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Renaissance Dogs: A Litter of Hilarious Pups, Mutts, and Hounds
Delight in over 100 hilarious depictions of man’s best friend—from sweetly puppish to downright demonic—produced between 1400–1700 by the Renaissance’s greatest painters.
Our four-legged friends have witnessed the creation of some of history’s greatest Shakespeare’s plays, da Vinci’s masterpieces, the Sistine Chapel, the first printed book, and even the flushable toilet. Behind the achievements of every great innovator is their sometimes enthusiastically looking on, at other times asleep. Or chewing a bone. Or sniffing another dog’s bum...
Renaissance Dogs celebrates not just the delightfully odd-looking doggy depictions of the era but also our insistence on ensuring our furry friends’ place in history alongside our own. This carefully curated, full-color compendium of over 100 canine portraits immortalizes a wide array of pups, from the creepily humanoid dogs of the early Renaissance period (painted by artists who, clearly, had never seen a dog in their life) to the beautifully rendered canines of the Enlightenment.
Enjoy a humorous peek into Renaissance art and literature with witty captions, interesting dog facts, and excerpts from famous literary works accompanying astoundingly funny portrayals of our favorite canine companions.
Our four-legged friends have witnessed the creation of some of history’s greatest Shakespeare’s plays, da Vinci’s masterpieces, the Sistine Chapel, the first printed book, and even the flushable toilet. Behind the achievements of every great innovator is their sometimes enthusiastically looking on, at other times asleep. Or chewing a bone. Or sniffing another dog’s bum...
Renaissance Dogs celebrates not just the delightfully odd-looking doggy depictions of the era but also our insistence on ensuring our furry friends’ place in history alongside our own. This carefully curated, full-color compendium of over 100 canine portraits immortalizes a wide array of pups, from the creepily humanoid dogs of the early Renaissance period (painted by artists who, clearly, had never seen a dog in their life) to the beautifully rendered canines of the Enlightenment.
Enjoy a humorous peek into Renaissance art and literature with witty captions, interesting dog facts, and excerpts from famous literary works accompanying astoundingly funny portrayals of our favorite canine companions.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published June 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 8, 2026
I’m not sure what reader this book is for. I enjoyed all of the art featured, but the art history tidbits were too slight for an art history reader. The humor was bad, often groan inducing. Lots of poop, fart and butt jokes, that felt sophomoric and wouldn’t appeal to humor readers. I found myself skipping the text and just enjoying all of the photos of cute dogs in art.
August 25, 2026
A beautiful book of Dogs with funny sayings along with their owners.
There is a laugh out loud on every page as each dog his it's important day.
There is a laugh out loud on every page as each dog his it's important day.
July 3, 2026
This was a light, quick book with hilarious paintings of dogs, just what I thought it would be.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Paintings | Quotes | Dogs
Thank you to 10 Speed Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
• Plot:
Renaissance Dogs is a collection of Renaissance-era paintings featuring dogs, paired with humorous modern quote captions written from the dogs’ perspectives.
• What I Liked:
The layout is well designed. Each page includes the painting, a humorous quote that coorelates to the vibe of the artwork, and source information about the art piece itself. Every painting, of course, features a dog somewhere within it.
Some of the funniest moments come from paintings depicting dramatic or violent scenes where the dog seems completely oblivious to what’s happening around it. One example is Altarpiece of the Parliament of Paris, where one man is holding his own severed head while the dog casually says, “So, this is my family. My two dads are a bit weird, but I love them.” The contrast between the serious artwork and the lighthearted caption makes it unexpectedly funny. The painting is cropped to show mostly the dog and the figures behind them. The quote isn't actually what's happening in the painting, but reinterprets the scene.
Another painting reminded me of one of my own dogs was Childhood and Passion of Christ, where the dog says, “I’m cute and cuddly too… it’s just on the inside.” Renaissance dogs tend to look a little awkward or “fugly,” so that quote matched perfectly to the gnarly looking dog featured in it.
You can tell the creator had a lot of fun writing the captions. There are also plenty of paintings included, so it never feels repetitive.
• What Didn’t Work for Me:
Since the book is entirely focused on dogs, one moment felt a little odd to me: there’s a page where a random cat is added outside of the actual painting, and the dog says, “Get out of here damn cat, this is my page.” Because the cat wasn’t originally part of the artwork, the joke felt forced compared to the others.
