Dogs have been considered humankind’s best friend for decades, if not longer. For many people, there’s not much they won’t do for their furry friends. For some people, their dogs come first, spending more on their dogs than on children. Some even consider their dogs their children, calling and treating them as such.
Authors have taken this into consideration when they write. Mysteries with punny titles featuring dogs abound, with titles such as A Pedigree to Die For (DB 71008) and Ruffly Speaking (DB 41444). There are dramas featuring dogs, books about dog training, and more.
Since August is National Dog Month, we’ve gathered just a small selection of the books we have on dogs. Give us a call for more recommendations or visit our online catalog.
DB 105058 Pup fiction by Laurien Berenson
Amateur sleuth Melanie Travis is comfortable sending her sons to the Graceland School's summer camp; proprietor Emily Grace is a trusted friend. But Emily begins acting strangely when three Dalmatian puppies appear on her doorstep. The camp experiences more mysterious happenings, until Emily's ex-husband is found murdered nearby. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2021.
DB 97231 Pig the pug, books 1-6 by Aaron Blabey
Six humorous adventures, written between 2014 and 2018, featuring a silly, chubby pug named Pig. Includes Pig the Pug, Pig the Fibber, Pig the Elf, Pig the Winner, Pig the Star, and Pig the Stinker. For preschool-grade 2. 2018.
DB 72365 Chicken soup for the soul: what I learned from the dog: 101 stories about life, love, and lessons edited by Jack Canfield
Contributing writers offer insight about life, love, and the fundamental wisdom they have learned from dogs. In "Shih Tzu Lifeguards" Jeff Mainard discusses the unconditional love of his two tiny canines and credits them for saving him from drowning--in alcohol. Commercial audiobook. 2009.
DB 72218 A dog’s purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
Through four lifetimes a dog finds his reason for being. His first experience is as a feral puppy. Reincarnated as a golden retriever, he bonds with an eight-year-old named Ethan. After returning to life as a K-9 unit German shepherd, his final journey reunites him with an aged Ethan. 2010.
DBC14335 The original adventures of Hank the Cowdog by John R. Erickson
Humorous tale of Hank the Cowdog, who is very proud of his position as head of ranch security. Unfortunately, Hank's heroic attempts at finding a chicken murderer backfire, and his helper cowdog is no help at all. When the rancher accuses Hank of being the killer, he quits his job, becomes an outlaw, and meets a beautiful coyote. For grades 2-4.
DB 68453 Dog on it: Chet and Bernie series, book 1 by Spencer Quinn
After flunking out of police school, canine Chet becomes partners and roommates with private investigator Bernie Little. Though easily distracted, Chet is a good sleuth. He describes Bernie's latest case--the disappearance of fifteen-year-old Madison Chambliss--and his own frustration when trying to communicate clues. Strong language and some violence. 2009.
DB 92004 The dog breed bible by D. Caroline Coile
A guide to the dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Each entry covers the history of the breed, its temperament, information on the upkeep needed, and any health issues. There are also ratings for the breed's energy level, friendliness towards other pets and strangers, ease of training, and more. 2017.
DB 100368 Max the miracle dog: the heart-warming tale of a life-saving friendship by Kerry Irving
Memoir of an English man and the dog that changed his life. Suffering from severe neck and back injuries after a car injury, Kerry was unemployed and housebound, struggling with depression and even thoughts of suicide. He was saved by the friendship of a dog named Max. 2020.
DB 96646 Our dogs, ourselves: the story of a singular bond by Alexandra Horowitz
A specialist in canine cognition and author of Inside of a Dog (DB 70356) examines the relationship between humans and dogs. She explores the contradictions, including how we celebrate individuality but breed for sameness and how we have deep emotional relationships with dogs but treat them as property. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.
DB 92054 The underdogs: children, dogs, and the power of unconditional love by Melissa Fay Greene
Examines the power of service dogs to change lives. Focuses on the work being done by service dog academy 4 Paws for Ability, whose goal is to place dogs with those who have often been considered too disabled to qualify for a service animal, especially children. Commercial audiobook. 2016.
DB 103055 The K Team by David Rosenfelt
Corey Douglas and his K-9 partner, Simon Garfunkel, retire from the police force and need something to do. Corey proposes a partnership with fellow former cop Laurie Carpenter and her investigative partner, Marcus. Their first client is a judge who is being blackmailed. Contains some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2020.
DB 89278 Finding Gobi: a little dog with a very big heart by Craig Borlase
An Australian marathon runner tells the story of finding a stray dog while on a race across the Gobi desert. After keeping him company for many of the 155 miles of his ultramarathon in China, the dog disappeared, leaving the author determined to find her again. 2017.
DB 87669 Cesar Millan’s lessons from the pack: stories of the dogs who changed my life by Cesar Millan
Dog trainer and author of Be the Pack Leader (DB 65205) talks about the dogs that have made the biggest impact on his life. Includes Daisy, the dog that helped him get his first job in the US, and Daddy, the pit bull featured on his TV show Dog Whisperer. 2017.
DB 100539 You lucky dog by Julia London
Carly Kennedy's life is in a spiral, yet somehow Carly's sister convinces her to foster Baxter--a basset hound rescue with a bad case of the blues. When her dogwalker accidentally swaps Baxter with another dog, she meets Max Sheffington, owner of a cheerful basset named Hazel. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2020.