The best coffee table books are the ones that illuminate, inspire, or plain old make you happy to be alive. They’re the ones that you can’t put down, the kinds that always get passed around for just one more look-see. And they’re the kinds you’ll never tire of seeing on your coffee table! A great dog photograph says a thousand words. Our top picks for the best coffee table books for dog lovers will leave you with a fancy-looking household!
We’ve rounded up a selection of eight of our top picks of beautiful dog-themed coffee table books for the dog lovers among us. Each coffee table book stands out for a reason: the design, the photography, or the contents.
While you can find coffee table books on any topic – from fashion to food to architecture – we’ve made our picks mainly for those who love dogs because let’s face it: dog lovers make up one of the happiest and most devoted communities of people on Earth.
Every book in this guide is either written by a dog lover, features lots of lovable pups, or both.
Why not get one for yourself and another as a gift? If you love dogs (or any other animal, really) and want an instant pick-me-up in the form of great photographs and unforgettable stories, then these coffee table books are for you. From the numerous options available today, we’ve selected the eight best dog coffee table books for you to check out and gift.
Here’s the takeaway:
“Dogs is the best dog book I have on my coffee table! The photography is stunning, and the print quality is top-notch! The photographer not only captures the personality of each dog but also the beautiful canvas of the surrounding beach scenery. If you are a dog lover, this is a must-have!”
This coffee table book is packed from cover to cover with vibrant photographs of dogs by Romanian photographer Razvan Balutescu. This stunning hardcover features a bonus poster insert, the perfect gift for dog lovers who live for beach days and balmy weather. Here dogs celebrate sand and surf through their joyful antics and explorations.
This author supports the Jacksonville Humane Society and its century-old mission of “life-saving care, comfort and compassion to animals in need. From seaside moments through the eyes of our most loyal companion, our furbaby. Some shots feature random encounters of water-loving canines while others introduce named pups enjoying a lively day at the shore. This is a terrific coffee table book to gift to any dog lover.
Beach Dogs features 160 pages of high-quality printing of 40 canine encounters that will capture your heart. This coffee table book offers a high-quality glossy hardcover and dust cover, measures 12 inches long by 9 inches wide by 1-inch-high, and weighs 3lb.
“This book is fantastic! I’m so happy with my purchase. There is something for every dog lover in this book, from breeding, competition, the different AKC programs, and funds, to finding and raising the perfect puppy and dog anatomy. There’s so much info in this book I’ve started taking notes. The book is THICK, and even though other people posted pictures of its size, I was still surprised at how thick and heavy it was. It has a paper cover over the hard cover and has a ribbon in the binding as a book marker. The pages are high-quality glossy paper that does not tear easily. Overall, very pleased with quality and content of purchase.”
The New Complete Dog Book is The American Kennel Club’s “bible” of dog breeds. This revised and updated 22nd edition contains updated breed standards, changes in breed classifications, and recently recognized breeds.
If you’re a pet parent, this is a coffee table book that is sure to impress. If you’re a purebred dog enthusiast, it’s the book to have at your fingertips for information on almost any breed. The New Complete Dog Book 22nd edition has over 200 breeds and varieties of dogs, each with their official AKC Standard – or breed standard.
It is a comprehensive analysis of all breeds. It points out essential qualities that make each dog breed unique while outlining the various breed-specific characteristics to be aware of once you’ve found your new best friend. If you don’t have this already, it’s a must-have. If you’re like us, we’ve got all the editions.
“Wonderful books. Very high-quality paper and photos. Fantastic composition, the author has an amazing talent. Highly recommend!”
This book is by celebrated photographer Andy Seliverstoff. It’s a compilation of more than 100 images featuring 40 adorable kids and big dogs. This deluxe, hardcover coffee table book is filled with portraits of adorable children and their big dogs.
The photographs are meant to capture the unconditional love between kids and dogs. This is a perfect gift for dog lovers, parents, grandparents, friends…really anyone who likes cute pictures of kids with their beloved pets! This is the third volume of the award-winning book series and includes many popular large dog breeds — featuring Irish Setters, German Shepherd Dogs, Bloodhounds, Great Danes, and more. Opt for all three volumes and give the set as a gift!
“I heard about this book on NPR and not only purchased it for myself but also for several dog friends who vacation up in the north. Honestly, I’d only heard bad things about people who mush dogs, never good. For this reason, I’ve always been skeptical about the care that the dogs received. It is nice to know that some mushers do care for their dogs and see their different personalities. This is a lovely book, the photos are just wonderful, and the information very interesting. I will continue to worry but am a bit more open-minded now, after reading the book.”
Blair Braverman’s Dogs on the Trail is an intimate journey into northern regions, where harsh living conditions spark hardship, independence, and close bonds between humans and canines. Dogs on the Trail is a chronicle of a year in the life of their dog team that explores the musher’s world that not many of us are familiar with.
