55 Dog Quotes About Our Beloved Best Friends

Words can fall short when explaining the bond between humans and dogs. But that doesn't stop us from trying to describe this special relationship. That's why we've put together a dynamic collection of dog quotes. More than words, they're snippets of joy and warm fuzzy feelings that only a man's best friend can give us.

From heartwarming tributes to hilarious quips, these dog quotes will surely make you smile. From capturing the sheer joy that dogs bring to our lives to showcasing the love shared by famous writers and historical figures, this collection is like a verbal game of fetch.

We've even added witty dog captions for your social media posts. So, let's celebrate our beloved canine companions through the dog quotes below.

Related: If you're more of a feline lover, browse our cat quotes instead.

Quick links to our selection of dog quotes:

Best Dog Quotes About Man's Best Friend

Dogs became our earliest pets about 23,000 years ago, evolving from wolves that accompanied our ancestors in the harsh climate of Siberia¹. This friendship blossomed out of survival needs, but today, it thrives on mutual love and empathy. 

Some say the term "man's best friend" came from King Frederick of Prussia in 1789. Other accounts are from a lawyer defending a dog owner in the American Supreme Court in 1870. Wherever this most well-known dog quote originates, the nickname perfectly encapsulates the canines' unwavering loyalty and constant love.

Anyway, I got seven of them! How about you? Reminisce your fond memories with your companions as you read the dog quotes below.

Related: Understand your best friend better by checking our dog facts.

"There is no faith which has never yet been broken, except that of a truly faithful dog."
- Konrad Lorenz

"Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love and loyalty. They depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog; it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big."
- Erica Jong

"The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog."
- M.K. Clinton

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive."
- Gilda Radner

"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well."
- Bonnie Wilcox

Lovely Dog Quotes About The Joy They Bring

Dogs are not just pets; they're our stress-busters, loyal pals, and furry little sources of joy! Studies demonstrate that positive interactions like cuddling cause a surge in oxytocin levels in both humans and dogs². This hormone directly links to emotional well-being and happiness. 

In other words, your joyful feelings don't just stem from the action; your body physiologically boosts this joy. So, snuggle your dogs for an instant pick-me-up when feeling down or whenever you want!

Let the following dog quotes release a fraction of the happy hormones you receive from your canine best friends.

"I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source."
- Doris Day

"A dog is the only thing that can mend a crack in your broken heart."
- Judy Desmond

"No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you feel rich."
- Louis Sabin

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring — it was peace."
- Milan Kundera

"Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, and filling an emptiness we didn’t ever know we had."
- Thom Jones

"When an eighty-five-pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it's hard to feel sad."
- Kristan Higgins

"No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as much as the dog does."
- Christopher Morley

Fall in love with a dog, and in many ways you enter a new orbit, a universe that features not just new colors but new rituals, new rules, a new way of experiencing attachment.

~ Caroline Knapp

Dog Quotes About Why We Should Treasure Them

Our canine companions' lives are shorter than ours, typically 10 to 14 years. Unfortunately, some dogs do not have the privilege of residing in a loving home. This reality fuels the monumental efforts of nonprofits dedicated to giving every dog a well-deserved chance at happiness.

Best Friends Animal Society is a shining example, steadfastly working towards a no-kill nation by 2025. This goal would ensure that no animal is killed due to lack of a home. As we cherish the enriching companionship of our dogs, we must play an active role in this advocacy. By supporting organizations like Best Friends, we further their noble mission and give back to our loyal companions. 

Let's strive for progress, one paw at a time. Share the following dog quotes online to encourage others to join the cause.

Related: If you want to be a green dog owner, read our sustainable pet ownership and care article or check out our guide to sustainable pet products.

"Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it watching for us to come home each day."
- John Grogan

"The dog lives for the day, the hour, even the moment."
- Robert Falcon Scott

"The greatest fear dogs know is the fear that you will not come back when you go out the door without them."
- Stanley Coren

"Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished."
- Dean Koontz

"Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail."
- Kinky Friedman

"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely try to train him to be semi human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog."
- Edward Hoagland

Funny Dog Quotes To Make You Smile

Dogs, with their endearing antics, are natural comedians. One moment, they're sleeping in the oddest position; the next, they're baffled by the simplest things. And let's not forget the zoomies that entertain them (and us) for hours.

All 400 purebred dogs can make us smile. There's the Golden Retrievers, known for their friendly and patient demeanor. These dogs radiate never-ending youth, charm, and charisma, effortlessly lighting up any environment with their playful shenanigans. On the other hand, Corgis pack a powerful punch of quirkiness and stubbornness in their compact bodies. Their wobbly run turns any frowns upside down. 

