The Dog House Megaways Pros & Cons
The Dog House Megaways delivers classic Aristocrat action with a proven track record. The choice-based free spins and stacked symbols create a good variety, but the RTP and max win won't impress everyone.
- 96.55% RTP beats industry average
- Max win 12,305x is solid
- Unlimited win multiplier in Free Spins
- Tumbling reels create chain reactions
- Raining Wilds feature hits frequently
- High volatility = brutal dry spells
- Free Spins can take 200+ spins to trigger
- Max win lower than some Megaways competitors
- Original Dog House fans might find this too volatile
- No bonus buy option (in most jurisdictions)
The Dog House Megaways Slot Review – Pragmatic Play's High-Variance Beast
The Dog House Megaways takes Pragmatic Play's popular original and cranks up the chaos with the Megaways engine. Released in 2020, this sequel offers up to 117,649 ways to win compared to the original's fixed 20 paylines. The standout feature here is the Free Spins round with unlimited win multipliers that can seriously explode your balance.
Here at SlotsGamblers, we tested this slot and found it's way more volatile than the original Dog House. The 96.55% RTP is solid, but you'll need patience because dry spells hit hard. Max win potential is 12,305x your bet, so a €1 spin could theoretically pay €12,305 if you get lucky.
The game keeps the cute cartoon dog theme from the original but adds tumbling reels and better bonus mechanics. You'll see dogs, dog houses, collars, and bones spinning across 6 reels with rows changing between 2 and 7 on each spin. It's designed for players who can handle high volatility and want that big win potential over steady small returns.
Betting ranges from €0.20 to €100 per spin, so it works for most budgets. The Megaways mechanic means every spin feels different since the number of symbols changes constantly. If you liked the original Dog House but found it too boring, this version brings way more action and bigger win potential.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Pragmatic Play |
| Release Date | 2020 |
| Reels x Rows | 6 X 2-7 (Megaways) |
| Paylines / Ways to Win | Up to 117,649 ways |
| RTP | 96.55% |
| Volatility Level | High |
| Min Bet | €0.20 |
| Max Bet | €100.00 |
| Max Win Potential | 12,305x bet |
| Hit Frequency | ~25% (approx.) |
| Default Bet Range | €0.20 - €100.00 |
| Mobile Compatible | Yes (i0S/Android/Desktop) |
Symbols & Payouts
10 regular symbols - 5 dog premiums and 5 low-paying card symbols (10-A). Dogs are detailed and colorful, cards are simple paw prints. Wild dog house lands on reels 2-6 only.
🐕 Rottweiler - High Value
The toughest-looking dog here and the top premium symbol. It's a black and brown Rottweiler with a serious face that pays 37.5x your bet for 6 of a kind. This symbol doesn't show up super often, so landing a full line feels rewarding. The animation shows him barking when you win. Design is sharp even on mobile.
🐶 Pug - High Value
The cute wrinkly pug with a goofy expression pays 7.5x your bet for 6 symbols. Shows up more frequently than the Rottweiler but still counts as a premium. When you land a win, he tilts his head in that classic pug way. Design captures the pug personality perfectly.
🦴 Shih Tzu - High Value
The fluffy white Shih Tzu with a pink bow pays 3x your bet for 6 of a kind. This symbol appears fairly regularly and helps build smaller wins between bonus rounds. Animation shows her shaking her fur when she's part of a winning combo. Colors are soft and fit the cheerful theme.
🐕🦺 Dachshund - Medium Value
The long wiener dog pays 1.5x your bet for 6 symbols. Shows up often enough to keep your balance stable during base game. Design is adorable with those short legs and long body. Animation has him wagging his tail. Not a huge payer but helps fill gaps.
🐕 Bulldog - Medium Value
The stocky bulldog with a spiked collar pays 0.9x your bet for 6 of a kind. Most common of the dog symbols but still better than cards. Design shows him drooling slightly. Animation is subtle but fits his lazy bulldog personality. You'll see this guy a lot.
🃏 Ace (A) - Low Value
Red paw print with an A symbol pays 0.45x for 6 symbols. Shows up constantly and fills the reels between premium symbols. Design is simple but clear. These help create smaller wins while you're waiting for the good stuff. Not exciting but necessary.
