Dogs discussion

Wesley Banks has a website of 100 best dog books of all time. He says he puts it together using some algorithm. I don't always agree with him but it is a good starting place for discussions on 'best dog books.'

You can easily browse and find it, and i would be interested in hearing what people think of his selections. I don't know when, but he finally updated his list for 2024. Also fun to see how many you have read (I have read 72).

Here is his top 100
2024 Title Author Type
1 Where the Red Fern Grows Wilson Rawls Fiction
2 Because of Winn-Dixie Kate DiCamillo Fiction
3 A Dog's Purpose W. Bruce Cameron Fiction
4 Watchers Dean Koontz Fiction
5 The Art of Racing in the Rain Garth Stein Fiction
6 Say Goodbye for Now Catherine Ryan Hyde Fiction
7 Hello Love Karen McQuestion Fiction
8 A Dog's Journey W. Bruce Cameron Fiction
9 Rescuing Finley Dan Walsh Fiction
10 The Forever Dog: Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer Rodney Habib and Karen Shaw Becker Fiction
11 White Fang Jack London Fiction
12 Cujo Stephen King Fiction
13 Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero Michael Hingson, Susy Flory True Story
14 Suspect (Scott James & Maggie #1) Robert Crais Mystery
15 Travels with Charley John Steinbeck Memoir
16 Dog On It Spencer Quinn Fiction
17 How to Raise the Perfect Dog Cesar Milan Non-fiction
18 No Ordinary Dog : My Partner from the SEAL Teams to the Bin Laden Raid Will Chesney True Story
19 Old Yeller Fred Gipson Fiction
20 Rescuing Sprite Mark R. Levin True Story
21 The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto Natalie Standiford Children
22 "Ellie's Story
(A Dog's Purpose Puppy Tales)" W. Bruce Cameron Fiction
23 How Dogs Love Us Gregory Berns Non-fiction?
24 Top Dog Maria Goodavage True Story
25 Bailey's Story W. Bruce Cameron Fiction
26 The Lost Dogs Jim Gorant True Story
27 A Dog Called Hope: A Wounded Warrior and the Service Dog Who Saved Him Jason Morgan True Story
28 Shiloh Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Fiction
29 The Speckled Beauty: A Dog and His People Rick Bragg True Story
30 Merle's Door Ted Karasote Memoir
31 The Other End of the Leash Patricia McConnell Non-fiction
32 A Big Little Life Dean Koontz Memoir
33 Sergeant Rex: The Unbreakable Bond Between a Marine and His Military Working Dog Mike Dowling, Damien Lewis True Story
34 Max: Best Friend. Hero. Marine. Jennifer Li Shotz Fiction
35 Oogy Larry Levin True Story
36 The Story of Edgar Sawtelle David Wroblewski Fiction
37 Lily and Octopus Steven Rowley Fiction
38 I Will See You in Heaven Jack Wintz Non-fiction
39 Tornado Betsy Byars Fiction
40 The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic Gay Salisbury, Laney Salisbury Dogsledding
41 Judy: A Dog In A Million Damien Lewis War Stories
42 Started Early, Took My Dog (Jackson Brodie #4) Kate Atkinson Fiction
43 Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him Luis Carlos Montalván, Bret Witter Non-fiction
44 Following Atticus Tom Ryan True Story
45 Marley and Me John Grogan Memoir
46 One Good Dog Susan Wilson Fiction
47 A Wolf Called Romeo Nick Jans True Story
48 When Harry Met Minnie: A True Story of Love and Friendship Martha Teichner True Story
49 To Dance with the White Dog Terry Kay Fiction
50 Amazing Gracie Dan Dye True Story
51 Sounder William Armstrong Fiction
52 The Incredible Journey Sheila Burnford Fiction
53 Dog Medicine Julie Barton Memoir
54 Flash (Dogleg Island Mystery #1) Donna Ball Mystery
55 The Dog Who Saved Me Susan Wilson Fiction
56 Unsaid: A Novel Neil Abramson Fiction
57 Storm Rising (An F.B.I. K-9 Novel) book 3 Sara Driscoll Fiction
58 Outfoxed (Andy Carpenter #14) David Rosenfelt Fiction
59 Marshal (Tin Star K9 #3) Jodi Burnett Fiction
60 Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to find a home Mikael Lindnord True Story
61 The Amazing Afterlife of Animals; Messages and Signs from our Pets on the Other Side Karen A. Anderson Non-fiction
62 Pawprints On Our Hearts Kerk Murray True Story
63 Cesar's Way Cesar Milan Non-fiction
64 On Talking Terms With Dogs Calming Signals "

