Uncle Sam Dog Shirts

The original poster is from 1917. The illustrator James Montgomery Flagg drew Uncle Sam in a star-spangled top hat, pointing straight out at the viewer above the words "I Want YOU for U.S. Army," and he used a version of his own face for the model. Millions of copies were printed during World War I, and the pointing finger has been parodied ever since. Today the poster is in the public domain, which is why it shows up on everything from campaign mugs to memes.

Our versions keep the hat, the bow tie, the red, white and blue and that very direct finger, and put a dog in the frame. The twist is in the request. The dogs are not recruiting anyone: they want you to "Bring Better Energy," or announce that "You Have Been Selected for Better Ideas." The joke lands differently with every breed. A stern Doberman or a Great Dane pointing at you feels like a real summons; a Pug, a Pomeranian or a Chihuahua making the same demand is harder to take seriously, which is the point. There is one for each of our 21 breeds, from Labrador to Rottweiler.

These are humor shirts, a play on a famous piece of graphic design. They are not military or veterans' merchandise, and they are not affiliated with any government agency. They make easy picks for the Fourth of July, a cookout, or anyone who likes a bit of Americana with their dog.

Every design here is printed on our Washed Tee: 100% cotton, 250 gsm, washed vintage finish, relaxed unisex fit, S to 5XL, three colors per design, printed in the USA. 2 or more tees ship free in the US, and 3 or more get 15% off automatically. For more famous art with a dog in it, see Starry Night dog shirts, Mona Lisa dog shirts and Offbeat Classics. Just want a laugh? Try funny dog shirts for adults, or shop by mood in dog dad shirts.

FAQ

Are these official Uncle Sam or U.S. Army shirts?

No. They are humor designs that parody the 1917 James Montgomery Flagg poster, which is in the public domain. They are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Army or any government agency, and they are not veterans' merchandise.

What does the dog say on the shirt?

Instead of asking you to enlist, each dog asks for something else: most say I Want You to Bring Better Energy, and some say You Have Been Selected for Better Ideas.

How do these tees fit?

The Washed Tee is a relaxed straight unisex cut and true to size, from S to 5XL, so most people order their usual size. Check the chest width in our size guide. Tees are printed to order, so we cannot take returns for a wrong size.