When seven- time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton faces a hard time, it is not just his team he turns to for support. In Sep. 2025, Hamilton made the heartfelt decision to withdraw from a crucial Pirelli tire test with Ferrari to remain at the veterinary hospital where his most loyal friend, Roscoe, was in a coma fighting pneumonia. This act highlighted a bond that tops the world of motorsport- a connection between champion driver and his English bulldog that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide.
For years, Roscoe has been a regular presence in the F1 paddock, a furry co- pilot who has passed on private jets, starred in movies, and even developed a taste for designer sneakers. But who is the dog behind the fame, and what makes his connection with Hamilton so special ? This is the story of Roscoe Hamilton, a bulldog who became more than a pet, but a pillar of support, a media trend , and a testament to the powerful bond between humans and their animal friends.
What is Lewis Hamilton’s Dog’s Name?
Lewis Hamilton’s dog is named Roscoe Carl Davidson Hamilton. The bulldog’s full name carries the same unusual flair that Hamilton brings to his racing and fashion, complete with a middle name that reflects his status as a full- fledged member of the Hamilton family.
While Roscoe is now Hamilton’s only dog, he previously had another bulldog named Coco. Hamilton adopted both dogs around the same time, and they were consistent companions until Coco’s sad passing in 2020 from shocking heart attack. The pair were famously known together as “Roscoe and Coco,” with their own joint Instagram account that collected thousands of followers who loved seeing the two bulldogs’ adventures.
Who is Roscoe Hamilton?
Roscoe’s Breed and Personality
Roscoe is an English Bulldog, a breed known for its muscular build, unusual “sourmug” face, and generally friendly, loving character. Bulldogs typically weigh up to 50 pounds and rank high in terms of family affection, making them well-suited to bonding with their owners.
But beyond his breed characteristics, Roscoe has developed quite a personality. Hamilton himself has described Roscoe as “the kindest, such a sweetheart,” noting that “anyone can approach him from anywhere”. He’s known for his mellow temperament, though he does have one particular passion: “He’s just probably the most mellow dog there is, really, until he sees a bowling ball or football”.
Quirks and Characteristics
- Bougie Tastes: Roscoe has developed a liking for luxury, particularly when it comes to footwear. “He likes fancy, fancy sneakers,” Hamilton explained to Vogue. “He picks up my Dior trainers and always takes them with him. He’s so bougie”.
- Privacy Needs: Roscoe has very specific bathroom habits – he only does his business on “good grass” and requires utter privacy to do so.
- Fear of Water: Despite his tough appearance, Roscoe is terrified of water. Hamilton noted that “he’s been terrified of water since he was a pup,” and that he “hates the idea of having a wash but loves it afterward”.
- Snoring and Flatulence: Like many bulldogs, Roscoe struggles with snoring and flatulence, particularly at high altitudes. Hamilton jokes that he has to wear earplugs at night because Roscoe “snores and shakes the bed”.
How Lewis Hamilton and Roscoe Found Each Other
Hamilton’s Childhood with Dogs
Lewis Hamilton’s love for dogs began long before Roscoe entered his life. Growing up in Stevenage, England, he split time between his divorced parents’ homes and counted down the minutes until he could return to his mother’s house to see his beloved retriever, Goldie. Hamilton has described the day Goldie died as “the saddest day of my life”.
His racing career kept him traveling constantly, but whenever he returned home, he was always welcomed by his parents’ pets, including many English sheepdogs. The desire to have his own canine companion never left him.
The Search for a Four- Legged Friend
When Hamilton decided to get his own dog, he faced doubt from his family. “I remember telling my family that I wanted to get a dog,” Hamilton remembered. “But my family told me, ‘You wouldn’t be able to look after a dog,’ and I hate when people say I can’t do something. I like to prove them wrong”.
That determination led him to begin an extensive search online with specific requirements. He needed a small- to medium- sized dog that could travel easily to Grand Prix events around the world. He initially wanted a boxer but found himself drawn to bulldogs, which he describes as “the coolest dogs ever”.
Love at First Sight
Hamilton’s search for a dog with champion pedigree- fitting for a champion race-car driver- led him to scan through “probably a thousand dogs” and look through “all these documents”. His thorough search paid off when he found a puppy whose father was a Spanish champion and whose mother was an Irish champion.
It was love at first sight. “I came across this one picture and I was like- That’s him!” Hamilton remembered. “And that was like one of the best findings I ever made in my life”. In 2013, Roscoe officially became part of Hamilton’s life, beginning a partnership that would span over a decade and capture the vision of F1 fans worldwide.
Why Roscoe is More Than Just a Pet
Emotional Support Through Ups and Downs
For Hamilton, Roscoe represents far more than just a pet- he’s a source of emotional support through the highs and lows of an intense racing career. Hamilton has once opened up about how Roscoe helps him cope with stress and anxiety, calling him a ” best friend” and a source of emotional support through the highs and lows of racing.
In the high- pressure world of Formula 1, where every millisecond counts and the limelight is constant, Roscoe provides a grounding presence. He offers total love that has nothing to do with race results or title points- an irregular constant in Hamilton’s peripatetic life, traveling between Grand Prix events around the world.
A Constant Companion
Unlike many pets who stay home while their owners travel, Roscoe has become a true jet- setter, attending Hamilton to races worldwide complete with his own paddock pass and privete jet trips. His presence has become so desired that when Hamilton moved to Ferrari in 2025, part of his welcome included Ferrari leaving a dog bowl for Roscoe.
This constant companionship means that whether Hamilton is in Monaco, Singapore, or Abu Dhabi, a familiar furry face is never far away. Roscoe has become part of Hamilton’s pre- race routines, his post-race decompression, and everything in between.
