If you've got a little one who goes absolutely mad for dogs, you're in the right place. We've put together our favourite children's books about dogs - from sturdy board books for babies through to first chapter books for confident readers.
There's something about dogs in books that just works for children. Maybe it's the wagging tails, the silly antics, or the fact that dogs are just as excitable as toddlers. Whatever it is, these books tend to get requested over and over again (and over again, and over again...).
Here are our picks, organised by age.
Board Books for Babies (Ages 1-2)
For the very youngest readers, sturdy board books with simple text and bright illustrations are perfect for little hands.
The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey
This Little Golden Book classic has been a favourite since 1942. It follows a curious little puppy who keeps lagging behind his siblings to explore - and missing out on dessert as a result. The repetitive structure and charming illustrations make it perfect for babies.
Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman
"Do you like my hat?" This wonderfully silly book about dogs of all colours and sizes has been making children giggle for generations. The simple text and bold illustrations are ideal for babies, and you'll find yourself quoting it long after story time is over.
Touch and Feel Puppy by DK
Interactive books are brilliant for babies who want to explore with their hands. This tactile board book lets little ones feel different textures while looking at adorable puppy photographs.
Picture Books for Toddlers (Ages 2-3)
As children get a bit older, they're ready for slightly longer stories with more detailed illustrations.
Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
Clifford has been a beloved character for over 50 years. The story of Emily Elizabeth and her enormous red dog teaches children about love, loyalty, and the idea that the best things come in big packages. There's a whole series to explore once your toddler falls in love with Clifford.
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
Harry hates baths so much that he buries the scrubbing brush and runs away. He gets so dirty that his own family doesn't recognise him! Children have been loving this tale for decades - it's a brilliant read-aloud with wonderful illustrations by Margaret Bloy Graham.
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd
This New Zealand classic follows Hairy Maclary and his friends - Bottomley Potts covered in spots, Hercules Morse as big as a horse, and Schnitzel von Krumm with the very low tum. The bouncy rhymes are irresistible, and the names are unforgettable.
Dogger by Shirley Hughes
A British classic about a little boy named Dave who loses his beloved toy dog. The emotional story of loss and recovery resonates with any child who has a special cuddly toy. Shirley Hughes' warm illustrations are simply beautiful.
Little Legs, Long Nose: A Day with Monty the Miniature Dachshund by Hannah Collins
OK, we're biased - this is our book! But it really does work brilliantly for this age group. Monty is a Miniature Dachshund (sausage dog) and the book follows his day from waking up in the morning through to bedtime. The illustrations are detailed enough that toddlers will spot new things on every read, and the simple structure of following a day helps little ones understand routines. Plus, if your toddler is obsessed with dogs, a cute sausage dog with little legs and a long nose tends to go down very well.
Picture Books for Pre-schoolers (Ages 3-4)
Pre-schoolers are ready for more complex stories and can appreciate humour, adventure, and even learning through their books.
Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
This heart-warming New York Times bestseller is told through letters from a stray dog named Arfy, who writes to everyone on Butternut Street hoping to find a forever home. It's funny, touching, and has a lovely message about persistence and belonging. We've seen kids ask to "read it again!" before we've even finished the last page.
Little Legs, Long Nose: A Day with Monty the Miniature Dachshund by Hannah Collins
Yes, we mentioned this one above too - that's because it genuinely spans both age groups very well. For pre-schoolers, there's more to engage with. As well as being a lovely story about what a sausage dog does in a typical day, they are introduced to things like counting the animals on Monty's afternoon walk, learning the colours of Monty's favourite toys, discovering the vegetables used to make soup at lunchtime, and the "what happens next in the day" structure of the story helps children who are starting to understand time and routines.
I Am Dog! by Peter Bently
Told from a dog's point of view with playful rhyming text: "I am a dog. Dog is me. I like walkies. I like tree." This charming book captures perfectly what dogs love to do - chase, splash, dig, and bark. The illustrations show what's really happening while the dog narrates his version of events.
Easy Readers for Building Confidence (Ages 5-6)
These books are designed specifically for children who are just starting to read on their own, with simple vocabulary, short sentences, and plenty of illustrations.
Biscuit series by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Biscuit is a little yellow puppy who has been helping children learn to read for over 25 years. The "My First I Can Read" books have simple, repetitive text that gives early readers that "I can actually do this!" feeling. Start with "Biscuit" and there's a whole series to work through.
How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
A dog who discovers the joy of reading when a little yellow bird teaches him. There's something quite lovely about reading a book about a dog who's learning to read. Kids seem to connect with that.
Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman
This one works as a read-aloud for younger children, but 5-6 year olds can tackle it themselves. Simple text, silly scenarios, and that running joke about the hat ("Do you like my hat?" "I do not.") that kids find hilarious every single time.
