Many of my clients don’t know that before I became a dog trainer, I was an English and Literature teacher. I love reading and writing and stories as much as I love interacting with dogs, so I guess it’s only natural that some of my favorite books live at the intersection of these two passions. And it’s also no surprise that there are some incredible stories about man’s best friend. In all categories of reading, the exploration of the relationship between mankind and dog-kind is deep, thought-provoking, and poignant. They teach us so much and affect us in so many ways. Through the classic works of fiction like Old Yeller or White Fang, to the more scientific look into a dog’s mind in The Other End of the Leash, literature about dogs calls to us as humans and teaches us that becoming more like our dogs brings out the best in our humanity.
I’ve curated a list of some of the best dog books (in my opinion) in each category of reading. This is by no means an exhaustive list as I’ve tried to limit myself to including two to four books in each category, but I hope it is at least an introduction to some great books about dogs! I really hope they touch your heart and teach you something about these truly amazing creatures!
*We receive a small commission on any purchases made through our affiliate links*
Fiction
The four-legged best friend of a chemist in the 1600s is given the gift of immortality, but when he gets separated from his master in a cathedral, he loyally waits for over 200 years for his return. During his vigil, he befriends many humans and dogs, reflects on his fascinating life, and keeps a wary eye out for his master’s enemy that may have been responsible for his master’s disappearance. Beautifully written and full of intrigue, Tomorrow highlights the loyalty and love of man’s best friend.
The tag-line for the movie based on this lovely story is “Meet the dog who will show the world how to be human.” And if that isn’t exactly the beauty of this book, I don’t really know what is… Enzo belongs to Denny Swift, a race car driver, husband, and father who gets dealt a really rough hand in life. Enzo is there through it all, wishing he could communicate with Denny to encourage him, but finding he doesn’t need words to do that. The Art of Racing in the Rain is from the point of view of a dog, which inevitably serves to show us that dog-kind is really good at showing us how to love one another.
The Story of Edgar Sawtell is a fresh re-telling of the Hamlet story that shows us that any tale becomes even stronger when you add a canine! Edgar is a young boy – mute and speaking only in sign language – on an idyllic, small American farm. When his father passes, his dangerous uncle moves in, and Edgar and his loyal dog Almondine escape to the wilds. When he has to choose between leaving forever or facing his family, Almondine lends him the strength to return home and confront some hard truths.
Classics
This classic work of literature by Jack London follows a wild wolf-dog’s journey to domestication in the Yukon Territory during the 1890’s Klondike Gold Rush. A oftentimes brutal tale of survival, White Fang overcomes the odds and survives the hardships of living wild in the unforgiving Yukon wilderness, eventually taken in by an indigenous tribe and then a miner named Weedon Scott. White Fang and Scott’s relationship is tenuous at first, but eventually they learn to love each other and learn that they are stronger together.
A tear-jerking classic that most people might be familiar with, Old Yeller has won the hearts of many a reader of the decades. Young Travis isn’t immediately drawn to the scraggly puppy that his Papa brings home, but Yeller’s intelligence, grit, and loyalty – especially in the face of the dangerous Texas frontier – quickly win him over. Even with it’s famously sad ending, this novel is worth the read because it is a testament to the strength of the bond that can exist between a boy and his dog.
Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight is the original “lost dog travels miles to reunite with owner” story, inspiring multiple movies and a long-running and well-loved television series. Everyone seems to love a story about love lost and then found, and when you throw in the unconditional love of a dog, you really can’t go wrong!
Children’s Literature
Another tear-jerker that is absolutely worth the read, Where the Red Fern Grows has been on many a school reading list. And rightly so because it explores the idea of “Tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all” (Alfred Lord Tenneson) in a way that is approachable and relatable to young readers. Billy and his two coonhounds, Old Dan and Little Ann, roam the Ozark Mountains with a dream of becoming the best raccoon-hunting team. But hunting can be dangerous even in the best circumstances. When tragedy strikes, Billy is comforted by a peace he can only find “where the red fern grows.”
Because of Winn-Dixie was Kate DiCamillo’s first novel and an immediate hit. It is a coming-of-age story about a girl named Opal who is trying to come to terms with her mother’s death with the help of a lovable stray that makes friends easily and fill’s Opal’s life with love and meaning. A Newberry Honor winner, it has also been adapted into a beloved movie as well.
Another story about a boy and his coonhound, Sounder by William H. Armstrong is still worth including in this list. Set in the deep South, a family of African-American sharecroppers struggle to find enough food to feed their family. Sounder – the only named character in the story – is an instrumental part of their survival. This Newberry Medal winning novel showcases that even in the most terrible circumstances, the love and loyalty of a good dog can build bridges and sometimes even save lives.
Memoir
As a country vet in Yorkshire in northern England, James Herriot wrote novels and memoirs inspired by his veterinary work in the 1930-50’s. While all of his work will appeal to animal lovers, this collection of dog stories especially warms the heart and highlights the reasons why dogs are often called “Man’s Best Friend.” Some of the stories are happy little glimpses into the lives of the dog’s in Herriot’s world, while some of the stories have sad endings and unhappy circumstances. But all of them showcase the special nature of our canine companions and the incredible bond they can form with the two-legged creatures in their lives.
