Dogs in Songs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Old English Sheepdog

Although this song sounds like it may have been about a person, Martha was Paul McCartney's Old English Sheepdog, and probably the inspiration for the song. John Lennon is said to have been surprised that the dog brought out the softer side of Paul.

Answer: Neil Young

Neil Young had a hound dog named Elvis that went on his tour bus with him for years. Young has said that Elvis was the only creature that he could confide in about everything, so he wrote a song in his honour. The song "Old King" was written for the dog.

Answer: Ralph

This song is about the fact that Jones' poodle Ralph is a much better companion than any of the men she has dated. The song lists all of the reasons that the men in her life are not great, and all of the reasons that Ralph is superior for her. Besides being a great blues-inspired song, it is actually quite funny too. Looney Tunes has a character named Ralph that appears in cartoons about a sheep dog guarding the sheep.

Although the characters' named occasionally changed, it was usually Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog.

Answer: Buy one

The Monkees released "I'm Gonna Buy Me a Dog" in 1966. It appeared on their show, and on their first album. The lyrics show a common theme in dog songs, with the singer disenchanted with his girlfriend, so he decides that he will get a dog instead.

Answer: True

Patti Page had a hit with this song in 1953 when there was a presumed innocence about buying a puppy at a pet shop. However, closer to the end of the 20th century, puppy purchases from pet stores often shone the light on puppy mills where female dogs were bred in poor conditions. Page released a new version of the song in 2009 entitled "Do You See That Doggie in the Shelter" to emphasize the importance of pet adoption.

Answer: Fewer than ten

Dolly has written a wide variety of songs, including some about animals. Two songs about dogs stand out for any dog lover. "Cracker Jack" is about a dog that she had when she was a child. It was released in 1974. One that is more adult-focussed is "Gypsy, Joe, and Me" about a woman who loses both her dog and her man. This one was released in 1969.

Answer: A TED Talk

Nellie McKay sings of a rescued dog that saved the owner from self-destructive habits. The song also encourages listeners to go to the pound and adopt a dog. She sung the song at a TED Talk in 2008 as a tribute to her own dog.

Answer: German Shepherd

"Old Shep" was a song that was written by Red Foley and Arthur Willis in 1933. It was about a dog that Foley had when he was a child. Elvis sang the song at his first public appearance on October 3, 1945 in a singing contest at a fall fair. He ended up at fifth place, and won five dollars and free rides at the fair.

Answer: No

Seamus was a border collie that did not belong to a member of Pink Floyd. The band members did know it, though. It actually belonged to Steve Marriott, a member of Humble Pie. Seamus adds his voice throughout the track that is over two minutes long.

Answer: Cat Stevens

This song was Cat Stevens' first single, released in September, 1966. The song is basically a love song to his dog, with lyrics like "I love my dog as much as I love you, but you may fade, my dog will always come through." It topped out at Number 28 on the UK singles chart.