Mutts » (Bargain)

SHARON MONTROSE is a professional photographer and the author of Lightweights; Labs: Lightweights Littermates; Dachshunds: Lightweights Littermates; Carry-Ons (all STC); and Cationary. She lives in Los Angeles with her two dogs, Simon and Avery.

Quick: What's the leading dog breed in the world? Well, of course, it isn't a "breed" at all. The top dog, in terms of the numbers, is the humble mutt. And mutts-in their infinitely quirky, oddball, all-mixed-up variety-have a very special place in all our hearts.

Even so, mutts' contributions to dogdom-and to the millions of human beings whose lives they share and enrich-have tended to remain uncelebrated. With Mutts, pet photographer Sharon Montrose aims to elevate these beloved but underappreciated companions' status through a series of 60 portraits that unleash the intelligence, cockiness, loyalty, energy, good looks, and sheer irresistibility of the mixed-breed dog.

It's a job to which Montrose brings a substantial professional pedigree (so to speak). In her four previous hit books for STC, she lovingly trained her camera's eye on purebred puppies, chihuahuas, dachshunds, and labs. Now, in this beautifully photographed and impeccably designed book, she accords mutts the same V.I.P. (Very Important Pooch) treatment. No matter what the mix-cocker spaniel/poodle, terrier/chihuahua, poodle/labrador, or heeler/corgi-Montrose's gentle pack of adorable mongrels is guaranteed to charm. Like each of its subjects, Mutts makes a one-of-a-kind addition to any dog lover's life.