Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Chris Young and His Best Bud, Porter

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Babies, toddlers, and kids are cute subjects for social media posts, but for country artist Chris Young, he’s one proud ‘hooman’ of a german shepherd pup named, Porter.

Tennessee Native’s Best Bud

In 2017, the pup was gifted to Chris Young by her sister for Christmas. Since then, the artist and the dog cub were inseparable. They would go on road trips together and Young would even let go of his comfort zone just so he could tend to his dog’s needs. Their relationship became well-known especially in their native county where they called Porter as “Tennesse native’s best bud.”

A Virtual Celebrity

Thanks to his fan Chris Young who shared pictures and videos on Instagram, the dog cub has a growing number of followers and admirers. So while his owner is rising to country stardom, Porter has also turned into an internet sensation. He was also seen hanging out with other canines by Young’s fellow artists, Cassadee Pope and Brett Eldredge.

Young could not help but post heart-warming updates about Porter on social media channels: from the canine’s first day, their bonding hours, road trips, on stage, playing fetch, and even clean-ups and poo bags. Seeing these posts loaded with affection, we can expect an even greater sum of loyalty for them.

Named After Porter Wagoner

Young did not instinctively name his dog, “Porter.” It was just one of his preferred names after his sister Dorothy did good research during their dog-talk. They settled with “Porter” in honor of Porter Wagoner, the longtime duet partner of Dolly Parton which surprisingly had a friend who has a dog named after her.

A Much Anticipated Gift

Even before unwrapping his sister’s Christmas present, Chris Young was ecstatic.

“I knew immediately that she had gotten me a dog,” Young says.

“I could see my mom looking at me, and evidently my mom was really nervous about it, like, ‘He’s either going to be really excited or this is going to be too much.’ I was really excited, for sure.”

View this post on Instagram

Look!!! It’s me!!!… and Chris… but mainly me!!!

A post shared by Porter (@porterthedog) on

People Friendly

Young has great confidence in his dog. He lets him enjoy the company of other people but Young proudly claimed that if they were in a room full of people, his buddy will choose to stick with him.

This loyalty motivates Young to never compromise in taking good care of his fur buddy, feeding him on time, taking him on walks, and even letting fans pet him. He would first warn them though that Porter might lick them all to death.

Latest Stories

Blake Shelton smiles on stage with guitar and mic during Vegas show, putting his own spin on George Strait’s classic.

Blake Shelton Nails George Strait Classic With His Own Spin on “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

Sometimes you don’t mess with a George Strait classic, unless you’re Blake Shelton standing under the Vegas lights with a grin that says you’re about to pay tribute and stir ...

Dolly Parton smiles during Khloé podcast interview, sitting by mic and lamp as she shares why she won't stop sharing faith.

Dolly Parton Says People Tell Her To Stop Talking About Her Faith But She Won’t Listen

If there’s one thing you can count on Dolly Parton for, it’s that she’ll say exactly what’s on her heart and not give a single rhinestone what anyone thinks. In ...

Little Mississippi boy in plaid shirt smiles at mic during preschool graduation where he recited New Testament books and sang a George Strait classic.

4-Year-Old Boy Recites New Testament Books Then Belts Out ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’

If there’s ever been a preschool graduation that screams “God bless the South,” this is it. Somewhere in Mississippi, a four-year-old kid just made the entire congregation beam with pride ...

Young George Strait smiling on stage playing guitar in 1987 when “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” hit No. 1 and proved he ran country.

On This Day in 1987, George Strait Hit No. 1 with ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’ and Proved He Ran Country

Sometimes a song just cements your throne forever, and for George Strait, it was a little tongue-in-cheek love letter that made every Texan proud to claim him as their king. ...

Scotty McCreery with his wife and both grandmothers, who he revealed passed away hours apart in a heartbreaking double loss.

Scotty McCreery Reveals Both His Grandmothers Died Hours Apart in Heartbreaking Double Loss

You just don’t see some country heartbreaks coming, and this one hit Scotty McCreery straight in the soul. This week, the North Carolina native and Opry favorite shared the gut-wrenching ...

Brooks & Dunn performing on stage together, fitting their story about admitting they struggled to get along for years.

Brooks and Dunn Admit They Struggled to Get Along for Years and Tried to Blow It Real Hard

Country music’s greatest duo was basically a bar fight waiting to happen. When Brooks & Dunn stormed out of the gate with “Brand New Man” in 1991, it looked like ...

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian smiling outdoors, not taken when she spoke about feeling hated after their affair scandal.

LeAnn Rimes Says So Many Women Hated Her After Affair With Eddie Cibrian and She Felt Like a Target

Ain’t every country ballad pretty, and LeAnn Rimes knows her verse is messy as hell. View this post on Instagram A post shared by leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) Back in ...

Jana Kramer with husband Allan Russell and her kids outdoors, not taken when she admitted she sometimes skips sunscreen.

Jana Kramer Admits She Skips Sunscreen Sometimes on Her Kids and Feels Fine About It

“Come at me.” That’s Jana Kramer’s whole vibe right now, and boy, they sure are. Turns out you don’t have to drop a scandalous album or torch an ex on ...

Kenny Rogers’ twin sons Justin and Jordan just turned 21 and fans say they look just like the late country music legend now.

Kenny Rogers’ Twin Sons Just Turned 21 and Fans Say They Look Just Like Him Now

A couple of chocolate cakes, two wide grins, and a whole lot of “They look just like their daddy”. That’s how Kenny Rogers’ twin sons rang in their milestone 21st ...

Waylon Jennings once called Garth Brooks the most insincere person he ever saw

Waylon Jennings Once Said Garth Brooks Was the Most Insincere Person He Ever Saw

Sometimes you need an old outlaw to call out what everyone else is too polite to say out loud. Back when Nashville was shape-shifting in the ’80s and ’90s, country ...