Some quote captions also didn’t fully match the mood of the paintings. For example, in Marie Emille Coignt de Courson with a Dog, the caption says, “I just pissed all over your dress.” The painting itself looks elegant and formal, so the quote felt more random than fitting.
• Themes / Ideas:
Pets & humor
• Who I’d Recommend It To:
Dog lovers, artists & art enthusiasts
• Overall Thoughts:
If you already find Renaissance paintings of dogs unintentionally funny, you’ll probably enjoy this book. The combination of historical artwork, modern humor, and small bits of information about the Renaissance period scattered throughout makes it a fun and easy read. While not every joke lands perfectly, the book succeeds most when it embraces how oddly charming Renaissance dogs look and builds playful personalities around them.
Thank you to 10 Speed Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
• Plot:
Renaissance Dogs is a collection of Renaissance-era paintings featuring dogs, paired with humorous modern quote captions written from the dogs’ perspectives.
• What I Liked:
The layout is well designed. Each page includes the painting, a humorous quote that coorelates to the vibe of the artwork, and source information about the art piece itself. Every painting, of course, features a dog somewhere within it.
Some of the funniest moments come from paintings depicting dramatic or violent scenes where the dog seems completely oblivious to what’s happening around it. One example is Altarpiece of the Parliament of Paris, where one man is holding his own severed head while the dog casually says, “So, this is my family. My two dads are a bit weird, but I love them.” The contrast between the serious artwork and the lighthearted caption makes it unexpectedly funny. The painting is cropped to show mostly the dog and the figures behind them. The quote isn't actually what's happening in the painting, but reinterprets the scene.
Another painting reminded me of one of my own dogs was Childhood and Passion of Christ, where the dog says, “I’m cute and cuddly too… it’s just on the inside.” Renaissance dogs tend to look a little awkward or “fugly,” so that quote matched perfectly to the gnarly looking dog featured in it.
You can tell the creator had a lot of fun writing the captions. There are also plenty of paintings included, so it never feels repetitive.
• What Didn’t Work for Me:
Since the book is entirely focused on dogs, one moment felt a little odd to me: there’s a page where a random cat is added outside of the actual painting, and the dog says, “Get out of here damn cat, this is my page.” Because the cat wasn’t originally part of the artwork, the joke felt forced compared to the others.
Some quote captions also didn’t fully match the mood of the paintings. For example, in Marie Emille Coignt de Courson with a Dog, the caption says, “I just pissed all over your dress.” The painting itself looks elegant and formal, so the quote felt more random than fitting.
• Themes / Ideas:
Pets & humor
• Who I’d Recommend It To:
Dog lovers, artists & art enthusiasts
• Overall Thoughts:
If you already find Renaissance paintings of dogs unintentionally funny, you’ll probably enjoy this book. The combination of historical artwork, modern humor, and small bits of information about the Renaissance period scattered throughout makes it a fun and easy read. While not every joke lands perfectly, the book succeeds most when it embraces how oddly charming Renaissance dogs look and builds playful personalities around them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book Review: Renaissance Dogs: A Litter of Hilarious Pups, Mutts, and Hounds by Taylor Wagmore
Rating: 4 Stars
If you ever wondered what dogs thought about while Shakespeare was penning Hamlet, or how Fido felt about da Vinci’s Mona Lisa smile, then Taylor Wagmore’s Renaissance Dogs has you covered—in glorious, furry, sometimes slightly terrifying brushstrokes.
This charmingly absurd collection showcases over 100 canine portraits from the Renaissance era, spanning from the 1400s to the 1700s. These aren’t your average dog photos; rather, these pups range from adorably puppish to downright demonic (looking at you, early Renaissance painters who clearly had never met a dog before). The book celebrates these four-legged muses who were quietly (and sometimes not-so-quietly) present during history’s greatest moments—whether it was sniffing another dog’s bum backstage at the Sistine Chapel's unveiling or napping through the invention of the flushable toilet.
Beyond the art, the book serves up witty captions, quirky dog trivia, and literary snippets that make this a perfect coffee table companion—or a hilarious distraction from your own dog’s attempts at stealing your snacks. It’s a joyful romp through history with a tail-wagging twist.
