Doggone History cover art

Doggone History

Doggone History

Written by: Rich Napolitano
Listen for free

Doggone History is a light-hearted look at the history of dogs, one breed at a time. From windswept deserts to misty Scottish Highlands, every breed carries a story shaped by centuries of partnership with humans. Each episode takes a close look at the history, characteristics and personality that define the breed in the modern world, and their popularity in our culture. Because every dog has a history. And every history deserves a good belly rub.Copyright Nautilus Media, LLC. All rights reserved. World
Episodes
  • Golden Retrievers: Gentle Giants

    Golden Retrievers: Gentle Giants
    Jul 15 2026
    They're the goofy grin in every "good boy" meme, the go-to breed for therapy dogs, guide dogs, and family portraits alike. But where did the Golden Retriever actually come from? This episode digs into the surprisingly aristocratic origins of America's (and honestly, the world's) favorite good boy. We're heading to the misty highlands of 19th-century Scotland, where a wealthy nobleman named Dudley Marjoribanks, Lord Tweedmouth, set out to breed the perfect gundog for retrieving waterfowl on his sprawling estate. What he ended up creating was a dog so friendly, so trainable, and so photogenic that it would eventually conquer living rooms far beyond the Scottish moors. Hear how Golden Retrievers went from a working gundog to Kennel Club recognition, its arrival across the Atlantic, and how it became one of the most beloved breeds in the world, not to mention a Hollywood regular and a White House favorite. Along the way: a few myths debunked, a lot of tail wags, and the answer to why Goldens seem constitutionally incapable of holding a grudge. Grab your good boy (or girl) and settle in — it's time to fetch some history. 🐾 New episodes every Wednesday. Full episode and transcript at doggonehistory.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • Border Collies: The World's Smartest Dogs

    Border Collies: The World's Smartest Dogs
    Jul 1 2026
    The World's Smartest Dogs | Border Collies If you've ever watched a Border Collie work a flock of sheep, you already know this is no ordinary dog. With a piercing gaze, an almost supernatural instinct, and a brain that seemingly never clocks out, the Border Collie has earned its reputation as the world's most intelligent dog breed. But how did this extraordinary animal come to be, and what makes them tick? This week on Doggone History, Rich digs into the fascinating story of the Border Collie, from the rugged hills dividing England and Scotland where the breed was shaped into the ultimate herding machine, to the legendary 1893 dog named Old Hemp who is considered the father of the modern Border Collie. We'll explore how their intense, hypnotic stare they use to control livestock, the iconic "eye", became one of the most recognizable traits in the canine world. Whether you're a proud Border Collie owner, a sheep farmer with a trusted four-legged partner, or just someone who has ever been humbled by a dog on YouTube herding ducks, this episode is for you. Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. Original theme music by Rich Napolitano. https://www.doggonehistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Shih Tzus: China's Little Lions

    Shih Tzus: China's Little Lions
    Jun 17 2026
    For over a thousand years, only emperors were allowed to own this dog. This week, Rich Napolitano traces the wild history of the Shih Tzu, from its roots as a sacred "lion dog" in Tibetan Buddhist legend, to its exclusive life inside the Forbidden City, where palace eunuchs ran a cutthroat breeding program just to catch the Emperor's eye. Then things took a turn with the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the chaos of revolution that nearly wiped the breed off the map entirely. Find out how a handful of dogs smuggled out of China by a determined Englishwoman saved the breed from extinction, how it found its way to America after World War II, and how it became one of the most beloved toy breeds in the world. Grab your own little lion dog and settle in for a story with palace intrigue, near-extinction, and one very dramatic comeback. New episodes of Doggone History drop every Wednesday. Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora, Castbox, Pocketcasts, and all major podcast platforms. Doggone History is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. Original theme music by Rich Napolitano. Transcripts and more are available at ⁠doggonehistory.com⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet