The world seems to be divided into cat lovers and dog lovers, but fortunately Walter Chandoha, the greatest pet photographer of the 20th century, was fortunate to find himself in the middle. He loved these fascinating creatures equally for their unique beauty and individuality, as well as as photographic subjects, in a career that spans over 70 years.

While working on the numerous award-winning book TASCHEN Cats, Chandoha selected his favorite dog photographs for a potential future title, carefully packing hundreds of contact sheets, prints, and color transparencies into labeled boxes.

Unfortunately, Chandoha passed away in 2019 at the age of 98, but his legacy lives on in this stunning sequel dedicated to man's best friend. “Walter Chandoha's dog photographs are captivating not only because dogs have an inherent charm, but because the man behind the camera was a master of his art,” writes photography critic Jean Dykstra in the book's introduction.

We see terriers, collies, beagles, spaniels, poodles, small dogs, large dogs, show dogs, working dogs, and many more, with over 60 breeds photographed in both black and white and impressive Kodachrome. Spanning a period of 50 years, the book is divided into six sections, each revealing Chandoha's extraordinary blend of technique, versatility, and soul.

The first chapter “In the Studio” focuses on formal portraits; next comes “Make a Stop,” where our four-legged friends pose for the camera; then “Out and About,” capturing them exploring and playing, often photographed with Chandoha’s own children; followed by “Best in Show,” where Chandoha employs his reportage skills to document vintage dog shows from the era of Mad Men; “Stories from the City,” featuring dogs on the streets of mid-century New York; and in the closing chapter, “Dogs of the Countryside,” returning to nature, the fields, and the beaches.

Dogs is an unrestrained photographic homage to these beloved and faithful creatures.