There are a lot of country songs out there about love, loss, the American landscape, family, and God. There are also quite a few country songs out there about dogs. It’s not too surprising; they are man’s best friend, after all. Let’s dive into six country songs about dogs to celebrate your own furry companion!
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1. “It’s Just A Dog” by Mo Pitney
This is one of the best country songs about dogs, but it’s also one of the more tear-inducing. Mo Pitney’s song “It’s Just A Dog” explores the time he noticed a dog on the side of a road and found himself pausing before picking her up. “It’s just a dog,” he thinks, and that phrase comes full circle by the end of the song after Pitney describes his joy-filled life with his furry companion up until she finally passes away. Who’s cutting onions?!
2. “Tennessee Hound Dog” by Osborne Brothers
This country song about a dog is a lot lighter than Mo Pitney’s heartwrenching tune. “Tennessee Hound Dog” is simply about an ugly ol’ hound who loves the ladies, even though all the other dogs talk smack about him.
3. “My Dog And Me” by John Hiatt
Dogs make the best companions. John Hiatt’s track “My Dog And Me” explores just how great it is to have a dog that likes to go on adventures, particularly on hunting and hiking excursions. “I never felt so free / It’s just my dog and me.”
4. “Cracker Jack” by Dolly Parton
Anyone who has ever owned a little ugly dog will likely relate to his cheeky tune from country queen Dolly Parton. “Cracker Jack” is a love song about a beloved pup who may not be the prettiest stray dog at the river bank, but is he definitely the easiest to love.
“The best friend I ever had was Cracker Jack / But he was more than that / A playmate, a companion / He was love and understanding.”
5. “Ol’ Red” by Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton’s cover of “Ol’ Red” is one of the most memorable renditions, though it is worth noting that George Jones and Kenny Rogers also delivered some stellar versions before Shelton’s time. “Ol’ Red” is probably the most well-known classic country song about a dog. However, it’s not a cute love-dovey song about a beloved pup.
In the song, Ol’ Red is a vicious guard dog who lives in a prison where the narrator has to spend the rest of his life. The narrator befriends the dog, plans an elaborate escape, and… well, you just need to listen to the song.
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6. “Every Dog Has Its Day” by Toby Keith
This song technically isn’t about a furry friend. The late Toby Keith used the well-known idiom “every dog has its day” throughout the song to describe the fickle nature of luck. But, there is so much dog imagery on this track that we couldn’t keep it off of this list.
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