In 1931, Dobie published "Coronado's Children", a collection of folklore about lost mines and lost treasures. This was followed by a series of books in the 1930s. In 1941 he published "The Longhorns", a commercial and critical success that got a full-page review in the "New York Times". It is considered one of the best descriptions of the traditions of the Texas Longhorn cattle breed during the 19th century. In 1932, UT named Dobie the first full professor not to possess a Ph.D.