say the name that you want to call your dog. Through repetition your dog will soon learn its name and will react to your voice from there on in. This is just the start, as you have a whole string of commands and tricks for your dog to learn throughout its life. Once your dog is named, the game then releases you from all restrictions and you're left to do whatever you want, whenever you want.
Your dog will find many items on its travels…………………like this hat!
As well as general stroking and petting, the touch screen is also used to perform gestures for commands. Using the stylus or your finger you can teach the dog to sit by performing a slow downward motion on the screen. When the dog sits, that familiar light bulb icon will flash again, allowing you to link spoken words to the command. Praise is very important when learning voice commands, so stroking the dogs when they get things right will let them know they're reacting the right way to what you're asking them to do. Like real puppies, things will take time to learn and they can't learn everything at once so you can only teach them a few things per day.
It's not all hard work though; there're plenty of ways to integrate fun into the learning. The Frisbee, for example, plays a big part in the game. The stylus is used to throw the Frisbee with varying strengths. Initially your Puppy will simply chase it, maybe chew on it for a while. But with practice, they'll learn to catch it in mid-air and bring it back to you, essential skills for entering Frisbee competitions to earn money.
You can buy toys such as a tennis ball, a tug-of-war towel and even a skipping rope, all of which can be used to interact with your dog. You can buy food and water to feed your dog, or buy shampoo to literally clean them with an onscreen sponge. You can also buy accessories for your dog like dog collars and bows, or crazier items like sunglasses, caps, and even Mario's hat. With enough cash, you can buy even more puppies or a new apartment for them to live in.
Walking your dog is straightforward. By marking a route on a street map before you start out on your walk you can plan your journey to pass nearby parks and shops as well as special question mark boxes which can lead to finding items or meeting other dogs. Walking is made simple with the dog lead controllable via the stylus. But pulling it you will affect the way your dog moves. For example, tugging the lead across the screen will make your dog run, but pulling it back will hold your dog back from rummaging around in rubbish bins or eating things it shouldn’t be. Walking your dog is a vital part of your daily routine, especially as it increases your dog's stamina which is vital for competitions.
Regular dog walking and washing are essential for keeping your puppy a happy one.
And it’s the competitions that test how good of a trainer you really are. With different events to test your dog's agility, obedience, and disk catching skills you’ve got your work cut out for you if you want to be the top dog in town. Of course, they’re not going to obey you if they’re not happy so you must make sure you take care of them in 3 main areas: cleanliness, hunger, and thirst. These categories slowly deteriorate over time, so regular washing and feeding are key to ensuring your dog’s happiness. Picking up your dog’s poop when you take walks is also as important, as just not taking care of your dog results in a reduction of trainer points, which are need to unlock other breeds of dogs and the plethora of items hidden away in the game.
Graphically, Nintendogs is arguably the best 3D we have seen so far on the DS. While the dogs themselves look commendably close to the real thing, it's the animation that makes this game what it is. The dogs' movement is incredibly lifelike and it's very easy to see the mood of your dog simply from how it's moving. They react accordingly to the different places you pet them and interact with each other just as actual dogs would. For example, if you throw a Frisbee at a group of dogs, they will happily fight over it just as real dogs would. Without such care to detail, Nintendogs wouldn’t be half the game it is. But as it stands, with every shake of the head, scratch of the paw and long affectionate gaze, it’s almost impossible not to fall in love with the puppies. Musically, the game is a bit limited, but the sound does its job on the whole with quirky tunes and plenty of authentic sounding dog-barking.
Nintendogs really is a game that seems to grow with you, in the sense that the more you play the more options and items open up for you - much like Animal Crossing. As with that game, Nintendogs requires short bursts of play daily to get the most out of it, so if the game has a fault that would be it. Having already invested a lot of time with the Japanese version, I was skeptical about how long the English translation would hold my interest for, but to my surprise it’s sucked me in more than ever before. With its superb voice recognition, simplistic control and adorably animated puppies, it has something that will appeal to all sorts of people, young or old, male or female. But most importantly of all it has something that many gamers are crying out for - originality.
I actually have one 
Looks like your shi-tzu got censored! Bad dog! 
Are they mental?!" I love dalmations and would SO want one!! Can you like unlock different breeds???
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