Braverman’s job was to run dog teams in the Arctic with her husband and dogs, but her time in the North became more. Dogs on the Trail is an eloquent memoir of Braverman’s experiences living in one of the last untouched regions of America with a pack of dogs, humans she met during her stay, and solitude that made her grow stronger as a person.
It covers everyday things: the challenge of storing a pounds of raw meat, exploring new trails with their dogs, the decisions that go into putting a mushing team together, and how she trains puppies to be brave.
Braverman’s memoir powerfully captures the challenges of life in the North, including long work hours, isolation, and close bonds between dogs and humans. Another must-have for all those that are passionate about dogs and nature.
“Mr. Erwitt just as good when he started taking pictures as he is currently. For instance, the photograph (14 – New York City, USA, 1946), taken when he would have been just 18 years of age, is just as intriguing as those from the 21st Century. These beloved animals are everywhere: at weddings, cemeteries, beaches, big city streets, automobiles, the ocean, doorways, the countryside, parks, a vet’s office, and even with a president of the United States (President Lyndon Johnson). And while these dogs are often shot with two-legged animals, they are never upstaged by them.”
This is another must-have pet coffee table book that you’re going to love. Mayle focuses on Elliott Erwitt’s distinctive photographs of dogs. He’s also a dog lover, which is always a plus in my book.
The photos are classic Erwitt – simple compositions that capture the humor in human-canine interactions. He also captures the diversity of the canine kingdom and shares with us all the many dog moods from playful, perky scamp to quiet and constant companion.
Erwitt’s images unveil the quirkiness that makes our furry best friends so treasured while featuring an exquisite sense of composition with the magic of the moment. This coffee table book on dogs is available in a few languages like English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.
“Gorgeous book from cover to cover, including the endpapers! So well written and loaded with marvelous photography and plenty of double-page spreads that take you closer into these beautiful homes. It’s full of appreciation for the gentle English countryside and the understated beauty of well-loved homes. Only a true dog lover could have taken such photos of the wonderful furry friends that make these homes just that much better.”
If you’re passionate about the English countryside, roses, and dogs, this is for you. This is a beautiful look into some of the most beautiful country homes and gardens in England, and the beloved dogs that live there are delightfully charming. This coffee table book explores Britain’s brightest design stars and their dogs and is brimming with inspirations. Designers like Paolo Moschino and Kit Kemp to Anouska Hempel and Veere Grenney are shown in their picturesque homes with their dogs and gardens of fragrant flowers.
The breeds featured include Whippets, Labrador Retrievers, lurchers, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and Jack Russell terriers. Famous designers offer ideas on how to live stylishly with their dogs. You’ll get to share pics of elegant dog collars (one of custom leather and green malachite), exquisite dog bowls of antique Spode porcelain, and chic and comfy napping spots.
With over 250 color photographs, this excellent pet coffee table book will inspire you to take a drive or train ride across England to investigate these exquisite homes and gardens for yourself. The photographs and the accompanying stories will transport you and take your breath away. Another must-have!
“Fundraiser for a most worthy cause and loads of fun!”
49 Dogs and One Cat, The Insider’s Guide to San Francisco features iconic San Francisco locations, as well as hidden treasures throughout the city, told through the eyes of 49 local dogs. . .and one cat, Nikko.
The photos will take readers on a journey through many locations around the city. The book captures a dog’s eye view of San Francisco—from Castro and Ocean Beach to Golden Gate Park and Pier 39.
The photographer is Michelle Russ of Hilarious Hound, who’s captured 49 Dogs in more than 120 portraits in San Francisco landmarks.
The book is a humorous and heartfelt tribute to the city of San Francisco by two long-term residents—a dog that loves people and a cat that prefers dogs—who share their own experiences that many will recognize from living in this magnificent yet quirky town. This exquisite coffee table book is 12″ x 12″ (opens to 24″ x 12″) hardcover and 187 pages in length.
“This book is a work of art, a ray of sunshine, a happy adventure full of beautiful dog’s portraits and creative musing by Vincent Musi, a long-time photographer for National Geographic. Whether you are a dog lover (I am) or not, this book is irresistible, and you will find yourself grinning ear to ear as you turn each page. Beautiful gift; make sure to keep one for yourself!”
As a National Geographic photographer, Musi presents over 100 dogs in a series of exquisite photos with close-ups, profiles, and full-body shots, along with a narrative about each dog. Vincent Musi chronicles the personality of everyday dogs and compiles them into one fantastic and captivating book.
It’s intriguing and endearing and a must-read for all dog lovers. The Year of the Dogs features an elegant package that properly showcases the vitality of Musi’s dog photos. If you’re a pet parent, this coffee-table book is undoubtedly another great book to have on your coffee table.
Check out this video below for dog coffee table books:
Claudia Bensimoun is a writer who specializes in dog content and veterinary topics! Aside from writing for We Love Doodles, Claudia also writes for other major dog blogs like Fido Friendly, Animal Wellness Magazine, and the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). She has a ghostwritten over 50 different dog e-books. Her passions include animal welfare, veterinary research, and wildlife conservation.
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