40 Songs About Dogs, From Famous Classics to Songs About Losing a Dog

What is the most famous song about a dog?

"Hound Dog", first recorded by Big Mama Thornton and made world-famous by Elvis Presley, is the best-known dog song ever, although it is not really about a dog. "Who Let the Dogs Out" by Baha Men is the most shouted, and "(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?" by Patti Page is the sweetest. For a song truly written about a real dog, "Martha My Dear" by The Beatles, named after Paul McCartney's sheepdog, is the classic answer.

Famous songs about dogs

1. "Martha My Dear", The Beatles: named after Paul McCartney's Old English Sheepdog, Martha.
2. "Hound Dog", Elvis Presley: the rock and roll classic, first sung by Big Mama Thornton.
3. "(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?", Patti Page: the 1953 novelty hit everyone can hum.
4. "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo", Lobo: a 1971 road-trip song with a dog in the passenger seat.
5. "I Love My Dog", Cat Stevens: his very first single, a simple ode to loyalty.
6. "Gonna Buy Me a Dog", The Monkees: a goofy, fun 60s track.
7. "Old King", Neil Young: about his hound, the best dog he ever had.
8. "Dog & Butterfly", Heart: a gentle 70s song inspired by a dog chasing a butterfly.
9. "Hey Bulldog", The Beatles: a rocking track with barking at the end.
10. "Seamus", Pink Floyd: a blues track featuring a real dog howling along.
11. "Gulliver", Elton John: an early song about a beloved dog.
12. "Cracker Jack", Dolly Parton: about the best friend of her childhood.

Country songs about dogs

13. "Ol' Red", Blake Shelton: a bloodhound with a clever role in a prison escape story.
14. "Every Dog Has Its Day", Toby Keith: a country song with a dog's-eye attitude.
15. "Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine", Tom T. Hall: about the few things in life you can count on.
16. "Feed Jake", Pirates of the Mississippi: a man asking a friend to look after his dog.
17. "Old Blue", traditional, recorded by The Byrds and Joan Baez: a folk song about a faithful hound.
18. "Old Shep", Red Foley, later Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash: one of the first great dog tearjerkers.
19. "All Dogs Go to Heaven", Chris Young: a modern country tribute to a dog who is gone.
20. "Maggie's Song", Chris Stapleton: written for his family's dog, Maggie.

Songs about losing a dog

21. "Shannon", Henry Gross: a 1976 hit about a beloved Irish Setter.
22. "Angel", Sarah McLachlan: the song from the famous animal-rescue ads, now forever linked to pets.
23. "Wish You Were Here", Pink Floyd: for the empty spot by the door.
24. "See You Again", Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth: about friends meeting again down the road.
25. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: gentle and hopeful, often linked to the Rainbow Bridge.
26. "Tears in Heaven", Eric Clapton: about meeting again one day.
27. "Gone Too Soon", Michael Jackson: about a life that was too short.
28. "You've Got a Friend in Me", Randy Newman: for a dog who was a best friend first.

Fun songs about dogs

29. "Who Let the Dogs Out", Baha Men: the barking chorus everyone joins.
30. "Atomic Dog", George Clinton: a funk classic.
31. "Walking the Dog", Rufus Thomas: a 1963 dance song, perfect for an actual walk.
32. "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron", The Royal Guardsmen: the world's most famous beagle goes to war.
33. "Black Dog", Led Zeppelin: named after a black Labrador that wandered around the studio.
34. "Dog Days Are Over", Florence + The Machine: not about dogs, but every dog-walking playlist has it.

Songs about dogs for kids

35. "Bingo": the farmer's dog, spelled out loud.
36. "Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?": a nursery classic.
37. "The Puppy Song", Harry Nilsson: a sweet 1969 song about wishing for a puppy.
38. "Puppy Love", Paul Anka: not about puppies, but kids love the title.
39. "Dog Song", Nellie McKay: a playful love letter to her dog.
40. "Me & My Dog", boygenius: a modern indie favorite for older kids and adults.

Rock songs about dogs

Rock has its own pack: "Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin, "Hey Bulldog" by The Beatles, "Seamus" by Pink Floyd, "Old King" by Neil Young and "Dog & Butterfly" by Heart. Add "Atomic Dog" for a funk detour and you have a playlist for a long drive with the windows down and a dog's head out of one of them.

Songs about dogs being best friends

For the dog who is family, the best songs are about loyalty more than dogs: "You've Got a Friend in Me", "Lean on Me", "Count on Me" and "Stand by Me" all work in a video of the two of you. "I Love My Dog" and "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo" say it directly.

What music do dogs like?

A 2017 study by the Scottish SPCA and the University of Glasgow found that shelter dogs were calmest listening to soft rock and reggae, and that variety helped keep them relaxed. If your dog gets anxious during storms or when left alone, a playlist of gentle reggae or acoustic songs at low volume is worth a try.

What is a good song to dedicate to your dog?

For a happy dog, pick something with energy and loyalty in it: "I Love My Dog", "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo" or "Martha My Dear". For an old dog who has been there through everything, "Old King" or "You've Got a Friend in Me". The real answer for many owners is a song with their dog's name in it.

Songs for a dog's birthday or gotcha day

A dog's birthday or adoption anniversary is a great excuse for a short video: put on "Who Let the Dogs Out" or "Hey Bulldog" for the zoomies, "Walking the Dog" for the celebration walk and "Martha My Dear" for the cuddle at the end. Keep clips under 30 seconds for social posts and let the first beat land on the first tail wag.

How to remember a dog who has passed

• Make a playlist of the songs that were on during walks, car rides and evenings on the couch.
• Put together a slideshow with two or three of the songs above.
• Keep the collar or tag with a printed card of the song you chose.
• Let kids pick a song too: grieving a pet is often a child's first experience of loss.

A song about your own dog

Every song above is about someone else's dog. A personalized song can be about yours: the name, the breed, the day you brought them home, the shoe they destroyed, the way they wait at the window, the walks and the naps. It is a joyful gift for a dog-loving friend, and a gentle tribute when a dog crosses the Rainbow Bridge. See our guides to a pet memorial song and the best gift for a pet lover.

How to create a song about your dog

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: country, folk, pop, acoustic and more.
2. Add your dog's name, and any nicknames.
3. Share three memories or habits, each with one concrete detail.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give your best friend a song of their own: create a song about your dog and hear four previews for free.