How many Dog Man books are there​?

The “Dog Man” franchise currently includes 13 books. Created by children’s author and illustrator Dav Pilkey, “Dog Man” is one of the best-selling graphic novel series. The series was first published in 2016 and follows the humorous, action-packed adventures of Dog Man. He is a half dog, half human police officer who combats crime using his combination of canine instincts and human strength. The series explores themes of friendship, empathy, and personal growth throughout its volumes.

It is a spin-off of Pilkey’s acclaimed “Captain Underpants” series. The narrative is presented as a comic created by fictional fourth-grade characters George Beard and Harold Hutchins. These fourth graders are also responsible for the creation of “Captain Underpants” and link the two series via a shared metanarrative. While the first “Dog Man” book is a collection of loosely connected short stories, the later volumes build a consistent storyline, featuring recurring characters such as Petey, the cat, Li’l Petey, and Jim.

The series has over sixty million copies in print and has been translated into forty-seven languages. In addition to the main storyline, “Dog Man” has inspired a spinoff series titled “Cat Kid Comic Club.” The spinoff currently consists of 5 books and features characters such as Li’l Petey and Flippy from the “Dog Man” universe. A feature film adaptation by DreamWorks Studios was released on January 31, 2025. The film was directed by Peter Hastings and co-written by Dav Pilkey, with Pete Davidson voicing Petey.

List of Dog Man books

Originally published in 2016, books from the series have consistently been on the best-seller lists of The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly, among many others.

Here is a list of all 13 books in the “Dog Man” series with their years of publication:

What are the Dog Man books about?

Dog Man

Greg, a police dog, and his cop partner are gravely injured during a mission, and a life-saving operation changes everything; Dog Man is born, with the head of a dog and the body of a human. The brave cop with a strong sense of justice fights crimes and fulfils his duties while dealing with his canine instincts.

Dog Man Unleashed

Petey, the cat is causing trouble in the city with his criminal proclivities with something suspicious taking place. Dog Man is tasked with stopping this wrongdoer and restoring order, while Petey tries his best to execute the perfect crime.

Dog Man- A Tale of Two Kitties

Petey, the cat, introduces a new complication in this book. A lookalike kitten named Li’l Petey has a charming demeanor. Dog Man doubles his efforts in this volume to manage the chaos unleashed by the two and maintain his position as the top officer.

Dog Man and Cat Kid

Dog Man is now joined by his feline sidekick, Cat Kid, as they pursue a new mystery. Following the arrival of a new kitty-sitter and the sudden disappearance of a movie star, the duo sets out to investigate. As they unravel the case, they must also contend with Petey, the criminal cat.

Dog Man- Lord of the Fleas

Dog Man, accompanied by Lil Petey and a highly capable robot, teams up with his archnemesis, Petey, the World’s Most Evil Cat, to stop the villains causing chaos in the city. Together, they work to restore order while Petey confronts his past actions.

Dog Man- Brawl of the Wild

Dog Man is sent to prison in this installment after being wrongfully accused of a crime. As his friends endeavor to clear his name, Dog Man faces an internal struggle. He tries to understand where he truly belongs, among dogs or humans.

Dog Man for whom the Ball Rolls

The Supa Buddies are determined to help Dog Man face his bad habits. However, their efforts take an unexpected turn when his struggles shift from obsession to fear. On the other hand, Petey is released from jail and begins a new life with Li’l Petey. The arrival of Petey’s father, Grampa, forces him to confront his past and differentiate between being good and doing good.

Dog Man- Fetch- 22

Petey the Cat reassesses his priorities after being released from jail. As he attempts to make positive changes in his life, Li’l Petey faces his own challenges. With tensions still present between Petey and Dog Man, the two try to cooperate and work together.

Dog Man- Crime and Punishment

Dog Man finds himself in serious trouble after a series of missteps leads the mayor to remove him from the police force. Despite turning in his badge, Dog Man remains determined to make things right. With the help of his friends, he defeats their latest enemies.

Dog Man- Mothering Heights

Dog Man faces a difficult time, and Petey is forced to come to terms with his troubled past. Grampa is back in the city with more mischief planned. As the story explores the enduring strength of love, the characters deal with the new villains.

Dog Man- Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea

Piggy has returned with a mischievous plan, and new villains emerge in unexpected ways. As the troublemakers begin to wreak havoc, and with the Supa Buddies under threat, the city’s defense falls into chaos.

Dog Man - The Scarlet Shedder

Dog Man has been sprayed by a skunk, and while the smell is gone after a dunk in tomato juice, the stain remains. Now exiled and out of favor, Dog Man still finds a way to protect the citizens. An unprecedented villain unleashes an army of A.I. Robots, and Dog Man once again works together with Petey.

Dog Man- Big Jim Begins

The latest volume reveals the origins of the beloved characters from the series. The Space Cuties wreak havoc trying to destroy their city, and Dog Man and his friends face new challenges that could shape their futures.

Who is the author of Dog Man?

“Dog Man” author Dav Pilkey is an American author and illustrator. He was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a child, and spent much of his time drawing and creating original comic books. His early passion for storytelling and illustration led him to pursue a career in children’s literature and the eventual creation of the “Captain Underpants” and “Dog Man” universes.

While in college, Pilkey was encouraged by a teacher to focus on his creative talents, leading to his first major success in 1986, when he won a national competition. The prize was the publication of his first book, “World War Won (1987).” Over the years, Pilkey has also published books like “Dog Breath (1994),” which earned the California Young Reader Medal in 1998, and “The Paperboy (1996),” which received a Caldecott Honor in 1997. Pilkey released his first graphic novel spinoff of the “Captain Underpants” series, “The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby” in 2002. The publication went on to become a national bestseller.

Later in 2016, he launched the “Dog Man” which became one of the most popular children’s book series worldwide. Pilkey’s books are known for encouraging creativity and promoting positive values. He has published over 70 picture books and graphic novels, and was also named one of Fast Company’s “Most Productive People,” and Publisher Weekly’s “Person of the Year,” in 2019. In addition to his literary success, Pilkey’s “Dog Man” has also been adapted into an Off- Broadway musical.

Dog Man’s animated film adaptation

DreamWorks Animation’s “Dog Man (2025),” is an animated action-adventure comedy film based on Dav Pilkey’s children’s graphic novel series. The film is directed by Primetime Emmy winner Peter Hastings and produced by Karen Foster. The script follows the adventures of Dog Man as he tackles crime in Ohkay City.

The voice cast features Pete Davidson as Petey, the Cat, the mischievous feline supervillain, while Lil Rel Howrey voices the police Chief, and Isla Fisher portrays TV reporter Sarah Hatoff. The plot centers on Dog Man’s efforts to stop Petey’s latest evil plan involving a cloning machine and his cloned kitten, Li’l Petey (voiced by Lucas Hopkins Calderon). When Li’l Petey gets captured by a common enemy, Flippy, a highly intelligent fish, Dog Man and Petey form an unexpected collaboration to save the day.

The additional voice cast members include Billy Boyd as Seamus, Luenell as Milly, Poppy Liu as Butler, and Yung Gravy as Mr. Whiskers. Peter Hastings voices Dog Man, who does not speak, but does bark and make noises.

Watch the official trailer of "Dog Man" here: