10 Famous Dogs with Statues You Can Visit

Dogs. We love them almost as much as they love stealing the warm spot on the sofa.

It's a bond that transcends borders, languages and the occasional chewed slipper.

And some of them have been such good boys that they've been immortalised in bronze and stone.

From loyal companions who waited decades for their humans to return to four-legged war heroes who saved countless lives, these famous dogs earned their place in history.

Celebrating International Dog Day

With International Dog Day coming up on 26th August, what better time to pay tribute to the world's most incredible canines?

Combine a love of dogs with travelling - pack your phone, grab an eSIM and head out to catch some of these magnificent monuments.

Because nothing says "I'm a dog person" quite like travelling across continents to photograph famous dog statues of legendary canines.

10 Famous Dogs with Statues You Can Visit

1. Greyfriars Bobby - Edinburgh, Scotland

Wikimedia Commons / Rock drum

Bobby was a Skye Terrier who became Edinburgh's most devoted resident.

When his owner, police constable John Gray, died in 1858, Bobby spent the next 14 years guarding his master's grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Rain or shine, snow or Scottish drizzle, Bobby refused to leave his side.

Locals were so moved by his dedication that they fed him daily and even paid for his dog license.

Today, the Edinburgh dog statue sits on the corner of Candlemaker Row and George IV Bridge.

Visitors rub his nose for luck; although I suspect Bobby would've preferred a belly rub.

2. Hachikō - Shibuya Station, Tokyo, Japan

Unsplash / Darel Low

From one famous loyal dog to another, Hachikō the pooch waited at Tokyo's Shibuya Station every day for nearly 10 years after his owner died.

Professor Hidesaburō Ueno would catch his train home from the station daily, and Hachikō would greet him there.

When the professor died suddenly in 1925, Hachikō continued his vigil.

Commuters began bringing him food and water, turning his story into an international sensation.

The bronze Hachiko dog statue outside Shibuya Station is now a popular meeting point.

It's also one of Tokyo's busiest photo spots, so you may have to queue alongside other visitors paying their respects to this legendary good boy.

3. Balto - Central Park, New York City, USA

Wikimedia Commons / Jim.Henderson

In 1925, a diphtheria outbreak threatened the children of Nome, Alaska. The nearest serum was 674 miles away in Anchorage.

Enter Balto, a Siberian Husky who led the final leg of an epic dog sled relay through a blizzard.

Balto's team covered an astonishing 674 miles in brutal conditions. The journey that became known as 'the Great Race of Mercy' and saved many lives.

This hardy dog was honoured with a bronze statue in Central Park that same year, with an inscription that reads: "Endurance, Fidelity, Intelligence". Not bad for a dog's CV.

4. Patsy Ann - Juneau, Alaska, USA

Wikimedia Commons / Gillfoto

Patsy Ann was a bull terrier who became Juneau's unofficial greeter.

Despite being deaf, she had an uncanny ability to predict when ships would arrive at the harbour.

She'd appear at the docks before anyone else knew a vessel was coming.

For 13 years, from 1929 to 1942, Patsy Ann met every ship that docked in Juneau. Passengers and crew members looked forward to her enthusiastic welcomes.

Her bronze dog statue on Juneau's waterfront captures her mid-bark, tail wagging furiously.

She was even named Juneau's official canine ambassador, a position she held until her death.

5. Sallie the Pit Bull - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Wikimedia Commons / Carptrash

Sallie Ann Jarrett was the canine mascot of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry and held her post during the American Civil War.

She marched with the troops, slept in their camps and even participated in battles.

At Gettysburg, Sallie became separated from her unit during the chaos.

Three days later, she was found guarding the bodies of fallen soldiers from her regiment, refusing to leave their sides.

Sallie was sadly killed in action in 1865. She was buried by her human comrades, who dropped their arms to dig her grave despite being under heavy fire. A true testament to her military contributions.

Her bronze dog statue is part of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument at Gettysburg National Military Park.

6. Fala - Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, Washington D.C., USA

Wikimedia Commons / Lyla0724

Fala was Former US President Franklin D Roosevelt's Scottish Terrier and perhaps America's most famous dog. He travelled with Roosevelt and attended important meetings.

