If you are a die-hard dog lover like me, you surely know what I am talking about when I say Lassie or Marley. We hardly ever miss any dog movie or novel. I often go for such movies with a packet of tissues for nobody seems to be able to tug at our heart strings the way these four-pawed furry friends do.
Here is a list of novels canine lovers will enjoy. Many have been adapted into films but the written word is always special for us!
The top 9 are my personal favourites, but the list comprises of 40 books that will make you laugh, cry and fall in love with your little companions over and over again. Dogs that surf, dogs that solve mysteries, dogs that help heal, dogs that climb mountains…they are all here!
The Call of the Wild- Jack London
Buck’s journey to becoming a sled-dog in Alaska is a 1903 classic and a story about a dog who, when exposed to the wild side of life, turns into a sort of wolf.
White Fang- Jack London
A companion book to The Call of the Wild, this book depicts the opposite process in which a wolf is domesticated by man.
Lassie Come Home- Eric Knight
Have we all not commented on how adorable this white and brown collie is and how we would someday get a sheep dog and live on a farm with her? Lassie is a story of one of the most faithful dogs who, despite being forced away from her family for financial reasons, keeps finding her way back home to be with her owner. Lassie has been adapted into a TV series, movie and also has many sequels.
The Incredible Journey – Sheila Burnford
The story, inspired by a real-life incident, details the adventure of three house pets, Luath, Bodger and Tao the cat who get lost and then embark on a long and dangerous 300 mile journey through Canadian wilderness to come back home to their owners. This book was adapted into a Disney film and the names of the pets were changed but the spirit of their struggle to reunite with their family remained.
Because of Winn-Dixie- Kate DiCamillo
Winner of many prizes, this book is a beautiful story of a little girl and a sruffy looking dog and their lessons in love, caring and empathy. It also portrays miracles that can happen when people are given a chance.
The Art of Racing in the Rain- Garth Stein
This story of a philosopher dog Enzo of the race car driver Denny Swift, that Enzo narrates on the eve of his own death, captures beautifully, the bond of family as well as the pain of heartbreak.
The Art of Racing in the Rain US
The Art of Racing in the Rain UK
A Dog’s Purpose – W. Bruce Cameron
Very recently adapted into a film, this book shows the journey of Bailey through three reincarnated lives one after another, wherein he is trying to find the meaning and purpose of canine lives. The dog’s take on how humans behave with pets and how pets interpret it, is delightful.
Marley and Me- John Grogan
Definitely needed a lot of tissues while watching the movie adaptation of this and the next pick. If you have seen them, you know that these are two books you must absolutely not miss. This book is an autobiographical love letter about a journalist John Grogan and his dog. A simple yet eventful and powerful journey of a family, from the time a Labrador pup comes into their life till his death, this is deep yet fun.
Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog- Pamela S. Turner
The ultimate example of loyalty and faithfulness, Hachiko is based on a real story of a dog in Tokyo who awaited his master at the Shibuya train station each day and continued to do so for many years even after his master’s death, in the hope that someday he would come back. This story is told through the eyes of Kentaro, a young boy who has a special bond with the dog. The legend of Hachiko will truly move you. And of course, you can swoon over the Akita breed and Richard Gere in the Hollywood adaptation of this novel.
Hachiko: The Story of a Loyal Dog US
Hachiko: The Story of a Loyal Dog UK
My Leash on Life- Lenore Hirsch
Following Atticus- Tom Ryan
Paw and Order- Spencer Quinn
Dog On It- Spencer Quinn
Bespotted- Linda Gray Sexton
Death of a Dog Whisperer- Laurien Berenson
Ricochet- Judy Fridono
Dog Loves Fairy Tales- Louise Yates
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dog Did What?- Amy Newmark
The Mountaintop School for Dogs and Other Second Chances- Ellen Cooney
Sophie:The Incredible True Story of the Castaway Dog- Emma Pearse
Huck- Janet Elder
Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love- Larry Levin
Katie Up and Down the Hall- Glenn Plaskin
What a Difference a Dog Makes- Dana Jennings
You Had Me At Woof- Julie Klam
Dogs and the Women Who Love Them- Allen and Linda Anderson
Through a Dog’s Eyes- Jennifer Arnold
The Dog Who Couldn’t Stop Loving- Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson
Nose Down, Eyes Up- Merill Markoe
Dog Years- Mark Doty
Off the Leash: A Year in the Dog Park- Matthew Gilbert
My Dog Tulip- J.R. Ackerley
Travels with Casey- Benoit Denizet-Lewis
How Dogs Love Us- Gregory Berns
Starting With Max- Ying Ying
Dog Medicine- Julie Barton
The Poet’s Dog- Patricia Maclachlan
Strays- Jennifer Caloyeras
Lily and the Octopus- Steven Rowley
Where the Red Fern Grows- Wilson Rawls
We’ve also previously done a poll on this subject and from that here are your favourite 30 books with a dog in the tale.
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