Dogs With Jobs
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Pairs well with
FroGames — Moments You'll Remember
Some recruit the perfect German Shepherd, some bet it all on a Chihuahua. And in the end, everyone has a story about that dog that saved (or ruined) the game.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
The first day as a special dog recruiter
Designed by John Gordon and illustrated by Jonathan Wesslund, Dogs With Jobs is a competitive card game where you assemble canine teams to respond to emergency calls in the city. Published by Lab 380 in 2025, it brings the charm of working dogs to the table: German Shepherds, rescue Labradors, search Beagles, tracking Bloodhounds.
Each turn you choose dog cards from the central draft, add them to your team, and match them to emergency calls on the table. Each dog has unique abilities and each job requires different skills: grit, tactics, speed. You have eight hours (eight turns) to accumulate more points than other recruiters. Unanswered calls are costly.
What they say abroad
Setup in 2 minutes, rules explained in 5. And then everyone wants a rematch.
— FroGames
It has that strategic lightness that everyone likes: families, experienced players, children. Nobody gets bored.
— FroGames
Dogs With Jobs
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews, and game sessionsYour Canine Squad
Four elements that make every game tick
Dog Cards
Each dog has unique abilities: some excel in rescue, others in search, others in guarding. Choose the best from the draft, but beware: other players want the same dogs you need.
Emergency Calls
Fires, disappearances, collapses, escapes. Each call is worth points and requires dogs with specific skills. Solve them before others or pay the cost of unaddressed calls.
Eight Hours of Work
You have eight turns to build the most efficient team. Every decision counts: recruit a new dog or complete a call? Wait for the perfect dog or settle?
Multi-purpose Abilities
Some dogs have versatile abilities that suit multiple calls. Others are pure specialists. Balancing flexibility and power is the key to winning.
In half an hour, you'll have figured out which dogs work best together. And you'll immediately want to play again to try them all.
🧤 BUSTINE
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
The city calls
Place the first emergency calls on the table. Some immediately notice the high-point one, others focus on quick jobs. The draft begins and everyone looks at the same cards, calculating what to pick.
The first perfect dog
Someone recruits the German Shepherd everyone needs. Someone else takes the versatile Labrador. The first calls are resolved, the first points are scored. The race begins.
Too many jobs, too few dogs
Mid-game, everyone has 3-4 dogs on their team, but the calls are piling up. You have to choose: recruit a new specialist or resolve quickly with what you have? The others watch you, waiting for your move.
The dog that changes everything
Someone draws a special ability card and resolves three calls in one go. Others curse their luck. Or someone sacrifices points to block an opponent. The table comes alive.
The last call
Last round. Everyone counts points; some have unresolved calls that cost dearly. It's revealed who optimized best. And everyone immediately asks for a rematch because "this time I know what to do."
How to play
The flow of each turn
Each turn lasts a few minutes: draft, recruitment, resolution. Eight turns and the game is over.
Place the dog cards available for this turn in the center of the table. Everyone sees the same options.
In turn, each player chooses a dog card from the center and adds it to their team. You can also use special abilities you already possess.
Match your dogs to the emergency calls on the table. If you have the right requirements, resolve the call and earn points. Otherwise, you wait for the next turn.
Reveal new emergency calls for the next turn. Unresolved calls remain on the table and continue to be worth points.
Why it's different from others
Six mechanics that make a difference
Smart multi-use cards
Each dog card can be used for its special ability or as a generic resource to resolve calls. You never have a dead hand: every card is always useful, but you have to decide when and how to use it.
Open and fast draft
Everyone sees the available cards; there's no random draw. You choose based on what you need, but also based on what to deny opponents. The draft is quick yet tactical.
Exactly eight turns
No complicated victory conditions: after eight turns, points are tallied. You always know how much time you have left, planning accordingly. Games never drag on.
Asymmetrical dog abilities
Each breed has different powers: some dogs resolve more calls, others steal points, others change turn order. No two teams are alike; every game you develop different strategies.
Pressure from unresolved calls
Unresolved calls cost points at the end of the game. You can't ignore them all just to focus on big jobs: you must balance greed and risk management. Leaving too many gaps penalizes you.
Immediate replayability
Different setup every time, always new card combinations, no game is ever the same. The short duration invites a rematch: "One more, I know what to do" is the phrase you always hear at the end of the game.
How it ends
How to win and how to lose
After eight turns, points are counted. The player who has accumulated the most points by resolving calls and using special abilities wins.
Victory
- Resolve emergency calls with the right requirements and accumulate points
- Use your dogs' special abilities for bonuses and multipliers
- Optimize your team for maximum efficiency and versatility
What costs you dearly
- Unresolved calls at the end of the game: each ignored emergency subtracts points
- Recruited dogs never used: wasted turns without accumulating points
- Leaving key cards to others: if opponents build better teams, you lose
Dogs With Jobs is one of those games that works for everyone: families, experienced players, children, friends' evenings. Setup in 2 minutes, game in 20, immediate rematch.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ about Dogs With Jobs
Is it a good first board game for someone who has never played before?
Absolutely yes. The rules are explained in 5 minutes, the iconography is very clear, and the first game works right away. No prior experience is needed, and the short duration doesn't intimidate newcomers. It's one of the most accessible gateway games around.
Does it work well with 2 players or do you need a full table?
It works very well with two players. The draft is more controlled, the choices more tactical. With 4-5 players there's more chaos and interaction, but the two-player version is solid and fast. No configuration is penalized.
Can 7-year-olds really play?
Yes, if they are used to board games. The suggested age is 7+ and the mechanics are simple: choose a card, match it to a job, resolve. The only difficulty is evaluating which card to take to optimize points, but you learn by playing. Younger children might need help in the first few games.
Is it too light for experienced players?
No, if you're looking for a tactical filler. It's not a deep strategic weight, but the competitive draft and timing choices offer enough depth for 20-30 minutes. You'll use it as a game opener or as a quick game between heavier titles.
Is it available in Italian?
Dogs With Jobs is in English, but the text on the cards is minimal and the iconography is self-explanatory. With a quick reference (or the app), you can play without problems even without knowing English. An official Italian edition is not currently planned.
Dogs With Jobs is a competitive card game for 2-5 players, ages 7+, lasting 15-30 minutes, designed by John Gordon and published by Lab 380. Each game puts you in the shoes of a specialized dog recruiter: choose dog cards from the central draft, assemble the most efficient team, and resolve emergency calls to accumulate points. Hand management, open drafting, and push your luck mechanics combine in an accessible yet tactical gateway game, perfect for families and experienced players. Eight turns, immediate setup, very high replayability. Available on FroGames.it.
Dogs With Jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
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