But let's also remember the lovable mutts, a delightful mix of breeds. They carry unique personalities full of funny idiosyncrasies and quirks. As a dog owner, all my pets are mutts, and if I ever adopt them in the future, I would choose one.

In conclusion, their eccentricities make every dog breed irresistible, affirming the saying—every dog must be loved. So get ready to smile and celebrate your dog's love as you go through the dog quotes below.

"My fashion philosophy is, if you're not covered in dog hair, your life is empty."
- Elayne Boosler

"A dog desires affection more than its dinner. Well – almost."
- Charlotte Gray

"I don't think twice about picking up my dog's poop, but if another dog's poop is next to it, I think, ‘Eww, dog poop!'"
- Jonah Goldberg

"A well trained dog will make no attempt to share your lunch. He will just make you feel so guilty that you cannot enjoy it."
- Helen Thomson

"My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money."
- Joe Weinstein

"Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul, chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!"
- Anne Tyler

"Dogs teach us a very important lesson in life: The mailman is not to be trusted"
- Sian Ford

"A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down."
- Robert Benchley

"My cats inspire me daily. They inspire me to get a dog!"
- Greg Curtis

"If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater suggest that he wear a tail."
- Fran Lebowitz

I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts.

~ John Steinbeck

Noteworthy Quotes About Dogs From Writers And Artists

Writers and artists incorporate dogs into their work to draw on themes like loyalty and friendship. Their creations often reflect their fondness for these engaging companions. 

For example, we have the inventive mind behind Peanuts, Charles M. Schulz. His classic comic strip breathed life into Snoopy, his imaginative beagle character who enchanted readers worldwide. In a more traditional literary sphere, revered American author Mark Twain also displayed a remarkable affinity for dogs. In his lesser-known work, "A Dog's Tale," Twain explores the world through the eyes of a dog named Aileen. 

After reading the famous dog quotes below, check out the works of the following writers and artists to appreciate their depictions of lovable canines.

"Happiness is a warm puppy."
- Charles M. Schulz

"All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed. For after all, he was only human. He wasn't a dog."
- Charles M Schulz

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man."
- Mark Twain

"What do dogs do on their day off? Can't lie around – that's their job!"
- George Carlin

"The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven not man's."
- Mark Twain

"Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job."
- Franklin P. Jones

"Dogs are wise. They crawl away into a quiet corner and lick their wounds and do not rejoin the world until they are whole once more."
- Agatha Christie

"Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends."
- Alexander Pope

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.

~ James Thurber

Remarkable Quotes About Dogs From Historical Figures

Aside from books and comics, dogs have also been wagging their tails throughout history, leaving paw prints on the hearts of some of the most influential figures. For example, there is Dwight Eisenhower, a decorated war general and the 34th President of the United States. He once said, "What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight – it's the size of the fight in the dog." 

In this insightful quote, Eisenhower uses the dog as a metaphor to emphasize how outward doesn't determine the outcome of a conflict. It is instead the spirit, determination, and courage within.

Reflect upon other deep wisdom encapsulated in these dog quotes below.

"What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight – it’s the size of the fight in the dog."
- Dwight Eisenhower

"If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals."
- Albert Einstein

"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person."
- Andy Rooney

"The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs."
- Charles De Gaulle

"Dogs never bite me. Just humans."
- Marilyn Monroe

"Hounds follow those who feed them."
- Otto von Bismarck

The poor dog, in life the firmest friend. The first to welcome, foremost to defend.

~ Lord Byron

Short Dog Captions To Post On Social Media

Celebrated each year on August 26th, National Dog Day is a tribute to our faithful canine companions. As conceived by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige in 2004, the day encourages people to celebrate the human-canine bond and recognize the importance of dog adoption.

As the day arrives, dog owners worldwide turn to social media, avidly sharing charming photos and videos of their furry friends. So, use the remaining dog quotes below to liven up your captions, stories, and videos. Remember to shower posts of other dog lovers and, most significantly, adoption agencies and dog shelters.

Related: Need some dog gift ideas for your furry friend? Here are some eco-friendly dog beds and dog collars.

"If I could be half the person my dog is, I'd be twice the human I am."
- Charles Yu

"Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really."
- Agnes Sligh Turnbull

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them are wrong."
- W.R. Purche

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."
- Ben Williams

"Life is a series of dogs."
- George Carlin

"Dogs leave pawprints on our hearts."
- Unknown

"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful."
- Ann Landers

"Even the tiniest Poodle or Chihuahua is still a wolf at heart."
- Dorothy Hinshaw

No matter how you're feeling, a little dog gonna love you.

~ Waka Flocka Flame