This study investigates the moral, social, and philosophical meanings of representations of dogs in Russian literature, film, and culture. Major themes include cruelty to dogs, dogs and emotional needs, dogs in the service of the country, border guard dogs, hunting dogs, and dog meat in times of famine. Authors and works discussed include Mikhail Bulgakov’s Heart of a Dog, Boris Pilnyak’s “A Dog’s Life,” and Nikolai Gogol’s Diary of a Madman. Black and white historical illustrations are included. Annotation ©2015 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)