Now, I must confess: I’m awarding this delightful book four stars, mostly because of its utterly captivating cover that made me pick it up in the first place. The paintings themselves range from breathtaking masterpieces to “Wait, is that supposed to be a dog?” moments that are pure comedic gold. This isn’t a tome for the serious art historian seeking deep analysis—it’s for anyone who loves dogs or simply enjoys poking fun at some of the stranger canine depictions history has gifted us.
In short: if you adore dogs and have a fondness for Renaissance art’s quirks (or if you just want to laugh at some gloriously odd dog portraits), Renaissance Dogs is your new best friend. Just don’t expect your pooch to appreciate being immortalized as a Renaissance muse... unless they’ve secretly been attending art classes.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 4 Stars
If you ever wondered what dogs thought about while Shakespeare was penning Hamlet, or how Fido felt about da Vinci’s Mona Lisa smile, then Taylor Wagmore’s Renaissance Dogs has you covered—in glorious, furry, sometimes slightly terrifying brushstrokes.
This charmingly absurd collection showcases over 100 canine portraits from the Renaissance era, spanning from the 1400s to the 1700s. These aren’t your average dog photos; rather, these pups range from adorably puppish to downright demonic (looking at you, early Renaissance painters who clearly had never met a dog before). The book celebrates these four-legged muses who were quietly (and sometimes not-so-quietly) present during history’s greatest moments—whether it was sniffing another dog’s bum backstage at the Sistine Chapel's unveiling or napping through the invention of the flushable toilet.
Beyond the art, the book serves up witty captions, quirky dog trivia, and literary snippets that make this a perfect coffee table companion—or a hilarious distraction from your own dog’s attempts at stealing your snacks. It’s a joyful romp through history with a tail-wagging twist.
Now, I must confess: I’m awarding this delightful book four stars, mostly because of its utterly captivating cover that made me pick it up in the first place. The paintings themselves range from breathtaking masterpieces to “Wait, is that supposed to be a dog?” moments that are pure comedic gold. This isn’t a tome for the serious art historian seeking deep analysis—it’s for anyone who loves dogs or simply enjoys poking fun at some of the stranger canine depictions history has gifted us.
In short: if you adore dogs and have a fondness for Renaissance art’s quirks (or if you just want to laugh at some gloriously odd dog portraits), Renaissance Dogs is your new best friend. Just don’t expect your pooch to appreciate being immortalized as a Renaissance muse... unless they’ve secretly been attending art classes.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
September 2, 2026
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Renaissance Dogs is an eclectic mix of Renaissance (and a bit of Reformation) paintings which include dogs, curated by Taylor Wagmore (*gentle eyeroll*). Released 16th June 2026 by Penguin Random House on their Ten Speed Press imprint, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is just for fun. It seems like a pet project of one of the folks at Penguin Random House, and honestly, why not. The humor throughout is punny, and silly, and goofy, and whimsical, and it's accompanied by credited art from the period. It's a niche product, but there are a number of fun (often comical) dogs involved - see the cover art.
It's not intended to be taken seriously. Here's a small quote from the "about the author":
Professor Taylor Wagmore, a professor of cynology (the scientific study of dogs) at Great Dane University in Texas, is very much a 'dog person' - and proud. He lives in Houston, often called the 'dog capital of America' due to its high dog-to-human ratio and dog-friendly reputation. He shares his home with two chocolate Labradors, Barry and Carl. Oh, and a wife and two children.
Three and a half stars. It would be a good choice for public, school, or home library, or possibly as a humorous gift for an art (or dog) enthusiast.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Renaissance Dogs is an eclectic mix of Renaissance (and a bit of Reformation) paintings which include dogs, curated by Taylor Wagmore (*gentle eyeroll*). Released 16th June 2026 by Penguin Random House on their Ten Speed Press imprint, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is just for fun. It seems like a pet project of one of the folks at Penguin Random House, and honestly, why not. The humor throughout is punny, and silly, and goofy, and whimsical, and it's accompanied by credited art from the period. It's a niche product, but there are a number of fun (often comical) dogs involved - see the cover art.
It's not intended to be taken seriously. Here's a small quote from the "about the author":
Professor Taylor Wagmore, a professor of cynology (the scientific study of dogs) at Great Dane University in Texas, is very much a 'dog person' - and proud. He lives in Houston, often called the 'dog capital of America' due to its high dog-to-human ratio and dog-friendly reputation. He shares his home with two chocolate Labradors, Barry and Carl. Oh, and a wife and two children.
