Though John Wick tragically lost his dog in the first ‘John Wick’ film, the franchise hasn’t seen the last of canine accompaniment.
‘John Wick: Chapter 4′ introduces a new dog that plays a starring role in the sequel — but many fans are afraid to get their hearts broken again.
The dog survives the whole movie, though as the sidekick of the Tracker, the canine faces constant danger. Viewers can relax and watch the film knowing that the dog survives every close call he encounters in ‘John Wick 4′.
The Heartbreaking Beginning That Started It All
Let’s be real – if you’ve watched any John Wick movie, you know dogs are kinda a big deal in this franchise. I mean, the whole epic revenge saga literally started because some idiots killed John’s beagle puppy Daisy (a gift from his late wife Helen). That single act unleashed the legendary hitman from retirement and well the rest is history filled with pencils, books, and spectacular fight sequences.
But what many fans wonder is – does John Wick ever get a new dog after Daisy? The answer is absolutely YES. and the story of John’s second canine companion is actually pretty interesting!
John’s Second Chance at Canine Companionship
After the events of the first film where John goes on his revenge rampage against Viggo Tarasov and his son Iosef (the puppy-killer) our favorite assassin finds himself wounded and alone. In a touching moment at the end of the original “John Wick,” he stumbles into a veterinary center and discovers a pit bull scheduled for euthanasia.
In what feels like a moment of shared understanding between two souls who’ve been through hell, John rescues the dog and walks off into the sunset with his new companion. It’s a beautiful symbolic moment of healing and new beginnings for both John and the unnamed pup.
The Unnamed Dog: John’s Silent Companion
Interestingly, John never gives this dog a name throughout the franchise. He’s only ever referred to as “Boy” or “Dog” in the movies. This is likely deliberate on John’s part – probably to avoid becoming as emotionally attached as he was to Daisy.
Despite the lack of a formal name, there’s clearly a bond between them. The pit bull becomes a constant presence in John’s life through the subsequent films, though John takes a very different approach with this dog compared to how other characters handle their canine companions.
How the Unnamed Dog Features in Each Film
John Wick: Chapter 2
In the second film, the dog mainly stays at John’s house, serving as his support animal. When Santino D’Antonio visits John’s home, he even asks about the dog’s name, to which John simply replies that the dog doesn’t have one.
After John’s house gets blown to smithereens (thanks a lot, Santino), John takes his furry friend to the Continental Hotel in New York. There, he asks Charon (the hotel’s concierge) to look after the dog while he handles his “business.” Charon later comments, “He was a good dog, I have enjoyed his company,” showing that the pit bull is apparently quite well-behaved.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
As Chapter 3 begins, John is on the run with his excommunicado status looming. We see him in a taxi with his dog, but knowing the danger ahead, John pays the driver with one of his precious gold coins to take the dog to safety at the Continental Hotel.
Throughout most of the film, the dog stays at the Continental under Charon’s care. However, in a touching moment near the end, after John is shot by Winston and falls from the Continental roof, the dog detects his owner and runs to John, licking his face repeatedly. The dog then accompanies John when he’s taken to the Bowery King.
John Wick: Chapter 4 – A New Friend Appears?
Now here’s where things get super interesting for dog lovers! John Wick: Chapter 4 unexpectedly introduces ANOTHER dog to the franchise!
According to a trailer released by Lionsgate Movies, Chapter 4 shows Keanu Reeves’ character getting assistance from an unlikely source during a street battle. The trailer reveals a moment where John is spared from bullets by a dog, with the two locking eyes in what appears to be a team-up moment.
This suggests that alongside his unnamed pit bull (who also appears in Chapter 4 with the Bowery King), John might form an alliance with another canine friend. What fate awaits this new pup remains to be seen, but fans desperately hope it won’t suffer anything like Daisy’s tragic end.
What Makes John’s Relationship with Dogs Unique
Unlike Sofia Al-Azwar (played by Halle Berry in Chapter 3), who trained her dogs specifically for combat, John doesn’t train his pit bull to fight. He tends to leave the dog in safe places like the Continental when he’s off doing his assassin thing. The dog appears to have basic training, as he can sit and stay on John’s command, but he’s not a battle companion.
This reflects John’s protective nature – even in his violent world, he tries to keep innocence (represented by his dog) shielded from the bloodshed.
Behind the Scenes Dog Facts
I love finding out the real details behind movie magic! Here’s some fun trivia about the dogs in the John Wick films:
- The unnamed pit bull was played by a dog actor named “Cha Cha” – who’s actually female!
- During filming of Chapter 3, Cha Cha apparently started a fight with a horse on set, causing a production pause. (Even the dog actors have attitude in these films!)
- Other dogs have also played the role, including one named Burton/Bubba
- In the first film, you can spot a paper on the front of the dog’s kennel indicating he was scheduled to be euthanized
The Final Chapter: Who Takes Care of the Dog?
SPOILER ALERT for John Wick: Chapter 4
After the events of Chapter 4, where John is mortally wounded following his duel with Caine, the unnamed pit bull finds a new owner in the Bowery King. The dog is even present at John’s funeral alongside his new owner and Winston Scott.
This gives fans some comfort knowing that even after John’s apparent demise, his loyal companion is being cared for by someone familiar.
Why Dogs Matter So Much in the John Wick Universe
Dogs aren’t just cute sidekicks in these films – they represent something deeper. In a world of chaos, violence, and strict rules, dogs symbolize loyalty, innocence, and unconditional love. They’re the emotional anchors in a narrative filled with bloodshed and betrayal.
The contrast between the tenderness John shows to dogs versus the brutality he unleashes on humans who harm them creates the emotional core of the franchise.
