Love Dog Boy? Readers share 100 books like Dog Boy...

By Eva Hornung,

Here are 100 books that Dog Boy fans have personally recommended if you like Dog Boy. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Lassie Come-Home

Jennifer Marshall Bleakley Author Of Finding Grace: The Inspiring True Story of Therapy Dogs Bringing Comfort, Hope, and Love to a Hurting World

From my list on making you fall in love with dogs all over again.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a painfully shy child, I found friendship and ultimately my own voice reading about, and spending time with, animalsā€”especially dogs. Dogs didnā€™t judge, didnā€™t expect anything from me, and I never had to worry about what to say to them. They gave me the gift of their presence and time to practice communicationā€”gifts that ultimately led me to obtain a masterā€™s degree in counseling and work as a childrenā€™s grief counselor. Thankfully I overcame my extreme shyness. And there is no denying the role that dogsā€”and books about dogsā€”have played in my life. I hope this list helps you find that same comfort and inspiration.

Jennifer's book list on making you fall in love with dogs all over again

Jennifer Marshall Bleakley Why did Jennifer love this book?

Although itā€™s technically considered a childrenā€™s book, Lassie Come-Home is one of those special stories that crosses generations, cultures, and time periods.

As a child desperate for a dog, I loved imagining I had a dog as devoted as Lassieā€”and one as willing to traverse all manner of obstacles to come and find me should we ever become separated!

As an adult, I was struck by how much Lassie endured to find her way back to Joe, and how, even when presented with a comfortable life somewhere else, she chose to keep moving forwardā€”back to the boy who held her heart.

By Eric Knight, Marguerite Kirmse (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Lassie Come-Home as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

Sold in financial desperation to a wealthy duke living in the far north of Scotland, a collie undertakes a 1000-mile journey in order to be reunited with her former master in Yorkshire.


Book cover of The Last Family in England

Tabitha Ormiston-Smith Author Of Bloodsucking Bogans

From my list on featuring realistic dogs.

Why am I passionate about this?

Since I brought home my first rescue thirty years ago, my life has been full of dogs and dog-related activities that I can hardly imagine the person I would've been without them. My own books often feature one or more dogs, not because I particularly decide to write about dogs, but more because I live with dogs, itā€™s what I know. When Iā€™m browsing for a good read, if a book features a dog, thatā€™s a draw for me, just because dogs are dogs; they are such good creatures, so infinitely lovable, that their presence enhances a book for me just as their presence in my life enhances my every day.

Tabitha's book list on featuring realistic dogs

Tabitha Ormiston-Smith Why did Tabitha love this book?

Unlike so many books where the point of view character is a dog, Haig has really thought his way into the dog. His creation, Prince, is not a counterfeit, a man in a dog suit, as it were, but a real dog. Haigā€™s empathic projection of how a dog might see things and interpret events is both charming and very believable. Further, Prince is a truly relatable character, without being ā€˜cuteā€™. His well-meaning, doomed struggle to make sense of things he cannot understand, and to take control of a bad situation and save his family, is the very essence of tragedy; he is prevented by his very nature from achieving what he so desperately desires. 

The ending will break your heart, but itā€™s a fantastic read that will leave you feeling richer for having read it.

By Matt Haig,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Last Family in England as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

FROM THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Meet the Hunter family: Adam, Kate, and their children Hal and Charlotte. And Prince, their Labrador.

Prince is an earnest young dog, striving hard to live up to the tenets of the Labrador Pact (Remain Loyal to Your Human Masters, Serve and Protect Your Family at Any Cost). Other dogs, led by the Springer Spaniels, have revolted. As things in the Hunter family begin to go badly awry - marital breakdown, rowdy teenage parties, attempted suicide - Prince's responsibilities threaten to overwhelm him and he is forced to break the Labrador Pactā€¦


Book cover of Kazan: The Wolf Dog

Tabitha Ormiston-Smith Author Of Bloodsucking Bogans

From my list on featuring realistic dogs.

Why am I passionate about this?

Since I brought home my first rescue thirty years ago, my life has been full of dogs and dog-related activities that I can hardly imagine the person I would've been without them. My own books often feature one or more dogs, not because I particularly decide to write about dogs, but more because I live with dogs, itā€™s what I know. When Iā€™m browsing for a good read, if a book features a dog, thatā€™s a draw for me, just because dogs are dogs; they are such good creatures, so infinitely lovable, that their presence enhances a book for me just as their presence in my life enhances my every day.

Tabitha's book list on featuring realistic dogs

Tabitha Ormiston-Smith Why did Tabitha love this book?