Turid Rugaas " Non-fiction
65 A View to Die For (To Die For #1) Richard Houston Mystery
66 Maverick (Tin Star K9 Series Book 2) Jodi Burnett Fiction
67 The Dog Master W. Bruce Cameron Fiction
68 The Genius of Dogs: How Dogs Are Smarter than You Think Brian Hare, Vanessa Woods Non-fiction
69 Lone Wolf (F.B.I. K-9 Novel) book 1 Sara Driscoll Fiction
70 Gabby: The Little Dog That Had to Learn to Bark Barby Keel True Story
71 Avenging Adam (FBI-K9 #1) Jodi Burnett Mystery
72 Dog Helps Those (Golden Retriever Mystery #3) Neil S. Plakcy Mystery
73 Hope In Every Raindrop (Kyle Walker Book 2) Wesley Banks Fiction
74 Kat the Dog: The Remarkable Tale of a Rescued Spanish Water Dog Alyson Sheldrake
75 The Call of the Wild Jack London Fiction
76 Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know Alexandra Horowitz Psychology
77 As The Stars Fall: A Heartwarming Dog Novel Steven N. Lee
78 A Hairy Tail Jamie Campbell Fiction
79 In Dog We Trust (Golden Retriever Mysteries) Neil S. Plakcy Mystery
80 Someone to Look Up To Jean Gill Non-fiction
81 Unspoken Bond Blake O'Connor Fiction
82 Lost & Found Jacqueline Sheehan Fiction
83 Black Velvet (The Erin O'Reilly Mysteries Book 1) Steven Henry Mystery
84 Renegade (Tin Star K9 #1) Jodi Burnett Mystery
85 Be Right Back!: How To Overcome Your Dog's Separation Anxiety And Regain Your Freedom Julie Naismith Non-fiction
86 Smoky Mountain Tracks Donna Ball Fiction
87 The Dog Who Came to Stay Hal Borland Memoir
88 The Dog Thief (Coyote Run #1) Marta Acosta Fiction
89 Winterdance Gary Paulsen Dogsledding
90 Free Days with George Colin Campbell True Story
91 Hero (Hero #1) Jennifer Li Shotz Youth
92 A Dog's Life Ann Martin Non-fiction
93 Woodsong Gary Paulsen Dogsledding
94 Lone Wolf Kathryn Lasky Fiction
95 Navy SEAL Dogs: My Tale of Training Canines for Combat Mike Ritland True Story
96 Rescue Me, Maybe Jackie Bouchard Fiction
97 The Stolen Dog Tricia O'Malley True Story
98 Lad: A Dog Albert Terhune Fiction
99 Chaser John W. Pilley Non-fiction
100 Meet Your Dog: The Game-Changing Guide to Understanding Your Dog's Behavior (Dog Training Book, Dog Breed Behavior Book) Kim Brophey Dog Psychology

thank you

Have read 35, so you have me beat. Quite a few of them I won't read, some aren't worth the paper. For every reader his/her book, right?

Wesley Banks' list of the 100 best dog books is an absolute gem for dog lovers and book enthusiasts alike! I love how the list spans various genres, offering something for everyone, from heartwarming fiction to insightful non-fiction. It’s inspiring to see how these stories capture the bond between humans and their canine companions. Thanks for compiling such a comprehensive resource—definitely bookmarking this to find my next read!

Kim wrote: "Have read 35, so you have me beat. Quite a few of them I won't read, some aren't worth the paper. For every reader his/her book, right?"

True. Books I like, others not so much, and some others love, I don't so much. That is why I love Goodreads, you can look at others comments to help ascertain if it matches up with your preferences.

Michaelcourtney wrote: "Wesley Banks' list of the 100 best dog books is an absolute gem for dog lovers and book enthusiasts alike! I love how the list spans various genres, offering something for everyone, from heartwarmi..."

I agree, I am thankful that Wesley Banks put the list together. You can also see lists, including lists on dog books, in GoodReads (on your computer, the menu Browse > Lists). I don't think any list seems to do the full range of all books justice, but that is part of the fun is researching and coming up with your own favorites. I notice Michael, that you have not posted any reviews on books, do you plan on doing so?

Hey, I just found Wesley has another page or site for 25 Best Books About Dog Sledding. If you are also a fan of dog books and especially sled dog books you can look into it and give me your opinion. it has like 12 books I have read and at least 7 books that were not on my radar.

i was especially interested in Sled Dog Gun: Aviemore Dreaming by J. T. Bryde as it deals with sled dog racing in the UK.

