Quick answer: Derek Hough confirmed on Sunday, 25 October 2026 that his dog Romie has died after a period of declining health. The Dancing with the Stars judge wrote that Romie had been with him since before his career took off, and that the dog “held on” long enough to meet the family’s newest baby.
What Derek Hough said
In his tribute, Hough described Romie as a companion from a formative chapter of his life:
“Romie came into my life when I was just trying to figure life out, it was just me and him.”
He said Romie had been struggling but stayed long enough to meet the newest member of the family — “He held on” — and signed off with:
“Goodbye for now my sweet sweet Romie Boy.”
A week before confirming the news, Hough had posted a video reflecting on loss, which fans now read as a sign he was preparing to say goodbye.
Romie and the Hough family
| Family member | Who |
|---|---|
| Wife | Hayley Erbert |
| Daughter | Everley |
| Newest baby | The family’s latest arrival, whom Romie got to meet |
| Dog | Luna |
| Cats | Three |
Romie was a fixture on Hough’s social media for years, appearing in home videos and family posts — which is why the news drew such a large response from fans who had effectively watched him grow up alongside Derek.
DWTS family rallies around him
Hough is currently a judge on Dancing with the Stars, and members of the show’s cast and pros flooded his post with condolences. His sister Julianne Hough also shared a tribute to her own dogs, and the siblings have spoken often about how central pets are to their family.
Why this is trending
“Derek Hough dog” became one of the top US searches on 25-26 October as fans looked for what happened to Romie and how Hough was coping. Hough has not announced any change to his DWTS schedule.
FAQ
Did Derek Hough’s dog die?
Yes. Hough confirmed on 25 October 2026 that his dog Romie had died after his health declined.
What was the name of Derek Hough’s dog?
Romie. The family also has another dog, Luna, and three cats.
What did Derek Hough mean by “He held on”?
Hough said Romie stayed with the family long enough to meet their newest baby before he died.
Who is Derek Hough married to?
Hayley Erbert. They have a daughter, Everley.
Related: Eric Bauza, Looney Tunes voice actor, dies at 46
Sources: Derek Hough’s social media posts as reported by entertainment outlets including AOL; Google Trends US.
