101 Salivations: For the love of dogs - Tapa dura

For thousands of years, the dog has been at the centre of our affections. Over the centuries - from the wolves who first tentatively ventured close to the camp fire to the devoted little bundles of fluff that snuggle at our feet today - dogs have been man's oldest friends. Inspired by the love for - and from - her own dog, Rachael Hale has collected a stunning array of images of our canine companions. She photographed a myriad of hound shapes and sizes, heights and girths, shaggy coats and wiry curls - and, most importantly, the unique characters hidden beneath them. The secret to capturing a dog's soul is to focus on their eyes - whether they are wide and shining, or heavy-lidded, in the throes of slumber. Within this book you will see the soul of your own 'best buddy' staring back at you. It could be in the drowsy gaze of Spence the languid Labrador Retriever, or in the perky grin of Sox the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. You may catch a glimpse of it under the Rastafarian dreadlocks of the Puli or in the flashing dark eyes of Sasha the smiling Samoyed. The portraits also show another side of dogs who have been given unjust reputations. Just take a look at the tenderness of Loki, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross, with a sleeping kitten on his head. 101 Salivations is a charming tribute to the animals who have stood by us for centuries and continue to be our best friends, and will capture the hearts of dog-lovers everywhere.

Rachael Hale is one of the world's leading animal portrait photographers. Her images have been published on greetings cards, calendars, posters and stationery around the world. She lives in Auckland, New Zealand, with her three cats Edmund, Gianni and Versace.