StatTrak™ XM1014 | Watchdog (Stridsärrad)

The StatTrak™ XM1014 | Watchdog showcases an imposing bulldog motif in its design, emphasizing toughness and fearlessness that aligns well with the weapon's distinct capacity for high-damage auto-shots. This skin is rendered mostly in shades of blue and black, with the stark white and red of the bulldog stencil creating a bold contrast. It was released in 2015 as part of the Rising Sun Collection.

The Watchdog is classified as a 'Restricted' grade skin, positioning it in the middle of the rarity scale. This classification along with the StatTrak™ module increases its desirability amongst players.

The XM1014 | Watchdog made its debut in the game in September 2015 during the Shadow Case Update. The skin quickly stood out for its unique graphic design and the addition of a StatTrak™ counter.

Being one of the few shotgun skins featuring a StatTrak™, the Watchdog found favor amongst players who prefer close-quarter combat scenarios, where shotguns come into their own.

This skin is available exclusively for the XM1014 shotgun.

The primary feature that sets the Watchdog apart is its distinctive bulldog design at the side of the gun. This overall military-like design style brings an uncompromising tough appearance to the weapon.

The XM1014 | Watchdog skin was launched alongside the Shadow Case, introduced in the Shadow Case update.

The artwork of a bulldog on the skin pays homage to real-life military insignia, that often use animal motifs to symbolize unit identity and spirit.

Designed by Valve.

The Watchdog skin utilizes a rich color palette and detailed graphics. Elements such as the rust and scratches provide a realistic, battle-worn look.

The Watchdog has been positively received for both its design and the fact that it's one of the few shotguns with a StatTrak™ option, making it popular among shotgun enthusiasts.

The skin is a testament to the growing sophistication in CS:GO skin design during the time, integrating symbolic elements into weapon aesthetics.

The combination of standout design, medium-rarity and StatTrak™ feature contributes to its popularity. It caters well to players who favor the shotgun playstyle in CS:GO.

The release of the Shadow Case Update has played a significant role, with the introduction of this skin augmenting the variety of visually appealing and StatTrak™-enabled shotgun skins in the game.

The creative process behind the Watchdog encompassed the designer's intent to create a striking and instantly distinguishable skin that reflected the raw power of shotguns.

The bulldog illustration serves as a symbol of brawn and brazenness, resonating with the daring playstyle that shotgun gameplay encompasses.

Players often express a connection with the Watchdog skin due to its uniquely fierce design, and the reward of having their kill count visually present on the gun via the StatTrak™ module.

This skin set a precedent for the incorporation of bold, thematic graphics in a CS:GO skin, encouraging a new wave of creative exploration in future skin designs.

While shotguns are not typically a primary choice in competitive play due to the specific scenarios where they are advantageous, the Watchdog skin is often showcased in highlight reels where such situational play occurs.

Many players recount the gratification of landing a successful series of shotgun rounds in a game, with the StatTrak™ counter serving as a witness to their feats.