This is an old book, in the tradition made so popular by Jack London. There were a number of these ā€˜proud, free dog of the Northā€™ type of books published, and they are all great reads, yet this one is in my opinion the finest of them. It never descends into mawkish sentiment, but tells Kazanā€™s story from his own viewpoint; there is little of the human world, and we get a glimpse of just how alien a wild animal is, how different from our own, more domestic companions. 

A tremendously exciting read, with not a dull page in it.

By James Oliver Curwood,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Kazan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This carefully crafted ebook: "Kazan, the Wolf Dog" is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents.
Excerpt:
"Kazan lay mute and motionless, his gray nose between his forepaws, his eyes half closed. A rock could have appeared scarcely less lifeless than he; not a muscle twitched; not a hair moved; not an eyelid quivered. Yet every drop of the wild blood in his splendid body was racing in a ferment of excitement that Kazan had never before experienced; every nerve and fiber of his wonderful muscles was tense as steel wire..."
James Oliver Curwood wasā€¦


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Book cover of The Ballad of Falling Rock

The Ballad of Falling Rock by Jordan Dotson,

Truth told, folks still ask if Saul Crabtree sold his soul for the perfect voice. If he sold it to angels or devils. A Bristol newspaper once asked: ā€œAre his love songs closer to heaven than dying?ā€ Others wonder how he wrote a song so sad, everyone who heard itā€¦

Book cover of His Dog

Tabitha Ormiston-Smith Author Of Bloodsucking Bogans

From my list on featuring realistic dogs.

Why am I passionate about this?

Since I brought home my first rescue thirty years ago, my life has been full of dogs and dog-related activities that I can hardly imagine the person I would've been without them. My own books often feature one or more dogs, not because I particularly decide to write about dogs, but more because I live with dogs, itā€™s what I know. When Iā€™m browsing for a good read, if a book features a dog, thatā€™s a draw for me, just because dogs are dogs; they are such good creatures, so infinitely lovable, that their presence enhances a book for me just as their presence in my life enhances my every day.

Tabitha's book list on featuring realistic dogs

Tabitha Ormiston-Smith Why did Tabitha love this book?

Iā€™m a sucker for a book where a struggling person turns his life around, and His Dog is a wonderful example. A bitter, failed man, run to seed and given up to drink and bad ways, takes in a stray dog, and we see the gradual transformation of his life in response to the dogā€™s pure goodwill. Itā€™s a charming book, and as it goes on, and terrible risks are encountered and overcome, it is in emotional terms one of the most exciting books Iā€™ve read. Originally published in 1922, the book deals with subjects that donā€™t change over time, so it remains as relevant today as when it was first written. A beautiful and heart-warming book.

By Albert Payson Terhune,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked His Dog as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.


Book cover of Trouper

Cheryl Lawton Malone Author Of Dario and the Whale

From my list on childrenā€™s books about kindness and friendship.

Why am I passionate about this?

Fairy tales were my first love but I didnā€™t discover the true magic of childrenā€™s picture books until I left my 25-year career as an attorney to enter an MFA program. Wow, was I amazed. Picture booksā€”books in which pictures tell an integral part of the storyā€”not only create an instant connection between reader and little listener but stay with us into adulthood as memories. With this insight, I dove into the genre to discover what distinguishes picture books that are read and reread from those that fade. The answer turns out to beā€”tales that engender awe and wonder, yarns with heart, and narratives about friendship and kindness. Those are the stories that stay with us forever.

Cheryl's book list on childrenā€™s books about kindness and friendship

Cheryl Lawton Malone Why did Cheryl love this book?

Author Meg Kearney and Caldecott Honor Book artist E.B. Lewis join together to create the enchanting story of a three-legged street mutt who longs to find his forever home. After his canine mob is napped by animal control, Trouper watches each of his pals get adopted. Alone in his crate, he wonders if anyone will ever want him. Of courseā€”with perfect pacingā€”the right boy comes along at the right time and oh my goodness, do we cheer. In a charming approachTrouper is told from the dogā€™s POV. This book oozes with heart and humor and is a sure re-read for anyone who loves an underdog.

By Meg Kearney, E.B. Lewis (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Trouper as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A moving story of a three-legged stray dog who finds a loving boy to call his own--illustrated by Caldecott Honor Book artist E.B. Lewis. Based on a true story.

Trouper ran with a mob of mutts who tripped over trash cans and pawed the cold streets for bones. They howled and cried and wished for a home. Until one day, the dogs are captured from off the streets and put in cages in a shelter as they wait to be adopted. Trouper watches sadly as, one by one, each of his dog friends are chosen. He's the only one leftā€¦


Book cover of The Call of the Wild & White Fang

Sam Angus Author Of Soldier Dog

From my list on the bond between a dog and his human.

