In the 1940s, Gipson began writing short stories with a western theme, which proved to be prototypes for his longer works of fiction that followed.

[citation needed] Hound-Dog Man, published in 1947, established Gipson's reputation when it became a Doubleday Book-of-the-Month Club selection and sold over 250,000 copies in its first year of publication.

[citation needed] His novel Old Yeller won the Newbery honor, and was adapted into a 1957 Walt Disney Studios film.

Set in the Texas Hill Country in the 1860s just after the American Civil War, the story is about the 14-year-old boy Travis Coates (played by Tommy Kirk in the film) left in charge of the household while his father is away.

Old Yeller, a stray dog adopted by the boy, helps in the formidable task of protecting the family on the Texas Ranch.