Players of Old School RuneScape can now adopt and care for virtual puppies as part of a new members-only quest titled "A Ruff Situation." The quest involves assisting Talia and Chase at a new dog shelter located on the Ice Mountain. While the specifics of the quest's tasks are not detailed, the developer Jagex expects it to be accessible to most players due to its low crafting level requirement of 15.
Upon completing the shelter's objectives, players gain the ability to adopt a puppy. These virtual canine companions will grow into fully-fledged dogs over time, though players can maintain their puppy form by choosing not to feed them. Unlike kittens, these puppies will not run away if neglected. However, players should exercise caution if bringing their dogs into the Wilderness, as a player death in that area will cause the dog to flee. Once fully grown, dogs can assist players with clue hunting by digging for Treasure Trail steps, eliminating the need to carry a spade.
A variety of dog breeds are available for adoption, including chihuahua, collie, corgi, greyhound, husky, labrador, pug, samoyed, spaniel, bernese, shiba, and yorkie. The inclusion of breeds like the pug and shiba is noted as particularly amusing, given their increased popularity since the game's initial release.
In addition to the canine companions, a separate update allows players to communicate with crabs. By reaching level 40 sailing and 30 fishing, players can consume a mysterious bottle found on Dognose Island, which may grant them the ability to understand crabs.