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30 Novels With a Dog in the Tale

By March 10, 2016February 17th, 2018Discussion and Recommendations

We do love a good list here at For Reading Addicts. Your favourites, your most hated, best plot twist, most disappointing ending; no matter what the subject we want to know what you think. We’d never asked you what your favourite dog story was though, after all who doesn’t love a good waggy tale? So of course we asked you, our followers for your favourite books featuring a prominent canine character and as always you responded in your droves.

We have added all the votes together and here we have the results for you to enjoy with your top 30 novels with a dog in the tale.

Call of the Wild – Jack London

The story of Buck, a half Saint Bernard, half sheepdog who is stolen away from his comfortable life as a pet and sold into cruelty and abuse. An absolute classical piece of Jack London this book is a must for any dog lover.

Call of the Wild US
Call of the Wild UK

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Watchers – Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz always seems to be able to find a way to sneak at least one absolutely adorable and strangely wonderful canine into his stories and they’re usually Golden Retrievers. The completely smoochable Einstein is no exception and I would still love to have my very own Einstein at home with me.

Watchers US
Watchers UK

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Where the Redfern Grows – Wilson Rawls

Billy has dreamed of owning two dogs for a long time; so when he finally saves enough to buy two pups, Old Dan and Little Ann and together they become the greatest hunting team ever known, you know it’s not going to end without the need for tissues.

Where the Redfern Grows US
Where the Redfern Grows UK

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White Fang – Jack London

I am so pleased that White Fang is so high up on this list. I must have read this book a hundred or more times as a child and I absolutely adored it. The story of a wolf, from cub-hood, to being captured and forced to fight, his refusal to give in and adventures beyond.

White Fang US
White Fang UK

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The Art of Racing in the Rain – Garth Stein

A tale of family, loss, redemption, and fast cars-recounted entirely from the perspective of a retriever-terrier mix named Enzo

The Art of Racing in the Rain US
The Art of Racing in the Rain UK

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Iron Druid – Kevin Hearne

The Iron Druid series was a favourite of thirteen of you and is in sixth position.

Iron Druid US
Iron Druid UK

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Fluke – James Herbert

This is my personal favourite, Fluke is a beautifully written book and Fluke himself is one of my all time favourite characters. Written from Fluke’s perspective the story follows his life, and his memories from his previous life and his battle to let go of who he used to be.

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Fluke UK

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Marley and Me – John Grogan

Probably one of the best doggy books of recent years, Marley and Me chronicles the highs and lows of dog ownership, especially when the dog refuses to be, just a dog.

Marley and Me US
Marley and Me UK

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The Knife of Never Letting Go – Patrick Ness

Your penultimate top ten doggy pick with 10 votes is Todd’s faithful sidekick Manchee.

The Knife of Never Letting Go US
The Knife of Never Letting Go UK

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Cujo – Stephen King

A woman, her son, a country road, a broken down car, and a rabid St Bernard makes for a classic King tale.

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Cujo UK

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11. The Hound of the Baskervilles – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

12. Chet and Bernie – Spencer Quinn

13. Famous Five – Enid Blyton

14. Old Yeller – Fred Gipson

15. TinTin – Hergé

16. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle – David Wroblewski

17. Fool’s Errand – Robin Hobb

18. Because of Winn-Dixie – Kate DiCamillo

19. Almost Home – Joan Bauer

20. Mitford Series – Jan Karon

And after the featured top 20, here are the final ten titles that complete the full top 30:

101 Dalmations – Dodie Smith
Carbonel – Barbara Sleigh
Two Caravans – Marina Lewycka
The Wild – Whitley Strieber
Follow My Leader – Emma Chichester Clark
Everything for a Dog – Ann M. Martin
Protector of the Small – Tamora Pierce
The Plague Dogs – Richard Adams
Beautiful Joe – Marshall Saunders
Hounded – Kevin Hearne

I’m sure you all agree that is a list that anyone would be proud to have on their shelves, after all who doesn’t love a waggy tale?

2 Comments

  • Robin says:

    Your list I absurd without Kazan the wolfdog and Baree the son of Kazan by James Oliver Curwood!

  • Jerri says:

    I can’t believe there is not one book on this list by Bruce Cameron. Thanks for the list and I hope to get to read some of these books.

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