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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Julianne Hough opens up about how her 2 dogs died by saying that coyotes killed Lexi and Harley on September 28, 2019, while Hough was away at a bachelorette party in Lake Tahoe. Hough originally announced their deaths without explaining the cause, then shared the coyote attack during a 2024 interview.
The dogs were Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: Lexi was 11 and Harley was 8. Hough’s later account also included the phone call from her assistant, the dogs’ cremation, and the spiritual practices she pursued while grieving.
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Key takeaways
- Julianne Hough said coyotes killed her two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Lexi and Harley, on September 28, 2019.
- Hough was away at a bachelorette party in Lake Tahoe when her assistant called to report what had happened.
- Hough’s original October 2019 Instagram tribute mourned the dogs but did not disclose their cause of death.
- Lexi was 11 and Harley was 8 when they died, according to a contemporaneous WRAL report carrying CNN coverage.
- Hough later said she spent time with the dogs’ bodies before they were cremated and pursued a personal “soul retrieval” ceremony while grieving.
How did Julianne Hough’s 2 dogs die?
Julianne Hough opens up about how her 2 dogs died by saying that coyotes killed Lexi and Harley on September 28, 2019, while Hough was away at a bachelorette party in Lake Tahoe. Hough originally announced their deaths without explaining the cause, then shared the coyote attack during a 2024 interview.
Hough discussed the loss on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, in an episode published August 14, 2024. The official episode page identifies the interview and its publication date. E! subsequently reported further details from Hough’s account, including that the dogs’ bodies were found and that she had them cremated.
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What happened to Lexi and Harley?
Hough said she was in Lake Tahoe for a bachelorette party when her assistant called her. Hough recalled waking before answering the phone and hearing her assistant screaming. The assistant had located the dogs’ bodies, which meant Hough could return home and spend time with Lexi and Harley before cremation.
The account identifies coyotes as the cause of death for both dogs. Hough did not publicly explain the cause when she first announced the deaths in 2019, so the later interview should not be presented as information that was known at the time of the original tribute.
The available reporting does not establish which dog was attacked first, where exactly the attack occurred, or whether any particular person or safety measure was responsible. Those details should not be inferred from Hough’s account.
When did Julianne Hough’s dogs die?
Lexi and Harley died on September 28, 2019. Hough posted a public tribute on October 12, 2019, describing the dogs as her “babies” and “daughters” without stating how they had died. The contemporaneous WRAL report carrying CNN coverage recorded the date, the dogs’ names, their breed, and their ages.
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| Date | What happened | What was publicly known |
|---|---|---|
| September 28, 2019 | Lexi and Harley died. | Hough later said coyotes killed both dogs. |
| October 12, 2019 | Hough publicly mourned the dogs on Instagram. | Her tribute expressed grief but did not give a cause of death. |
| August 14, 2024 | The Jamie Kern Lima Show published Hough’s interview. | Hough described the coyote attack and the circumstances of the call. |
| September 2024 | E! published additional reporting about the interview. | The report included details about cremation and Hough’s later spiritual grieving process. |
| 2023 | Hough welcomed a new dog named Sunny. | Hough said she was ready to open her heart again and that Lexi and Harley would have loved Sunny. |
Who were Julianne Hough’s dogs?
Lexi and Harley were Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Lexi was 11 and Harley was 8 when they died, according to the 2019 report. Hough had spoken about both dogs as members of her family rather than simply household pets.
For breed context, the American Kennel Club’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel information lists a typical height of 12–13 inches, a typical weight of 13–18 pounds, and a typical life expectancy of 12–15 years. Those are breed-level figures, not medical information about Lexi or Harley, and they cannot explain the individual dogs’ deaths.
How did Hough describe grieving the dogs?
Hough connected the deaths with a difficult period that also included relationship and professional changes. E! reported that the dogs died shortly after Hough had asked her then-husband, Brooks Laich, for a separation. That timing describes the circumstances Hough was experiencing; it does not establish that those events caused or contributed to the dogs’ deaths.
Hough also described feeling fragmented by grief and later taking part in what she called a “soul retrieval” ceremony. The ceremony was part of Hough’s personal spiritual interpretation of healing, not a clinically established treatment. The podcast’s own materials caution that the program is not a substitute for advice from a physician, psychotherapist, or another qualified professional. E!’s report on Hough’s account provides the accessible details about the ceremony and the dogs’ deaths.
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What happened after Lexi and Harley died?
Hough welcomed Sunny, a new dog, in 2023. E! reported that Hough said Sunny came into her life after she felt ready to open her heart again, and that she believed Lexi and Harley would have loved the dog.
Hough’s grief also became part of her creative work. Her official author site describes Julianne Hough’s novel Everything We Never Knew, which includes a character named Lexi. E! reported that the novel and Hough’s song “Tiny Oceans” were influenced in part by her grief and healing journey. The book connection is a reflection of Hough’s creative process, not evidence that the novel is a factual account of the dogs’ deaths.
What is confirmed and what was revealed later?
| Detail | Supported by the 2019 report | Disclosed in later reporting |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs’ names | Lexi and Harley | Also identified in later coverage |
| Breed | Cavalier King Charles Spaniels | Repeated in later coverage |
| Ages at death | Lexi was 11; Harley was 8 | Repeated in later coverage |
| Date of death | September 28, 2019 | Remained consistent |
| Cause of death | Not disclosed in Hough’s original tribute | Hough said coyotes killed both dogs |
| After-death arrangements | Not detailed in the original report | Hough said the dogs were cremated after she spent time with them |
The most reliable account combines the contemporaneous 2019 report about the original announcement with Hough’s direct account in the 2024 podcast interview and the subsequent E! reporting. Lower-quality biographical pages and rumors should not override Hough’s later statement about the cause of death.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Julianne Hough’s dogs die?
Julianne Hough said that coyotes killed both dogs on September 28, 2019, while she was away at a bachelorette party in Lake Tahoe. Hough later said her assistant found the dogs’ bodies and that they were cremated.
What breed were Julianne Hough’s dogs?
Lexi and Harley were Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Lexi was 11 and Harley was 8 when they died.
When did Julianne Hough reveal what happened to her dogs?
Hough originally announced the deaths in an October 12, 2019, Instagram tribute, but she did not disclose the cause of death at that time. Hough described the coyote attack during a 2024 interview on The Jamie Kern Lima Show.
The Bottom Line
Julianne Hough said in 2024 that coyotes killed her dogs Lexi and Harley on September 28, 2019, while she was away in Lake Tahoe. Hough’s original 2019 tribute did not disclose the cause, making the later interview the source of the coyote-attack account.
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