Dogs make truly excellent characters in picture books, due to their superior handsomeness, poor impulse control, waggy tails and co-dependency. Here are our favourite picture books for canine appreciators.

(Do you also love cats? Find 10 meownificent picture books about cats here.)

Poor Louie by Tony Fucile

Anxious chihuahua Louie finds himself losing attention and space to the growing tribe of human babies being produced by family friends. When his own owners start tending to their own bump, and they buy a DOUBLE PUSHER, Louie freaks out. Will there be any room for him? Don’t worry Louie, you have no idea how much your owners love you.

Raymond by Yann & Gwendel Le Bec

Raymond the family dog decides to try being a human for a while – he sits at the dinner table, visits cafes, lands a job at Dogue magazine (!) and then becomes the celebrity reporter for Dog News channel. But life as a high-achieving bipedal is stressful, and Raymond decides to return to four feet and the simple pleasures of ball chasing, belly scratching and digging.

Plenty of Love to Go Round! By Emma Chichester Clark

Plumdog is used to the indulgent attention of her owners and Sam and Gracie, the two children next door. So she’s not impressed when Sam and Gracie introduce her to their new cat Binky, and does everything she can to rebuff Binky’s friendly overtures. Continuing the theme from Love is my Favourite Thing, when Plum goes too far (locking Binky out of the house during a storm), she is shown understanding and love by her owners.

And once you’re read Plenty of Love to Go Round!, you might like to enjoy Clark’s entire Plum Dog oeuvre.

My Dog Mouse by Eva Lindstrom

A little girl takes lovely senior dog Mouse on a slow and loving walk around the block, savouring the small and simple things about sharing time with her favourite dog. She doesn’t mind that Mouse is slow and ponderous, or that he isn’t particularly pretty or exciting, she just loves being with him. The ending, when the girl returns Mouse to his owner, is bittersweet.

The 12th Dog by Charlotte Calder & Tom Jellett

Arlo the dog really wants the job of wicketkeeper in his family’s backyard game of cricket, but he also is afflicted with the compulsion to steal and hoard the ball. You’ll laugh as the very enthusastic Arlo tries to balance his ambitions with his ball obsession, and rises from the ignominy of being banished from the game to completely saving the day.

Oh, No George! By Chris Haughton

When his owner Harry leaves the house, George promises with all his heart to be a good dog. He really means it, but then – left alone in a house with a cake, a cat, a pot plant – George finds himself wondering: What will George do? Chris Haughton’s retro colour block illustrations are a treat, giving George very loveable floppy ears, a big nose and a true hangdog expression.

Dogs Don’t Do Ballet by Anna Kemp & Sara Ogilvie

Biff has to contend with the limiting preconceptions that deny him his true calling in life – ballet! Even though Biff’s owner suspects he might have a talent for dance, he gets thrown out of her ballet class and becomes rather sad. But an excursion to a Royal Ballet performance and an onstage mishap, finally sees Biff getting the recognition he deserves for his fancy moves.

Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio & Christian Robinson

Two doggy families realise there’s been a real mix-pup during a visit to the local park. Mrs Poodle understands why Gaston looks so different to his siblings when she meets Mrs Bulldog and her brood. Mrs Bulldog has three bulldog pups, and Antoinette, who strongly resembles a poodle. Gaston and Antoinette try switching packs, only it’s very clear that Gaston behaves like a poodle, has the tastes of a poodle, and really belongs back in his adoptive family.

The sequel, Antoinette, is also excellent.

Some Swell Pup or Are You Sure You Want a Dog? by Maurice Sendak & Matthew Margolis

Two kids learn about the rigours of taking care of a new puppy in this classic Sendak book. The comic book format is great for detailing the exhausting nature of ‘parenthood’ and the general naughtiness of puppies. The two get some valuable lessons from a mysterious and benevolent older dog, who advises patience, love and understanding.

Dog by Matthew Van Fleet

There are photos of oodles of breeds in this fun interactive board book. Pull tabs, turn wheels, lift flaps and pat interesting textures to meet a whole bunch of good, bad, large, small, wet, dry, messy and tidy dogs.

Leanne Hall