Dogs photographed through the years by some of Magnum Photos’ most notable photographers

As a photo editor, I see thousands of images each week from around the world. They depict not only news but also human triumphs and struggles and scenes from everyday life. I have deep respect for the contributions canines bring to our lives, so I am quick to notice when a dog appears in one of these photographs. I’ve seen dogs dressed in costumes in parades, stray dogs starving on the streets and everything between. I find myself reading the caption of the photograph hoping the dogs are or will be okay. Recently, I saw a photograph of a pro-Russian rebel in the Donetsk region of Ukraine petting two puppies in a trench where he was fighting. I was relieved when the caption said that the rebels would name the puppies and take them home.

Magnum Photos, the international photographic cooperative owned by its photographer-members, has covered historical events and the human condition around the world for over 70 years. While on assignment or between assignments, Magnum photographers such as Elliott Erwitt, David Hurn, Inge Morath and others have beautifully or humorously portrayed dogs and their relationships with humans. Magnum Photos combed its extensive archive to find the best of these photographs and has curated them in the book “Magnum Dogs” by publisher Thames & Hudson. Here is a selection of photographs from the book.

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