The Ultimate List of Dog Story Books for Every Canine Enthusiast

For many of us, the love for books is intertwined with a deep affection for dogs. Combining these two passions leads to a special kind of literary joy found in Dog Story Books. If you share this sentiment, you’ll appreciate this effort: a meticulously compiled list aiming to identify the very best dog novels and non-fiction stories ever written.

How This List Was Crafted

Compiling this ranking was a significant undertaking, involving over 50 hours of research and data organization. A specific algorithm was developed, similar to methods used for ranking popular ebooks, which considers a blend of reader reviews, ratings, sales data, and other factors to determine each book’s position.

To qualify for this list, every book had to meet one fundamental criterion: dogs must be significant characters. Simply featuring a dog on the cover isn’t enough; the canine characters need to be central to the plot or play a critical role alongside human characters. While the list includes novels and true stories, certain categories were generally excluded to maintain focus:

1. Books solely dedicated to dog training techniques.
2. Collections comprising multiple unrelated true stories.
3. Most sequels or subsequent books within the same series (though a few exceptions were made).
4. Children’s picture books, as the focus here is primarily on novel-length narratives for a general audience.

The initial pool considered for this ranking now includes around 225 titles. This final list represents the top tier based on the ranking algorithm. To track changes over time, “Current Rank” (for 2024) and “Last Year’s Rank” (for 2023) are included. The list is updated annually in January.

It’s important to note that while extensive research underpins this list, personal reading covers about 20% of these titles. For the remainder, the rankings rely heavily on the aggregated opinions and ratings of thousands of fellow readers across various platforms. Some excellent books might not appear in the Top 100, and these are often included in honorable mentions elsewhere. The algorithm dictates the final ranking.

Top 100 Dog Story Books: The Definitive Ranking

A collage showcasing covers of popular dog story books featured in the top 100 list

Table Legend

• NR = Not Ranked (Indicates a book new to the Top 100 this year or one that has fallen out of the Top 100)
• True Story vs. Non-fiction: “True Story” generally refers to memoir-style narratives, while “Non-fiction” denotes books focused more on training, science, or informational content about dogs.

Note: Click on column headings to sort the table (e.g., by genre or title).

Notes On The 2024 Update

This list has officially been updated for 2024!

Here are a few notes on the latest changes:

For the fourth consecutive year, books that fell out of the Top 100 have remained on the list below the ranked section, marked with “NR” (Not Ranked). This year, 13 more books dropped out, making way for 13 new entries. In total, 43 books have moved out of the Top 100 over recent years as newer or newly popular titles have gained traction.

A significant change occurred at the very top: Where the Red Fern Grows, a beloved classic, claimed the #1 spot for the first time in three years, a well-deserved position.

Future plans include adding a supplementary list of the other 100+ books considered but not ranked in the Top 100 table. This is intended to acknowledge the many passionate recommendations received, even if those titles didn’t meet the algorithm’s threshold for the main list. Look for this extended list at the bottom of the post soon.

Author’s Personal Favorite Dog Books

While the main list is algorithm-driven, personal favorites always hold a special place. Here are a few that stand out:

1. The Philosopher and the Wolf by Mark Rowlands: This remains a top pick, though perhaps not for everyone. It deeply explores philosophy alongside the life and loss of the author’s wolf companion.
2. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls: Often the first book to evoke tears for many readers. It’s a quick read that powerfully captures the unbreakable bond between a boy and his dogs.
3. The Call of the Wild by Jack London: In terms of pure literary achievement among dog-centric books, this classic is arguably unmatched. London’s prose immerses the reader completely in the story.
4. The Sight by David Clement-Davies: As a fantasy enthusiast, discovering a novel told from the perspective of a wolf pack was exceptional. While other books on the list might be considered “better” dog books overall, this remains a favorite within the fantasy genre featuring canine protagonists.

What are Your Favorites?

While this list aims for comprehensive coverage based on data, personal taste always varies, and omissions are possible. Compiling and maintaining this ranking is an ongoing process, with updates planned at least annually.

Now, over to you:

1. Which Dog Story Books on this list (or not on it) are your absolute favorites?
2. Are there any essential titles you believe were missed?

Share your thoughts in the comments below! All comments are read, but please remember that inclusion in the Top 100 depends on the ranking algorithm based on broad reader data (from Amazon, Goodreads, etc.), not just personal preference. Passionate opinions are understood and welcomed, but the ranking methodology outlined above determines the final list.