Abstract: A holdback dog for a mortise lock including a holdback dog slidably mounted to a tab on the mortise lock locking link. The holdback dog is activated by first retracting the latchbolt using the inside handle and then unlocking the lock using either the key cylinder or the inside thumbturn. When the lock is unlocked, the locking link moves downward, placing a tab on the holdback dog slide in confronting engagement with a corresponding tab on the bolt slide. After the inside handle is released, the holdback dog tab holds the bolt slide, and therefor the latchbolt, in the retracted or "dogged" position. For normal or "undogged" operation, the slidable mounting of the holdback slide allows the bolt slide tab to engage the holdback dog tab and push the holdback dog slide out of the way, when the lock is unlocked and either handle is operated, thereby permitting normal operation.