Top 10 Best Books About Dogs in the UK 2020 (Cesar Millan, Kerry Irving and More)

The Complete Dog Breed Book is the perfect book for someone set on adding a four-legged friend to the family but hasn't gone much further than that. The book catalogues more than 420 breeds with a section of detailed information on each one. 

It includes personality traits, specific training advice and needs, and other high-level information that will help you work it all out. However, while this book is great for helping to decide which breed to choose, it will only be a starting point. Once you've decided, you'll need to do more in-depth research on that particular breed.

A true classic published in 1906, and often studied in English Literature classes, this is a story told from the viewpoint of the dog (well, half dog, half wolf). It's a moral tale which explores the special bond between humans and animals as it follows the life of White Fang and his relationship with his master who rescued him from his abuser.

At times the description of animal cruelty can be a little much to muster for some, especially as the narrative is told from the dog's point of view, but it's a captivating read (or listen) and full of suspense nonetheless. 

How to Raise the Perfect Dog is an excellent catch-all reference book for any new dog owner. Based on the teachings from one of the most famous dog trainers in the world – Cesar – How to Raise The Perfect Dog further unpacks his advice offering training techniques suitable for dogs of any age.

It contains a wealth of information including how to housebreak a puppy, proper nutrition, vaccinations, boundaries, being assertive and a general guide to raising dogs. Being quite the celebrity, there is a fair amount of content about the author and his life, which some readers found a bit distracting. 

George is a dog with moral dilemmas. He wants to be good but gets tempted by all sorts of things like cakes and cats. The story follows this mischievous pooch after his owner pops out to do the shopping, leaving him all alone. Throughout the day, he battles with decisions on what he should do.

He's clearly trying his best but quite often falls short, though it's near impossible not to love him. Perfect for bedtime reading, this is a profound moral story surrounded by laughter, mischief and fun – the best kind of children's book if you ask us!

Old Dogs Are the Best Dogs is a book filled with exquisitely-detailed photographs of senior dogs. Essentially, it's a series of portraits of 70 senior dogs which have been shot in black and white to appear as detailed, precise and sophisticated as possible. 

To accompany each portrait is the dog's story. Some are only a few lines long, but each one is crafted beautifully. A fascinating read, and a great coffee table book that will give you a whole new appreciation for old dogs. The attention is always on the bouncy new puppy, but these old heroes need some love.

Us dog lovers are fascinated by a true story which tugs on your heartstrings as much as anyone. The book is about Kerry, who suffered severe injuries from a car accident which completely upturned his life. He became unemployed, and moved from cycling 600 miles a month to becoming completely housebound – that's when the depression started to kick in.

When he eventually braves the outside world again, he meets a dog called Max, and they create an everlasting bond so unique that it helps them both through the most challenging times of their lives. An inspiring story, guaranteed to leave you in tears.

A book about the relationship between humans and dogs and how it has evolved over time, In Defence of Dogs begins retelling the author's memory of his grandfather's childhood dog. It compares how free dogs were when he was growing up to how restricted they are today, and how that might affect the relationship.

This compelling book discusses how the 'show the dog you're the alpha' approach is misunderstood and based on wolves living in packs, which is an entirely different relationship from a human and their pet. A fascinating, eye-opening book for any dog lover out there.

Another narrative written from the dog's point of view, this is a heartwarming story about Enzo, a loyal family dog. Enzo learns about the human condition by watching television and listening to the family around him. He becomes an unsung hero helping them overcome their problems, keeping the family together through their tragedies and triumphs.

The Art of Racing in the Rain is the perfect book to lose yourself in if you're a fully-fledged dog lover. Full of drama, tragedy, laughter and love, this is a beautiful story told through the eyes of a loyal friend.

At just under 250 pages, this is a relatively short book, but it's not meant as a quick-read. This dog training book takes you through a step-by-step process of identifying the problem areas and building a plan to reach your goals.

With any informational book, it pays to check the credibility of the author. In this case, being a dog trainer, a zoologist and author of multiple dog training books, Pippa Mattinson knows her stuff. The information is presented clearly, and it's easily digestible, but best of all, it also includes information on training older dogs, not just puppies.

One of those stories that blends memoir with fiction, Never Cry Wolf is a fascinating account of a naturalist who spent time studying wolves in the Arctic. Farley Mowat follows a small pack of wolves around the Canadian wildlands and over time develops a deep connection with the animals.

Surrounding his observations is an adventure intertwined with records of myths and superstitions. Available in any format you could want, this is a story more fictional than memoir according to critics, so we've rated it as such. Essential reading for dog lovers!