Three and a half stars. It would be a good choice for public, school, or home library, or possibly as a humorous gift for an art (or dog) enthusiast.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
September 11, 2026
Dogs have been man’s best friends for centuries. They are loyal, protective, and playful in the modern age. But how were dogs treated in different eras? While we could examine different pieces of literature to understand how owners loved their dogs, the Renaissance grants us a unique opportunity to see how pet owners wanted their furry companions to be viewed for centuries after they are gone. Taylor Wagmore examines the pups and the mutts painted by the finest Renaissance painters in her book, “Renaissance Dogs: A Litter of Hilarious Pups, Mutts, and Hounds.”
I would like to thank Ten Speed Press and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. Last year, I read a similar book about medieval cats in artwork, since I am a cat owner of an orange tabby named Colby. I thought it was only fair to read a book about Renaissance dogs this year.
Since this book is mostly images and silly captions, I will keep this review relatively short. The paintings included in this book were beautiful, paired with some interesting factoids. The captions that Wagmore included, while humorous, were often distracting and felt unnecessary at times. Overall, this was an okay read. It feels more like a coffee table book instead of a serious academic book. If you want a novelty book for those who love the Renaissance and dogs, you might enjoy “Renaissance Dogs: A Litter of Hilarious Pups, Mutts, and Hounds” by Taylor Wagmore.
I would like to thank Ten Speed Press and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. Last year, I read a similar book about medieval cats in artwork, since I am a cat owner of an orange tabby named Colby. I thought it was only fair to read a book about Renaissance dogs this year.
Since this book is mostly images and silly captions, I will keep this review relatively short. The paintings included in this book were beautiful, paired with some interesting factoids. The captions that Wagmore included, while humorous, were often distracting and felt unnecessary at times. Overall, this was an okay read. It feels more like a coffee table book instead of a serious academic book. If you want a novelty book for those who love the Renaissance and dogs, you might enjoy “Renaissance Dogs: A Litter of Hilarious Pups, Mutts, and Hounds” by Taylor Wagmore.
June 23, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Renaissance Dogs.
I love Renaissance art and I love dogs so this was right up my alley.
Why didn't I think of this concept myself?
It's a fun book, but not quite what I was expecting.
I was hoping for more historical insights; there are tidbits about the origins of dog-related idioms and anecdotes about famous figures with adorable dogs, but I was really looking for a deeper historical context.
I could have done without the corny comments about the dogs.
The dogs in the paintings were often hilarious; pensive, annoyed, irritated.
Being their usual unadulterated selves, which is why they're woman's best friend, too.
It got me wondering if some painters are better at painting people because some of the dogs didn't look true to life, unlike their human moms and dads.
Also, I never noticed how many paintings there are with dogs in them but now I will pay attention the next time I'm at a museum.
A quirky coffee table book, but I wouldn't buy it for myself.
I would appreciate receiving it as a gift!
My favorite quote is from Madame Roland: "The more I see of men, the better I like my dog."
Truer words were never spoken.
Applies today and always will.
I love Renaissance art and I love dogs so this was right up my alley.
Why didn't I think of this concept myself?
It's a fun book, but not quite what I was expecting.
I was hoping for more historical insights; there are tidbits about the origins of dog-related idioms and anecdotes about famous figures with adorable dogs, but I was really looking for a deeper historical context.
I could have done without the corny comments about the dogs.
The dogs in the paintings were often hilarious; pensive, annoyed, irritated.
Being their usual unadulterated selves, which is why they're woman's best friend, too.
It got me wondering if some painters are better at painting people because some of the dogs didn't look true to life, unlike their human moms and dads.
Also, I never noticed how many paintings there are with dogs in them but now I will pay attention the next time I'm at a museum.
A quirky coffee table book, but I wouldn't buy it for myself.
I would appreciate receiving it as a gift!
My favorite quote is from Madame Roland: "The more I see of men, the better I like my dog."
Truer words were never spoken.
Applies today and always will.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Why on earth are the dogs in Renaissance paintings so weird? I mean, really - some dogs seem to have human faces, as if painters learned how to paint human faces and then stopped practicing. Others are scowling, Some are hiding. Others seem to have been painted as an afterthought. But a really good reason for Renaissance dog paintings to be weird is to give Taylor Wagmore an opportunity to make fun of them. And he does, making snarky comments on dozens of paintings while also giving us a bit of historical context every once in a while.
