If I understand correctly, I can choose a dog as a mount (I am a halfling), but not a riding dog. They are two different entries in the Bestiary, and only the former is listed among the available animal companions for a druid. Naturally I would prefer a riding dog, because it is ccombat trained, while a dog is not.
The descriptions for the druid's animal companion specify that a horse or a pony is combat trained, but that language is absent for the dog.
Someone please tell me that I am wrong, and I can get a riding dog.
Otherwise I will just get a dog and use the bonus tricks toward achieving the combat trained status for the critter.
EDIT Or I can try to use Handle Animal to achieve Combat Trained status.
