How do you say dogs in Spanish?

Dogs in Spanish is perros (PEH-rrohs), the masculine plural form, while a single dog is perro and a female dog is perra.

What is the difference between perro and can?

Perro is the everyday word for dog, while can (plural: canes) is a formal or literary term similar to canine in English, often seen in veterinary contexts or official signage.

How do you say puppy in Spanish?

A puppy is cachorro or perrito (little dog), with cachorro being the more precise term and perrito being the affectionate diminutive.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Dogs in Spanish: Perros

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Perros · noun (masculine) · PEH-rrohs

Dogs in Spanish is perros, the plural of perro. Female dogs are perras. Dogs are beloved pets throughout the Spanish-speaking world and feature prominently in everyday conversation.

Perros is pronounced PEH-rrohs, with a rolled R and stress on the first syllable.

Mis perros siempre me esperan en la puerta cuando llego.

My dogs always wait for me at the door when I arrive.

Dogs in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for dogs, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
perros	dogs	PEH-rrohs	Default, widely understood
canes	dogs		formal/literary
chuchos	dogs		Spain colloquial for mutts

How Native Speakers Use Perros

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Talking about pets

Tenemos tres perros y un gato en casa.

We have three dogs and a cat at home.

Describing household pets.

At the park

Los perros están jugando en el parque sin correa.

The dogs are playing in the park off-leash.

Observing dogs at a park.

Breed discussion

Me gustan los perros grandes como los pastores alemanes.

I like big dogs like German shepherds.

Expressing breed preferences.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Perros

Using perras for mixed groups

Incorrect: Las perras jugaban en el patio.

Correct: Los perros jugaban en el patio.

When gender is unknown or mixed, the masculine plural perros is used as the default.

Pronunciation of double-R

Incorrect: Pronouncing perro like pero.

Correct: Perro with a rolled/trilled R.

Pero (but) and perro (dog) are different words — the trilled RR is essential.

Lock in Dogs Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Perros used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using perros in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mis perros siempre me esperan en la puerta cuando llego. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Dogs in Spanish

How do you say dogs in Spanish?: Dogs in Spanish is perros (PEH-rrohs), the masculine plural form, while a single dog is perro and a female dog is perra.
What is the difference between perro and can?: Perro is the everyday word for dog, while can (plural: canes) is a formal or literary term similar to canine in English, often seen in veterinary contexts or official signage.
How do you say puppy in Spanish?: A puppy is cachorro or perrito (little dog), with cachorro being the more precise term and perrito being the affectionate diminutive.