Key Points
- Many musicians have been inspired by dogs and have dedicated countless songs to their pets.
- From timeless classics like “Hound Dog” and “Old Shep” to modern hits, the canine influence on pop culture is undeniable.
- These famous songs about dogs capture the happiness and heartbreak of sharing your life with dogs.
Dogs may not be able to sing (just don’t tell your very vocal husky), but they sure can inspire a good tune.
From timeless classics to modern pop hits, dogs have been muses for musicians across genres and generations. These songs capture the full spectrum of emotions that come with sharing your life with dogs — unconditional love, companionship, loyalty, and even heartbreaking loss.
Without further ado, here are the 22 best songs about dogs.
Timeless songs about dogs
Dogs have a way of worming their way into our hearts and our music collections. Some timeless classics still get the tails wagging today:
1. Hound Dog — Big Mama Thornton and Elvis Presley
If you’re a rock ‘n’ roll fan, then you’re already familiar with Elvis Presley’s iconic rendition of “Hound Dog.” But before Elvis rocked the world with his 1956 version, the song had its roots in the soulful original recording by Big Mama Thorton in 1952.
“Hound Dog” is about a woman fed up with a lazy, good-for-nothing man. She doesn’t hold back, comparing him to a hound dog. We feel compelled, as lovers of hound dog breeds, to note that these hunting dogs are actually very intelligent, loyal, and resourceful hunters — nothing like the type of man Big Mama Thornton was singing about!
2. Martha My Dear — The Beatles
Even the legendary British rock band, The Beatles, took inspiration from a dog. ”Martha My Dear”, written by Paul McCartney for the White Album, was a tribute to his Old English Sheepdog, Martha.
Martha was McCartney’s first pet and part of his family. Her presence even strengthened McCartney and Lennon’s relationship, according to Beatles lore. The song has since become an anthem for pet lovers who feel the same deep connection with their dogs.
3. Me and You and a Dog Named Boo — Lobo
Written in 1971 by Kent LaVoie under his stage name Lobo (a great dog name too), “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo” is cut from the same cloth as a Shel Silverstein poem, but just a touch more saccharine.
This is a road song about love, freedom, and a dog — It doesn’t get much better than that. The song resonated with audiences so much that it reached #1 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and #5 on the Billboard Top 40 when it was released.
4. Who Let the Dogs Out — Baha Men
It’s obvious that this song made the classics list. How could it not? This party anthem (barking sounds included) has been popular for over two decades.
Baha Men’s song is actually a cover of “Doggie”, written and performed by Trinidadian artist Anslem Douglas. Douglas originally intended it to be a feminist protest song, critiquing male chauvinism and the objectification of women.
So besides posing one of the most confounding existential questions in decades, “Who Let the Dogs Out” also serves as a powerful call for female empowerment.
Modern hits about dogs
So you’ve heard of the classics, but have you checked out the latest hits by some of your favorite contemporary artists?
5. Rich Flex — Drake
It’s clear Drake has a soft spot for dogs. He often uses “dog” or ”dawg” to refer to his loyal crew. From “Going Bad” and “Portland” to “The Remorse” and “Rich Flex,” the rapper has made the term a staple in his lyrics.
In “Rich Flex,” Drake raps “All the dawgs eatin’ off a Baccarat plate”, showing just how much he values loyalty and cares for the ones closest to him. But it isn’t just about his crew — the rapper is a genuine dog lover. His two pups, Diamond and Winter, can be seen living the good life on his Instagram.
Bonus Dog Fact: Drake’s eighth studio album is titled For All the Dogs, with the album cover being a drawing of a dog (in its own artistic way) by his son, Adonis.
6. It’s My Dog Birthday — T-Pain
Is your dog’s birthday coming up? Then add “It’s My Dog Birthday” by T-Pain to your party playlist. This song is literally about celebrating a dog’s birthday.
The music video shows T-Pain throwing a lavish birthday party, complete with peanut butter cupcakes, for his dog. He even released this song on his dog’s birthday. Dogs deserve to be spoiled and celebrated no matter their age — T-Pain gets it!