In short, this is not a book to take seriously, even if some of the paintings are beautiful. In fact, I'm not even sure Taylor Wagmore is a real name (Wag-More? Really?) - his bio states that he is "a professor of Cynology (the scientific study of dogs) at Great Dane University in Texas." So if you like dogs, or you like making fun of weird paintings of dogs, this is your book.
Thanks to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
In short, this is not a book to take seriously, even if some of the paintings are beautiful. In fact, I'm not even sure Taylor Wagmore is a real name (Wag-More? Really?) - his bio states that he is "a professor of Cynology (the scientific study of dogs) at Great Dane University in Texas." So if you like dogs, or you like making fun of weird paintings of dogs, this is your book.
Thanks to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 25, 2026
This is a quick job, and it shows. The author, whatever his real name is, did a quick internet search and selected the paintings he found particularly funny. There is no logic whatsoever to his choices, and most of the paintings are so similar that going through them soon becomes quite boring. The book consists of a random collection of paintings that he has divided into groups under what he evidently thought were hilarious headings. His sense of humour is extremely lame and often sexist. The brief text accompanying each painting is either completely pointless or irritating. In only about 5% of cases does he quote something even mildly interesting. I'm not surprised this supposed dog lover has two choc Lab boys. At least that is in keeping with most of the people portrayed in the paintings and their designer dogs. Renaissance Dogs is neither a book about dogs in art nor a humorous book about dogs; it fails on both counts. Whether you're looking for a proper book about dogs in art, a funny book about dogs, or both, look elsewhere: there are plenty of much better alternatives.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Renaissance Dogs is a delightful and witty art book showcasing over 100 full color canine portraits from Renaissance masterpieces (1400–1700). A showcase of fun in the evolution of artistic pups, from the oddly anthropomorphic early renditions that seem dreamed up by dog novices, to the elegantly realistic hounds of the Enlightenment.
Accompanied by sharp captions, fascinating dog lore, and excerpts from timeless literature, this collection honors our loyal companions as silent witnesses to history’s highlights in Shakespeare’s sonnets, da Vinci’s genius, and even the flush toilet’s ingenious birth. Ideal for art aficionados and canine enthusiasts, it’s a sophisticated celebration of art history with a playful twist.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#RenaissanceDogs
Accompanied by sharp captions, fascinating dog lore, and excerpts from timeless literature, this collection honors our loyal companions as silent witnesses to history’s highlights in Shakespeare’s sonnets, da Vinci’s genius, and even the flush toilet’s ingenious birth. Ideal for art aficionados and canine enthusiasts, it’s a sophisticated celebration of art history with a playful twist.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#RenaissanceDogs
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review the ARC of this book.
4 stars
The paintings included in this book are beautiful and sometimes hilarious. It’s fascinating to see a visual of how important dogs clearly were in life in the Renaissance.
Unfortunately, the paintings were somewhat diminished by the frequently juvenile “quotes” in large print on opposite pages from them. There were too many references to poop, butts, and body parts. The boy/guy humor is not my cup of tea, which is why I deducted a star. Even when there wasn’t uncouth language being used, the “quotes” themselves reminded me of the ones I had to dream up for photos as copy editor of my 11th grade yearbook.
Overall, the photos of the paintings are fun to look at; ignore the “quotes” on each page.
4 stars
The paintings included in this book are beautiful and sometimes hilarious. It’s fascinating to see a visual of how important dogs clearly were in life in the Renaissance.
Unfortunately, the paintings were somewhat diminished by the frequently juvenile “quotes” in large print on opposite pages from them. There were too many references to poop, butts, and body parts. The boy/guy humor is not my cup of tea, which is why I deducted a star. Even when there wasn’t uncouth language being used, the “quotes” themselves reminded me of the ones I had to dream up for photos as copy editor of my 11th grade yearbook.
Overall, the photos of the paintings are fun to look at; ignore the “quotes” on each page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Taylor Wagmore to read Renaissance Dogs as an ARC.
Do you like art? Do you like dogs? Do you like funny historical facts? Do you like laughing at badly painted dogs? Then this is the book for you.
We've all seen historical paintings of dogs online and how inaccurate (read hilarious) they can be. This book collates some of the best (or worst) examples with hilarious descriptions and fascinating dog related facts about the renaissance.
