Dogs have evolved from beloved household pets to pop culture powerhouses, shaping everything from social media algorithms to celebrity status, cryptocurrency values, and online communication. In just ten years, they’ve redefined what it means to be an influencer and created entirely new industries worth billions.
1. They Became Legitimate Social Media Influencers (And Millionaires)
Remember when only humans could be celebrities? Dogs like Doug the Pug have progressed from posting funny photos to becoming full-fledged brands with television appearances, book deals, and merchandise lines, while Jiffpom, the adorable Pomeranian, has nearly 10 million Instagram followers and appeared in Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” music video. Recent reports show the top dog influencers earn between $750,000 to $1,500,000 annually, proving that four-legged content creators can command audiences—and paychecks—that rival human celebrities.
What makes this even more remarkable? A recent survey indicates that two out of five people are filling their feeds with pet photos instead of snaps of their friends and family, and about one in four parents is on a mission to create a social media brand for their dog.
2. They Sparked an Entirely New Language
The “Doge” meme became so influential that it was added to Dictionary.com in November 2015, defining not just the image macro but also the form of “language” that it uses. This broken English style—”much wow,” “such cute,” “very good”—evolved into what we now know as DoggoLingo.
Several media publications included Doge on lists of memes that helped define Internet culture in the 2010s, with both ABC News and The Daily Dot ranking it as the number-one meme of the 2010s. Today, terms like “doggo,” “pupper,” “bork,” and “heckin’ good boy” are used unironically by millions of people daily, showing how dog memes literally changed how we speak.
3. They Created a Cryptocurrency Worth Billions
This one still feels surreal. The Dogecoin cryptocurrency launched in December 2013, based entirely on the Doge meme. What started as a joke about a Shiba Inu became a digital currency. Between April 3 and 7, 2023, Elon Musk replaced Twitter’s bird logo with an image of Doge for all website users, showing just how mainstream this dog-inspired currency became.
The fact that a meme of a dog created a multi-billion-dollar financial instrument is perhaps the most mind-bending example of canine cultural influence in human history.
4. They Revolutionized How Brands Market to Consumers
Starbucks launched the Pup Cup – a small cup of whipped cream – in 2015, with many owners citing it as one of the top reasons they haven’t changed their walking routes over time. This gesture sparked a notable trend in dog-focused marketing strategies.
Companies that meaningfully leverage brand partnerships with pet influencers can increase their exposure, boost their engagement rates, and create deeper connections with their target audiences. Pet influencer marketing has become so sophisticated that brands increasingly partner with pet influencers, recognizing their marketing potential and often achieving better results than with human influencers.
5. They Transformed Entertainment and Celebrity Culture
Doug the Pug has appeared with various stars, including Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, and Cole Sprouse, showed up in Katy Perry’s music video for “Swish Swish” and even has his own holiday in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, Doug the Pug Day. Dogs aren’t just appearing alongside celebrities—they’re becoming celebrities in their own right.
Studies showed a spike in Collie adoptions for 20 years following Lassie’s release, and the chihuahua became the most popular dog breed in LA, making up 15.6% of the city’s registered dog population as of 2016, partly due to Paris Hilton’s chihuahua Tinkerbell.
6. They Changed How We Name Our Pets (And Kids)
Pop culture’s influence on dog naming has reached unprecedented levels. In 2019, 24% more dogs were named Sansa, after the Queen in the North in Game of Thrones, while Marvel characters proved popular among dog owners, with 44% more dogs named Spider-Man and 12% more dogs named Thor.
2025’s music scene promises to influence puppy names even more, with potential names from the Oasis reunion like Liam and Noel, or trendy names from artists like Lana Del Rey, Sam Fender, Tyler the Creator, and Sabrina Carpenter.
7. They Created Billion-Dollar Industries We Never Knew We Needed
The global dog subscription box market has been increasing steadily for several years, with no slowing down in sight between 2024 and 2031. Pet furniture featuring hand-stitched upholstery and orthopedic cushions are selling for as much as $2,000, making up a significant proportion of the total pet furniture market, which is expected to hit $5.13 billion by 2027.
The global pet wearable market is projected to reach $6.83 billion by 2030, with an incredible CAGR of 18.6% from 2022-2030. From GPS trackers to fitness monitors, dogs are driving technology innovation in ways we never imagined.
8. They Redefined Travel and Hospitality
Around 78% of U.S. pet owners travel with their pets each year, and 58% of new pet owners voiced their need for pet-friendly accommodations while traveling. This massive shift forced entire industries to adapt.
Recent findings indicate 38% of those between 18-34 years old report they often travel with pets, with 55% of dog owners altering their travel plans to accommodate their pets. Hotels, airlines, and car companies have all redesigned services specifically for dog-owning customers, creating an entirely new segment of the travel industry.
9. They Democratized Fame and Content Creation
Perhaps most significantly, dogs proved that you don’t need to be human to build a massive following and cultural influence. Pet influencers have become a major trend on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and it’s one of the fastest growing influencer niches.
Videos and pictures of cute animals are making rounds on almost every social media platform, leading to a new category of influencers – pet influencers who create and run social media accounts specifically made to highlight their dogs. This democratization of fame has inspired millions of pet owners to see their animals not just as companions but as potential content creators and cultural contributors.
Over the past decade, dogs haven’t just been part of pop culture—they’ve had a part in shaping it. From inspiring new languages and currencies to building billion-dollar industries and redefining celebrity, dogs and those who love them have proven that cultural influence comes in all shapes, sizes, and species. Given current trends, it seems likely that their impact on pop culture is just beginning.