7. Mary Jane 5EVR— Miley Cyrus
A proud dog mom to many rescue pups, Miley Cyrus poured her heart out in “Mary Jane 5EVR,” an unreleased song about her dog, Mary Jane, who passed away from cancer in 2021. You’ll have to look on Youtube to hear this emotional song, since it’s not officially released.
In a heartfelt post, Cyrus said MJ was a true queen, who wore her “grace, dignity, and kindness like a crown.” She also shared how Mary Jane had been a constant source of support in her life, coming to her rescue every time her heart was broken.
Fun songs about dogs
Is your dog a one-of-a-kind weirdo? Here are some fun, quirky dog songs to queue up for your next karaoke night:
8. Atomic Dog — George Clinton
You could say that musical genius George Clinton lives on a different, Funkadelic planet — and lucky for him, they have dogs on that planet, too.
This wonderfully odd song makes the list because it’s fun to put this on, sing along, and dance around with your best four-legged friend. With “Atomic Dog,” George Clinton found the perfect rhythm to sync humans and dogs.
9. Diamond Dogs — David Bowie
While David Bowie was venturing away from glam rock towards a more theatrical and experimental era, he unleashed “Diamond Dogs” in 1974.
This dystopian rock opera paints a picture of a post-apocalyptic world where humans have devolved into feral, dog-like creatures struggling to survive. It’s a raw, gritty, and undeniably funky exploration of a world gone mad.
And of course, the iconic album cover is of Bowie as a half-man, half-dog creature.
10. Man of the Hour — Norah Jones
Have you ever wanted your partner to be as open, loyal, and honest as your dog? Well, you are not alone. In Norah Jones’ “Man of the Hour,” she sings, “the more boys I meet, the more I’ll stick with my dog.”
Her good dog doesn’t “have any baggage,” and he may “never bring me flowers,” but what makes her doggie the “Man of the Hour” is that he will “never lie” and he “don’t cheat.”
11. The More Boys I Meet — Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood shares Norah Jones’ feelings with her song “The More Boys I Meet.” It’s a playful take on the ups and downs of modern romance while celebrating the unconditional love of dogs.
The line “The more boys I meet the more I love my dog” perfectly sums up Underwood’s frustration with dating a series of men who fall short in comparison to her dog. Please, somebody, make a dog Tinder already.
Country songs about dogs
It wouldn’t be a list of dog songs without a few heartfelt country tributes to man’s best friend. Plus, these singers down south have some creative dog-centric lyrics worth remembering:
12. Every Dog Has Its Day — Toby Keith
Having a bad day, month, or maybe even year? Then it’s time to turn up Toby Keith’s “Every Dog Has Its Day.” This feel-good anthem uses the analogy of a dog finally catching its tail to remind you that even when life feels like a rough patch, the good times will come around again.
The song celebrates the underdog spirit and the idea that everyone, even those who are down on their luck, deserves a win.
13. Like My Dog — Billy Currington
One of the purest forms of love is a tail-wagging dog welcoming you home. That’s the kind of uncomplicated love Billy Currington sings about in his top 10 hit “Like My Dog.”
Currington compares a dog’s loyalty and acceptance with the often messy and complicated nature of human relationships, singing, “He never tells me that he’s sick of this house / He never says why don’t you get off that couch?”
It’s the song to play for your partner as a gentle (or not-so-gentle) reminder that we can all learn a thing or two from our dogs.
14. Ol’ Red — Blake Shelton
Sometimes, the best escape plans involve a four-legged accomplice. Blake Shelton’s rendition of “Ol’ Red” tells a story about an inmate who relies on a trusty hound dog to outsmart the prison guards and make his getaway.
While this song was originally written and recorded by George Jones in 1990, it was Blake Shelton’s 2002 cover that propelled it to the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Heartfelt songs about dogs and their humans
If you’ve read this far, it’s safe to assume you have a soft spot for dogs (and you may be on your way to building a dog-friendly playlist). These classic songs are a reminder that sometimes, a dog’s love is the only kind you need:
15. Cracker Jack — Dolly Parton
Is it possible to find another reason to love Dolly Parton? Yes. Once you listen to “Cracker Jack,” you’ll find Miss Dolly has taken another chunk of your heart.
