This post will talk about dogs in the Bible!
Dogs are mentioned many times in the Bible, but what is the only dog breed specifically mentioned in the Bible? The answer may surprise you!
Over the past few months, I have been researching about dogs because my children are interested in adding a new family member 🐕 (a dog). So, I was inspired to write this post with the intense research and numerous rabbit holes I fell into! 🤣
In this heartwarming post, I will answer the question that is the topic of this blog post…. plus, I will give you lots of bonus information about dogs in the Bible! I also share my vision of animals in heaven and a movie that brought me so much joy when I lost my first puppy when I was a toddler.
Read on to find out!
What is the only dog breed specifically mentioned in the Bible?
A few different dogs are mentioned in the Bible, but the Greyhound is the only one expressly referred to by name.
There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
Proverbs 30:29-31
The Greyhound is the fastest of all dogs. Therefore, with the verse “against whom there is no rising up.” This means that perhaps if there were a race between all dogs, the Greyhound would win every time. We all know that the Greyhound has a top speed of 45 miles per hour. This verse shows how highly God values all his creation and the uniqueness of this dog breed. Every dog breed is special to Him!
This verse perhaps also has a spiritual application. Just as the Greyhound is the fastest of all dogs, God’s people should be the fastest in spreading his word and bringing salvation to others. We should be zealous in our efforts to proclaim the Good News and not let anything slow us down. Like the Greyhound, we should be determined to run the race and win the prize
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24
Truth or speculation?… Greyhound translations in the Bible
When I was doing my research, I found that some people said that the translation of “greyhound” was probably wrong. Why? “Greyhound” is the King James Version translation of the Hebrew words zarzir mothnayim, meaning literally “one girded in loins.” So, I see why some folks are confused about it.
However, I found two things that piqued my interest and reassured me that the Greyhound is indeed the breed mentioned in Proverbs, even after translation. One is from a biblical commentary and the other from the British Museum.
Here are the quotes:
If the text stands, there appears to be no better rendering than “girt in the loins,” which might fairly be taken to refer to a war horse or to a greyhound. The Persian Greyhound would in that case be understood, a hairy race, which, according to the Royal Natural History, is less fleet than the English breed and is used in chasing gazelles and in hunting the wild ass, and which according to Doughty (Arabia Deseria) is kept by the Bedouin. “These dogs are said to be sometimes girdled by their owners to prevent them from over-eating and becoming fat”
L. Fletcher, British Museum (Natural History)
The Greyhound, the “girt in the loins” but what this beast is we do not distinctly know. It is most likely that this was the Greyhound, which in the East are remarkably fine, and very fleet. Scarcely any thing can be conceived to go with greater fleetness, in full chase, than a greyhound with its prey in view: it seems to swim over the earth.
Adam Clarke, LL.D., F.S.A., &c. from CLARKE’S COMMENTARY- PROVERBS
So, I end by saying, per my research, I’m convinced that the Greyhound is the only breed mentioned in the Bible! Sweet!
How many times are dogs mentioned in the Bible?
Dogs have been companions to humans for centuries, and it’s no wonder that they are specifically mentioned in the Bible. They are known for their loyalty, courage, and faithfulness, and they remain an essential part of many cultures today.
Dogs are mentioned about 41 times in the Bible. The New Testament is mentioned 32 times in Hebrew and nine times in the Old Testament in Greek.
Bible Gateway has a complete list of the verses in chronological order.
Bible verses about dogs
As I begin, I want to mention the following important note! The Bible is full of exciting stories and metaphors that can be interpreted in many different ways.
In the Bible, the word dog is used both literally and metaphorically. Dogs have been used as symbols of strength, loyalty, and submission for centuries, and their role in biblical stories will continue to be explored.
Despite the negative connotations that some verses or metaphors dogs have in the Bible, they are still part of God’s creation. We should love them, be kind, and care for them.
