Dog in Spanish | 8 Words & Examples
There are various ways to say dog in Spanish, including:
- Perro
- Can
- Cánido
- Cachorro
- Chucho
- Firulais
- Lomito
- Sabueso
How to say dog in Spanish
The most universal way to say dog in Spanish is “perro.” However, depending on what you want to express and where you are in the Spanish-speaking world, there are other words you can use, too.
Perro
“Perro” (pronounced peh-rroh) means dog in Spanish. This is a neutral world that’s understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
“Perro” is a masculine noun, meaning any determiners and adjectives that accompany it must also be masculine. For example, “a dog” would be “un perro,” and “the black dog” would be “el perro negro.”
If you’re speaking about a female dog, you can use “perra.” Only use “perra” in contexts where you know the dog in question (e.g., your pet) or where the gender is relevant (e.g., you’re a breeder). When using “perra,” use feminine determiners and adjectives.
You can also add the suffix “-ito/a” to a word to express smallness or affection. “Perrito” is commonly used to affectionately say dog in Spanish; in English, its translation would be closer to “doggy” or “puppy.”
¿Te gusta más el perro blanco o la perra negra? [Do you like the white male dog or the black female dog better?]
¡Mira ese perrito en su chaquetita! [Look at that doggy in his little jacket!]
Can
“Can” (pronounced kahn) is a more formal way to say dog in Spanish. “Can” is often used in literary or scientific contexts or to describe dogs in a symbolic sense. You won’t hear “can” in everyday Spanish, though.
El noble can miraba con devoción a su amo. [The noble dog looked devotedly at his owner.]
En algunas culturas, el can es considerado un protector espiritual. [In some cultures, the dog is considered a spiritual protector.]
Cánido
“Cánido” (pronounced kah-nih-doh) translates as “canine” or “canid” in English and is used in scientific contexts. It can mean dog in Spanish when talking about dogs as a part of their biological family.
El cánido domesticado ha convivido con los humanos durante miles de años. [The domesticated dog has lived alongside humans for millions of years.]
Perros, lobos, zorros, chacales, y hienas son todos cánidos. [Dogs, wolves, foxes, jackals, and hyenas are all canids.]
Cachorro
“Cachorro” (pronounced kah-choh-rroh) means “puppy” when referring to baby dogs or “cub” when referring to other baby animals (e.g., bears, wolves, wildcats). It can also mean dog in Spanish when affectionately talking about an adult dog as a “puppy.”
You can use “cachorra” when you want to highlight that a puppy or cub is female. And if you want to add even more endearment to this term, you could use “cachorrito” or “cachorrita.”
La cachorra está aprendiendo a caminar. [The female puppy is learning to walk.]
El cachorro de tigre jugaba con su madre en la selva. [The tiger cub played with its mother in the jungle.]
Chucho
“Chucho” (pronounced choo-choh) is a less formal way to say dog in Spanish. It also translates as “mongrel” or “mutt.”
“Chucho” is used throughout Spain and Latin America to affectionately refer to a dog. However, in some regions, it can carry a slightly derogatory connotation, especially when used to refer to strays and mixed-breed dogs.
Use “chucha” if you want to highlight that the dog is female. Take note that “chucha” has other meanings—including vulgar ones—in Latin America. When in doubt, use “perra” instead.
Este chucho está cansado después de jugar tanto. [The dog is tired after playing so much.]
¡Quítame ese chucho de encima! No me gustan los perros sucios. [Get that dog off of me! I don’t like dirty dogs.]
Firulais
“Firulais” (pronounced fih-rooh-lies) is a whimsical way to say dog in Spanish. It’s popular in Mexico and El Salvador, and it’s sometimes used in Spain. Legend says “firulais” comes from the English phrase “free of lice.”
“Firulais” usually refers to strays or mutts. It can also be a proper noun used as a stand-in when you don’t know a dog’s name (similar to “Fido” or “Rover” in English).
Ese firulais siempre se mete en mi jardín. [That dog always gets into my garden.]
Vi a un firulais ladrando en la esquina, pero no sé de quién es. [I saw a dog barking in the corner, but I don’t know whose it is.]
Lomito
“Lomito” (pronounced loh-mee-toh) is an affectionate and cute way to say dog in Spanish. When translated literally, “lomito” means “little loin,” but colloquially it means “little dog.” “Lomito” is often used to refer to small dogs, and the term is most common in Mexico.
Mi abuela tiene un lomito y un gato. [My grandmother has a little dog and a cat.]
Este lomito es muy vago; pasa todo el día en el sofá. [This little dog is so lazy; he spends all day on the sofa.]
Sabueso
“Sabueso” (pronounced sah-bweh-soh) means “hound” or “bloodhound” in English. It could be used to more generally mean dog in Spanish to highlight any dog’s curious nature or ability to sniff something out. “Sabuesos” are often used by police and hunters.
El sabueso fue esencial para la caza en las montañas. [The hound was essential for hunting in the mountains.]
Mi sabueso olfatea todo lo que encuentra. [My dog sniffs everything it finds.]
You can use “sabuesa” if it’s relevant that the dog is female. Remember that when you use a feminine form, all adjectives and determiners must also be in the feminine gender.
A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you use gender consistently and correctly in Spanish.
Frequently asked questions about dog in Spanish
- How do you say corn dog in Spanish?
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“Corn dog” in Spanish can be “corn dog,” “perrito rebozado,” or “perrito de maíz.”
“Corn dog” (pronounced cohrn dohg) is a noun that was imported to Spanish from English.
“Perrito rebozado” (pronounced peh-rrih-toh reh-boh-sah-doh) translates literally as “little battered dog.” “Perrito” is the diminutive of dog in Spanish, and the adjective “rebozado” means “battered.”
“Perrito de maíz” (pronounced peh-rrih-toh deh mah-eez) uses the prepositional phrase “de maiz” [“of corn”] and translates literally as “little dog of corn.”
Use a QuillBot Grammar Check to check that you’re using these words correctly.
- How do you say puppy in Spanish?
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“Puppy” in Spanish is “cachorro” (pronounced kah-choh-rroh).
“Cachorro” can refer to a literal puppy. It can also affectionately refer to an adult dog in Spanish, similar to how you can call a grown dog a “puppy” in English.
QuillBot’s free Translator can help you translate words like these from Spanish to English.
- What are some common dog names in Spanish?
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Some common dog names in Spanish are:
- Max
- Toby
- Chiquito [“little one”]
- Chorizo [“sausage”]
- Oso [“bear”]
- Luna [“moon”]
- Coco [“coconut”]
- Bella [“beautiful”]
- Canela [“cinnamon”]
- Chispa [“spark”]
Just like in English, names are proper nouns and get capitalized.
If you’d like to name your dog in Spanish, you can also use QuillBot’s free Translator to help you translate other words.
- What are some dog commands in Spanish?
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Some dog commands in Spanish are:
- Quieto [“stay”]
- Siéntate [“sit”]
- Abajo [“down”]
- Suelta [“let go” or “drop it”]
- Dame la pata [“give me your paw”]
- Trae [“fetch”]
- Ven [“come”]
These phrases all use the imperative mood.
If there’s something else you’d like to tell your dog in Spanish, you can translate it with QuillBot’s free Translator.
- How do you say prairie dog in Spanish?
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“Prairie dog” in Spanish is “perro de las praderas” (pronounced peh-rroh deh lahs prah-deh-rahs).
“Perro” is dog in Spanish. “De” is the preposition “of.” “Las” is the determiner “the” modifying the plural noun “praderas” [“prairies”].
QuillBot’s free Translator can help you translate phrases like this one from English to Spanish.
