The World’s Most Influential Dogs: Which are the most successful dogs and breeds on social media?
In the age of social media, our furry friends have become more than just pets — they can become bonafide Internet celebrities. From playful terriers to adorable Cocker Spaniels, dogs of all breeds have found their way into the hearts and feeds of millions of social media users worldwide. But which canine companions reign supreme in the digital realm?
We’ve explored the fascinating world of doggy influencers, examining follower and like counts, hashtags, and potential earnings to determine which ones are on top and which breeds do the best on social media.
Tucker, the Golden Retriever, is the most influential dog on social media, with a score of 9.67
1. Tucker (@tuckerbudzyn) | 9.67 out of 10
Tucker, also known as @tuckerbudzyn, is officially the most influential dog on social media. With 3.8 million followers on Instagram and 11.4 million followers on TikTok, Tucker’s content often includes relatable dog antics, from funny reactions to adorable challenges. This has earned the Golden Retriever an average of 304,869 likes per post on Instagram and a total of 256.4 million on TikTok.
This popularity means he could earn a lot from the social media platforms, with potential earnings of $23,600 for a single Instagram post and $18,261 for a TikTok post.
2. Doug the Pug (@itsdougthepug) | 9.08 out of 10
Doug, a charismatic Pug, is another top dog influencer — his bio even states he is the “OG celebrity dog.” He’s known on Instagram as @itsdougthepug and on TikTok as @dougthepug, where he shares anything from his adventures in different countries to ads for dog wellness products.
He has racked up 3.6 million followers on Instagram and 6.1 million on TikTok. Doug’s earning potential is also impressive, with $22,700 per Instagram post and $9,717 per TikTok post.
3. Teddy (@aguyandagoldenn) | 9.04 out of 10
Teddy, another Golden Retriever, shares his life through the handle @aguyandagolden(n). With 4.1 million followers on Instagram and 8.3 million followers on TikTok, Teddy is known for his playful activities, heartwarming moments with his owner, and interactions with other pets.
His videos have an average of 213,476 likes on Instagram, and a total of 301 million TikTok likes, meaning his earning potential is more than $13,000 for a single post on either platform.
4. Maxine (@madmax_fluffyroad) | 7.83 out of 10
Maxine, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, is fourth on the list of most influential dogs on social media. With 1.3 million followers on Instagram and 4.2 million on TikTok, Maxine has built a substantial following across both platforms.
Her Instagram posts receive an average of 46,856 likes, while her TikTok content has 108.8 million likes overall. This popularity translates into significant earning potential, with estimated earnings of $10,700 for a single Instagram post and $6,652 for a TikTok post.
5. Maya (@mayapolarbear) | 7.75 out of 10
A Samoyed named Maya is fifth among the most influential dogs on social media. Maya (and her owner) has built up a substantial following of 1.7 million on Instagram and an even more noteworthy 5.6 million on TikTok.
Her Instagram engagement is particularly good, averaging 187,784 likes per post, which is higher than Maxine and Doug. This influence could bring in some good earnings, with estimated earnings of $13,100 for an Instagram feed post and $8,963 for a TikTok post.
Pugs are the most successful dog breed on Instagram and TikTok
1. Pug | 9.39 out of 10
Pugs are currently the most influential dog breed on Instagram and TikTok, with a score of 9.39 out of 10. With an average of 9.7 million followers on both of the platforms, it’s safe to say that Pugs are popular online.
On average, Pug posts receive about 43,998 likes — this engagement translates into substantial earning potential, with average earnings of $22,700 per Instagram post and $9,717 for TikTok videos.
2. Samoyed | 9.29 out of 10
Scoring 9.29, Samoyeds are the second most popular dog breed on social media. With stars like @mayapolarbear leading the way with her striking white coat, it’s no wonder that this breed is getting plenty of attention online.
If you’re looking to put your own Samoyed on social media, you could be looking at a good payday. On average, the top influencers in this category could earn $8,963 on TikTok and up to $13,000 on Instagram!
3. Golden Retriever | 8.67 out of 10
Coming in third is the Golden Retriever. This dog breed has a good presence on Instagram and TikTok, with an average combined following of 4.1 million. On Instagram, Golden Retriever posts typically receive about 79,068 likes. Meanwhile, on TikTok, there’s an average of 86.2 million likes across all posts on the dog influencer’s account.
