You've probably seen them everywhere. Those bright, chunky graphic novels with the goofy dog-headed cop on the cover. They are in every classroom, every library, and let’s be honest, probably under your kid's bed right now. But if you are trying to complete a collection or just want to know when the next one drops, figuring out the dog man no. of books can be surprisingly tricky.
Is it 12? 14? Does the coloring book count?
Honestly, it depends on who you ask, but if we are talking about the main "canonical" series written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey, there is a very specific number you need to know.
The Official Count: Dog Man No. of Books as of 2026
Right now, as we sit here in early 2026, there are 14 main books in the Dog Man series.
The most recent release, Dog Man: Big Jim Believes, hit shelves in November 2025. It was a huge deal because it followed Big Jim Begins, which came out in late 2024. Pilkey has been on a roll lately, shifting the focus a bit toward the origin stories of characters like Big Jim and even Grampa. It's kinda wild how a series about a dog-headed cop has turned into this deep multi-generational family saga, but hey, that's why kids love it.
If you are looking for a quick checklist to see what you're missing, here is the current lineup:
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- Dog Man (The one where it all starts)
- Dog Man: Unleashed
- Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties (Introduces Li'l Petey—the real MVP)
- Dog Man and Cat Kid
- Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas
- Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild
- Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls
- Dog Man: Fetch-22
- Dog Man: Grime and Punishment
- Dog Man: Mothering Heights
- Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea
- Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder
- Dog Man: Big Jim Begins (Released Dec 2024)
- Dog Man: Big Jim Believes (Released Nov 2025)
But wait. There’s more. There is always more with Dav Pilkey.
What about Book 15?
If you've already burned through all fourteen, you're likely wondering about the next one. The 15th Dog Man book is currently slated for a November 2026 release. We don’t have a full title yet—it’s often just referred to as "Dog Man 15" in industry circles—but rumors from the Dog Man Wiki and fan forums suggest it will continue the "Big Jim" arc and likely feature the return of Petey in a big way.
The Spin-offs: Do They Count?
This is where the dog man no. of books question gets messy. If you want the entire universe, you have to look at the Cat Kid Comic Club.
There are currently 5 books in that series (with a 6th expected later in 2026). Then you’ve got the activity books. The Dog Man with Love coloring book, the sticker books, and the Guide to Creating Comics in 3D. If you add all those plus the upcoming movie tie-ins, the number jumps from 14 to well over 20.
Basically, if your kid says they "have them all," check if they mean the hardcovers or the whole shelf.
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Why the Number Keeps Growing (and Why We Care)
It's sort of incredible. Dav Pilkey didn't just write a funny book; he built a gateway drug for reading.
I remember talking to a librarian friend who said her "Dog Man" copies are the most repaired books in the building. They literally fall apart from being read so much. The reason the series keeps expanding—now reaching that 15-book milestone—is that Pilkey taps into something very human.
He deals with redemption. Petey the Cat starts as a pure villain and turns into a struggling, loving father. That’s heavy stuff for a comic about a dog who likes to roll in dead fish.
The "Big Jim" era we are in right now is proof that the series is maturing. Big Jim Begins and Big Jim Believes explore themes of positivity and innocence in a way that feels different from the early "slapstick" days of book one. It's evolution, plain and simple.
The Movie Factor
Let's not forget the movie. With the DreamWorks film bringing Dog Man to the big screen, Scholastic is amping up production. We are seeing more "special editions" and "collectors sets" than ever before. This usually means the gap between books might stay at that roughly one-per-year cadence we’ve seen recently.
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How to Organize Your Collection
If you're a parent or a collector trying to keep track of the dog man no. of books, the best way is to stick to the numbered spine. Scholastic makes it easy—each main book has a clear number on the side.
- Priority 1: Books 1 through 14. This is the "Main Quest."
- Priority 2: Cat Kid Comic Club 1-5. This is the "Side Quest."
- Priority 3: The "Captain Underpants" overlap. Remember, Dog Man technically "debuted" in Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers.
If you have those 14 main titles, you are officially up to date.
What to Do Next
Don't just stare at the shelf. If you've hit the limit of the current 14 books, there are a few things you can do to keep the momentum going while waiting for Book 15 in November.
First, check out the Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga. It’s a fresh take on Pilkey’s older work, releasing in April 2026, and it’s a great bridge for kids who are starting to outgrow the simpler Dog Man panels but aren't ready to leave the humor behind.
Second, if you're missing the newer ones like Big Jim Believes, grab the hardcover now. The prices usually fluctuate, but they are most affordable right after the holiday rush or during "back to school" sales.
Keep an eye on the official Scholastic site or your local indie bookstore for the Book 15 title reveal. It usually happens about six months before the release date, so expect some news around May or June 2026.
Until then, just keep reading. Or drawing. As Pilkey always says: "Be Creative!"