SACKVILLE-WEST, Vita; GOEHR, Laelia
Faces - Profiles of Dogs

In Faces, Vita Sackville-West traces the origins and history of forty-four dog breeds, reflecting on their characteristics with frank humour, from the silky gentle-eyed Afghan, ‘like somebody’s elderly Aunt Lavinia, who nourishes a secret passion for the Vicar’, to the Labrador Retriever, ‘dear, solid, faithful lump of a dog!’, and that ‘docile minion’ the Corgi.

First published in 1961, each profile is accompanied by Laelia Goehr’s striking black and white photographs. Together, profile and portrait capture these canine characters in their various moods: benevolent, haughty, amused, wistful, or simply a little bit sleepy.

Charming and fascinating in equal measure, Faces is a joyful read for all dog lovers.

Published by Daunt Books, 2019
Literature / Animal Studies