Their potential earnings per Instagram post average $9,315, with $2,367 for Instagram stories, while this number sits at $4,480 per TikTok post.
4. Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 6.94 out of 10
Pembroke Welsh Corgis rank fourth among influential dog breeds on social media and have built a significant online presence. On average, Corgi influencers have 620,933 Instagram followers and 1.8 million TikTok followers.
Their Instagram posts typically receive around 17,228 likes, while on TikTok they’ve accumulated an impressive average of over 46 million likes. This popularity translates into potential earnings of $5,443 for a single Instagram post and $1,398 for an Instagram story. On TikTok, Corgi influencers can earn an average of $2,885 per post.
5. Italian Greyhound | 6.63 out of 10
Italian Greyhounds round out the top five influential dog breeds on social media. These sleek and elegant dogs have an average of 770,000 Instagram followers and over 1.1 million TikTok followers.
Their Instagram engagement is strong, averaging 40,389 likes per post. This is significantly higher than the Pembroke Welsh Corgis despite having fewer TikTok followers. On TikTok, Italian Greyhound influencers have an average of 37.5 million likes. Their earning potential reflects this influence, with estimates of $6,500 for an Instagram post, $1,653 for an Instagram story, and $1,863 for a TikTok post.
Expert tips on getting the best photos of your dogs
Social media dominance starts with eye-catching posts. Find out how to take the best photos of your pooch by following these steps:
1. Capture their attention
Keeping your dog’s attention focused is crucial for capturing the perfect shot. Use their favorite toys, treats, or sounds to grab their interest and make them look towards the camera. Be patient and ready to snap multiple shots quickly, as dogs can be unpredictable and may only hold a pose for a few seconds.
2. Get down to their level
Photos taken from your dog’s eye level or lower can highlight your dog’s personality and bring out their expressions best. You can kneel, lie down, or use a low tripod to achieve this perspective, making the viewer feel like they are interacting with your dog.
3. Show their personality
The best photos capture your dog’s unique personality and quirks. If your dog is playful, curious, or lazy, try to photograph it in its most natural state. Candid shots of them playing, exploring, or relaxing often make for the most memorable photos—whether you decide to share them or not.
4. Use a fast shutter speed
Dogs are often in motion, running from one place to the next, so using a fast shutter speed can help you capture sharp images without them blurring. Adjust your settings to a higher shutter speed, especially when photographing active dogs. If you’re using a smartphone, look for the burst mode feature, which allows you to take multiple pictures quickly, increasing your chances of getting the perfect shot.
5. Be patient and have fun
Taking great photos of dogs requires patience and a sense of fun. Dogs may not always cooperate, so be prepared for multiple attempts and keep the sessions short to prevent them from getting tired or bored. Keeping the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable will help your dog feel more comfortable and natural, resulting in better photos.
How to help your dog become a social media influencer
Once you’ve perfected the art of taking the best pictures of your pup, it’s time to put them to work. But how do you make it big on social media? Here are some ideas.
1. Tell a story
Craft a narrative around your dog’s life and adventures to create a deeper connection with your audience. Share stories about their daily routines, favorite activities, and unique quirks. Use captions or on-screen narratives to add a personal touch to each post and let your audience get to know your dog better.
2. Utilize hashtags
Hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing the visibility of your posts. Research and use relevant hashtags that are popular in the pet influencer community, such as #dogsofinstagram, #petstagram, or breed-specific tags like #goldenretriever. Using these can help your content get discovered by new followers, but remember not to overuse them, as this could look spammy.
3. Develop a consistent posting schedule
Consistency is key to building and maintaining an audience. Develop a posting schedule that you can stick to, whether daily, a few times a week, or even weekly. Regular posts keep your audience engaged and looking forward to your content.
Methodology
We created a seed list of dog influencers from articles from People, Influencers, and Izea. This list was then filtered by purebred AKC-recognized breeds.
We used Instagram to find followers, the number of hashtags, average number of likes over their last 10 posts (where the like count was publicly available). We then used this information to find the potential earnings from one story and one post using Inzpire.me’s Instagram earnings calculator.