Although there are many more verses; here are a few verses I’ve chosen that talk about dogs:
- Dogs were also used as herding animals. ( Job 30:1)
- Dogs were considered unclean animals and were not allowed in the temple or to eat any of the sacrifices. (Leviticus 11:27)
- In the New Testament, Paul metaphorically refers to false teachers as “dogs.” (Philippians 3:2)
Bottom line- Dogs are loyal and obedient creatures and can be a great help to humans. They are loved and valued by God.
Beware of dogs Bible meaning
As stated earlier, dogs were often used as metaphors for people who were wicked and evil. I found another commentary that explains this so well, so I will include it!
Meaning of “Beware of dogs” — Unclean, unholy, rapacious men, who, though they fawn and flatter, would devour you as dogs. He probably gave them this appellation also, because they barked against the doctrines of the gospel, and against its faithful teachers, and were ready to bite and tear all who opposed their errors. Our Lord used the word dogs in the same sense, when he commanded his apostles not to give that which is holy to dogs. Perhaps, by calling them dogs, the apostle might intend to signify likewise, that, in the sight of God, they were now become as abominable, for crucifying Christ, and persecuting his apostles, as the idolatrous heathen were in the eyes of the Jews; who, to express their detestation of them, gave them the name of dogs; a title which the apostle therefore here returns upon themselves.
Meaning of “Beware of evil workers” — Of those Judaizing teachers, who, while they cry up the law, and pretend to be strenuous advocates for good works, are, in fact, evil workers; sowing the seeds of discord, strife, contention, and division, among the simple, humble, and formerly united members of Christ, and acting in direct opposition, not only to the gospel, the true nature of which they do not understand, but even to the most important precepts and grand design of the law itself, for the honour of which they appear to be so zealous.
Benson Commentary on Bible Hub
Are dogs evil in the Bible?
No, dogs are not evil in the Bible!
As stated earlier, the word dog is used both literally and metaphorically in the Bible. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that a dog, a beautiful creation of our Lord is evil!
Let’s also remember that God stated that all his creation was good!
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Genesis 1:31
Do dogs have souls bible verse
It’s a question that has been asked for centuries because people are curious about what happens to dogs when they die? Are they sent to heaven or hell like people?
The Bible doesn’t say what happens to dogs when they die, but there is a verse that sheds some light on the matter.
Genesis 7:15 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life (KJV)
Noah was instructed to put animals on the ark that had the breath of life. This includes the dog!
This is the same breath of life that was breathed into Adam!
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Another thing is that man sinned, not pets.
So, what’s the answer? In my opinion, yes! They go to heaven!
Dream of dog biblical symbol meaning
Dreams about dogs can symbolize various things.
Consider the following as it pertains to your dream:
- Breed of the dog
- The context of the dream
- Background and scene of the dream.
For example, some dreams may portray dogs negatively and might symbolize feelings of anger or hostility. A friendly dog dream might symbolize feelings of love and protection. And a dog that is wagging its tail might symbolize happiness or joy.
According to Unlocking Your Dreams, a biblical dream interpretation site, the following are possible interpretations for dogs in dreams:
Negative interpretation: unbelievers; religious hypocrites
Positive interpretation: loyalty, friendship, or faithfulness
I wrote a blog post about the importance dreams here: 7 Steps to Biblical Interpretation of Dreams. Feel free to read it after you are done with this post.
Humans are stewards of God’s creation, including dogs!
In Genesis, God sets out the order of creation and includes both man and beasts of the field. Man is given dominion over all the animals and is told to name them.
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Dogs are included in humanity’s dominion over the animals. When God gave humans “dominion” over the earth, it meant that we are to care for the animals to the best of our ability. This means that we should treat dogs with kindness and respect.
Dogs are an essential part of our lives, and we should treat them as such.
All dogs go to heaven movie
Dogs are amazing creatures and bring a lot of joy to our lives. When I was a few years old, I had a puppy named “foxy,” and she was the most beautiful puppy. She died, and I never forgot her. I even had a funeral with a makeshift box and cross.💔
So when I watched this 1989 movie, I knew that Foxy is in heaven and is perhaps waiting for me in my mansion. Or possibly keeping the children in heaven busy! (likely so!)
