For more than 5000 years, artists have created an extraordinary array of captivating images of the dog – the animal that has enjoyed the closest and most intriguing relationship with man. This beautiful book is lavishly illustrated with works from all over the world, ranging from the earliest African rock paintings to the groundbreaking work of contemporary artists. It explores the various roles the dog has played in both art and society, including its depiction as a symbol of fidelity and romantic love; as a prized possession, vaunting its owner’s power and wealth; as a treasured and loyal pet; as a mythological being, mysteriously travelling between the lands of the living and the dead; as a religious image of purity, or dissolution; and as an indispensable working and hunting companion. A vividly written text is accompanied by glorious images, featuring many different breeds, that capture the soulful, beguiling and dynamic character of man’s best friend in its diverse incarnations, from protector to predator, dark force to deity.

A unique exploration of the entire history of the dog in art

Extended captions to every work of art offer insights not only into the paintings but also the evolution of different breeds

Features more than 250 beautiful illustrations by such major artists as Pisanello, Titian, Velázquez, Rembrandt, Stubbs, Monet, Picasso, Lucian Freud, Andy Warhol and Elisabeth Frink