Like Lewis Hamilton, his bulldog Roscoe was born to be a champion. For the Formula 1 driver, having a dog was always part of his life plan. Growing up in Stevenage, England, Hamilton split his time between his divorced parents’ homes. On weekends at his dad’s, he’d count down the minutes until he could return to his mom’s house to see his beloved retriever, Goldie. He says Goldie’s death was the saddest day of his life.
Thankfully, Hamilton’s life soon got busier. At just eight years old, he started racing go-karts, working his way up through Formula 3 and GP2 before reaching the top tier of motorsport: Formula 1. His career kept him traveling constantly, but whenever he came home, he was greeted by his parents’ pets—especially their many sheepdogs. Eventually, he decided it was time to get a dog of his own. “I told my family I wanted one,” Hamilton recalls over Zoom. “But they said, ‘You wouldn’t be able to look after a dog.’ I hate when people tell me I can’t do something. I like to prove them wrong.”
Hamilton took that determination online and began his search. He had a few criteria: the dog had to be small to medium-sized, since he travels so much for races. He also wanted a strong breed, ideally a boxer, which led him to bulldogs—or as he puts it, “the coolest dogs ever.”
“I must have looked through a thousand dogs and all their papers,” he remembers. As a champion driver, he felt he needed a champion dog. Roscoe’s father was a Spanish champion, and his mother was an Irish champion. It was love at first sight—Hamilton knew right away that Roscoe was the one.
Becoming a dog dad changed Hamilton’s life. He took to it so naturally that he later adopted another bulldog, Coco, who sadly passed away in 2020 from a sudden heart attack. With his dogs, Hamilton found constant companions. These days, Roscoe goes everywhere with him and has even picked up some of his dad’s tastes. “He loves fancy sneakers,” Hamilton says. “He’ll grab my Dior trainers and carry them around. He’s so bougie.” Roscoe has also developed some very human habits, like sleeping on his back and insisting on “good grass” and total privacy when he goes to the toilet.
Over the years, the 12-year-old bulldog has become a star in his own right. Like any proud parent, Hamilton loves to talk about Roscoe’s accomplishments, which include a Hollywood-level filmography. Most recently, Roscoe appeared alongside his dad in F1: The Movie and has worked as a brand ambassador for a vegan dog food company. When it comes to commercials, Roscoe gets chosen nine times out of ten and earns a solid paycheck.
“He loves fancy sneakers,” Hamilton says again with a laugh. “He picks up my Dior trainers and always takes them with him. He’s so bougie.”
Now, the famous pup is on the cover of Dogue, just months after his dad appeared on the cover of Vogue. It’s been a big year for the Hamilton family, and it’s exciting to imagine what they’ll do next.
Below, Lewis and Roscoe answer the Dogue questionnaire.
Vogue: What is your dog’s best quality?
Lewis Hamilton: His temperament, honestly. He’s the kindest, sweetest dog. Anyone can approach him—he’s never aggressive. He’s super easygoing and doesn’t get worked up around other dogs. He’s probably the most relaxed dog there is… until he sees a bowling ball or a football.
Who would voice your dog in a movie?
Well…I would do it myself unless I can find someone else. He has an underbite because he’s a bulldog. If you check his Instagram, you’ll notice I always add S’s to words because he definitely has a lisp. So I’d need to find someone who can do a lisp to voice Roscoe. Until then, that person would be me.
Describe the voice you use to talk to your dog.
I always talk to him with a lisp, the way I imagine he’d talk back to me.
What is your dog’s weirdest nickname, and how did you come up with it?
He doesn’t really have a nickname. We’ve never given him one—he’s a classy dog.
Where is one place you wish you could take your dog?
