These are dogs that have undergone major mutations from being exposed to the Forced Evolutionary Virus. Usually, they are accompanying super mutants. They may have been created in the FEV lab of the Institute, along with the rest of the super mutants that are seen throughout the Commonwealth.
Mutant hounds are usually several times bigger than normal stray dogs and mongrels. The modification imposed on their bodies by the Forced Evolutionary Virus is similar to the one the super mutants went through: increase of muscle mass, depigmentation of the skin to a greenish color and complete loss of body hair. They are approximately 3 feet tall at the shoulder, and 5 feet long. Their intelligence seems to be affected too in the same way that a super mutant's is from the FEV. They appear not to be linked to the Master in any way, as he was evolving only humans for his army. Super mutants seem to understand mutant hounds like no other in the Commonwealth. Their vocal cords have evolved to create a very deep and low howl that they use to alert their nearby brethren.
Mutant hounds will alert nearby mutants using a very loud howl. Their bite inflicts radiation damage upon impact. They normally come in packs of up to three. They can also be tamed if one has the Animal Friend perk and be captured with Wasteland Workshop installed.
Mutant hounds are dogs that have been infected by FEV. They will not attack super mutants of any type, and will make a loud howl to alert other super mutants in the area. They are usually in packs of other super mutants.
Glowing mutant hounds share the same appearance as the basic variant but they have more hit points than usual, and can deal a decent amount of radiation damage with a bite. As such, they still emit a loud howl to alert other super mutants of a threat.
There is a legendary variant that is simply named "glowing mutant hound" with a star at the end of the name.
Despite the name, glowing mutant hounds do not actually glow like other "glowing" creatures, and look no different from their standard variant.
Once a mutant hound begins to howl, nothing will stop it from alerting other enemies, including killing it, no matter how quickly one takes it out. A dead hound will continue to howl.
Originally, centaurs were intended to appear in the game, but were ultimately cut and replaced by mutant hounds during development. Mutant hounds appear to have evolved from the various breeds of pit bull. They share many similarities, such as small ears, small eyes, stocky yet muscular build, blunt muzzle, and the distinct cranial "valley" midway between the ears that is specific to the type.
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