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Publishers will be going barking mad for canines this autumn, with different spins on the shaggy dog story scheduled, from memoirs to picture books and pampering tips.
Headline is releasing two books aimed at the novelty and gifting market, with Find Fenton by Stuart Cooper (27th September hb, £9.99), a Where's Wally?-style illustrated book which features the YouTube runaway dog sensation Fenton, who has been watched 5.7 million times. Find Fenton features the dog in scenes including a Buckingham Palace garden party and the House of Commons.
Underwater Dogs by Seth Casteel follows on 25th October (hb, £14.99), a collection of more than 80 photographs of dogs swimming, diving, fetching or exploring below the water's surface.
Headline deputy publisher for non-fiction Sarah Emsley said the market for dog books could be relied on: "People who love dogs really love dogs, and many of them love books too. These Christmas titles make an easy gift for dog owners and we would expect a lot of self-purchases as well." She added: "In such a crowded market it is essential that each book has a strong hook or an existing platform," saying Casteel's Underwater Dogs images have had more than 100 million hits on his website.
Simon & Schuster is tapping into the glamorous dog-owning contingent with Diva Dogs: Perfect Pampering for Your Pooch by Louise Harris (27th September, £18.99, hb), described as "part memoir, part fashion and beauty manual—an unashamedly glamorous guide to canine couture and pampering", with Harris the owner of the Diva Dogs Emporium in Essex.
S&S Illustrated commercial director Ami Richards said its title was targeting the "'diva' dog breed-owners who are obsessed with the well-being of their pooches. "We're hoping to corner the gifting market and make this the essential Christmas gift for all 'toy' dog lovers."
Ebury is also hoping to help owners treat their dogs, with Dinner for Dogs by Henrietta Munson, a cookbook with specially created dog food recipes, out on 2nd August (hb, £9.99).
HarperCollins will be publishing Uggie the Dog, the memoirs of the Jack Russell star of Oscar-winning "The Artist" on 25th October (hb, £9.99). Orion has doggy "memoirs" from Triggs, footballer Roy Keane's pet, as a £9.99 hb/£5.99 e-book, taking in 10 major trophy wins, drunken nights, and Player of the Year awards.
Meanwhile, the winning duo from "Britain's Got Talent", dog Pudsey and his owner Ashleigh, are thought to be mooting a book deal.