I did do a search of the forum, but after several pages of not finding my specific quandary, I decided to ask.
on page 41 of the Core Rulebook it says, "(Druids who take this ability through their nature bond class feature use their druid level -3 to determine the abilities of their animal companions)." But when I look at the Nature Bond class feature in the Druid section on page 50 I find no mention of the class level -3, nor do I find it anywhere in the Druid section.
So if a Cleric 4/Druid 1 has Animal domain, is the effective druid level 2 or something less? It seems to me that the druid uses his full level since he can gain the animal companion at 1st level, but that is not what page 41 seems to say.
Also since I am on the subject, how does the Paladin's Divine Bond feature interact if the mount/animal companion option is chosen , especially if Paladin is chosen after either cleric or druid have obtained their animal companion? Does the character have to dismiss their, say, dog in order to obtain a mount?