🃏 King (K) - Low Value
Blue paw print with K pays 0.36x for 6 of a kind. Second-highest card symbol but still pays weak compared to dogs. You'll land these all the time. Design is clean and easy to spot. Helps keep your balance from tanking too fast.
🃏 Queen (Q) - Low Value
Green paw print with Q pays 0.27x for 6 symbols. Middle-tier card that shows up frequently. Design matches the others with slight color variation. Not much to say - it's filler that pays small amounts.
🃏 Jack (J) - Low Value
Purple paw print with J pays 0.18x for 6 of a kind. Second-lowest payer that appears constantly. Design is basic but functional. You'll groan when the reels fill with these instead of dogs.
🃏 Ten (10) - Low Value
Orange paw print with 10 symbol pays 0.15x for 6 symbols. Lowest payer and most common. Design is simple and boring. When you see reels full of these, you know the spin was dead. Still better than nothing.
🏠 Wild Dog House - Special Symbol
The Wild substitutes for all symbols except Scatter and only lands on reels 2-6. When it lands, it can come with a 2x or 3x multiplier attached. If you land multiple Wilds in one spin, the multipliers stack together. During Raining Wilds feature, you can get up to 4 Wilds dropping onto the reels at once. This symbol is key to big wins since the multipliers can combine for serious boosts.
🦴 Scatter Bone - Special Symbol
The bone Scatter triggers Free Spins when you land 3+ anywhere on the reels. Design is a white bone with "BONUS" written on it. You need 3 for 7 free spins, 4 for 15 free spins, or 5+ for 20 free spins. Can appear on any reel and ignores paylines. This is what you're hunting for since the Free Spins round is where big money happens.
| Symbol | 6 of a Kind | 5 of a Kind | 4 of a Kind | 3 of a Kind | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rottweiler
|
7.5x | 3x | 0.9x | Top premium | |
|
Pug
|
2.5x | 0.75x | 0.3x | High premium | |
|
Shih Tzu
|
1x | 0.3x | 0.15x | Mid premium | |
|
Dachshund
|
0.5x | 0.15x | 0.06x | Low premium | |
|
Bulldog
|
0.3x | 0.09x | 0.03x | Low premium | |
|
Ace (A)
|
0.15x | 0.06x | 0.03x | High card | |
|
King (K)
|
0.12x | 0.045x | 0.021x | Mid card | |
|
Queen (Q)
|
0.09x | 0.036x | 0.018x | Mid card | |
|
Jack (J)
|
0.06x | 0.024x | 0.012x | Low card | |
|
Ten (10)
|
0.05x | 0.02x | 0.01x | Lowest card | |
|
Wild
|
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Substitutes all, 2x/3x multiplier |
|
Scatter
|
N/A | N/A | N/A | 3+ triggers Free Spins | Bonus trigger |
Bonus Features
Two main features - Raining Wilds in base game and Free Spins with increasing multipliers. Simple setup but effective when they hit.
| Feature Name | Trigger Method | Description | Max Potential | FrequencyRe-trigger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Raining Wilds
|
Random in base game | 1-4 Wilds drop with 2x or 3x multipliers | Varies | Medium |
|
Free Spins
|
7/15/20 spins with unlimited increasing multiplier | 12,305x bet | Rare | |
|
Wild Multipliers
|
Wild symbols land | 2x or 3x multiplier, stack when multiple land | Up to 81x | Common |
|
Tumbling Reels
|
After any win | Winning symbols removed, new ones drop | Chain wins | Every |
RTP & Volatility
96.55% RTP puts this above average. High volatility means long waits between big hits. Max win 12,305x is good but not the highest out there.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
|
Min Bet
|
€0.20 |
|
Max Bet
|
€100.00 |
|
Max Win (at min bet)
|
€2,461 |
|
Max Win (at max bet)
|
€1,230,500 |
|
RTP %
|
|
|
Volatility
|
High (8-9/10) |
|
Avg. Bonus Frequency
|
|
|
Hit Frequency
|
~25% |
Mobile
Works perfectly on iOS and Android phones and tablets. We tested on iPhone and Samsung - no issues with loading, spinning, or viewing the paytable. Touch controls are responsive and the game scales well to smaller screens. You can see all 6 reels clearly even on a 5-inch phone display. Battery drain is normal, no worse than other Megaways slots.