He even sparked political controversy when Republicans accused the president of spending taxpayers' money to retrieve him from Alaska.

Roosevelt defended his beloved companion in a speech that became known as the Fala Speech, before securing his fourth presidential term.

Fala's bronze dog statue sits beside Roosevelt's at the FDR Memorial.

Visitors have worn patches in his bronze coat from all the petting, proving his charm still endures decades after his death.

7. Islay - Queen Victoria Building, Sydney, Australia

Wikimedia Commons / Sheba_Also

Islay was a Skye Terrier deemed to be Queen Victoria's favourite pet.

He's said to have sat up and begged for a biscuit every time the royal mistress entered the room.

When Islay died, a bronze statue was erected in his honour in Sydney, Australia. He's immortalised in his famous begging pose above a wishing well outside the Queen Victoria Building.

The statue was modelled using an 1843 sketch by Queen Victoria herself as a reference.

8. Barry the St. Bernard - Paris, France

Wikimedia Commons / Tommie Hansen

Barry the St. Bernard is a true Alpine legend who lived at the Great St. Bernard Hospice in the snowy passes between Martigny, Switzerland and Aosta, Italy.

In the early 1800s, he reportedly saved more than 40 people trapped in avalanches and snowdrifts.

His most famous rescue was a young boy he warmed back to life and carried to safety on his back.

Barry's heroism is honoured with a dog statue at the Cimetière des Chiens in Asnières-sur-Seine, just outside of Paris.

This peaceful cemetery is the world's oldest pet cemetery, founded in 1899. It's home to monuments for all kinds of beloved animals, but Barry is its most famous resident.

Strolling among the leafy avenues lined with ornate memorials feels a world away from central Paris.

And Barry's statue is the star attraction, making it a must-see for dog fans and history lovers alike.

9. Bastian the English Basset - Morro Jable, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain

Wikimedia Commons / Dietmar Rabich

In Morro Jable sits a statue of former West German chancellor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Willy Brandt.

And right beside him is his beloved English basset, Bastian.

Brandt, seeking respite from Cold War politics, vacationed here back in 1972. He was often seen strolling the shoreline with the ever-faithful Bastian by his side.

Their image - a statesman and his loyal hound barefoot on the sand - was widely circulated, putting Fuerteventura on the tourist map. 

In 2017, the local council commissioned sculptor Rafael Gómez González to immortalise that iconic moment in bronze.

The result is a touching tribute to a statesman's off‑duty bond with his pup. It's in a setting so tranquil that it's practically impossible not to pop online and share the touching tribute on your travels.

10. Smoky the Yorkshire Terrier - Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Wikimedia Commons / Aphillcsa

Weighing just four pounds and standing seven inches tall, Smoky was an unlikely American war hero.

During World War II, this tiny Yorkshire Terrier served in the Pacific, completing over 150 air raids and earning eight battle stars.

Her most famous feat involved crawling through a 70-foot drainage pipe to lay telegraph wire.

This saved her fellow soldiers from having to dig dangerous trenches under enemy fire. 

Smoky's memorial is in Cleveland's Rocky River Reservation, her final resting place when she died aged 14.

Her statue is modelled on a famous photo of her sitting with a smile inside a soldier's helmet. A reminder that heroes come in all species and sizes.

Famous Dogs - More Than Just Statues

These dog statues are more than attractions. They're monuments to the extraordinary bond between humans and dogs.

It's a unique relationship that spans cultures, continents and centuries.

Each statue tells a story of loyalty, courage or unconditional love.

They remind us why we've shared our lives with dogs for thousands of years. And why we'll continue doing so long into the future.

Whether you're a dedicated dog lover or simply enjoy unique travel experiences, these statues offer something special.

They're conversation starters, photo opportunities and gentle reminders of the joy dogs bring to our lives.

Ready to Start Your Famous Dogs Statue Adventure?

Planning epic walkies to visit these famous dog statues? Don't let roaming charges bite into your travel budget.

Travel eSIMs from Airalo keep you connected while avoiding nasty surprise bills when you return home.

Grab a Discover+ eSIM for global coverage. Or choose regional options like an eSIM for Europe to explore multiple countries.

Perfect for sharing those statue selfies and navigating between monuments.

After all, every dog deserves their day and every traveller deserves affordable data.

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