Grand Theft Auto V · Wiki · Character
Chop
Franklin's Rottweiler, who can sniff out enemies and fetch.
| Type | Character |
|---|
Data checked Oct 28, 2026
Chop is the Rottweiler from Grand Theft Auto V, originally owned by Lamar Davis and later living with Franklin Clinton. He is the first fully interactive animal companion in a mainline GTA game: he helps in missions, sniffs out targets, can be walked and played with, and sits in his doghouse at Franklin’s homes. Players love Chop as one of the most charming parts of GTA 5. This wiki page covers Chop’s story, his mission, how to walk and play with him, what he can find, the companion app features, tips and fun facts.
Chop at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Species | Rottweiler dog |
| Original owner | Lamar Davis |
| Lives with | Franklin Clinton, after the Chop mission |
| Home | A doghouse at Franklin’s Strawberry house and later his Vinewood Hills house |
| Abilities | Tracking scents, attacking enemies, fetching, finding items |
| First mission | Chop |
Chop’s story
Chop belongs to Lamar, who is proud of his tough dog but does not look after him very well. In the mission Chop, Lamar and Franklin use Chop to track down a Ballas gang member, following the scent through the neighborhood and rail yards. After the mission, Chop goes to live with Franklin, who takes much better care of him. From then on, Chop is part of Franklin’s life and appears in several later missions.
Chop in missions
- Chop: Chop follows a scent trail through the streets and rail yards to find the target.
- Later Franklin missions: Chop can appear as a helper in some missions involving Franklin’s neighborhood and the final missions, where he can attack enemies.
- Ending missions: Chop shows up in scenes at Franklin’s house.
During missions, Chop can be told to attack enemies, and he can knock down and bite targets, making him useful in close fights.
How to walk Chop
- As Franklin, go to Chop’s doghouse at Franklin’s house.
- Approach Chop and choose to take him for a walk.
- Chop follows you on foot and can jump into vehicles with you.
- During the walk, Chop may run off to sniff things, mark territory or chase other animals.
- Take him back to his doghouse when you are done, or simply switch characters.
Walking Chop keeps him happy and lets him find hidden items around the map.
Playing with Chop
While walking Chop, you can play fetch by throwing a ball, and give him commands. He can sit, beg, lie down and play dead in some versions, and he reacts to other dogs and cats in the world. Chop also reacts if you get into fights, barking and attacking enemies who threaten Franklin. These small interactions make him feel like a real companion rather than a simple follower.
What Chop can find
Chop’s nose is useful beyond missions. When he is happy and well trained, he can sniff out hidden items near where you walk him, including collectibles such as spaceship parts and letter scraps in some versions. He will stop and point toward the item, so walking Chop around the map can help you complete collection challenges. The more you care for him, the better he is at this.
The iFruit companion app
In the original release, Rockstar’s iFruit companion app for phones let players train Chop, feed him, play with him and change his collar. Training Chop through the app improved his skills, made him better at finding items and kept him happy. Without the app, Chop’s happiness could drop and some of his abilities were limited. The app was later removed from app stores, so these features are no longer available in the same way on all versions of the game.
Tips for Chop
- Walk Chop in different neighborhoods to discover more hidden items.
- Use Chop in fights against gang members; he can knock enemies down.
- Be careful in traffic: Chop can be hurt by cars.
- Chop can ride in most cars with Franklin, but not on motorcycles.
- If Chop gets hurt in a mission, he recovers later at his doghouse.
Chop and Franklin’s homes
Chop’s doghouse first sits outside Franklin’s house in Strawberry. When Franklin moves to his new house in Vinewood Hills, Chop moves with him and gets a new doghouse there. You can visit him at either home, depending on where Franklin is, and switching to Franklin sometimes shows him spending time with Chop.
Why players love Chop
Chop shows Rockstar’s attention to detail. His animations, sounds and behaviors are realistic, and his loyalty to Franklin mirrors Franklin’s own loyalty to Lamar. Many players remember the first time Chop jumped into their car or found a hidden item for them. He also reflects Franklin’s growth: Franklin cares for Chop better than Lamar did, just as he is trying to take better care of his own life.
Fun facts
- Chop is one of the most famous dogs in video games and a fan favorite in GTA 5 discussions.
- GTA 5 includes many other dog breeds in the world, but Chop is the only one you can walk and command in story mode.
- Chop’s name and his tough-dog image are a running joke between Lamar and Franklin.
Related characters
Chop FAQ
Who owns Chop in GTA 5?
Lamar at first; Chop then lives with Franklin.
How do you walk Chop?
As Franklin, go to Chop’s doghouse and choose to take him for a walk.
What can Chop find?
Hidden items and collectibles when he is happy and trained.
Can Chop die?
He can be hurt, but he recovers and is not permanently lost in normal play.
Chop’s mission walkthrough tips
In the Chop mission, Lamar and Franklin drive to the target’s location, then the target runs. Chop follows the scent, and you follow Chop through alleys, over fences and across the rail yard. Stay close to Chop rather than trying to guess the route, because he always takes the path the target used. If you lose sight of him, listen for barking and look for the scent indicator. When Chop corners the target, the cutscene plays and the mission completes. It is a short mission but a great introduction to how companions work in GTA 5.
Chop’s behavior around the house
When you visit Franklin’s house without walking Chop, you can see him resting in or near his doghouse, sometimes sleeping or playing. He reacts when Franklin approaches, wagging and barking. These ambient moments are part of what makes GTA 5’s world feel alive. Chop also reacts to other animals near the house, such as cats and other dogs that wander by.
Chop in GTA 5’s world design
GTA 5 introduced detailed animals throughout San Andreas: deer, cougars, coyotes, boars, birds, fish and many dog breeds. Chop is the showcase for that animal system, the one animal you can bond with. His popularity led many fans to ask for more pet features in future games, and animal companions are a common wish for GTA 6.
If you only spend a few minutes with Chop, take him for a walk around Vinewood Hills and let him explore; it is one of the quiet joys of GTA 5 and a nice break from the heists.
Chop is easily one of the most lovable characters in Los Santos, and he deserves a spot in any list of the best video game dogs.
Give him a walk next time you play.
He will love it.
Good boy, Chop.