Dog Man book cover

The Dog Man Series in Order

The Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey can be read in any order, though starting with Dog Man provides the clearest introduction to the setting and recurring characters. The premise follows a half-dog, half-human police officer named Dog Man who fights crime alongside his friends while dealing with silly villains and chaotic situations in a humorous graphic novel format.

🟡 Mostly Standalone · Start Anywhere

Dog Man Books in Order

15 books

How to Read the Dog Man series

🟡 Mostly Standalone · Start Anywhere

Mostly standalone stories with recurring characters in a shared setting.

The Dog Man series does not need to be read in order. Each book tells a complete story with its own conflict and resolution. Continuity is limited to recurring characters and the shared comedic world, where familiar faces reappear with minor updates or running jokes. Reading the Dog Man books out of order does not cause confusion for the main adventure in any volume.

About the Dog Man series

Series Premise

The Dog Man series is a bestselling series of graphic novels for children that combines comic-book action with heavy doses of bathroom humor and wordplay. Each book centers on Dog Man solving a new crime or stopping a villain, often with help from his inventor friend 80-HD and the cloned kitten Li'l Petey. The stories feature flip-o-rama action sequences and are presented as comics created by the fictional characters George and Harold from Pilkey’s Captain Underpants universe.

Main Characters

The central character is Dog Man, a police officer with a dog's head and a human's body who acts with pure-hearted enthusiasm but limited manners. Key supporting figures include Petey the cat (a former villain who gradually softens), his cloned "son" Li'l Petey, the robotic inventor 80-HD, Chief the police boss, and reporter Sarah Hatoff with her poodle Zuzu. New villains and side characters appear in each book while the core group remains consistent.

Setting

The series is set in a silly, cartoonish city where police stations, secret laboratories, and ordinary streets serve as backdrops for absurd crimes and chases. The environment mixes everyday urban locations with over-the-top villain lairs and invention workshops. The visual style is energetic and childlike, with bold panels and frequent sound effects.

Tone & Themes

The tone is goofy, fast-paced, and packed with juvenile humor including puns, poop jokes, and slapstick. Central themes include friendship, forgiveness, doing the right thing even when it's messy, and the idea that family can be chosen rather than born. Stories encourage creativity and laughter while showing characters learning from mistakes.

Is This Series Worth Reading?

The Dog Man series appeals to reluctant readers and fans of graphic novels who enjoy silly humor and easy-to-follow action. It works well for children transitioning from early chapter books to longer comics. The mix of simple text, expressive illustrations, and short chapters makes the books engaging for a wide range of young readers.

Content Warnings and Heat Level

The series contains frequent bathroom humor, mild gross-out jokes, and cartoon violence with no real injury or fear. There is no romantic content or mature themes. The tone is light-hearted and appropriate for most children aged 6-10, though some parents may prefer to preview the level of potty humor.

The Dog Man series offers humorous graphic novel adventures centered on a unique half-dog police officer and his friends. Its mostly standalone structure makes it flexible for readers. For those searching the Dog Man series order or books in order, any title provides a complete, funny story while still benefiting from the recurring cast and world.

FAQ

How many books are in the Dog Man series?

15 books

When will the next book in the series be released?

The next book in the Dog Man series, A Sprinkle in Time, will be published in Nov-2026.

When was the most recent book released?

Big Jim Believes was published in November 2025.

What was the first book in the series?

The first book in the series is Dog Man, published in September 2016.

What genre is the Dog Man series?

The series primarily falls into the Action Adventure genre.

Do you need to read the Dog Man series in order?

No, the books do not need to be read in order. Each story stands on its own, but recurring characters and the shared setting connect the series.

What is the Dog Man series about?

The Dog Man series is a bestselling series of graphic novels for children that combines comic-book action with heavy doses of bathroom humor and wordplay. Each book centers on Dog Man solving a new crime or stopping a villain, often with help from his inventor friend 80-HD and the cloned kitten Li'l Petey. The stories feature flip-o-rama action sequences and are presented as comics created by the fictional characters George and Harold from Pilkey’s Captain Underpants universe.

Is the Dog Man series finished?

The series is ongoing, with the next book currently scheduled.