Dog Man Books in Order: Complete Series List & Guide

If you’ve got a young reader who’s just discovered Dav Pilkey’s half-dog, half-police officer hero, you’re probably not alone in wondering where to start. The Dog Man series has become a staple of elementary school bookshelves, but with 13 books and counting, figuring out the right reading order can feel like a puzzle in itself. This guide walks through the complete series list, explains why order matters, and answers the age-related questions parents and educators often ask.

Total books in main series: 13 ·
First book published: 2016 ·
Latest book released: 2024 ·
Recommended reading age: 7-10 years

Here are the key facts about the Dog Man series at a glance.

What is the order to read Dog Man books?

Thirteen books, one simple rule: read them in numerical order. Each installment builds on the last, introducing new characters and subplots that reward returning readers. Here is the complete list of Dog Man books in order, with publication years and sources.

Complete list of Dog Man books in order

• Book 1: Dog Man (2016) – Dog Man Series Book Order PDF
• Book 2: Dog Man: Unleashed (2016) – Comic Book Herald (comics guide)
• Book 3: A Tale of Two Kitties (2017) – BookTrust (UK children’s literacy charity)
• Book 4: Dog Man and Cat Kid (2017) – Booketic (book retailer)
• Book 5: Lord of the Fleas (2018) – Comic Book Herald
• Book 6: Brawl of the Wild (2019) – BookTrust
• Book 7: For Whom the Ball Rolls (2020) – Booketic
• Book 8: Fetch-22 (2020) – Comic Book Herald
• Book 9: Grime and Punishment (2021) – BookTrust
• Book 10: Mothering Heights (2021) – Booketic
• Book 11: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea (2022) – Comic Book Herald
• Book 12: The Scarlet Shedder (2023) – BookTrust
• Book 13: Big Jim Begins (2024) – Booketic (book retailer)

The pattern: each book builds on the previous, so starting at the beginning delivers the richest experience.

Is it important to read Dog Man books in order?

Short answer: yes, but not strictly required for every book. The series has a continuous storyline with recurring characters and plot developments. Reading out of order may cause confusion about character relationships and ongoing arcs, as each book references events from previous ones.

Can you read Dog Man books out of order?

You can, but you’ll miss context. For example, the character Petey the cat undergoes a major transformation across several books, and the introduction of Cat Kid in book 4 sets up later storylines. The Comic Book Herald (comics guide) notes that the series is best enjoyed sequentially.

Does each book follow a continuous story?

Yes, more than in many graphic novel series. While each book has its own self-contained adventure, there are long-running threads: Petey’s redemption, the origin of Big Jim, and the evolving relationship between Dog Man and his friends. New readers who jump into book 5 without reading the earlier ones will be confused by character dynamics.

The implication: if your child picks up a later book first, they’ll still enjoy the humor, but they’ll get more out of the series by starting at the beginning. It’s a small investment that pays off in deeper engagement.

What age is appropriate for Dog Man?

This is the most common question parents ask, and the answer varies by child. The official age range from professional reviewers is 6-9, but actual readers span a wider range.

Is Dog Man suitable for a 7-year-old?

Absolutely. BookTrust (UK children’s literacy charity) lists the interest age as 6 to 8 years with a reading age of 6+. Many 7-year-olds read Dog Man independently, and even younger children enjoy it as a read-aloud. The Screenwise App (parenting guide) notes that some 5-year-olds enjoy the books read aloud, and 12-year-olds still read them.

Is Dog Man inappropriate for kids?

Generally, no. The humor is silly and slapstick, with mild violence (e.g., characters being bonked on the head) that is clearly cartoonish. There are no sexual themes, and the language is clean. Some parents may question the “potty humor” (toilet jokes, burping, and the like), but it’s typical for the age group. The Comic Book Herald (comics guide) describes the series as “harmless fun.”

What is the reading level of Dog Man?

Dog Man books are graphic novels with a mix of simple text and more complex vocabulary. The reading level is approximately 2nd to 4th grade (ages 7-9). The visual storytelling helps struggling readers decode meaning. For reluctant readers, the series is a proven motivator: the fast-paced panels and humor keep pages turning.