Picture Books for Independent Reading (Ages 5-7)
These picture books have slightly more going on but are still manageable for children reading on their own.
Little Legs, Long Nose: A Day with Monty the Miniature Dachshund by Hannah Collins
This is our book, so take this recommendation with a pinch of salt! But it does work well for early readers - the story follows Monty the Miniature Dachshund through his day, with clear text and illustrations that support what's happening. There's some interactive bits too, like counting animals on his walk, which keeps kids engaged. And if they're into sausage dogs, well, they're going to love Monty.
Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
The letter format makes this one accessible - each letter is short and self-contained, so it doesn't feel overwhelming. Kids get invested in Arfy's quest for a forever home and keep turning pages to find out what happens. The mix of handwritten-style letters and illustrations breaks things up nicely.
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
This Caldecott Medal winner is properly funny. A safety officer gives boring presentations until Gloria the police dog starts performing behind his back. The humour lands perfectly for this age group, and there's a nice message about friendship hidden in there too.
First Chapter Books (Ages 6-7)
When they're ready to move beyond picture books, these are great stepping stones.
Barkus by Patricia MacLachlan
From the author of "Sarah, Plain and Tall" - a warm, funny series about a girl named Nicky and her wonderfully large dog, Barkus. Short chapters and plenty of illustrations make it perfect for that in-between stage where picture books feel too young but full chapter books are still daunting.
The Hundred-Mile-an-Hour Dog by Jeremy Strong
If you want a book that will make your child actually laugh out loud, this is it. Streaker is the fastest, most uncontrollable dog in the world, and her owner Trevor is permanently exhausted. Jeremy Strong is brilliant for reluctant readers because his books are genuinely funny, not just "funny for a kids' book."
Jasper: Space Dog by Hilary Robinson
Written as letters between a dog named Jasper (and his owner Charlie) and a rocket scientist. Sneaks in fascinating facts about space travel while being silly and fun. Good for curious kids who like learning things while they read.
A Puppy Called Sparkle by Helen Peters
Part of the Jasmine Green series - a girl who helps rescue animals on her family's farm. When a sick puppy is abandoned, Jasmine has to help him learn to trust people again. This one has more emotional depth, so good for children who are ready for stories with a bit more feeling to them.
For Confident Readers (Age 7+)
For confident readers at the older end of this range:
Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey
From the Captain Underpants creator - part dog, part policeman, all hero. These graphic novels are massively popular and for good reason. The comic format makes them accessible, the humour is silly in exactly the right way, and there are loads of them so once your child is hooked, they've got plenty to get through.
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
A Newbery Honor book about a girl named Opal who adopts a stray dog she names after the supermarket where she found him. It's a beautiful story - more challenging than the others on this list, but perfect for confident 7-year-olds who are ready for something more substantial.
Tips for Reading Dog Books Together
Point and name: Even with babies, pointing to the dogs and naming what they're doing helps. "Look, the dog is running! Can you see his tail?" It feels a bit silly at first but they're soaking it all in.
Make it interactive: Let them turn the pages (even if it means skipping half the story). Ask them to point to things. Make dog noises together. "What does a dog say? Woof woof!" Never gets old, apparently.
Relate it to real life: If you have a family dog, or you see dogs in the park, connect it back to the books. "That dog looks like the one in our book!" It's amazing how excited they get when they make these connections.
Re-read favourites: We know. You're sick of reading the same book for the 47th time this week. But repetition is genuinely how they learn, and there's something lovely about having a "favourite book" even if it drives you slightly mad.
Let them choose: Kids are way more motivated to read books they've picked themselves. If they want to read dog books for the next six months, go with it.
Read together: Even children who can read independently get a lot from shared reading. Take turns with pages, or you read the tricky words while they handle the rest.
Don't stress about "level": If your child wants to re-read an "easy" book, that's completely fine. Re-reading builds fluency and confidence, and honestly, sometimes they just want something comfortable.
Talk about the story: What's happening? What do they think will happen next? What would they do if they were that character? Conversations about books matter as much as the reading itself.
Celebrate progress: Moving from picture books to chapter books is a big deal. Notice it. Mention it. They're doing brilliantly.
Dog Books as Gifts
These books make brilliant gifts for baby showers, first birthdays, or just because. A good picture book gets read hundreds of times, which makes them pretty good value when you think about it. Dog stories also make great presents for reluctant readers — there's something about giving a book on a topic they love that can turn "I don't want to read" into "can we do reading time?"
Our book, Little Legs, Long Nose, features Monty the Miniature Dachshund and his adventures throughout the day. It works for read-aloud with babies and toddlers, and for independent reading with early readers. If you've got a sausage dog fan in your life, they'll love it.
