Stardawg (Stardog) Weed Strain Information & Review

Stardawg can be a confusing strain. It placed second at the Seattle Cannabis Cup in the Best Indica category — and third at the Denver Cannabis Cup for Best Sativa. What’s going on here?

It turns out there are a number of phenotypes of this hybrid. Some lean indica and some lean sativa, with the original strain pretty well-balanced. They all deliver a similar high: an uplifting, active, and energizing head buzz along with a mellow, relaxing body stone.

Indica-dominant phenotypes are more likely to produce couch lock; sativa-dominant ones are more likely to provide more motivating and creative experiences.

Stardawg (also known as Star Dawg, Stardog, and Star Dog) is a loud and skunky strain with an aroma and flavor that are heavy on diesel, earth, and pine. Why is it called Stardawg? The second half of the name comes from its parents, but the first half refers to the sparkly, starry look of bountiful trichomes on the buds.

Effects

This is a fast-hitting and long-lasting weed. The head high appears first, and it’s euphoric and uplifting. Many (but not all) people find that the buzz energizes them, and some say it’s motivating and creative. In most cases (partly dependent on the phenotype), the energy only lasts for a relatively short time, retreating into a happy but more relaxing and sociable high.

Stardawg’s body stone can be chill or intense; again, depending on the phenotype, you’re smoking. Some users simply find it calming and stress-relieving, but this strain is more likely to put smokers onto the couch for the duration of the long-lasting high. The experience can often make people feel lethargic or sleepy, and some may find themselves drowsing off completely.

This weed is usually best enjoyed in the evening or on a day when you have nothing else to do because of the high possibility that the buzz will be a sedating one. It’s still a good choice for get-togethers with good friends, though, because of the extremely social and happy cerebral mindset that users enjoy.

Bottom Line: Stardawg delivers a happy, soaring head high that may be energetic and creative but is more likely to simply be joyful; the body buzz is relaxing, often causing lethargy and sometimes leading to sedation. The effects of this strain usually depend on whether the phenotype leans sativa or indica.

Positive Effects:

• Energy: 2/5
• Creative: 2/5
• Pain: 4/5
• Stress: 5/5
• Sleep: 4/5
• Mood: 5/5

Side Effects

There are several potential side effects of Stardawg to be aware of. Some users have found that the cerebral high morphs into a psychedelic experience, which can be unsettling (or worse) if it happens unexpectedly. The weed is also likely to bring on serious cases of dry eyes and cottonmouth, as well as to cough from the strain’s thick smoke.

The THC content of this strain can be quite high, causing dizziness or headaches in less-experienced users or those who overindulge. It may also increase anxiety or induce paranoia in smokers who are already dealing with anxiety issues. It’s a good idea for those people to stay on the safe side and go slow when enjoying Stardawg.

Negative Effects:

• Paranoid: 2/5
• Dry Mouth: 5/5
• Dry Eyes: 5/5
• Lethargy: 4/5
• Cough: 4/5

Medical Conditions

Medical marijuana users are likely to use different phenotypes of Stardawg for different purposes. They say the ones that provide an extremely potent head high are best for eliminating stress and anxiety (although the weed may also worsen anxiety for some). Patients dealing with ADD or ADHD praise the creative and motivating high that the strain may deliver.

Patients with chronic and serious pain are more likely to benefit from Stardawg phenotypes that deliver a powerful body buzz. They say the ultra-relaxing and sometimes sedating effects — along with the euphoric head high — make quick work of joint, muscle, and other types of body pain. And as you’d probably guess, insomniacs often love the sedating effects of the strain.

Stardawg is also said to help patients with gastrointestinal and digestion problems and those with poor appetites (since it brings with it a strong case of the munchies).

Flavor and Aroma

Stardawg is a great example of why many non-users think that weed is “stinky.” (Of course, we all know that’s a vast oversimplification.) This strain, though, has the textbook funk those non-users refer to diesel, earthy, piney, and skunky. There’s a little lemon in there as well, leading some to compare the smell of Stardawg to lemon furniture cleaner.

The taste of this weed is similar. Gas and pine flavors dominate, with notes of lemon and skunk noticeable as well.

Flavor and Aroma Ratings:

• Earthy: 5/5
• Citrus: 3/5
• Fruity: 1/5
• Spice: 2/5
• Wood: 3/5

Cannabinoids and Terpenes

The 21% average THC content in Stardawg is nothing to take lightly. Not only is a 21% THC level quite high, but it means that many batches will be even higher. The flower in some dispensaries may have as much as 25% THC content. CBD levels are very low, ranging from undetectable to less than 0.5%.

You can always expect strains with earthy and skunky flavor and aroma profiles to contain high levels of the terpenes caryophyllene, myrcene, and limonene, and Stardawg is loaded with all three terps. There are also high levels of pulegone and carene, and lower levels of pinene and humulene, among others.

Lineage

Top Dawg Seeds created Stardawg in 2011 by crossing Chemdawg 4 with Tres Dawg. Chemdawg is well-known for its dank earth, diesel, and pine aroma and taste; those are also dominant in Tres Dawg, which claims Chemdawg as one of its parent strains. It’s not difficult to see how Stardawg’s genetics are reflected in its characteristics.

Chemdawg brings a euphoric head high to the genetic table, while Tres Dawg provides a much stronger body stone. Once again, it’s obvious where Chemdawg got its potent effects.

Where to Buy Stardawg Seeds

Your favorite seed bank probably carries feminized Stardawg seeds. We’ve found them at Seedsman, Seed Supreme, MSNL (Marijuana Seeds NL), and Pacific Seed Bank, to name a few. Seedsman and Seed Supreme also sell autoflowering Stardawg seeds.

Similar Strains

Some strains to check out if you can’t find Stardawg: Memory Loss, Blue Hawaiian, Space Cake, and Wedding Crasher.

Stardawg Strain Review: FAQ

Q: What are the different phenotypes of Stardawg?
A: They’re known as Guava, Illuminati, Corey Haim, and Kate Upton, all created from the same gene pool. Guava was the first phenotype that Top Dawg Seeds created, and it was the one that came in second for best sativa; it is the sweetest of the group. Illuminati and Corey Haim (often called the Corey Cut) are indica-leaning, while Illuminati leans sativa. Corey Haim is said to be the most potent of the phenotypes, followed by Illuminati. Kate Upton is primarily known for its purple buds and leans slightly indica.

Q: What’s the expected yield of Stardawg plants?
A: They’re not prodigious. Expect to harvest only about three ounces per plant.