Regarding the other books, some are kids books, some are youth (and ones I like), and some I am not sure about, but still fun to consider and talk about.

I like to research books so fun to see what other websites suggest for books with dogs. I thought I might post a different site and list of books they espouse here in this thread. Good way to ask 'have you read these books on dogs?'

I searched by 'Best Books on Dogs' and this came up first. '16 Dog Books for Anyone Who's Pet-Obsessed' By McKenzie Jean-Philippe Published: May 22, 2019.

It says 'we've chosen modern classics and literary mainstays, touching memoirs and quirky reflections, each telling a riveting story with a captivating dog at the center.'

Here is the list. What do you think and how many have you read?

1. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
2. A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
3. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
4. Because of Winn-Dixie by Katie DiCamillo
5. Marley & Me by John Grogan
6. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
7. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
8. The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
9. Cujo by Stephen King
10. Off the Leash by Matthew Gilbert
11. E.B. White on Dogs
12. Oogy by Larry Levin
13. Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
14. Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote
15. Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
16. Watchers by Dean Koontz

I have read all on that list but 'The Friend.' Like a lot of lists I have seen, it seems to have dog books that are the most well known.

Another website I came to when searching for 'best books on dogs.'
https://www.treehugger.com/books-ever...
6 Books Every Dog Owner Should Read By Jaymi Heimbuch
Updated April 23, 2020
“These books have made all the difference in helping me finally "get it" when it comes to understanding dogs and formulating my approach to training. These books have been just as important as the help of two wonderful trainers in changing how I communicate with my dog so that he learns what I'm asking for, I learn what he's asking for, and we all live happily ever after.’

1. "Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know" by Alexandra Horowitz
2. "The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs" by Patricia B. McConnell
3. "Bones Would Rain From the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships With Dogs" by Suzanne Clothier
4. "Reaching the Animal Mind: Clicker Training and What It Teaches Us About All Animals" by Karen Pryor
5. "The Genius of Dogs: How Dogs Are Smarter Than You Think" by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods
6. "Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet" by John Bradshaw

I have read 4 of the 6 and own 1 more. "Dog Sense" seems to be rated lower on GR so I am not in a hurry to get that one.

Found a site today on saddest dog books.

https://www.animalhearted.com/blogs/a...

13 Sad Dog Books Guaranteed to Make You Cry by Aaron Seminoff , January 8, 2022

1. Where The Red Fern Grows
2. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
3. The Art of Racing in the Rain
4. Love That Dog
5. Sad, the Dog
6. Old Yeller
7. Hachiko Waits
8. A Wolf Called Romeo
9. Rescuing Sprite
10. Say Goodbye For Now
11. Barry: The Bravest Saint Bernard
12. Timoleon Vieta Come Home
13. Letters From Wolfie

I have only read 9 of them. I own Letters from Wolfie but haven't read it yet. Timoleon doesn't look like a book i would want to read.

Today when I searched by 'Best Books on dogs' This site came up next. I think a better title might be 'Best books that we (Celadon Books) have published, but still another list to consider for books that may interest you.

https://celadonbooks.com/booklists/bo...
11 Must-Read Books About Dogs By Brandon Miller

‘The dog books below span behavioral guides and memoirs to well-researched nonfiction narratives that explore our relationships with our canine companions. ‘

1. Puppy Brain: How Our Dogs Learn, Think, and Love by Kerry Nichols
2. Good Boy: My Life in Seven Dogs by Jennifer Finney Boylan
3. When Harry Met Minnie: A True Story of Love and Friendship by Martha Teichner
4. Molly: The True Story of the Amazing Dog Who Rescues Lost Cats by Colin Butcher
5. The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs by Patricia B. McConnell
6. Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know by Alexandra Horowitz
7. Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding & Correcting Common Dog Problems by Cesar Millan
8. How Dogs Love Us: A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain by Gregory Berns
9. What the Dog Knows: Scent, Science, and the Amazing Ways Dogs Perceive the World by Cat Warren
10. The Genius of Dogs: How Dogs Are Smarter Than You by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods
11. The Forever Dog: Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer by Rodney Habib and Karen Shaw Becker

I have read 9 of the 11. How about you?

Puppy Brain is a new book and looks good! I am adding it to my list. Good Boy doesn’t sound like something I want to read after reading some reviews. Harry Met Minnie was a good book. Molly was a great book! The other End of the Leash was a good book, but me and others seem to not like Inside of a Dog as much. Cesar’s Way is what it is, some of us are not huge fans but he deserves respect. How Dog’s love us was good. I loved What the Dog knows but some were not as excited as I was. I really liked The Genius of Dogs. And I was able to make it through The Forever Dog.