Why am I passionate about this?

I was asked in my final year at university, to choose between my degree and my dog. Iā€™d kept a little Yorkshire terrier hidden in my Cambridge rooms for two years before he was discovered and heā€™d been lovely company as I plugged away at my reading there. I'm pretty confident that I'm the only student who has ever kept a dog at Trinity College. Because of the impact Lassie made on me as a child, Iā€™ve always longed for a collie and now have space for one. Heā€™s called Cedric and is as human and sentient as I. The first book I wrote was about a dog with the loyalty of all the dogs in the world, and with the love of all the dogs in the world.

Sam's book list on the bond between a dog and his human

Sam Angus Why did Sam love this book?

One story is about a dog and the other is about a wolf, so theyā€™re companion books and mirrors to each other. Both are deeply atmospheric, transporting you to the isolated, raw, cruel wastes of the frozen north, to the world of famine, brutality, and the survival of the fittest. Both stories examine primal instincts: How much dog there is in wolf, how much wolf there is in dog, and how the balance of the primal canine instinct can be tipped by trust in man. Read each one in a day and youā€™ll never forget them.

By Jack London,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Call of the Wild & White Fang as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

Extraordinary both for the vividness of their descriptions and the success with which they imagine life from a non-human perspective, these two classics of children's literature are two of the greatest and most popular animal stories ever written.

Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library, a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold-foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This beautiful Macmillan Collector's Library edition of The Call of the Wild & White Fang features an afterword by Sam Gilpin.

The Call of the Wild tells the story ofā€¦


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Book cover of Changing Woman: A Novel of the Camp Grant Massacre

Changing Woman by Venetia Hobson Lewis,

Arizona Territory, 1871. Valeria ObregĆ³n and her ambitious husband, RaĆŗl, arrive in the raw frontier town of Tucson hoping to find prosperity. Changing Woman, an Apache spirit who represents the natural order of the world and its cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, welcomes Nest Feather, a twelve-year-old Apache girl,ā€¦

Book cover of Good Boy, Fergus

Steve Patschke Author Of Don't Look At It! Don't Touch It!

From my list on funny picture reads kids will sit still for.

Why am I passionate about this?

Steve Patschke is a retired elementary school library media teacher of over thirty years, now living in Woodstock, N.Y. In November of 2022, his essay appeared in The New York Times' ā€œTiny Love Stories.ā€ In February of 2023, his essay appeared in Chicken Soup For The Soul: Cat Lovers Edition. He has published six childrenā€™s picture books. His most recent is Donā€™t Look At It, Donā€™t Touch It. Steveā€™s rendition of the classic Nutcracker and the Mouse King will be published as a pop-up book through Templar books in the fall of 2023.

Steve's book list on funny picture reads kids will sit still for

Steve Patschke Why did Steve love this book?

Like my previous choices David Shannonā€™s picture book Good Boy Fergus is built around his excellent timing for humor.

But Shannonā€™s greatest gift is his ability to convey not only humor, but heart, in his illustrations. Children will love Fergus, a tough and tumble Scottish terrier whose big sweet eyes excuse him from any misbehavior.

Fergus is funny, lovable and like Shannonā€™s most popular series No David he makes mistakes that children can easily relate to and forgive.

I choose ā€œFergusā€ over ā€œDavidā€ because I feel some of Davidā€™s escapades may be a bit too over the top for young readers. While Fergus, who happens to be a dog, models only ā€œBad Dogā€ behavior.

By David Shannon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Good Boy, Fergus as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

All dog owners and lovers will be entertained by this invigorating snapshot of life in the (Shannon) household where it seems dogs rule the roost!


Book cover of Here Comes Valentine Cat

Brandi Dougherty Author Of The Littlest Valentine

From my list on spreading love on Valentineā€™s Day.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a New York Times Bestselling author of more than twenty childrenā€™s picture books and chapter books as well as a mom to two young kids. Nothing fills me with more joy than reading to children and witnessing how a story can open up their hearts and minds. And Valentineā€™s Day is a holiday that brings me extra joy because itā€™s all about spreading love and friendship. I love Valentineā€™s Day so much that Iā€™ve written two picture books about it!

Brandi's book list on spreading love on Valentineā€™s Day

Brandi Dougherty Why did Brandi love this book?

