Do you have a canine friend and wish that there were board games for dog lovers to celebrate your bond? The good news is that they do exist, and there are several options for you to choose from. There are dog games to match practically every game setting you can think of- from family get togethers to after work parties.
So how did we select the best? The best games should have as short a learning curve as possible and allow you to prolong the fun as long as you wish. In addition to clear references to your favorite pet, a good dog game should be versatile enough to accommodate different age groups.
The 5 Top Rated Dog Games
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1. Soggy Doggy Board Game
This Spin Master Games title replicates the fun you have when washing your beloved dog. Players move round the board by rolling a four-sided dice and depending on where you land, you will get to either shower the furry pup in the tub or he might shake himself dry. If you land on a space that requires you to shake the dog dry, you stand to get wet and must move back to the start.
The aim of the game is to be the first to go round the tub (game board) and return to the doggy basket.
Why We Like It
- Easy for young kids
- Very simple game play
2. Dog Crimes
With this dog game you not only celebrate your pet and its kind, you get to sharpen your critical thinking skills. You will hone your ability to solve logical puzzles as you seek to pinpoint the mischief-making canine. You will have six dogs, each with unique character traits. The aim of the game is to find out which of these six adorable dogs is guilty of one of the mishaps using the clues provided.
Its straightforward gameplay and captivating illustrations are what put Dog Crimes in top 5 games for dog owners. Its compact packaging also means it can be played virtually anywhere.
Why We Like It
- Cute, quirky dog illustrations
- Great board game for beginners and experts
3. Doggie Doo
There are few ways to teach your kids the responsibility that caring for their favorite pets entails that are more fun than Doggie Doo. As long as your kids are four years old and above, they are likely to appreciate the lesson behind the fun. The more you clean up after the pooping pup, the more points you collect and the higher your chances of winning.
If the flatulent canine does poop during your turn, you get to scoop up after it with a shovel. This considerate act will earn you a fart token. Accumulate three of these tokens and you will be the winner.
Why We Like It
- Imaginatively designed spinner
- Easy to learn
- Great for teaching young kids how to take care of their dogs
4. Shelby’S Snack Shack Game
Developed by Educational Insights, Shelby’s Snack Shack is the ideal family game to get if you want a fun way to teach your kids math. It also will improve their ability to think strategically.
Anyone from preschoolers to adults can join in the fun while helping Shelby collect her buried bones. To help the cute pug find her 40 hidden bones, players take turns to work the double spinner to see how many bones they can pinch using the pug-shaped squeezer.
If you collect the most bones, you will become the winner; but we careful not to spin your way into a seagull. If you do, you could miss a turn, end up picking a flip-flop instead of a bone, or lose some of the bones you’ve collected in your bowl.
Why We Like It
- Great for teaching math
- Gameplay is very easy and fast-paced
5. Dog Man Attack of the Fleas
If you’re looking for an exhilarating dog-related game that will put all players on the same team, Dog Man Attack of the Fleas is as good as it gets. Up to six of you can combine forces to foil the evil plan of the Fleas to take over the planet. You will take on the characters, capes and masks of the Supa Buddies (The Bark Night, Cat Kid, Lightning Dude and Co.).
To help you vanquish the Fuzzy Little Evil Animal Squad and their robo-brontosaurus, you will have variety of tools such as a helicopter and a shrink ray. Even if you are unfamiliar with acclaimed cartoonist Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series, you will love enacting the adventures of his famous heroes.
Why We Like It
- Players must collaborate to achieve a common objective
- Illustrations are captivating
Important Features to Consider
Before you decide what game to buy for your friends that love dogs, make sure to consider these features.
Age of the Players
Most of the board games available for people who love dogs are meant for younger kids. They tend to be more of a linear game that focuses on going around the board.
There are great options for older players that add more strategy to the mix such as Dog Crimes.
Type of Game
Is your gaming group into competitive board games or do they prefer working together towards a common goal? Educational dog-themed board games like Doggie Doo may be ideal for family settings but Dog Man Attack of the Fleas may be more ideal for kids.
Other Top-Rated Dog Themed Board Games
Dog-Opoly
Dog-Opoly offers a canine twist to the beloved game night staple- Monopoly. Love for man’s best friend can be easily kindled in players as they learn interesting facts about different dog breeds.
Why We Like It
- Great learning tool about dogs
- Similar to Monopoly
Operation Pet Scan
If you have kids who adore their four-footed friends, they will relish the chance to become a vet working to save an ailing dog. They have to try and get the ailment while keeping to the defined path.
Why We Like It
- Sound effects are fun for kids
- Great for pretending to be a Vet.
Dog Pile The Pup Packing Puzzle Game
48 challenge cards are provided for you to play alone or with other players. You then use puzzle cards to correctly recreate the dog.
Why We Like It
- Compact for travel
- Can be played solo
Grandpa Beck’s Nuts About Mutts
Created by Grandpa Beck’s Games, Nuts About Mutts is a card game played in the classic elimination way but with a few canine twists.
Why We Like It
- Fun and competitive
- Great for all ages
Diggin’ Doggies
Diggin Doggies pits dog lovers against each other in a race to help three pups find their bones. In the course of helping their respective dogs find their bones and return them to their kennels, your kids will improve their math skills as well as their knowledge of colors.
Why We Like It
- Great for teaching numbers
Monopoly Cats Vs. Dogs Board Game for Kids Ages 8 and Up
Here is a twist on the timeless property acquisition board game that pet lovers will appreciate. Created by Hasbro, Cats Vs. Dogs, as its title suggests, pits team cat against team dog in a quest for the best names.
Why We Like It
- Similar to Monopoly
- Great for older kids
The Dog Game
Suitable for players of all ages, The Dog Game is the perfect companion for your family game nights. You’re guaranteed a lot of laughs as you and your loved ones compete for doggie treats.
Why We Like It
- Very cute dog pictures
- Fun for all age groups
Lab-opoly
Yes, there is another doggy version of the classic board game, Monopoly. Players here compete in giving the best care they can afford to their Labradors.
Why We Like It
- Offers two gameplay options- the one-hour version or the traditional one
Diggity Dogs Game
Made by Educational Insights, this game is a brilliant tool to help your kids improve their language and social skills as they adopt as many dogs as they can.
Why We Like It
- Easy to learn
- Playable almost anywhere
Dog-Gonnit
Parents planning on buying their kids puppies should introduce them to Dog Gonnit as early as possible. It’s good for learning how to take care of your dog such as buying them food or taking them to the vet.
Why We Like It
- Educational
- Beautiful, bright illustrations
Beagle Or Bagel
Are you sure you can differentiate a picture of a beagle and that of a bagel? There’s only one way to find out…
Why We Like It
- Innovative game that truly tests your perception
- Easy for folks of all ages to play
We Rate Dogs! The Card Game
This fast-paced card game pits the dogs of three to six players against each other in a dog show. Dog lovers will have a blast trying to pull each other’s dogs down the rankings while trying to hype their own.
Why We Like It
- Good for adding competition to a game night
What the Woof Card Game
Dogs are known to mark their territory and in this game, players compete by trying to mark as much territory as they can.
Why We Like It
- Easy to learn
- Good for families
Puppy Trek – Adventure Board Game for Young Children
In this beautifully illustrated board game, up to six players adopt puppy characters and race against each other through a wilderness to get home.
Why We Like It
- Adorably quirky pup illustrations
- Helps kids build their counting, comprehension and spelling skills
Walk The Dog
Players in this board game try to walk their dogs while trying to steer them clear of trouble.
Why We Like It
- Players can test their skills in many levels from beginner to expert
- Allows single player gameplay