Pug Shots

With their squished-up faces, solidly built bodies, bug-eyes, and curlicue tails, pugs are one of the most oddly endearing of all canine breeds. What other breed can look so philosophical, dignified, puzzled, content, or just plain cool with only a slight change of expression? The pugs in Pug Shots look right at home whether getting married on the spur of the moment in a Las Vegas chapel, studying the fine architecture in a Gothic cathedral, or trying out a new toupee.

Photographer Jim Dratfield has captured pugs in all of their moods in sepia-toned and full-color photographs, along with a fitting, pun-filled caption for each. You'll meet a pot-bellied pug, litter pugs, a horse and puggy, and pugz 'n the hood. Dratfield is the creative director of Petography, Inc., a fine-art photographic pet portrait studio, and is obviously adept at capturing the personalities of animals on camera, as well as using props and settings to bring out their personas.

If you've never been introduced to the all-pug band The Puggles, a dune puggy, or Three Pugs in a Fountain, Pug Shots will acquaint you with these strangely likeable little creatures. All dog lovers, especially pug fans, should enjoy this energetic, creative photo collection. --Kris Law