If you aren’t following Instagram’s most popular pups, you’re truly missing out.
From their philanthropic efforts to their serious senses of style, it’s little wonder candids of these canines get so many licks — er, make that likes.
Doug the Pug | @itsdougthepug
Since Leslie Mosier launched Doug’s account in 2014, the pizza-loving pug has amassed over 19 million followers across platforms, two People’s Choice Awards, several books, a Super Bowl commercial and a voice acting part in the animated movie “The Mitchells vs. the Machines.”
Doug’s famous fans include Shakira (who once flew him to her home in Barcelona, Spain), Joe Jonas, the cast of “Stranger Things” and Jonathan Van Ness (who officiated Mosier’s wedding to her husband, Rob Chianelli, in 2018).
However, launching the Doug the Pug Foundation remains Mosier’s proudest accomplishment. “
Being able to use Doug’s platform to raise money for children battling life-threatening illnesses has had the biggest, most meaningful impact,” she says. “I’m also proud of how we do all we can to spread kindness and inclusivity.”
Coming soon for the famed furball? The launch of his Nonipup holistic pet-care line, an animated series and Mosier’s album “Songs For My Dog, Vol. 1.”
In the meantime, tune into Insta for upbeat, pop-culture content from Doug and his kitty siblings.
“Dougie is so filled with joy, and what you see on the internet is only a fraction of it,” Mosier says. “We are incredibly grateful that our job is to spend time with him all day and find ways to make people laugh and smile.”
Loki the Wolfdog | @loki
A 2015 shot of Loki sharing a hammock with his owner, Kelly Lund, put this account (which Lund started in 2013 to document their outdoor adventures) on the map.
Today, Lund, Loki and Raven (a senior dog they adopted from the LA County pound in 2021) have around 2 million followers across all their platforms and a laundry list of achievements — publishing a book, sponsoring an IndyCar, and landing long-term partnerships with Toyota and I and Love and You pet food.
“Honestly, though, the thing I care most about is what this life is like for Loki. Keeping it simple, and structuring our life in such a way that it’s best for him,” Lund says, adding that spending the summer of 2017 in Alaska together was a pinnacle of their career. “Because I know that Loki loves to explore new places just like I do.”
He credits Loki’s loyal devotees (from big-name musicians and athletes to everyday followers) for supporting their efforts to foster canines and raise money for charitable causes — including recently helping a child with cancer secure a service dog.
“I’m very grateful for the relationships we’ve built and the amazing people we’ve met because of Instagram,” Lund says. “Especially the fans.”
Tika the Iggy | @tikatheiggy
Italian greyhounds tend to get chilly, so it’s not unusual for them to wear clothing.
But Tika takes her styles to the next level, receiving custom designer apparel and sitting front row at New York, Milan and Paris fashion weeks.
It’s no wonder the fashion-forward gay icon has amassed such a following since her “dads” launched her account in 2016; she now serves sizzling looks and dispenses wisdom to around 3 million people across platforms.
“Tika thrives at these big events we go to; she loves meeting and greeting new people,” says Thomas Shapiro (a k a “second favorite” dad), who runs the account with his husband, Louis Morissette.
Unsurprisingly, Tika has earned plenty of famous friends, including Kristen Bell, Heidi Klum and Dan Levy, and even befriended Drew Barrymore when the pup-fluencer was a guest on her show.
Between juggling travels, her forthcoming book (“Tika the Iggy: Lessons in Life, Love, and Fashion”) and a trio of siblings (two young humans plus a 5-month-old Italian greyhound puppy named Kala) at home, you might assume Tika is always on the go.
“She has a very busy online life,” Shapiro acknowledges. “But in reality, she sleeps an average of 21 hours per day. Beauty rest is the secret to looking fantastic at almost 12 years old.”
Manny the Frenchie | @manny_the_frenchie
With a “Most Pawpular” award from the 2016 World Dog Awards, a People’s Choice nomination and a book, Manny has captured the hearts of over 3 million followers across platforms since he joined Instagram in 2012.
“People fell in love with the pictures of him sleeping in the sink and his Frenchie ‘talk,’ and the rest is history!” says Amber Chavez, who maintains his account alongside her husband, Jon Huang.
While Manny has gotten to meet plenty of incredible people over the years, Snoop Dogg was probably his favorite, Chavez says. “Snoop was great with him and almost seemed starstruck!”
Manny has put his fame to good use with his Manny & Friends Foundation, which supports animal and human causes. “Having a huge platform like this is definitely something we’re grateful for,” Chavez says, “and being able to give back is something we love to do. It’s very fulfilling.”
Chavez notes that Manny’s happiness is the family’s top priority; now that the famous Frenchie is 12, his hard work is behind him. “We get told pretty often that Manny has helped people through some tough times,” she says, “and hearing that just never gets old.”
Norbert | @norbertthedog
He’s only 3 pounds, but Norbert has made a mighty impact as a registered therapy dog working in nursing homes, hospitals and schools. “Norbert embodies the idea that you don’t have to be big to make a big difference in the world,” says owner Julie Steines, who debuted his Facebook page in 2011, hoping to spread smiles around the globe. It worked — the pup now has over 2 million followers across platforms; has appeared on programs like “Today;” walked in New York Fashion Week for Anthony Rubio and celebrated his birthday at Instagram’s head office.
But Steines says their most meaningful moments happen daily, through kind Instagram comments or fan letters from children who are inspired by Norbert. “That’s how we know we’re making a difference,” she says. “That’s how we know what we do matters. His internet fame has extended and enhanced his therapy work in the most incredible ways.”
As the pooch celebrates his 14th birthday, Steines and her mother (who have published five Norbert books together) are working on a new “Norberthood” picture-book series.
But mostly, she says, “I want Norbert to simply do what he loves most: eating, sleeping, going for walks and making people smile.”
