Words to Describe Dogs: The Ultimate List

Happy Goldendoodle dog with smiley expression with head lying on laptop keyboard, photo — Need words to describe dogs? I’m on it!

Are you searching for the best words to describe dogs? There’s no need to chase your own tail. We’ve rounded up a mega list for you.

Like a happy pack of doggos sniffing out a renegade treat under the sofa, Happy-Go-Doodle Chloe (my Goldendoodle bestie), Little Bear (the quintessential Lab I puppy sit), and I searched high and low to create this ultimate list of endearments, adjectives, and words for dogs. Plus, we organized them alphabetically to make it easy-breezy for you to scroll through them.

Dog sitting on couch beside computer as if searching for words to describe dogs, photo — Little Bear contemplates which words best describe dogs.

Even with this mega list of descriptors, the English language seems inadequate to describe just how incredible our canine companions truly are. Seriously, how can you ever capture the look in your dog’s soulful eyes or the way your dog’s tail wags when you walk in the door? Words just can’t express all the love that’s underneath their furry exteriors.

An A to Z list of words to describe dogs

So while humans search for the words, our puppers are just happy to hear our soft, reassuring, or cheerful voices. According to vcahospitals.org, it’s not so much what we say but how we say it that our pooches pick up on.

So snuggle up with your pup and check out this ultimate list of adjectives, endearments, and short phrases. Then try saying your favorites aloud to your dog in a gentle or cheerful tone of voice. Your dog will probably love it.

And if you’re searching for more word-related topics, please check out our complete and cute guide to doggo lingo or watch our video of a Goldendoodle dog retrieving happy words for you.

Words to describe dogs starting with the letter A

ADORABLE, ACCEPTING, AMAZING, ADVENTUROUS, ADVENTURESOME, AFFECTIONATE, ATHLETIC, AMUSING, AGILE, ALERT, ATTENTIVE, AMIABLE, AFFABLE, AGREEABLE, ANIMATED, AWESOME, ATUNED, ATTENTION-SEEKERS…ALMOST HUMAN 🙂

B words to describe dogs

BRAVE, BESTIE, BRIGHT, BOISTEROUS, BEAUTIFUL, BUSY, BOLD, BELOVED, BRIGHT-EYED, BEST, BEST EVER, BLESSING, BOW-WOW-ER, BREEZY, BRILLIANT, BUBBLY…BEST FRIEND

Close-up of adult Goldendoodle dog with soulful eyes, photo — Bestie

Descriptive words for dogs starting with the letter C

CURIOUS, CUTE, CALM, CURLY, CURLY-COATED, COURAGEOUS, COMFORTING, CHARMING, COMEDIC, CAPABLE, COMPANIONABLE, CHAMPION, CHEERFUL, CONFIDENT, COZY, CUDDLY, COUNTER SURFING, CARNIVOROUS…CHAMP

Labrador Retriever puppy with tongue hanging out and title comedic canine as example of words that describe dogs, photo — Comedic Canine

D words to describe dogs

DAINTY, DAPPLED, DETERMINED, DARLING, DELIGHTFUL, DARING, DREAMY, DOCILE, DEVOTED, DEEP-CHESTED, DEPENDABLE…DEAR DOGGO

Adjectives for dogs starting with the letter E

ENTHUSIASTIC, EXUBERANT, ENDEARING, EXPRESSIVE, ELEGANT, ENTERTAINING, EASY-GOING, EAGER, EMBODIES LOVE, ENJOYABLE, EXCEPTIONAL, EXCITABLE, EAGER-TO-PLEASE, ENERGIZER, EXPRESSIVE, EXUBERANT, EVER-LOVING…ENTERTAINER

Descriptive words for dogs starting with the letter F

FAITHFUL, FUNNY, FURRY, FROLICSOME, FRIENDLY, FEARLESS, FURRY-FOOTED, FULL OF FUN, FULL OF LIFE, FOOD-DRIVEN, FLUFFY, FLOOFY, FAMILY-FRIENDLY, FOUR-LEGGED, FABULOUS, FANTASTIC, FAN FAVORITE, FASCINATING, FIESTY, FLAWLESS, FREE-SPIRITED, FUN, FUN-LOVING…FOREVER FRIEND

Furry red Goldendoodle dog trotting in grass and title Fur Bear as an example of words that describe dogs, photo — Fur Bear

Descriptive words for dogs starting with the letter G

GENTLE, GOOD, GOOD BOY, GOOD-NATURED, GREGARIOUS, GENEROUS, GREAT, GOOD-SPIRITED, GOOD-HUMORED, GOOFY, GROOVY, GROUNDED, GUIDING, GO-WITH-THE-FLOW…GOOD DOG

Words to describe dogs starting with the letter H

HAPPY, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY, HAPPY HELLOS, HANDSOME, HAIRY, HAIRLESS, HEALERS, HEART-TOUCHING, HARD-WORKING, HELPFUL, HUMBLE, HIGH-SHEDDING, HILARIOUS, HYPOALLERGENIC, HONEST, HEROIC…HEART-MENDER

Words to describe dogs starting with the letter I

INQUISITIVE, INTELLIGENT, INNOCENT, INSPECTORS, INSPIRING, INDEPENDENT, INTUITIVE, INTERCONNECTED, INTERESTING…INSECT INSPECTOR

Adjectives to describe dogs starting with the letter J

JOLLY, JOVIAL, JOYFUL, JOKING, JUMPY, JUBILANT

Words associated with dogs starting with the letter K

KIND, KINDHEARTED, KINDLY, KEEN SENSE OF SMELL…KINDHEARTED K-9

Descriptive words for dogs starting with the letter L

LOYAL, LOVING, LOVABLE, LOVERS, LIVELY, LOW-SHEDDING, LEARNERS, LOVERS OF LIFE, LIVE IN THE MOMENT, LOVING KINDNESS…LIFELONG FRIEND

Happy dog sitting by beach chair in the sand and title "loyal, loving, beach buddy" as words that describe a dog, photo

Words associated with dogs starting with the letter M

MAGICAL, MERRY, MUSCULAR, MELLOW, MAJESTIC, MISCHIEVOUS, MIRACLE WORKERS, MOTIVATING, MOVERS…MUNCHY MUNCHER

Yellow Lab puppy chewing on shoe, photo — Munchy Muncher

Yellow Lab puppy with muddy paws, photo — Mud Puppy

Words for dogs starting with the letter N

NIMBLE-FOOTED, NOSE-DRIVEN, NICE, NOBLE, NURTURING…NICE NAPPER

Adult Goldendoodle dog lying on a yoga mat with title Happy Yoga Napper, photo — Happy Yoga Napper

Words for dogs starting with the letter O

ONE-OF-A-KIND, OBEDIENT, OPTIMISTIC, OUTGOING, OPEN-HEARTED

Words associated with dogs starting with the letter P

PLAYFUL, PROUD, PROTECTIVE, PLUCKY, POKY, POSITIVE, PLAY-DRIVEN, PLEASING, PATIENT, PEACEKEEPING, PRECIOUS, PURE, PRETTY…PERFECT PET

Words for dogs starting with the letter Q

QUICK, QUIET, QUICK THINKER, QUIRKY, QUINTESSENTIAL

Close-up of Labrador Retriever's face, photo — Quintessential

R words to describe dogs

RUGGED, REMARKABLE, ROCKSTARS, ROWDY, RUFFY

Adjectives for dogs starting with the letter S

STOIC, SMART, SWEET, SWEETHEART, SHAGGY, SHEDLESS, STEADFAST, SLEEK, STRONG, SPEEDY, SPIRITED, SWIFT, SUNNY, SWEET-TEMPERED, SCENT-DRIVEN, SCRUFFY, SCRAPPY, SPORTY, SOULFUL, SMOOTH-COATED, SERENE, SPUNKY, SUPER, SUPER-FUN, SOOTHING, SOULFUL

Words to describe dogs starting with the letter T

TENDER, TRAINABLE, TOUGH, TAIL WAGGY, THERAPEUTIC, TEACHING, TRUSTING, TRACKER, TERRIFIC

Words for dogs that start with the letter U

UPBEAT, UNDERSTANDING, UTTERLY AMAZING, UPLIFTING, UNBEARABLY CUTE, UNABASHADLY ADORABLE

Words associated with dogs starting with the letter V

VERSATILE, VERY GOOD, VIGOROUS, VIGOR…VERY GOOD DOG!

Describe a dog using the letter W

WORKING, WOOFY, WATCHFUL, WELL-BRED, WELL-MUSCLED, WARM, WAGGY, WIGGLY, WAGGY- TAILED, WARRIOR, WISE, WORTHY, WHOLE-HEARTED, WACKY, WHO’S A GOOD BOY, WONDERFUL

Lab puppy dipping head clear under the water in a baby pool as example of "wacky" as a word that describes dogs, photo — Wet ‘n’ Wacky!

Describe a dog using the letter X

XOXO

Words to describe dogs starting with the letter Y

YIPPY, YAPPY, YAPPY-HAPPY, YUMMY, YES

Descriptive words for dogs starting with the letter Z

ZANY, ZESTY, ZOOMIE, ZOOMIER, ZOOMIEST

Adult Goldendoodle dog playing chase with a Lab puppy, photo — Zoomie Zoomers

From adorable to zoomie-loving, our dogs are amazing. Thanks for taking time out of your day to stop by, we hope you found the perfect words to describe your furry friend.

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What words would you include on this list?

We’d love to hear! Please comment below.