The War Dog class BattleMech has been almost 300 years in the making. Originally designed for use by the SLDF, the plans and prototype chassis were removed from Terra shortly before the fall of the Star League. Only scant references to the design remained until 3052, when Snord's Irregulars, then a Federated Commonwealth mercenary unit, captured a long-lost SLDF base in the Dark Nebula.
         The base, known as Camelot Command, has been under their protection ever since, serving first as a raiding base and then as the permanent headquarters of what came to be known as Clan Snord. While refitting the base, Snord's Irregulars recovered several chassis for the War Dog, as well as a complete set of blueprints. They smuggled the chassis back to the Federated Commonwealth during a resupply run, though Rhonda Snord made certain that the blueprints arrived at Outreach unopened.
         The engineers at Blackwell realized the value of the design and began work on an extended production run of the War Dog. It sold well, and during the Dragoon Civil War of 3055 several of them fought on Jaime Wolf's side. They helped to shatter the Elson's challenge, despite their "mere" Star League tech, and Jaime ordered Blackwell to upgrade the design using Clan technology. The result was nothing short of impressive.

         The key to the success of this heavy 'Mech is its heavy armor protection. With more than twelve tons of ferro-fibrous armor, the War Dog can weather heavy fire-power. Added to this is the Hat Trick anti-missile system mounted on the forward right torso which can easily bring down entire incoming missile salvos.
         The firepower of the 'Mech is based on the Reaper Gauss rifle, and supplemented by a Swift Lightning large pulse laser. The War Dog also carries two medium pulse lasers for close-fire support. A small pulse laser is rear mounted on the head of this 'Mech for anti-Elemental support. The War Dog C differs from the original by carrying 6 Black Cat Streak missile tubes in the upper legs of the 'Mech where the Star League version had single-shot twin tubes. This makes the design far more dangerous while the ammunition remains.
         One of the most distinctive features of this 'Mech is that its right arm has more armor protection than its left. This imbalance requires that a 'Mech pilot practice some gyro balancing, but it also offers exceptional protection to the War Dog's Gauss rifle, the most powerful weapon it mounts. Though the weapon arm is more heavily shielded, it appears roughly the same size and shape as its weaker companion.

         The original War Dog served in Great Houses, mercenary forces, fought on Solaris, and even the Word of Blake purchased some before the Dragoons blacklisted them. Few of these survived the Jihad and most that did have been upgraded to match the Dragoon version. Still supported by the Dragoons, and sold to any member of the Allied Mercenary Command that wants them, the powerful War Dog C is built to this day and has seen action throughout the Human Sphere.