I've only read 11 out of Wesley Banks's list...though I'm surprised with him naming the popular ones and classics that "Lassie Come Home" isn't on there.

Casey wrote: "I've only read 11 out of Wesley Banks's list...though I'm surprised with him naming the popular ones and classics that "Lassie Come Home" isn't on there."

Lassie Come Home was 89th in his version of the list in 2021, then 98th in his next version, but fell to his NR rating for other dog books to mention below his top 100.

Here is his the books he has as NR past and present:

The Dog Who Could Fly - Damien Lewis
It's Just a Dog - Russ Ryan
Kelly's Koffee Shop (Cedar Bay #1 - Dianne Harman
Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs - Ted Kerasote
Follow My Leader - James B. Garfield
Wallace: The Underdog Who Conquered a Sport, Saved a Marriage, and Championed Pit Bulls-- One Flying Disc at a Time - Jim Gorant
An Unexpected Grace - Kristin von Kreisler
The Sight - David Clement-Davies
Through a Dog's Eyes: Understanding Our Dogs by Understanding How They See the World - Jennifer Arnold
Lassie Come-Home - Eric Knight
Dogsong - Gary Paulsen
Rose in a Storm - Jon Katz
Stepdog: A Novel - Nicole Galland
From Baghdad, With Love - Jay Kopelman
The Second Chance Dog - Jon Katz
A Dog Named Christmas - Greg Kincaid
You Had Me at Woof - Julie Klam
All Dogs Go to Kevin - Jessica Vogelsang
Connected Souls: A Dog Story - Dana Landers
The Luckiest Dog in the World - Susan Palmer
A Man of His Own - Susan Wilson
Irish Red - Jim Kjelgaard
What the Dog Knows: The Science and Wonder of Working Dogs - Cat Warren
Must Love Dogs - Clair Cook
Miracle on Wolf Hollow Lane - Blake O'Connor
Kavik The Wolf Dog - Walt Morey
Dog Crazy - Meg Donahue
Lessons from Tara: Life Advice from the World’s Most Brilliant Dog - David Rosenfelt
House Broken - Sonja Yoerg
Promise of the Wolves: A Novel - Dorothy Hearst
Pukka: The Pup After Merle - Ted Kerasote
Stay - Allie Larkin
The 101 Dalmatians - Dodie Smith
Stay - Dave Burchett
The Plague Dogs - Richard Adams
Dog Sense - John Bradshaw
A Forever Home - Kaleigh Mills
Fell - David Clement-Davies
Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Neighbors into a Family - Glen Plaskin
Just Life - Neil Abramson
Little Man in a Dog Suit - B.R. Wilson
The Dog Who Danced - Susan Wilson

I also want to point out that in his list he doesn't point out when a book is one in a series and what book it is, I add that to my copy of his list.

I also wonder where he is pulling his data for for his algorithm, seems to not be Goodreads has some books don't have a higher rating in GR.

And I like to keep repeating how I am grateful to his list as it spurred me into wanting to actually read all the dog books to come up with my own list.

Was just wondering if he's getting his data from LibraryThing rather than GR? Do you also have an account there, Steve? More for the hard-core cataloguer, I feel, but a useful site to recommend!

Capn wrote: "Was just wondering if he's getting his data from LibraryThing rather than GR? Do you also have an account there, Steve? More for the hard-core cataloguer, I feel, but a useful site to recommend!"

That would be good if he had a different data source and making an honest call, rather than perhaps just adding a few books for friends or people who pay him to have their book on the list.

I am not as familiar with librarything and used to navigating in Goodreads. What is your opinion of that other site?

Stephen wrote: "Wesley Banks has a website of 100 best dog books of all time. He says he puts it together using some algorithm. I don't always agree with him but it is a good starting place for discussions on 'bes..."

I read 25 of these, and many of the other ones are on my TBR. I really enjoy the Chet and Bernie and Andy Carpenter series; The Art of Racing in the Rain is one of my all time faves! I also like Susan Wilson's books (fiction) and the Dean Koontz memoir of his dog Trixie. So many great dog books out there!

Jami wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Wesley Banks has a website of 100 best dog books of all time. He says he puts it together using some algorithm. I don't always agree with him but it is a good starting place for dis..."

Twenty-five is a good number of them! I think not too many can say that many. I agree with you on Susan Wilson's books and have read several.