This is a great story about keeping your heart open and not making snap judgments. Cat does not like Valentineā€™s Day and has no interest in celebrating it. He especially does not want to celebrate with his new neighbor, Dog. After all, Dog has been throwing things over the fence at Cat! How rude. But just went Cat decides to tell Dog exactly what he thinks, Cat gets an unexpected surpriseā€”and maybe even a new friend too! This is such a funny and sweet story full of humor and heart.  

By Deborah Underwood, Claudia Rueda (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Here Comes Valentine Cat as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Cat does NOT like Valentine's Day. It's much too mushy, and no way is he making a valentine for anyone- especially not his new neighbour, Dog. Dog refuses to respect the fence: he keeps tossing over old bones and a hitting Cat in the head! But just as Cat's about to send Dog an angry "valentine" telling him exactly what he can do with his bones, Dog throws a ball over the fence. What is Dog playing at? Cat is in for a hilarious - and heartwarming - surprise in this story about being perhaps too quick to judge.


Book cover of Hell Hound

Neal W. Fandek Author Of Peter Pike and the Silver Shepherd

From my list on wild and weird books on dogs.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™m the author of the Peter Pike private eye series. Pike is a beat-up Middle Eastern veteran-turned private eye who finds himself embroiled in mysteries, usually with lost treasure involved: in the huge, sophisticated Indian civilizations that were here before us; in Lincolnā€™s murky sexuality; in a lost Faberge egg and the downfall of the Romanovs; and with Peter Pike and the Silver Shepherd, some rather nasty (and one nice) Nazi war dogs. 

Neal's book list on wild and weird books on dogs

Neal W. Fandek Why did Neal love this book?

Every list should have a lost classic, and this is mine: The tale of Baxter, the full-fledged psycho bull terrier, with, again, extended passages from the dogā€™s point of view. The book opens with Baxter musing:

ā€œWhat if some morning as the old woman stood at the head of the staircase she were suddenly to feel a weight thrusting against the back of her legs? What if she were to lunge forward, grasping at the air, striking her thin skull against the edge of a stair?ā€

Bad dog. Baxter then trots over to live with the young couple across the street. That doesnā€™t end so well either. Then he finds true love with a kid with as little capacity for love as Baxter, and suddenly Baxter is no longer the antagonist and ā€¦ the novel comes full circle. Very dark and very funny in spots and, I hate to repeatā€¦

By Ken Greenhall,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hell Hound as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

ā€˜What are the possibilities of my strength? That is a thought I have never had before. What if some morning as the old woman stood at the head of the staircase she were suddenly to feel a weight thrusting against the back of her legs? What if she were to lunge forward, grasping at the air, striking her thin skull against the edge of a stair? What would become of me if she were found unmoving at the bottom of the stairway?ā€™

Such are the thoughts of Baxter, a sociopathic bull terrier on the hunt for the perfect master, asā€¦


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Book cover of Changing Woman: A Novel of the Camp Grant Massacre

Changing Woman by Venetia Hobson Lewis,

Arizona Territory, 1871. Valeria ObregĆ³n and her ambitious husband, RaĆŗl, arrive in the raw frontier town of Tucson hoping to find prosperity. Changing Woman, an Apache spirit who represents the natural order of the world and its cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, welcomes Nest Feather, a twelve-year-old Apache girl,ā€¦

Book cover of Soldier Dogs

K.T. Lee Author Of A Nose for Mischief

From my list on readers who love science, dogs, and crime fighting.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love great storytelling, whether itā€™s in the form of a great mystery, romance, science fiction/fantasy, or non-fiction. I even love a story well told through the medium of television (I see you, The Good Place!). The books on this list are books Iā€™ve read and loved and/or used as research to write my own series of dog-based cozy mysteries.

K.T.'s book list on readers who love science, dogs, and crime fighting

K.T. Lee Why did K.T. love this book?

A book about dogs who help protect soldiers had my attention before I even cracked it open. Soldier Dogs is exactly as advertisedā€”Goodavage details how dogs are trained, the bonds that handlers form with their canine partners, and some of the challenges associated with the difficult job these dogs do. This book was an interesting and informative read for anyone curious about the lives of working K-9s and their handlers.

By Maria Goodavage,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Soldier Dogs as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A leading reporter offers a tour of military working dogs' extraordinary training, heroic accomplishments, and the lasting impacts they have on those who work with them.

People all over the world have been riveted by the story of Cairo, the Belgian Malinois who was a part of the Navy SEAL team that led the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound. A dog's natural intelligence, physical abilities, and pure loyalty contribute more to our military efforts than ever before. You don't have to be a dog lover to be fascinated by the idea that a dog-the cousin of that furry guyā€¦


Book cover of Lassie Come-Home
Book cover of The Last Family in England
Book cover of Kazan: The Wolf Dog

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