Great Reads Featuring Dogs for Your Next Dog-Friendly Getaway
Holidays are made for slowing down — and what better way to relax than curling up with your dog and a great book? Even better if the story has a starring canine. Whether you’re in a cosy cottage by the coast, or stretching out in the garden after walkies, these dog-inspired reads bring the joy of four-legged friendship to the page. From heartwarming tales of loyalty, to gripping thrillers and soulful stories told through a dog’s eyes, here’s your ultimate holiday reading list.
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
Recently released as a film starring Naomi Watts and Bill Murray, The Friend is a National Book Award winner that’s well worth packing for your next dog-friendly break. A moving that explores grief, unexpected companionship, and the power of presence, it follows a writer who inherits a Great Dane named Apollo. It’s profound, quiet, and beautiful — just like your holiday should be.
Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson
Are you the sort of reader that likes a clever thriller – preferably with a canine in the plot? Then you’ll tear through this gripping crime novel that weaves in a rescue dog. As Jackson Brodie investigates a tangled and mysterious case, the dog becomes a symbol of hope and loyalty, adding warmth and humanity to a darkly funny tale.
The Last Family in England by Matt Haig
Both satirical and tender, this is a sharp, original take on loyalty, duty and domestic life – tailor-made for humans with a soft spot for their furry companions. A darkly comic novel written by a Sunday Times Bestselling Author, it explores the disintegration of a British family through the eyes of a loyal dog named Prince.
A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
If you’re after something uplifting with a side of soul-searching, this best-seller delivers. Following one dog’s journey through multiple lives and owners, it’s a story of loyalty, love, and the deep bond between humans and dogs. Ideal for those long, lazy afternoons on the deck — tissues in one hand, tail thumping nearby.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Told through the eyes of Enzo, a philosophical pup with a love for fast cars, this is a story of love, loss, and the quiet strength of companionship. Beautifully written and emotionally rich, it’s one of those rare reads that stays with you long after the final page. Perfect fireside reading after a windswept walk.
Waiting For Doggo by Mark Mills
After a breakup, Dan inherits his ex’s scrappy rescue dog, Doggo. What begins as reluctant dog-sitting turns into an unexpectedly life-changing bond. Funny, heartwarming, and quietly wise, this short novel explores how a stubborn little dog helps one man get unstuck. A breezy read with emotional depth — perfect for a sunny garden afternoon with your dog dozing nearby.
Timbuktu by Paul Auster
Told from the perspective of Mr Bones, the devoted dog of a dying, homeless poet, this bittersweet American road novel explores love, mortality, and the ache of belonging. With Auster’s signature blend of melancholy and wit, Timbuktu is a moving, unforgettable tribute to the bond between man and dog. One for reflective mornings with a coffee and a view.
The Boy and the Dog by Seishu Hase
Want a book with all the big feels a holiday with your hound should have? Deeply moving and gently magical, this bestselling Japanese novel is a beautiful meditation on connection, resilience and the life-changing power of dogs. After a tsunami hits Japan, a loyal dog named Tamon begins an extraordinary journey to reunite with his young owner. Along the way, he touches the lives of six strangers, offering hope and healing.
Dog Boy by Eva Hornung
Haunting and unforgettable, Dog Boy is a thought-provoking read for stormy nights by the fire, your dog curled close. Abandoned in Moscow, four-year-old Romochka is taken in by a pack of feral dogs and learns to survive among them. Inspired by real events, this powerful novel explores the fragile boundaries between human and animal, belonging and survival.
Dog Days by Ericka Waller
A romp of a read with buckets of heart and wit, this uplifting novel set in Brighton follows three strangers, each facing grief, loneliness or change — with a little help from their dogs. Funny, tender, and full of charm, it’s a celebration of second chances, unexpected friendships, and the quiet magic of a wagging tail. It’s the kind of book that will you appreciate the downtime with your dog a little bit more.
Now you’ve got the reading list, it’s time to book the holiday with your dog.
Browse our dog-friendly cottages — made for muddy paws, page-turners and proper downtime. Whatever your vibe, there’s a story for every kind of break, and a cottage for every kind of dog lover.