I loved that each featured painting was introduced with a quote "from" the dog in the painting, they were so funny and really made me chuckle.
This book is perfect to flick through if you're having a bad day because I guarantee it will cheer you up.
Do you like art? Do you like dogs? Do you like funny historical facts? Do you like laughing at badly painted dogs? Then this is the book for you.
We've all seen historical paintings of dogs online and how inaccurate (read hilarious) they can be. This book collates some of the best (or worst) examples with hilarious descriptions and fascinating dog related facts about the renaissance.
I loved that each featured painting was introduced with a quote "from" the dog in the painting, they were so funny and really made me chuckle.
This book is perfect to flick through if you're having a bad day because I guarantee it will cheer you up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A unique collection of full-color art pieces along with some fun facts and light-hearted funny quotes, this compendium is a must have for those who love a laugh fest, appreciate Renaissance art, and have a soft spot for quirky dogs. This book would be perfect as a fun conversation starter or as a coffee table book.
I had a wonderful time flipping through the pages and discovering the puppies as they featured in the art pieces. Some are adorable, some are fierce, and many of them make me question whether the artist had even seen a dog before!
I highly recommend this book to folks who are both dog lovers and art enthusiasts. You won’t regret it!
This is my own opinion. Thank you to Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the ARC.
I had a wonderful time flipping through the pages and discovering the puppies as they featured in the art pieces. Some are adorable, some are fierce, and many of them make me question whether the artist had even seen a dog before!
I highly recommend this book to folks who are both dog lovers and art enthusiasts. You won’t regret it!
This is my own opinion. Thank you to Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As an art history lover and a lover of goofy animals (and animal art), this was so fun.
This had lot of paintings that include some silly little dogs, silly little quotes from these dogs, and a bit of background information on the artist or dog. And that last part was something we don't tend to get in such a niche category, so that was cool.
This is for the silly goofy art history nerds. I had fun with this.
I do wish that the images were a bit higher quality, but that could've just been an ARC thing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This had lot of paintings that include some silly little dogs, silly little quotes from these dogs, and a bit of background information on the artist or dog. And that last part was something we don't tend to get in such a niche category, so that was cool.
This is for the silly goofy art history nerds. I had fun with this.
I do wish that the images were a bit higher quality, but that could've just been an ARC thing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.
This is an amusing little morsel of a book. An assemblage of dogs from late medieval through 18th century art is accompanied by the thoughts of those dogs. Many of the early dogs are sublimely grostesque. It was interesting to see just how much fancy Renaissance era folk favored little yappy dogs; I would have expected more hunting breeds but even the men seem pleased to hang out with ankle biters. The text includes a fun collection of renaissance era factoids about dogs.
This silly novelty book would be a fun gift for dog lovers.
This is an amusing little morsel of a book. An assemblage of dogs from late medieval through 18th century art is accompanied by the thoughts of those dogs. Many of the early dogs are sublimely grostesque. It was interesting to see just how much fancy Renaissance era folk favored little yappy dogs; I would have expected more hunting breeds but even the men seem pleased to hang out with ankle biters. The text includes a fun collection of renaissance era factoids about dogs.
This silly novelty book would be a fun gift for dog lovers.
August 2, 2026
3.5
The pictures alone are informative in themselves. While the little informative text bits are interesting, looking at the pictures of the dogs and guessing in which century the image was painted. The depictions go from "This is supposed to be a dog?" in the 1400s and part of the 1500s, to "Yes, that is definitely a dog." in the 1600s and 1700s. I also particularly liked the humorous "quotations" that accompany most of the images, but they may be less funny for someone who doesn't like crude humor. This is less a book that you recommed to people and more of a book that someone picked up on a whim because of a) the cover image, b) they like dogs in general, or c) a little bit of both.
The pictures alone are informative in themselves. While the little informative text bits are interesting, looking at the pictures of the dogs and guessing in which century the image was painted. The depictions go from "This is supposed to be a dog?" in the 1400s and part of the 1500s, to "Yes, that is definitely a dog." in the 1600s and 1700s. I also particularly liked the humorous "quotations" that accompany most of the images, but they may be less funny for someone who doesn't like crude humor. This is less a book that you recommed to people and more of a book that someone picked up on a whim because of a) the cover image, b) they like dogs in general, or c) a little bit of both.
