From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Dog Lover?
English AEG base-game rules

Choose randomly, or let the player who owns the most dogs in real life start.
Rule details
The player immediately counterclockwise from the starter places the Watch Dog token during setup; that placement does not make them the starting player.
Source & edition
- Dog Lover: Alderac Entertainment Group rulesAlderac Entertainment Group · Setup steps 9–11; PDF pages 5 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 5
Image: © Alderac Entertainment Group and any credited cover artist · Alderac Entertainment Group
If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say. If you need a tie-break, pick a player at random.
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