The Nature of Dogs

Animal photographer Ludington's stunning collection of dog portraits, packaged in a tasteful coffee table format, is sure to win the hearts of dog lovers with its obvious yet understated reverence. Unlike other books of this type, Ludington's portraits of well-known breeds such as the French Bulldog, Rhodesian Ridgeback and Dachshund treat the animals with a high degree of respect-no funny costumes, anthropomorphic asides or cloying sweetness here. Ludington's candid shots-dogs in grass, snow, forest and river-are largely devoid of sentimentality, focusing instead on each animal's unique spirit, an effect perhaps best exemplified in her study of the ghostly Greyhound, whose coiled potential for sudden, shocking speed gives its portraits a feeling of tension and transience. Each entry is augmented with a brief history of the breed and key characteristics, but the photographs rightfully take center stage. Unfortunately, the handful of essays scattered throughout don't live up to the same high standard-Mary Gaitskill's is especially cringeworthy-with the notable exception of Kevin Kling's opening essay, a lyrical rumination on the ferocity of canines.