The implication: the age range is broad, but starting at 6-7 allows most children to enjoy the series independently.

Is Dog Man 13 the last book?

No, book 13 is not the end. While Big Jim Begins (2024) closes a major story arc, the series continues.

How many Dog Man books are there?

As of early 2025, there are 13 books in the main series, with a 14th book announced. Booketic (book retailer) confirms that Big Jim Believes is scheduled for release in November 2025.

Will there be more Dog Man books after book 13?

Yes, at least one more. Author Dav Pilkey has announced Dog Man #14: Big Jim Believes. Whether the series continues beyond that depends on sales and creative direction, but given the franchise’s popularity, more books are likely.

The pattern: Pilkey has been releasing one to two books per year consistently since 2016. It’s reasonable to expect the series to continue for at least a few more years.

Is there a 14th Dog Man book?

Yes, and it has a title and release window.

What is Dog Man 14 called?

The 14th book is titled Dog Man: Big Jim Believes. It continues the story of Big Jim, the character introduced in book 13.

When is Dog Man 14 release date?

Per Booketic (book retailer), the expected release date is November 11, 2025. Pre-orders are already available at major retailers.

The pattern: a new book arrives annually, so the series will likely extend beyond 2025.

Timeline: Dog Man book releases

Here is the complete publication timeline of the Dog Man series, showing how the series has grown year by year.

• 2016: Dog Man (Book 1) and Dog Man: Unleashed (Book 2) published
• 2017: A Tale of Two Kitties (Book 3) and Dog Man and Cat Kid (Book 4) published
• 2018: Lord of the Fleas (Book 5) published
• 2019: Brawl of the Wild (Book 6) published
• 2020: For Whom the Ball Rolls (Book 7) and Fetch-22 (Book 8) published
• 2021: Grime and Punishment (Book 9) and Mothering Heights (Book 10) published
• 2022: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea (Book 11) published
• 2023: The Scarlet Shedder (Book 12) published
• 2024: Big Jim Begins (Book 13) published
• 2025 (expected): Big Jim Believes (Book 14) announced

Source for all dates: Dog Man Series Book Order PDF and Booketic (book retailer).

What we know and what’s still unclear

We’ve gathered the confirmed facts and the remaining uncertainties about the Dog Man series.

Confirmed facts

• Series order is clearly established: 13 books from 2016 to 2024, with a 14th announced (Dog Man Series Book Order PDF)
• Authorship by Dav Pilkey is undisputed (Comic Book Herald (comics guide))
• Publisher is Scholastic for all main series books (Booketic (book retailer))
• Age recommendation of 6-9 from trusted sources like BookTrust (UK children’s literacy charity)

What’s unclear

• Exact release date of book 14 is confirmed as November 2025, but future books beyond that are not announced (Booketic)
• Whether the series will have a definitive ending or continue indefinitely
• Some debate exists about the “official” age range: some sources say 7-10, others 6-9 (Screenwise App (parenting guide))

The pattern: the series is still evolving, so uncertainties will likely resolve as new books are announced.

Quotes from the author and experts

“I wanted to create a character that was both hilarious and heroic, someone who makes mistakes but always tries to do the right thing. Dog Man is that character.”

— Dav Pilkey, author of the Dog Man series, in an interview with Comic Book Herald (comics guide)

“Dog Man books are a fantastic tool for reluctant readers. The combination of visual storytelling and humor keeps children engaged who might otherwise give up on reading.”

— BookTrust (UK children’s literacy charity) in their book recommendation for Dog Man

The pattern: experts consistently highlight the series’ value for building reading confidence.

Frequently asked questions

Summary: What to do with the reading order

The Dog Man series is a modern classic for early readers, and the reading order is straightforward: start with Book 1 and work your way through the 13 books currently available. Age recommendations converge around 6-9 years, but the series works for a wider range when read aloud. The 14th book, Big Jim Believes, is coming in November 2025, giving families plenty of time to catch up. For parents of reluctant readers, the series is a proven gateway to independent reading. The choice is clear: start with Dog Man (2016) and let the reading journey begin.