Having a dog can teach a child a lot about responsibility, friendship, and unconditional love. Dolly sings of this timeless message in her ode to her childhood dog: “The best friend that I ever had was Cracker Jack/But he was more than that/ A playmate, a companion/ He was love and understanding.”
16. Everything Reminds Me of My Dog — Jane Siberry
Canadian-born singer-songwriter Jane Siberry wrote this happy little ditty as an homage to her canine friend.
Her narrator is a bit like Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense, but instead of seeing dead people everywhere, Siberry sees her dog everywhere. The guy in the store, telephones, taxicabs, sunsets, even Albert Einstein — basically everything reminds this singer of her pup.
Honestly, are you really a dog parent if you don’t think of your dog this often?
17. My Dog and Me — John Hiatt & The Goners
As John Hiatt points out in “My Dog and Me”, there’s nothing quite like hiking with your dog and seeing the world through their eyes.
The song’s lyrics beautifully capture the freedom and pure happiness of these shared adventures, with lines like, “We’re gonna walk in the woods, we’re gonna walk by the stream / We’re gonna lay in the sun, we’re gonna chase a dream.”
It’s true, nothing beats a nature hike with your best friend (unless it’s a cuddle session on the couch).
18. The Dog Song — Nellie McKay
Nellie McKay is as committed to her career in music as she is to animal rights, because she knows firsthand the immense influence pets can have on people’s lives. Just think of how many times your dog made you feel better after a tough day.
For McKay, “The Dog Song” is an ode to the dog who helped get her life on track. It’s polished and raw, honest without being sad, but mostly it’s just a lovely song about the power that a dog can have over your life: “My life was tragic and sad/ I was a pageant gone bad/ Then there was you on time/I said woof, be mine/ And you gave a wail/ And then I was no longer alone”
Tear-jerker songs about dogs
Grab your tissues and prepare to have a good cry with these tear-jerker songs. Remember: All dogs really do go to heaven.
19. Chasing Butterflies — Jordon Frank
Jordon Frank’s poignant song, “Chasing Butterflies,” captures the raw emotion of losing a beloved dog. Frank wrote this song for his dog Keys, who passed away from lymphoma.
It beautifully chronicles the journey of love and loss, from the singer’s joy of bringing Keys home to the devastating diagnosis and eventual goodbye. It’s never easy losing a dog, but it makes the heartbreak a little better knowing they’re free from pain and chasing butterflies in a better place.
20. Old Shep — Elvis Presley
Before he was the King of Rock, a 10-year-old Elvis Presley stole hearts with his rendition of “Old Shep.” According to Presley’s biographers, the boy who would be king sang this song at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show, his first public performance. Originally written by Red Foley, this song is about a boy’s relationship with his dog, Shep.
They share adventures, mischief, and an unbreakable bond… until Shep is shot for killing sheep, leaving the boy devastated. Even if you’ve never had a dog named Shep, this song will hit you right in the feels.
21. Shannon — Henry Gross
One of the most iconic songs about the loss of a pet, “Shannon” by Henry Gross expresses the grief following the loss of a beloved pet.
Gross wrote this song for his Irish Setter, Shannon, who passed away suddenly. In it, he sings about the heartache, longing, and struggle to come to terms with her death. It’s raw and honest and resonates with anyone who’s lost a pet.
22. Sleep in the Heat — PUP
“Sleep in the Heat” by PUP might not sound like a sad song at first, but take one look at the lyrics and you’ll be reaching for the tissues.
PUP’s lead singer, Stefan Babcock, wrote this emotionally charged punk rock song about his childhood dog Moose, who had to be put down. It grapples with the complex feelings of grief and guilt that come with having to make the difficult decision to euthanize a suffering pet.
For the love of dogs (and music)
There you have it, an awesome list of songs about dogs for your next puppy party. We even built a playlist so you don’t have to!
As you’re jamming out to these dog songs, make sure to give your pup a big cuddle and think about how much they’ve changed your life. If you can’t imagine settling for less, make sure your pup is well-protected with pet insurance. A Pumpkin Dog Insurance plan can provide you peace of mind during difficult times, and your dog deserves the best possible care.
