Dogs rule in the zombie wasteland! They have so many beneficial things to offer a survivor in a who is roaming the wilds in the dawn of the dead. However, you will need a real dog and not some silly chihuahua or other useless lapdog, but you will want one thats not too big. Big dogs are prone to bad health and don't live as long, your better suited sticking with dog breeds like retrievers, or bird dogs. Even working class dogs like terriers of any sort. Here is a brief list of things a dog can provide you with that are the most beneficial.

1. Company

sometimes the company of anything is all you need to keep your mind from plummeting over the edge into insanity after long periods with little to no human contact. Dogs are great listeners and don't ever interrupt your ranting.

2. Look-out

A dogs keen sense of smell and their sharp ears pick up on things that we would otherwise be completely oblivious to, like the pack of lurkers coming up on our campsite at night. No one likes to get stuck with their thumb up their ass, completely off guard, and a dog will make sure you are aware of whats near.

3. Location and retrieval 

any dog worth keeping around will be able to sniff out food and water, their sense of smell has a multitude of useful advantages that yours does not. Dogs are good at fetching game you kill, or finding other survivors. Your never find a more dedicated companion for the harsh times ahead.

Don't be scared to let that dog know whats up and who is boss. Establishing roles is a very critical first step when you first acquire your dog. Don't put up with any funny business and swiftly punish and discourage and silly or goofy behaviors with a swift backhand to the head. This will help control excess barking and other behaviors that attract unwanted attention and are to be discouraged. You may not even want to name it because if the time comes when its either you or the dog things like petty emotional attachments caused by naming it could lead you to compromise your safety to protect your service animal, be prepared to ditch it, zombies don't want your dog, they want your brains.