Dog books in order | Ordered Books

Q: "How many books are in the Dog series?"

"There are two books in the Dog series, published between 1999 and 2016."

Q: "What is the first book in the Dog series?"

"The first book in the Dog series is Red Dog, published in 1999."

Q: "Is the Dog series based on a true story?"

"Red Dog is based on a real kelpie/cattle dog mix who became famous in the Pilbara region of Western Australia during the 1970s for traveling between mining towns and hitching rides with locals. The real Red Dog has a statue in his honor in the town of Dampier."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Red Dog	1999	Louis de Bernieres	Buy
2	Blue Dog	2016	Louis de Bernieres	Buy

Louis de Bernieres wrote Red Dog (1999) after visiting the Pilbara region of Western Australia, where he heard stories about a wandering kelpie/cattle dog who became a local legend in the 1970s. The real Red Dog traveled between mining communities, rode in trucks and buses, and was adopted by an entire region rather than a single owner. De Bernieres turned these stories into a short, affectionate novel that became popular with both adults and younger readers.

Blue Dog (2016) is a prequel that imagines the early life of Red Dog as a puppy on a cattle station, before he set out on his famous travels. While Red Dog draws on oral histories and local newspaper accounts, Blue Dog is more purely fictional, filling in a backstory for the beloved animal. Both books were adapted into Australian films, with Red Dog (2011) becoming one of the highest-grossing Australian movies of its year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Dog series?

There are two books in the Dog series, published between 1999 and 2016.

What is the first book in the Dog series?

The first book in the Dog series is Red Dog, published in 1999.

Is the Dog series based on a true story?

Red Dog is based on a real kelpie/cattle dog mix who became famous in the Pilbara region of Western Australia during the 1970s for traveling between mining towns and hitching rides with locals. The real Red Dog has a statue in his honor in the town of Dampier.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order