17 Best Dog Quotes: Only Dog Lovers Will Understand 

dog rolling on the ground
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Being a dog owner means you have plenty of responsibilities. For many dog owners, their pet is  their first child. The bond between humans and dogs is a special one, and today we will look at some quotes about dogs that highlight that special bond.

Even if you’re not a dog owner, you can still enjoy these fun dog quotes. Here’s a roundup of the best dog quotes, only true dog lovers will appreciate.

A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more than he loves himself – Josh Billings

This is  one of the most shared quotes about dogs. Open any profile of a dog influencer on social media, scroll through the posts, and you will find this quote somewhere. Every pet parent believes in this quote as much as kids believe in Santa.

a tan dog standing in a grassy field

My fashion philosophy is, if you’re not covered in dog hair, your life is empty – Elayne Boosler

Elayne was one of the first women to work in stand-up comedy and was quite popular in the 1970s and 1980s. The famous actress perfectly captured the life of a dog owner with this quote. Once you own a dog, your clothes will never be as perfect and as clean. But, you will have the best fashion accessory, dog hair, and that makes life much more enjoyable than a piece of jewelry.

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

Kundera is a famous author who knew plenty about moral and existential weight. Famous for his book, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, where he explores the philosophical concept of lightness and heaviness. His book is a must-read, one that speaks directly to the human soul, the same way dogs do.

Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen – Orhan Pamuk

You wouldn’t expect to find a quote like this one, in a book set in 16th-century Turkey, right? Well, that is the beauty of Orhan Pamuk. The famous Turkish novelist knows how to put little diamonds in his work that only those who read carefully, will find.

a white and brown dog standing

When an 85-pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it’s hard to feel sad – Kristan Higgins

We think, even when a small dog licks your tears away, you cannot feel sad. But you get the point! Dogs are some of the cuddliest teddy bears. 

Fun fact: Great Danes are more like lap dogs than Chihuahuas. They would rather sleep with you than go out.

If you want a friend in Washington? Get a dog! – Harry S Truman

The former president had been fond of animals as a boy. With this dog quote, he wanted to reflect on his belief that animals can empathize and understand human behavior. Truman owned a cocker spaniel dog named Feller during his time at the White House.

If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience – Woodrow Wilson

During his time as a president, Wilson had several pets, three of them dogs. He had an airdale terrier, a bull terrier, and a greyhound. Spending time with three pets around helped the 28th President to understand how good dogs are.

a close up shot of a yorkie

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went – Will Rogers

The old cowboy delivered some gems during his life. For example, “never miss a good chance to shut up”. Yet, many people remember him for his dog quotes. Sadly, dogs live only 10 to 15 years. Pet parents often have to say goodbye to their loved ones. If it was the other way around, for dog owners, heaven is a place with thousands of dogs.

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

Charles Schulz is the man responsible for one of the most famous dogs in the world, Snoopy. His comic strip Peanuts, featured Charlie Brown and Snoopy, two popular comic characters. We can spend all day arguing about whether ot not Snoopy is a “good boy”. Some say he was selfish, and lazy, and often would mock his owner. Yet, others say he showed great love, care, and loyalty to Charlie. You decide!

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too – Samuel Butler

If you want a good laugh, go to YouTube, and search for “dogs imitating their owner”. We guarantee you will spend an hour or two laughing at dogs doing crazy things. And it shows the true essence of dogs. No matter how crazy, or uncoordinated you are, dogs will love you for that.

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

Kinky Friedman was an American singer, novelist, and humorist. Although he was no dog trainer, he hits right on point here. Money cannot buy a dog’s love. You can spend a fortune and buy a rare breed dog, but if you do not love him, it is all for nothing. Yet, one could find a stray on the streets, and with a little love, he will be happy and wag his tail all day long.

a greyhound standing in the road

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

This quote shows the love dogs have for their owner. Even though we leave them home alone for hours, when we return, they are as happy as ever to see us. Even if you are gone for five minutes, your dog will go crazy when you return. That is how much they love us. 

I’m suspicious of people who don’t like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn’t like a person – Bill Murray

The American actor is another in line to talk about dogs’ judgment of character. We often say dogs love people unconditionally. But they can sense a bad person from miles away.

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

Twain talks about how grateful dogs are that you care for them. Give your dog food, play with him a bit, and he will never leave you. You do not hear stories of dogs leaving their humans, right? We hear stories of dogs staying with their humans and refusing to leave even on their deathbeds.

The more people I meet, the more I love my dog – Mark Twain

Here is a fun fact: Mark Twain was a dog and a cat person. He loved dogs but also had 10+ cats. He owned collies, and named them “I Know”, “You Know”, and “Don’t Know”. Fitting names, right? Even so, the famous author was famous for sticking to his moral and ethical principles. Maybe that was the reason why he believed dogs are superior beings.

a happy golden retriever outside

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

We cannot have a list of the best dog quotes, without a true dog owner in it. M.K. Clinton is the author of The Return, a hilarious dog adventure. She based the characters in the book on her pets’ personalities. Even if you haven’t read her book, her quote is 100% correct. If we all loved as dogs do, the world would be a nicer and more peaceful place.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole – Roger Caras

We finish off this list with another popular dog quote you can find on social media. Roger Caras was an American naturalist, animal welfare activist, and wildlife photographer. Some people interpret his quote as consolation for pet loss. Others see it as the meaning of dogs in our lives. In any case, it is a fitting quote to end our list of best dog quotes.

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