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Hear "Dog"in a Southern Accent

Us Southerners don’t always say dog the same way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it come out as dawg or dahg, with a rounded or lengthened vowel. Play the clip to hear how it sounds in real Southern speech, then - if you're up for a challenge - practice it yourself with our tips and sentences.

#SouthernAccents  

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Listen to our audio clip a few times, focusing on the "dawg" vowel shift, then repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.

Related Pages

Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "dog"?
Many shift it to "dawg" or "dahg," lengthening and rounding the vowel.
Is this pronunciation used all over the South?
Yes, "dawg" is common across much of the South, though the exact vowel varies by region.
How can I practice saying "dog" in a Southern accent?
Listen to our audio clip several times and mimic the rounded "dawg" sound.
Why do Southerners change the vowel in "dog"?
It’s part of the region’s vowel shifts and rhythm, passed down through generations of Southern English.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 16). Dog. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/dog
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Dog." HillbillySlang.com, 16 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/dog.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Dog." HillbillySlang.com. September 16, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/dog.

Regional Note

Southern accents vary widely from state to state and even holler to holler. The examples here reflect speech patterns common to rural Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, north Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, and aren't meant to represent lowland or coastal "Deep South" varieties. Nor are the examples perfect - accents can be hyper-regional. They're provided for curious learners, actors and content creators, and ESL speakers who want a friendly introduction to authentic pronunciation. Learn more on the Southern Accent hub page.

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