Dog Proverbs, by Country—
Folk Wisdom of the Ages

Have you ever wondered what "the people" thought about dogs? Well, these dog proverbs, by country, will shed some light (and maybe some hair) on your questions. Or maybe not (some of these proverbs left me wondering).

Some are about dogs, and some use canines to describe human behaviour. And others, even more obliquely, use canine behaviour as advice on human relations.

There is another page of dog proverbs by country (yes, there are that many of them). Click on the link at the bottom of the page to read them.

A dog knows the places he is thrown food.

A stranger in town is like a white dog, he gets noticed immediately.

Do not call to a dog with a whip in your hand.

The lion does not turn around when a small dog barks.

African Dog Proverbs

Dogs do not actually prefer bones to meat,it is just that no one ever gives them meat.

Akan (west Africa) Proverb

A wise man associating with the vicious becomes an idiot; a dog traveling with good men becomes a rational being.

Arabian Proverb

If a sane dog fights a mad dog, it's the sane dog's ear that is bitten off.

Burmese Proverb

A good dog does not block the road.

Better to be a dog in times of peace than a human being in times of trouble.

From the lowly perspective of a dog's eyes, everyone looks short.

One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him.

Out of a dog's mouth will never come ivory tusks.

The black dog gets the food; the white dog gets the blame.

To be followed home by a stray dog is a sign of impending wealth.

Chinese Dog Proverbs

An honest man is not the worse because a dog barks at him.

Relatives are the worst friends, said the fox as the dogs took after him.

The dog's kennel is not the place to keep a sausage.

Danish Dog Proverbs

The barking of a dog does not disturb the man on a camel.

Egyptian Proverb

He that would hang his dog gives out first that he is mad.

English Proverb

It is home to a dog after he has been there three nights.

Finnish Proverb

A dog in the kitchen asks for no company.

The best thing about a man is his dog.

French Dog Proverbs

A fence lasts three years, a dog lasts three fences, a horse lasts three dogs, and a man lasts three horses.

The fatter the flea the leaner the dog.

The silent dog is the first to bite.

To live long, eat like a cat, drink like a dog.

German Dog Proverbs

Children aren't dogs; adults aren't gods.

Haitian Proverb

Dog Proverbs by Country, Page 2