Made into a hit movie in 2008, this bittersweet memoir of the trouble-making yellow lab puppy captured the hearts of many a dog-lover. Grogan and his family bring home a boisterous puppy that gets into many shenanigans and makes them question their sanity. He is impulsive, destructive, and endlessly hungry. But as the family tries to deal with his energy and bad decisions, they grow to love his sweet nature and happy heart. Marley and Me is ultimately about how adding a dog to the family unit – even a difficult one – can enrich that family’s life.
For those that love specifically-Southern storytelling, The Speckled Beauty by Rick Bragg is an excellent memoir about two damaged creatures and how their devotion to one other ultimately leads to healing. Speck was not what most people would consider a “good dog” even from the moment he showed up behind Bragg’s house as a “a starved and half-dead creature, seventy-six pounds of wet hair and poor decisions.” But Bragg’s recent cancer diagnosis helps him see past the grit and bad behavior and ultimate leads to a fulfilling and healing relationship across species lines.
Historical
Mark Derr explores the relationship between man and dog from the times humans crossed the Berring Straight land bridge twenty thousand years ago all the way through the Vietnam War. This fascinating look at history showcases how dogs helped shaped history through their working and social relationships with humans.
In 1917, a stray dog befriends Private J. Robert Conroy on base and the two become inseparable. The story of Bob and Stubby becomes an epic tale of how their relationship, and Stubby’s indomitable spirit, inspire a nation in the heart of War World I.
Sam Stall pens a beautiful tribute to the often forgotten dogs who have been involved in some world-changing instances throughout history. Take Peritas for example, a dog who saved Alexander the Great from being trampled by elephants! Or Urian, the dog who bit Pope Clement VII and finalized England’s break with the Catholic church! 100 Dogs Who Changed Civilization is a fascinating look into how our canine companions have subtly and sometimes not-so-subtly changed our lives and history.
Science and Research
Dr. McConnell is an applied animal behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years experience, and The Other End of the Leash is a unique twist on a dog behavior book in that it studies human behavior in relation to our dogs. This shift in focus forces the reader to consider how their actions are affecting their dog’s behavior (instead of the traditional focus on “fixing” the dog’s behavior). This book is also fascinating glimpse into the inter-species relationship of dogs and humans written from the perspective of both a scientist and a dog-lover.
Alexandra Horowitz is a cognitive scientist that uses her life with her own dog, Pumpernickel, to inspire her research and study on how a dog’s brain works. She uses her years of experience in dog cognition research to help her readers better understand dogs’ perception of the world and how they think. If you’ve ever wondered what might be going on in your dog’s brain, this is an interesting peak!
Training/How To
Yes, Dr. Patricia McConnell made my list twice! She has many other books worth reading, as well, including our favorite recommendation for people who’ve adopted a dog from the shelter (Love Has No Age Limit). But this particular book is a great resource for anyone in the middle of those really cute but really challenged puppy training months! You can find this and many of her other wonderful books here: https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/learning-center/
This oldie but goodie was originally written in 1984 and while the dog training industry has come even further since then, this book by Karen Pryor was instrumental in changing how the dog training world thought about canine learning and canine behavior. It is an extremely interesting look into what the dog culture was like before trainers really started understanding and using positive reinforcement.
Dr. Sophia Yin quite literally wrote the book on low-stress handling when it comes to canine behavior. A veterinary behaviorist who worked with dogs both medically and behaviorally, Dr. Yin believed that being aware of our own behavior and stress enables us to better help our dogs in training scenarios. If you want additional reading, you can check out her website, which is full of resources on training, behavior, and veterinary medicine. https://cattledogpublishing.com/
Essay Collections
Woof! is a poignant, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always heartwarming collection of essays from a variety of writers that have been blessed enough to have a dog in their life!
A compilation of stories about the bond between dog and mankind, Cold Noses and Warm Hearts includes names such as Steinbeck, Lawrence, and Thurber. Originally compiled and published in 1959, the stories and essays in this collection are truly timeless.
You may recognize EB White from his beloved children’s books, Charlotte’s Web, The Trumpet of the Swan, or Stuart Little. His combination of approachable style and rich thematic content is present in all of these dog-filled stories, which were compiled and edited by his granddaughter (and manager of his literary estate), Martha White. Literature lovers and dog lovers will both enjoy this read.
Poetry and Coffee Table Books
“Because of the dog’s joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift.” Pulitzer Prize winning poet Mary Oliver has a clear understanding of what dogs can bring into the lives of humans. Joy in simplicity, loyal companionship, a quiet and steady presence – Mary Oliver uses her gift of language to express these wondrous gifts of our canine friends.
The title Underwater Dogs is fairly self-explanatory here. Seth Casteel captures the joy of a dog swimming. These pictures are hilarious to start, but they are also well-composed pieces of art.
William Wegman has developed a cult following for the pictures he takes of his Weimeraners. Lovers of the breed and dog lovers in general have often purchased his work in the form of books, posters, novelty gifts, and calendars. Being Human is a hilarious collection of photographs of his Weimeraners doing “human things.” It is an excellent conversation piece for your coffee table!
Tossing a cookie to a food-loving dog is satisfying and fun, and this collection of photographs by Christian Vieler captures that joy! These wide-eyed, open-mouthed puppers will make you laugh over and over again!
