If you’ve ever scrolled through Chelsea Handler’s Instagram for more than thirty seconds, you know her life isn't just about stand-up specials or political rants. It’s mostly about dogs. Specifically, large, fluffy, somewhat judgmental-looking dogs.
Chelsea Handler isn't exactly the "white picket fence" type, but when it comes to her pups, she’s basically a suburban stage mom. There’s a specific kind of chaos that comes with being a chelsea handler dog, and honestly, it’s probably better than most human lives. We're talking private jets, high-end Bel Air real estate, and occasionally being dragged down a ski slope in a backpack.
But it hasn't always been easy. If you've followed her for a while, you know the heartbreak of the Chunk and Tammy era. Losing a dog is brutal, but losing two in the span of a few months? That's the kind of stuff that changes a person. Chelsea didn't just wallow, though. She did what she always does: she got more dogs.
The Current Reign of Bert and Bernice
Right now, the household is run by Bert and Bernice. They are Chow Chow rescues, which seems to be Chelsea’s "type." If you’ve seen her 2022 Revolution special, she basically admits she has a type for everything—including her pets. She likes them slow. She likes them overweight. She wants a dog that looks like a "meatloaf" and isn't interested in going for a five-mile hike.
Bert and Bernice are essentially the successors to the throne.
Bert is often described as the "big fat potato" of the duo. He’s the snuggler. Bernice, on the other hand, has been jokingly called "a little bitch" by Chelsea because she’s got that classic Chow attitude. You know the one—where they look at you like you’re an intern who just messed up their coffee order.
Earlier in 2024, Chelsea caught some major heat for a birthday video where she was skiing with them. She had one dog in a backpack and the other in her arms while holding a cocktail and a joint. People on the internet did what they do best: they freaked out. PETA-adjacent commenters were worried about the safety of the "meatloaves" on the slopes. Honestly, knowing Chelsea, those dogs probably have better health insurance and a higher net worth than most of the people commenting.
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Why Chows?
It’s a specific choice. Chow Chows aren't for everyone. They are notoriously stubborn, independent, and can be wary of strangers. But for someone like Chelsea, who value’s her own independence and has a pretty thick skin, they seem like the perfect match. They don't need constant validation, and neither does she.
Remembering Chunk and Tammy: The OG Sidekicks
You can't talk about a chelsea handler dog without talking about Chunk. Chunk was more than a pet; he was a co-star. He was a German Shepherd-Chow mix that she rescued from a kill shelter back in 2009 when he was already nine years old.
Think about that for a second. Most people want a puppy. Chelsea took a senior dog from a kill shelter and turned him into a celebrity. Chunk was on the cover of her book Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. He had a Twitter account with over 100,000 followers. He was a permanent fixture on her Netflix show.
When Chunk passed away in January 2018, it was a legitimate pop culture event. Chelsea’s tribute to him was gut-wrenching. She talked about how he loved being recognized in public, even when she wasn't with him.
Then there was Tammy.
Tammy was the "bear." Chelsea found her at a pound in Long Beach and described her as the "ugliest-looking dog" she could find. It was love at first sight. Tammy only had two years with Chelsea before she passed away from renal failure in August 2017, but she lived those two years in the lap of luxury in Bel Air.
The back-to-back loss of Tammy and Chunk is what led her to Bert and Bernice. It wasn't about replacing them—she’s been very vocal about that. It was about honoring the space they left.
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The Pet Psychic and the Xanax Incident
Chelsea’s relationship with her dogs isn't all sentimental Instagram posts. It’s also weird. Like, "taking them to a pet psychic on national television" weird.
In 2022, she took Bert and Bernice to see a psychic on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Why? Because there was "tension" in the house. Apparently, Bert and Bernice were having some sibling rivalry issues. The psychic told Chelsea that Chunk (from the great beyond) said his purpose was to teach Chelsea her "self-worth."
Chelsea’s reaction? "I hope he didn't fail."
Then there's the famous Xanax story. If you haven't heard this one, it’s peak Chelsea. She once accidentally took her dog’s Xanax instead of her own and ended up unable to return to Spain because she was so looped out. It’s a reminder that in the Handler household, the line between human and dog is very, very thin.
Advocacy: More Than Just Cute Photos
While the stories are funny, Chelsea is actually a serious advocate for rescue animals. She’s rescued nine dogs in her life. She’s been a vocal supporter of the "Adopt, Don't Shop" movement long before it was a trendy hashtag.
She also got involved with Dog for Dog, a company where for every bag of food purchased, another is donated to a shelter. She’s sat on boards and used her platform to highlight senior dog adoption, which is notoriously difficult.
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Most people want the "new" version of a dog. Chelsea wants the one that’s been sitting in the corner of the shelter for six months because it’s "too old" or "not cute enough."
The "Type" Conflict
Chelsea did admit something pretty hilarious (and honest) in her recent 2026 tour stops. She confessed that while she’s rescued nine dogs, she’s actually "returned" four of them.
Before you cancel her, listen to the reason: she’s impulsive. She sees a dog, falls in love, brings it home, and then realizes she can't provide what that specific dog needs. It’s a nuanced take on rescue that most celebs wouldn't admit to. It’s better to return a dog to a place where it can find a better match than to keep it in a home where it’s not a fit. She knows she wants a "stationary" dog. If the dog wants to run marathons, it’s not going to work out with her.
What We Can Learn From Chelsea’s Dog Obsession
So, what’s the takeaway here? Is it just that she’s a rich lady with fluffy dogs? Sorta. But it’s also more than that.
- Senior Dogs are Gems: Chunk was a senior rescue and became the love of her life. Don't overlook the "old guys" at the shelter.
- Grief is Real: Losing a pet is a massive life event. Chelsea’s public mourning of Chunk and Tammy helped a lot of people feel less "crazy" for being devastated by the loss of a dog.
- Know Your Limits: If you aren't a "hike every morning" person, don't get a Border Collie. Get a Bert. Get a "meatloaf."
Chelsea Handler’s dogs live a life of luxury, sure. But they also provide a weirdly grounded look at a woman who is otherwise pretty untouchable. You can argue with her politics, you can hate her comedy, but you can’t really argue with a woman who spends her free time making sure rescue Chows are living their best lives on a private jet.
If you’re thinking about adopting, take a page out of the Handler book. Look for the one that looks a little bit like a grumpy old man. Look for the one that everyone else is passing over. Just maybe skip the part where you take them skiing with a margarita in your hand—unless you’ve got a really good backpack.
Practical Steps for Potential Adopters:
- Check your local municipal shelters first. These are often high-kill and need the most help.
- Consider a "foster-to-adopt" program. This allows you to see if the dog’s energy level actually matches yours before making it official.
- Don't ignore the seniors. Like Chunk, they often come house-trained and are just looking for a warm place to nap.