The 1989 movie “All Dogs Go To Heaven” tells the story of a dog named Charlie who is killed by a gangster🥺(what on earth!).
However, he is able to return to earth for a brief period of time in order to save his friend, a young orphan girl named Anne-Marie. The film is filled with touching moments between Charlie and Anne-Marie and the other dogs who help Charlie on his quest.
Here is the trailer:
Spoiler Alert! 😭
At the end of the film, Charlie returns to heaven but not before making sure Anne-Marie is taken care of. The movie concludes with the message that “all dogs go to heaven” – a sentiment that is sure to bring a smile to any dog lover’s face.
I will digress…. Golly! The movie had some strange themes of “thugs” and other things. I wouldn’t recommend any child to watch this movie. However, I’m still grateful for the film at that time because this was the only movie that my childhood brain could process. It was the only information available to me at that time.
Anyways, whether you’re a religious person or not, the story of dogs in the Bible is fascinating. And what could be more heartwarming than the idea of all dogs going to heaven?
Our family sheepdogs!
I am so excited about this portion of my post; I could scream! 🤩LOL
I am from a nomadic tribe in Kenya. We rely on sheep, goats, and cows for our survival.
Our family farm was located in one of the coldest places in Kenya. Temperatures fall to 5°C/41°F or even lower at times.
We had two lovely helpers for the sheep that assisted the shepherds in our tribe. Can you guess who they were?… Sheepdogs! Oh, my goodness! They were the sweetest dogs, and it’s incredible how they understood our native language Kalenjin.
With one prompt, they would help whoever was shepherding the sheep. They did a quick round-up! I was really short, so I would easily get overwhelmed with the sheep, but the sheepdogs would be keen to assist.
In short- dogs are so beautiful!
My vision of heaven (pets and animals)
I once had a vision of heaven. It was moving. One day I will go into detail about it.
Just as a highlight of the vision… I saw vibrant colors in heaven… very, very vibrant. Like none that I have ever seen on this earth. I also saw animals!
Some of the animals I saw would be considered “wild” or “game animals,” as the world today refers them to…However, they weren’t scary. I didn’t feel threatened; I remember having this peace around them. One day I will sit down on my YouTube channel and discuss this vision (in detail!).
Why am I telling you this? I’m convinced that we will live in perfect harmony with animals once more in heaven, just as we did in the Garden of Eden.
Poem about pets in heaven (pet loss)
I found this beautiful and heartwarming poem that will help anyone who has gone through pet loss. The title of the poem is “Rainbow Bridge.”
A man’s best friend…What are the benefits of having a dog?
Yes, I will include this because I think it’s just lovely! Again, it’s also part of my research…
Overall, dogs make wonderful companions and provide many important benefits to their owners. There are many benefits of owning a dog, both for the owner and the dog itself. ❤️
- Dogs provide their owners with companionship, love, and loyalty.
- They can also help reduce stress levels and promote cardiovascular health.
- Dogs also offer important social and emotional support to people living alone or who have disabilities.
- In addition, dogs can serve as protectors and help with tasks such as search and rescue.
There are many different breeds of dogs, each with its own unique personality and abilities. Some people believe that God has given specific breeds of dogs to humans for a particular purpose.
Whether you believe this or not, there is no doubt that dogs are an important part of our lives. Thanks be to God for his wonderful creatures, including dogs!
And that’s it, folks; the answer to “what is the only dog breed specifically mentioned in the bible?”
I pray that this blog post has blessed you! I’m so in awe of God’s creation.
If you know anyone who loves dogs or has a greyhound! Please share the post!
Hugs!
Dog’s in the Bible FAQ’s
What is the Only Dog Breed Specifically Mentioned in the Bible?
A few different dogs are mentioned in the Bible, but the Greyhound is the only one expressly referred to by name. Per Proverbs 30:29-31, “There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.”