The dog is a wonderful animal, loyal to a man. Since ancient times, it has been helping people. The dog acts in different mythologies of the world as a shepherd, guard, lifeguard. In Norse mythology, the Queen of Gods and wife Odin, Frigg (goddess of home, love and marriage) ran a chariot drawn by dogs.

Also, dogs performed as gods. For example, the God Anubis — the patron of the dead from ancient Egyptian mythology, with the human body and the dog's head (Jackal) was previously depicted as a whole dog. In Sumerian mythology, the goddess of fertility Baba (or Bau) appeared either in the form of a dog, or something similar.

Thus, we can see that attention has been paid to this animal since ancient times. Let's get acquainted with animalist artists and their works, which depict our smaller friends.

Pierre-Alfred Dedreux

(1810, Paris).

Animal painter from France. He loved to portray horses, however, the picture with the dogs was excellent.

"Pug Dog in an Armchair ". 1857. 58x40. H., M. St. Petersburg, Hermitage.

"Rich and poor". 1845

"Young Woman with a Dog". 46.5x32.5. Canvas, oil paints. Private collection.

"The Greyhound in a Landscape".85.7x114.6. Canvas, oil paints. Private collection.

Charles Burton Barber (1845-1894)

The artist-animal painter from England. Often portrayed children with their best friends — dogs.

"A Special Pleader", 1891

The New Art Gallery Walsall, the UK. 30x40, oil on canvas.

"Compulsory Education", 1886, Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France. 40x30, oil on canvas.

"Monster", 1881. Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France. 30x40, oil on canvas.

"Off to School", 1881. The Lady Lever Art Gallery, the UK. 30x40, oil on canvas.

And finally, a contemporary artist-animal painter from Beloretsk, Gulshat Gilmanova.

Great pastel dogs.

"Ronnie". Pastel. 30x45

"Barboska". Pastel. 30x40

"Vilotta on a Light Background". Pastel. 30x40

"Caesar". Pastel. 25x35