I’d love to take him surfing in Hawaii, but he’s terrified of water. He’s been scared of it since he was a puppy. Coco would run toward the waves, but Roscoe runs away. I don’t know if he had a past life, but he’s such a wimp around water. The funny thing is, when I tell him to get in the shower for a bath, he hangs his head like he’s in trouble and walks in all sad, trying to make me feel guilty, just like a kid. But once we start washing him, he loves it—he’s so happy and starts rolling around. He hates the idea of a bath but enjoys it once it’s happening.
Where is the strangest place you’ve taken your dog?
I’m not sure if it’s strange, but I’ve taken him to the movies a couple of times. The first time was to see Guardians of the Galaxy. It was just the two of us. It was in 3D, and I put 3D glasses on him. He sat in the seat next to me and watched for about five minutes. I couldn’t stop laughing—he looked so confused. Then he passed out and snored through the whole movie. Everyone in the theater was laughing because you could hear him snoring loudly.
If you could tell your dog one thing, what would it be?
Here’s a funny story: His trainer took him to see a medium, and she sent me a voice note of what the medium said. Apparently, all Roscoe wants is some bacon because he’s been on a plant-based diet for seven years. So I’d tell him, “I’m really sorry I’m not giving you any bacon.”
What is the most human thing your dog does?
He farts. Not a lot, but it happens, especially when we’re up in the mountains—it affects all of us. He also sleeps on his back in my bed, spread out like a spring chicken or a turkey. I have to kick him out in the middle of the night because he snores so loudly. It’s like having a best friend who snores—you have to nudge him and say, “Hey, stop snoring.” He’ll stop for a second and then start right back up.
What is the most dog thing your dog does?
He loves rolling around in the mud.
Photographed by Sulay Kelly
What is your full name?
Roscoe Carl Davidson Hamilton
Astrological sign?
Scorpio
Favorite toy?
Squeaky balls. I go crazy for a ball, especially bowling balls and footballs. I’ve got a bit of that bull trait—I won’t stop playing with a ball until I pass out.
Favorite meal?
Christmas morning breakfast, watermelon, and pineapple. I love pancakes like my dad, and our favorite is blueberry. And obviously bacon, but I haven’t had it in a long time.
Worst habit?
My dad has to wear earplugs because I snore and shake the bed. He says it’s cute, though.
Strangest habit?
I pick up my dad’s fanciest sneakers—I especially love his Dior ones—and rest my head on them. I never chew them; I just like to lay my head on shoes. I also only poop on grass, but nice grass, and only when no one’s watching. I can’t stand having my dad nearby when I go.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the statement Like Lewis Hamilton his dog Roscoe was born to be a champion
General Beginner Questions
Q Who is Roscoe
A Roscoe is Lewis Hamiltons beloved bulldog Hes a constant companion and has a huge following on social media
Q What does born to be a champion mean for a dog
A Its a playful way of saying Roscoe has a winning personality is incredibly loved and lives a life of luxury and adventure much like a champion athlete
Q What breed is Roscoe
A Roscoe is an English Bulldog
Q Why is Roscoe so famous
A Hes famous primarily because hes the constant sidekick of one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time Lewis Hamilton shares their life together frequently online
Deeper Advanced Questions
Q How does Roscoe actually live a champions life
A He travels the world with Lewis attends races has his own merchandise enjoys gourmet treats and receives immense love and carea lifestyle befitting a champion
Q Has Roscoe faced any health problems common to his breed
A Yes English Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed and can have breathing difficulties Lewis has been very open about Roscoes past surgeries and struggles advocating for responsible breeding
Q Is there a serious message behind calling Roscoe a champion
A Absolutely Beyond the fun it highlights themes of loyalty the humananimal bond and using his platform to promote pet adoption and animal welfare turning his pets fame into a force for good
Q Does Roscoe have his own social media accounts
A While Lewis is the one who posts about him Roscoe is such a big personality that fans have created many fan accounts dedicated to him
Practical Fan Questions
Q Where can I see pictures and videos of Roscoe
A The best place is on Lewis Hamiltons official Instagram account where Roscoe is a frequent star
Q Has Roscoe inspired anything