Spend even a minute on Instagram, and you are bound to see a post featuring a dog that has gone viral. It could be a funny pic, a pup perfectly posed or just everyday canine shenanigans. Regardless, dog posts get tails wagging on the social media platform.
And it’s not just Instagram where dogs are getting attention. Recently, there has been an influx of pups featured alongside supermodels and actors hawking luxury products, posing in high-gloss magazine spreads and making an appearance at high-end events.
It isn’t a coincidence.
“Pet influencers bring countless benefits, such as higher engagement rates, more positive sentiment around the brand, and great brand alignment,” says Kyla Brennan, the founder of HelloSociety and its sub-brand WAGSociety, which focuses on animal influencers. “You also don’t have to worry about an influential dog going rogue and doing something offensive that could harm the brand by association.”
But what does it really take to have your dog be an influencer in both the online and offline world, and what is it like to have a super famous dog?
Related: When He Isn’t Shooting Celebs, Richard Phibbs Is Snapping Pics of Shelter Dogs
We talked to some of the owners of the biggest dog stars out there and got the scoop on their favorite moment, how they give back and advice on what it takes to have a famous pooch.
1. Tuna Melts My Heart
Image Credit: Tuna Melts My Heart
Tuna, the chiweenie of Tuna Melts My Heart, has more than 2 million Instagram fans following his many adventures, getting inspired by his kind heart, and of course loving his wrinkly neck. Besides his own product line and a book under his belt — Tuna Melts My Heart: The Underdog with the Overbite — the rescue dog has worked with big brands, including PetSmart.
What was your dog’s favorite moment: We were asked to be the cover story of Southwest Airline’s inflight magazine for their June 2015 issue. It was so fun seeing passengers and followers post us on their feeds every time they came across the article, says owner Courtney Dasher.
How has your dog given back: Everything we do, we try and point it back to raising awareness and/or financial support for rescue groups. Before adopting Tuna, I knew nothing about the rescue world, so we make it a priority to use Tuna’s platform to raise more awareness for all types of shelters and groups.
What is a tip for other dog owners looking to make their pup an entrepreneur: I think what makes a good entrepreneur is knowing your brand, and protecting it, as well as partnering with brands that are relevant and mutually beneficial. If a company or product is off brand, my advice would be to say no thank you no matter the amount you are being offered.
2. Tinkerbelle
Photo Credit: Tinkerbelle
After being rescued from a shelter and then “discovered” by a modeling agent on the streets of New York City, the papillon/maltese mix known as Tinkerbelle is a rags-to-riches story. She has worked with many brands including ED By Ellen line for Petsmart and Ellen DeGeneres, Rachel Ray and AWAY luggage.
Favorite moment: Being the only dog to walk main stage at NYFW for human clothing designers, says proud mom Sam Carrell.
How has your dog given back: Tinkerbelle brightens everyone’s day — from children with life-threatening illnesses to senior citizens. The most rewarding part is watching people smile and fill with joy as they hold little Tinkerbelle.
What is a tip for other dog owners looking to make their pup an entrepreneur: It takes a lot of work, so don’t give up.
3. Chloe Kardoggian
Image Credit: Chloe Kardoggian
Just like the Kardashian clan, Chloe Kardoggian has created a name for herself. The senior dog rescued from a puppy mill has nearly 150,000 Instagram followers and worked with big-name brands, like PetSmart, Clorox, Casper, Stainmaster and Swiffer.
Favorite moment: This is a tough one, because there are so many! Snuggling with Matt Lauer after she appeared on a Today Show segment was pretty awesome. Being part of the (RED) campaign this year with a bunch of other famous dogs. We attended the Webby Awards for the past two years and got to meet such celebs as Dave Grohl, Tituss Burgess, Tyler Oakley, Ellie Kemper, Erykah Badu, and many others. And Chloe appeared in a short film directed by and starring Alan Cummings with tons of other celebrities, says mom Dorie Herman.
How has your dog given back: We do anything we can to be charitable. I feel as though it is my honor and duty to use the platform I have to help others. And any event we are at with rescue dogs, I am sure to post them with Chloe for extra exposure on her feed.
What is a tip for other dog owners looking to make their pup an entrepreneur: Make sure your dog likes it! This only happened because Chloe loves people and the camera. If she didn’t, we would never have gone this route.
4. Menswear Dog
Image Credit: Menswear Dog
Bodhi is the dog behind the fashionable account Menswear Dog and is known as the “the most stylish dog in the world.” The shibu inu has been flaunting his mug since 2013, modeling fashionable men’s clothing and gaining a huge following (more than 310,000 on Instagram and counting). The pup has been the face of menswear brand Comodo, had a book written about him and worked with big-name brands like Club Monaco, Casper and Canary.
Favorite moment: I assume Bodhi’s favorite moment was when he realized he was born with blue steel, says owner Yena Kim
How has your dog given back: Bodhi’s been involved with some amazing organizations like Social Tees and Best Friends Animal Society to raise funds for dog rescue efforts, adoption and food for dogs.
What is a tip for other dog owners looking to make their pup an entrepreneur: Have fun and be original. Highlight the one thing that makes your pet unique and focus on creating content that makes people feel good.