The Heartbreaking Health Crisis
Roscoe’s Health Struggles
Like many bulldogs, Roscoe has faced various health challenges throughout his life. The breed is known for potential breathing difficulties and other health issues. Over the years, Roscoe has struggled with walking and breathing at times.
In response to these challenges, Hamilton changed Roscoe’s diet to plant-based food in 2020, which had a positive impact on his health . This transition to a vegan diet for Roscoe mirrors Hamilton’s own commitment to veganism, though Hamilton once shared a funny story that Roscoe’s trainer took him to see a medium who claimed that “all Roscoe wants is some bacon because he’s been plant-based for seven years” .
Hamilton’s Sacrifice for Roscoe
The seriousness of Roscoe’s condition led Hamilton to make the difficult conclusion to pull out of a Pirelli tire test with Ferrari at Italy’s Mugello circuit. The test was very vital for Ferrari’s story for the 2026 season, but Hamilton’s priority was clear- being with Roscoe during the vital period.
Ferrari allowed him to stay home with Roscoe, showing full support for their driver, and called on reserve driver Guanyu Zhou to take his place alongside Charles Leclerc during the testing session. Hamilton’s decision underlined the depth of their bond, proving that even the highest levels of professional sport can take a backseat to family.
Community Outpouring and Support
The news of Roscoe’s condition flashed outpouring of support across the Formula 1 community and beyond. Fans, fellow drivers, and even rival teams flooded social media with messages of motivation for Hamilton and his furry companion.
Former teammate George Russell wrote, “Thinking of you mate,” reflecting the widespread concern for Roscoe’s condition throughout the F1 world. The response exhibited how Roscoe has beaten being just ” Hamilton’s dog” to become a beloved figure in his own right within the racing community.
See Also: Top 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds 2024: Breaking News on Top Picks!
Life With Lewis: A Day in the Paws of Roscoe
The Jet- Setting Lifestyle
As part of his life with one of the world’s most recognizable athletes, Roscoe experiences a lifestyle that most humans- let alone dogs- can only dream of. He regularly travels on private jets, accompanies Hamilton to the paddock on Grand Prix weekends, and has even been featured in the F1 movie.
His presence has become so institutionalized in the F1 world that he boasts his own paddock pass, giving him VIP access to every circuit . From exploring the Ferrari garage to sharing playful moments with Hamilton behind the scenes, Roscoe is “more than a bystander, he’s part of the team” .
Celebrity Status and Social Media Fame
With over 1.3 million Instagram followers, Roscoe has become a genuine social media phenomenon. His account features life-style content that shows him engaging in various activities, from spending time at the beach to hanging out at the park or hearing Grand Prix events.
His bio playfully reads: “LOVE to travel, play ball and get attention from all the girls, mainly when they rub my bum”. This cheeky personality has endeared him to millions who follow his experiences with genuine interest.
Roscoe’s Favorite Things
- Food: Despite being on a vegan diet, Roscoe has a sophisticated palate. He enjoys “breakfast on Christmas morning, watermelon, and pineapple,” and like his dad, loves blueberry pancakes.
- Toys: His favorite toys are squeaky balls. “I go nuts over a ball,” Roscoe shared in his Dogue questionnaire. “But I especially love bowling balls and footballs. I have a little bit of that bull trait in me, and I won’t stop until I pass out when I have a ball”.
- Activities: Aside from playing with balls, Roscoe has been known to join Hamilton in the gym and has even accompanied him to the movies. Hamilton once shared a story about taking Roscoe to see Guardians of the Galaxy in 3D: “I put 3D glasses on him, and he sat there watching it for five minutes, and I just couldn’t stop laughing… Then he passed out on the chair, and he was snoring the whole movie”.
Roscoe Hamilton Net Worth and Brand Power
Roscoe’s Earnings
This is no ordinary pampered pet- Roscoe has become a genuine revenue generator in his own right. According to reports, the famous English bulldog raked in around £200,000 last year through his Instagram page alone. His earning power comes from brand ambassadorships, including a partnership with a vegan dog-food brand, and commercial appearances.
Hamilton once boasted that when auditioning for commercials, “9 times out of 10 Roscoe gets picked and brings in a hefty paycheck himself”. This commercial appeal has made Roscoe not just an emotional companion for Hamilton, but a valuable brand in his own right.
The Dogue Cover and Mainstream Fame
Roscoe’s celebrity status reached new heights when he became the cover star of Dogue (a canine-themed parody of Vogue) just months after his dad had graced the cover of the actual Vogue magazine. The feature included a full questionnaire with both Hamilton and Roscoe “answering” queries about their life together.
This mainstream award speaks to Roscoe’s cross- over appeal beyond the world of sports into fashion and popular culture. His distinctive underbite and expressive face have now become recognizable to fans worldwide.
Conclusion: Lewis Hamilton’s dog
The story of Lewis Hamilton and Roscoe is more than just a tale of a famous athlete and his pet- itis a narrative about friendship, vulnerability, and how animals ground us in what truly matters. From the karting tracks of Stevenage to the glittering peaks of Formula 1 success, Hamilton has held this constant in his life: bulldog named Roscoe who doesnot care about title points or pole positions.
As Roscoe faced his greatest challenge in Sep. 2025, fighting pneumonia in a vet. hospital, the global response presented how deeply this human- canine bond has echoed with people worldwide. Hamilton’s decision to prioritize being by Roscoe’s side during this problem, even missing important professional commitments, speaks volumes about the depth of their connection.
In the high- speed, high- stakes world of Formula 1, where technology and contest often dominate the narrative, the simple, total love between a man and his dog serves as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity. Roscoe Hamilton isn’t just Lewis Hamilton’s dog- he’s his intimate, his travel partner, his source of comfort, and in many ways, his anchor to the world beyond the racetrack.
