Why is the A&W hot dog called the whistle dog? See full details here
A&W Canada
Have you ever tried a Whistle Dog before?
Now’s your chance, because A&W is offering Whistle Dog fans a deal on their favorite meal on July 17 – National Hot Dog Day.
The restaurant chain is allowing guests who order through the mobile app to buy one Whistle Dog and get a second for $1.
What is a Whistle Dog?
According to A&W’s website, it’s a perfectly seasoned pork wiener that’s grilled and sliced down the center, then stuffed with “mouth-watering bacon, real cheddar cheese” and served on a freshly toasted hot dog bun.
Not much is known about the history of the Whistle Dog, but lifestyles55.net says it was created in Kirkfield, Winnipeg, where Harry Newbury was the regional manager. Newbury invented the Whistle Dog, a hot dog in which the wiener is cut down the middle, butterflied and fried, and served with mustard, ketchup, onions, and bacon. Newbury died in 2018.
What is an appeal?
For many Canadians, the Whistle Dog has been a classic dish ordered at restaurants.
In fact, when A&W removed Whistle Dogs from the menu in 2017, it garnered a lot of attention on social media, with fans creating petitions and contacting the company to bring it back.
It became so popular that a documentary was made about people’s obsession with this food.
At the same time, the company announced it was bringing back the beloved food for a limited time in 2022. Then, in May 2024, the Whistle Dog was added to the menu for $6.99, although the Whistle Dog is only available for a limited time. Available while stocks last.
Fast food menu items come and go, but none have sparked a lasting passion like A&W’s Whistle Dog. Selected in 42 film festivals in 15 countries around the world, this award-winning “Hot Dogmentary” short film features the story of diehard fans fighting the good fight to bring back the iconic dog. Learn more at bringbackthewhistledog.ca.
A deal for National Hot Dog Day
Knowing that fans are crazy about this dog, A&W decided to pay tribute to their fan-favorite dog with a special deal.
On July 17, buy one Whistle Dog at participating locations, get a second for $1.
“We’re excited to celebrate our first National Hot Dog Day at A&W, giving Whistle Dog fans a chance to enjoy double the Whistle Dog,” company CEO Susan Senecal said in a press release. “Bring a friend or enjoy double yourself before the Whistle Dog runs out.”
To find an A&W location near you, visit web.aw.ca/en/locations. To view the menu, visit aw.ca.
If you’ve tried the Whistle Dog, let us know how you liked it in the comments below.
Why are A&W hot dogs called whistle dogs?
Interesting fact
The name possibly derives from the hot dog’s resemblance to a long, thin, cylindrical dog whistle, and in Canada, the “whistle dog” is largely synonymous with the bacon and cheese-filled butterflied hot dog produced by A&W, although other locations have versions on their menus (and many longtime fans have imitated it).