5. Hamilton the Pug
Image Credit: Hamilton the Pug
Rescued from a shelter in Ohio, Hamilton the Pug made his way to New York City. Since his time in the big city, he has used his ever since used his popular Instagram account to help raise awareness about adoption and the breed. He has a popular series called #PugChat in which dog lovers, most often pugs, ask Hamilton questions on Twitter. It is often trending on the social media site. Hamilton has also worked with brands, including Subaru, The Shelter Project and the Dials app.
Favorite moment: The Casper dog bed launch party that included filet mignon and ice cream. Ham probably enjoyed it the most and wanted to finish everyone else’s leftovers, says pup parent Wendy Frink.
How has your dog given back: The most important thing has been promoting dog and cat adoption. For a few years now, Hamilton and Rufus [his brother] have posted personalized photo messages on their social channels for birthdays, anniversaries, etcetera in exchange for a donation to either of their rescues — a promotion that has been a huge hit with their fans.
What is a tip for other dog owners looking to make their pup an entrepreneur: Don’t try too hard, let things happen organically, and remember why you started the account in the first place. This has always been about having fun, making people smile and spreading the word about pet adoptions.
6. Ella Bean
Image Credit: Ella Bean
Named Ella Bean, this 4-pound pup with two teeth has a lot of style, swagger and personality for such a tiny dog. With nearly 100,000 Instagram followers, this new kid on the celeb-dog block is making her name known. She has teamed up with The Standard Spa Miami, Kayak, Link AKC and Belmond Splendido Portofino.
Favorite moment: We took Ella Bean on our human vacation to Italy last fall. I think it’s safe to say her favorite moment was enjoying a freshly prepared chicken meal made just for her by a chef in a restaurant in Milan. She had her own seat, her own plate, and I’ve never seen her enjoy life more, says owner Hilary Sloan
How has your dog given back: Giving back is a huge part of Ella’s job. Rescuing Ella Bean opened my eyes to how rewarding rescuing can be and the horrors of puppy mills. While making really fun content is a creative outlet for me personally, leveraging her following to educate and give back is the highlight of this job.
What is a tip for other dog owners looking to make their pup an entrepreneur: Be prepared to work VERY hard, much harder than your pet. When your pup is an entrepreneur, you are acting as their photographer, stylist, copywriter, marketing manager, PR agent and coordinator. Ninety-nine percent of the work is behind the computer, and 1 percent of the work you actually see on social platforms.
7. Doug the Pug
Image Credit: Doug the Pug
Doug the Pug is the don in the pug world. With 2.8 million followers on Instagram and 1 billion video views, the “king of pop culture” has quite the resume. He won this year’s Shorty Award for Instagrammer of the Year, has a New York Times bestseller book about him, Doug the Pug: The King of Pop Culture and there is a Doug the Pug line, including coloring books, mugs and t-shirts. Oh, and he has collaborated with some big-name stars, like Justin Bieber.
Favorite moment: Hanging out with the cast of The Big Bang Theory and filming a spoof on their set, says Leslie Mosier.
How has your dog given back: Doug has visited children’s hospitals, and we are in the process of setting up a foundation to benefit kids with cancer.
What is a tip for other dog owners looking to make their pup an entrepreneur: Have a strong brand, be consistent and don’t only do a deal for the money. You need to be sure it fits with your brand and what you stand for.
8. Mochi in the City
Image Credit: Mochi in the City
Mochi in the City is the trendsetter when it comes to the fashion scene, and insists on picking out her own outfits. The single pup looks to schmooze around New York City, has a palette for wine (not really), and engaging with her 87,000 fans on Instagram. She has Mochi has been featured on Refinery 29, Mashable and InStyle, among others, and has worked with brands including Martha Stewart, Polo Ralph Lauren.
Favorite moment: Being on Today was cool, but we also loved attending the Webby Awards with Buzzfeed last year. It was Mochi’s first big event, and it was pretty surreal to walk down the red carpet just minutes before Kim Kardashian, says her mom Elle Drouin.
How has your dog given back: We try to use Mochi’s popularity as a platform to bring awareness to certain causes and give back to our community. For example, my mother is a breast cancer survivor so last year, Mochi was an ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Central Park and encouraged her followers to sign up for the race. She also did a meet and greet with other celebridogs on the day of the race for people who had donated to the cause.
Mochi was also part of a viral video in partnership with (RED) in December. The BedHead puppy PJs featured in the video were part of the event and BedHead’s contribution to (RED)’s fight against AIDS.
What is a tip for other dog owners looking to make their pup an entrepreneur: Know your audience and give them what they want. It’s not really about you; it’s about your followers and customers. You have to keep them in mind constantly.
9. Chloe the Mini Frenchie
Image Credit: Chloe the Mini Frenchie
Frenchies on on the rise, and Chloe the Mini Frenchie is about as cute as they get. While she is half the size of a standard Frenchie, Chloe has a big personality. Having worked with well-known brands, Ann Taylor LOFT, Urban Decay cosmetics, she is quite a big deal.
Favorite moment: Walking the red carpet with Seth Rogen at the Sausage Party movie premiere is definitely one. Chloe also loves every chance she gets to travel, says mom Loni Edwards.
How has your dog given back: Chloe is alway using her celebrity to give back. Every year for Chloe’s birthday we host a charity bash to benefit the Humane Society of New York, as well as help out with various causes throughout the year for both pets and humans, for instance the (RED) annual shopathon.
What is a tip for other dog owners looking to make their pup an entrepreneur: Know that it takes a lot of work and grow their following by consistently posting quality content.
Related: A Famous Frenchie Shares His Secrets to Happiness in New Book