October 11, 2026
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Maybe it's because I'm not a dog person, but this book didn't amuse me. The jokes all fell flat. The historic facts were very superficial. The pictures of the dogs are nice, I guess, but organised rather haphazardly. I don't even think they were all Renaissance. Remember Cracked.com? They would have just made a list and it would have been as good. I guess it makes a gift for the kind of person you know likes dogs and has a basic sense of humour.
Maybe it's because I'm not a dog person, but this book didn't amuse me. The jokes all fell flat. The historic facts were very superficial. The pictures of the dogs are nice, I guess, but organised rather haphazardly. I don't even think they were all Renaissance. Remember Cracked.com? They would have just made a list and it would have been as good. I guess it makes a gift for the kind of person you know likes dogs and has a basic sense of humour.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a fun, light read!
It is literally what it says on the tin, pictures of renaissance paintings that have cute, funny or grumpy dogs in them.
I had hoped for a little more history to accompany the images and the facts included often didn't relate to that individual image which was a bit frustrated but I learned a few cool bits and had a great time reading it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for the eARC!
🐶🖼️📚
It is literally what it says on the tin, pictures of renaissance paintings that have cute, funny or grumpy dogs in them.
I had hoped for a little more history to accompany the images and the facts included often didn't relate to that individual image which was a bit frustrated but I learned a few cool bits and had a great time reading it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for the eARC!
🐶🖼️📚
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Anyone who knows me, knows I love my dogs. And dog memes. This book compiles a variety of paintings from the Renaissance that just happen to have dogs in them. Add in a humorous caption and you’ve got a clever and quirky coffee table book. There’s a little history thrown in but I enjoyed seeing paintings that I’ve visited in various galleries in a new light. So much fun!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy
I loved seeing all the different artwork of dogs and all the historical information. That said, I wish we got more of it, and I often did not find the humor in the book particularly funny. The potty humor in the book was not for me. But overall, it delivers on its premise, and I learned a little more about these strange paintings.
I loved seeing all the different artwork of dogs and all the historical information. That said, I wish we got more of it, and I often did not find the humor in the book particularly funny. The potty humor in the book was not for me. But overall, it delivers on its premise, and I learned a little more about these strange paintings.
August 21, 2026
Paint, Pups, & Puns.
If you want to add to your canny canine collectibles or just like a little history with your hounds…
Renaissance art, puppy power, serious snark, and a few actual facts make this a fun - and lovely looking - read (a great gift for your doggy degenerate friend, uh, I mean, your mutts’ best mate friend).
If you want to add to your canny canine collectibles or just like a little history with your hounds…
Renaissance art, puppy power, serious snark, and a few actual facts make this a fun - and lovely looking - read (a great gift for your doggy degenerate friend, uh, I mean, your mutts’ best mate friend).
August 21, 2026
3.5 stars
I love the collection of paintings with all the different dogs in them. Flipping through and looking at each one was great. However, I found a lot of the humor that accompanied the art to be a bit juvenile. I feel like it would have been 5 stars if not for that.
I love the collection of paintings with all the different dogs in them. Flipping through and looking at each one was great. However, I found a lot of the humor that accompanied the art to be a bit juvenile. I feel like it would have been 5 stars if not for that.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a fun and light-hearted collection of paintings with dogs in them from the Renaissance period. Quite a few feel like such a mood and made me giggle.
March 9, 2026
A++++++++ and no notes!!!
Thank you Ten Speed Press for the digital access, I will be grabbing a physical copy for my coffee table.
Thank you Ten Speed Press for the digital access, I will be grabbing a physical copy for my coffee table.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Renaissance art is chaos and I love it.
Thank you so much to Net Galley, Taylor Wagmore and Ten Speed Press for the ARC!
April 18, 2026
The perfect mix of history and hilarious looking dogs. LOVED the commentary lol.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a wonderful and funny book. I loved seeing all the very strange looking dogs in very strange places. I also loved the historical insight that was woven through
August 26, 2026
I enjoyed seeing these amazing paintings with the inexplicably goofy depictions of dogs, but the sassy quotes couldn’t possibly match the art.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!
A collection of paintings with dogs in them, accompanied by funny captions of the dog's POV and quotes about dogs from the time period. Could have been more informative.
A collection of paintings with dogs in them, accompanied by funny captions of the dog's POV and quotes about dogs from the time period. Could have been more informative.
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