Tips:
Here are some practical tips from our testing:
Bankroll Management:
Bring 200-300x your bet size minimum. High volatility eats through money fast between bonuses. If you've got €50 total, bet €0.20-0.25 max.
Bet Sizing:
We recommend staying at €0.50-€1.00 per spin unless you've got a serious bankroll. €5+ spins can drain €500 in 10 minutes if bonuses don't hit. Start small and adjust based on results.
Free Spins Strategy:
When you trigger the bonus, pray for retriggers. The multiplier carrying over makes retriggers extremely valuable. A single retrigger can turn a 50x bonus into 300x+ if tumbles keep coming.
Base Game Patience:
Don't chase losses by raising your bet. The math doesn't change - you're still fighting high volatility. Stick to your bet size and ride out dry spells. Bonuses eventually hit.
SlotsGamblers Recommends:
Set a loss limit before you play. This game can burn through €100 in 15 minutes if you're unlucky. Know when to walk away, especially if you've gone 300+ spins without a bonus.
Similar Games
If you like The Dog House Megaways, check out these alternatives:
The Dog House (Original)
Same theme and features but with fixed 20 paylines and lower volatility. Better for casual players who want their money to last longer.
Sweet Bonanza
Also by Pragmatic Play with tumbling reels and Free Spins multipliers, though it uses a candy theme instead of dogs and has higher max win potential at 21,100x.
Extra Chilli Megaways
Another Megaways slot with Free Spins and unlimited multipliers, but with Mexican theme and bonus buy option available in some regions.
Wolf Gold
Pragmatic Play's animal-themed slot with lower volatility and progressive jackpots, good alternative if The Dog House Megaways feels too brutal.
Play Responsibly - 18+ Only
Gambling should be entertaining and fun. Remember that slots are games of chance, and there's no guaranteed way to win. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose, and always set limits for yourself. If you feel gambling is becoming a problem, please seek help immediately.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the unlimited multiplier work in Free Spins?
Starts at 1x and increases by +1 with every tumble during Free Spins. It never resets between spins, so if you end spin 1 at 5x, spin 2 starts at 5x and keeps climbing. This is how you hit massive wins.
Can you trigger more Free Spins during the bonus round?
Yeah, landing 3+ Scatters during Free Spins adds more spins to your total. The multiplier carries over and keeps increasing, so retriggers are where the biggest wins happen. We've seen multipliers hit 25x+ after retriggers.
What's the difference between this and the original Dog House?
Original has 20 fixed paylines and medium volatility. Megaways version has up to 117,649 ways to win and high volatility. Max win jumped from 6,750x to 12,305x. Basically more volatile with bigger potential.
How often do Free Spins actually trigger?
Honestly, it's brutal. Here at SlotsGamblers, we tested it and averaged around 180-220 spins between triggers, but we've gone 350+ spins dry too. High volatility means huge variance in how often it hits.
Do Wild multipliers stack in base game?
Yes, if you land multiple Wilds in one spin, the multipliers multiply together. Two 3x Wilds = 9x total. Four 3x Wilds = 81x total. This creates the big base game wins when you get lucky.
What's the minimum bet to have a realistic chance at the bonus?
€0.20 minimum bet works, but bring at least €50-100 bankroll. With bonuses taking 180+ spins on average, you need enough to survive that long. €0.50-€1.00 bets need €100-200 minimum.
Is there a bonus buy option?
Not in most jurisdictions. Pragmatic Play removed bonus buy from most markets. Some regions might have it, but don't count on it being available.
Why is this considered high volatility if wins happen 25% of the time?
Because most of those wins are tiny card symbol combos paying 0.2x to 0.5x your bet. Real wins above 10x happen rarely. The big money sits in Free Spins which triggers maybe once every 200 spins. That's high volatility.