Entertainment · October 26, 2026

Derek Hough Mourns Dog Romie After 14 Years: What His Tribute Said

The Dancing with the Stars judge remembered his longtime rescue dog and the bond that lasted through major family milestones.

By NewsTrendus Editorial Desk · October 26, 2026 · Independently written from credited sources · Representative editorial photograph

Representative photograph of a resting pet dog; not Derek Hough's dog Romie or his family

Representative editorial photograph, not the reported event, people or teams. Photo: Marcelo Chagas / Pexels (Pexels free-use license).

At a glance: Derek Hough announced the death of his dog Romie on October 25, 2026, after 14 years together. His tribute recalled the pet's place in his life and family.

UNITED STATES, Oct. 26, 2026 — Dancing with the Stars judge Derek Hough is mourning the death of his longtime dog, Romie. In a social media tribute shared Sunday, October 25, Hough described the pet as a companion who stayed with him through major changes in his personal and family life.

What Derek Hough said about Romie

Hough's post reflected on 14 years together, emphasizing how a pet can become a constant presence during uncertain periods. He remembered Romie as a source of companionship as he built his career, entered marriage and became a father. The message was personal rather than an announcement about a new television project.

The performer also described the difficulty of returning to familiar daily routines without his dog. Those ordinary moments, he suggested, are part of what makes the absence of a longtime companion so painful.

Romie's rescue story dates back to 2012

According to Hough's earlier account, he met Romie while volunteering at a Los Angeles animal rescue in 2012. An overnight visit became a permanent adoption. That history gives additional context to the farewell: Romie was part of his household long before many of the milestones he mentioned in the tribute.

Hough has previously spoken publicly about caring for an aging pet and about the emotional weight of losing animals who have become members of the family. His latest post was consistent with that longstanding attachment.

The connection to his wife and daughter

Hough and his wife, Hayley Erbert Hough, welcomed their daughter Everley Capri in December 2025. In his tribute, Hough said he had hoped Romie would live long enough to meet her. That wish became one of the central memories in his farewell.

Hayley also shared her own remembrance of Romie. Reports described family clips showing the dog alongside the couple's young daughter. Those images are personal family posts; the photograph used with this article is only representative stock photography and does not depict Romie.

Why fans are searching for Derek Hough's dog

Search interest followed the October 25 tribute and coverage by entertainment outlets. The confirmed event is the loss of Romie and Hough's public remembrance. No cause of death was specified in the reporting reviewed for this article, so it would be inappropriate to speculate about one.

Readers who want to see the original family imagery should follow the linked reporting and Hough's social posts rather than relying on unrelated pictures circulated as if they were Romie.

Sources and verification

NewsTrendus wrote this report from the primary and independently reported sources linked below. The accompanying licensed photograph is illustrative and does not depict the reported event.

Editorial note: Information reflects reporting available on October 26, 2026. For corrections, use our contact page.