A Breakdown of John Wick’s Dogs Throughout the Series
| Dog | Breed | Films | Status | Owner(s) | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daisy | Beagle puppy | John Wick (briefly) | Deceased | Helen → John | Gift from Helen; catalyst for John’s return |
| Unnamed Dog | Pit Bull | John Wick, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4 | Alive | John → Bowery King | Companion; rescued from euthanasia |
| New Dog? | Unknown | Teased in Chapter 4 | Unknown | Unknown | Appears to assist John in battle |
So, Does John Wick Get a New Dog? The Final Verdict
To answer the original question simply: Yes, John Wick gets a new dog at the end of the first movie – the unnamed pit bull who becomes his companion throughout the rest of the franchise.
And based on Chapter 4’s marketing, there might even be another canine friend joining the saga, though in what capacity remains to be seen.
What’s absolutely clear is that in the world of John Wick, you can mess with the legendary hitman… but you should NEVER mess with his dog. Like, seriously. Don’t do it. The body count speaks for itself!
What We Can Learn From John Wick’s Relationship With Dogs
There’s something profoundly touching about how this franchise, known for its spectacular violence, places such importance on the human-canine bond. It suggests that even in the darkest corners of human existence, the love and loyalty of a dog can provide meaning and purpose.
For John, his dogs represent the last remaining connection to his humanity – the part of him that can still care, still protect, and still love in a world that has taken nearly everything from him.
I personally think that’s why these films resonate with so many of us. Behind the amazing action sequences and gun-fu, there’s a story about a man fighting to protect what little goodness remains in his world. And often, that goodness has four legs and a wagging tail.
So yeah, John Wick does get a new dog – and that simple act of compassion to save a dog scheduled for euthanasia tells us everything we need to know about who John Wick really is beneath the Baba Yaga legend.
John Wick’s first dog
The John Wick story opened with the title character tragically losing his wife — only to have his dog killed one morning in cold blood.
Unable to tolerate such an affront, Wick goes on a deadly rampage with consequences that are still following Wick into the fourth instalment.
After losing his dog in the first movie, some fans were even reluctant to watch the rest of the ‘John Wick’ series.
Does John Wick have a dog in ‘Chapter 4′?
Though John Wick could never replace the best friend and canine he lost in the first film, there is a new dog that takes on a prominent role in ‘John Wick 4′.
The dog, a Belgian Malinois, belongs to the Tracker, a character also known as Mr. Nobody, who is played by Canadian actor Shamier Anderson. Tracker never gave the dog a name, but production notes refer to him as “faithful accomplice”.
Spoiler alert: even when the Tracker is pursuit of Wick, Reeves’ character actually helps the dog in one intense action scene.
The dog also serves as comic relief on many occasions throughout the movie.
John Wick (2014) New Dog
FAQ
Does John Wick have a dog?
The Unnamed dog is a pit bull adopted by John Wick after he entered an animal shelter to heal his wounds from his fight with Viggo Tarasov. This is John’s second pet dog after Daisy. Unlike Sofia, Wick doesn’t let the dog into combat nor trains it to fight. The dog doesn’t have a name and is only referred to as “Boy” or “Dog”.
Does a new dog survive in John Wick Chapter 4?
There’s a new dog in John Wick: Chapter 4, that plays a pretty prominent role in the action sequel. But does this canine survive until the very end? Read on if you need that information before deciding whether to watch the movie. The John Wick saga began with the death of the title character’s wife.
Does John Wick euthanize a pit bull?
Unlike Sofia, Wick doesn’t let the dog into combat nor trains it to fight. The dog doesn’t have a name and is only referred to as “Boy” or “Dog”. After John Wick killed Viggo Tarasov, John stumbled onto a veterinarian center and found a pit bull scheduled to be euthanized (for unknown reasons).
Why is John Wick based on a dog?
Dogs have been so centric to the John Wick films that they’ve acted as motivation for Wick’s revenge, helped him in his recovery, and aided John in fights. The first John Wick movie was all about his dog, as the bad guys killed the pup (Daisy) that was sent to him by his deceased wife.
Who is the dog in John Wick Chapter 4?
Who is the dog in John Wick: Chapter 4? The new dog in John Wick: Chapter 4 is a Belgian Malinois. The animal doesn’t have a name, with production notes simply calling the canine “faithful accomplice.” The dog is accomplice to a character called ‘The Tracker,’ who is also known as Mr. Nobody, and played by Canadian actor Shamier Anderson.
Does the dog die in John Wick 4?
No, the dog does not die in John Wick 4. That’s despite the animal essentially being an extension of The Tracker has he hunts down his prey, and therefore almost constantly in danger. “We wanted to seamlessly fit the dog into the story,” says director Chad Stahelski of the canine, “and not just have it do stunts and attacks.
Does John Wick ever get another dog?
Yes, John Wick gets another dog, an unnamed pitbull, after the death of the first dog, Daisy, in the first film. This new dog, whom he calls “Dog” or “Boy,” becomes his companion through John Wick 2 and John Wick 3, and is shown with him at the end of John Wick 4.
What happened to Keanu Reeves’ puppy?
In John Wick, Reeves stars as the legendary assassin who has retired to marry the love of his life. But when thugs still his prized car and kill the puppy his late wife gave him, Wick sets out on a bloody quest for vengeance, which pits him against the criminal enterprise to which he once belonged.
Is the dog from John Wick still alive?
Yes, the original dog from John Wick (named Daisy, a male Beagle named Andy) is still alive and well. He was not actually harmed during filming but was adopted by a friend of his trainer, Kim Krafsky, and lives on as “Wick”. Other dogs appeared in later John Wick films, but the original pup is alive.
Why did John Wick get a dog?
Background. Daisy was a posthumous gift given by Helen Wick to help her widowed husband cope with his grief after Helen died from a terminal illness.