"Ludo is a dog--Simon Garfield’s beloved black Labrador retriever, one of millions of canines who have become integral parts of our lives. But how did the humble dog become top dog? How did these faithful animals come to assist us not only in hunting, but in bomb disposal and cancer detection--and ultimately become our closest companions? Dog’s Best Friend examines how this bond developed over the centuries, and how it has transformed countless lives, both human and canine. Garfield begins with the earliest visual representations--dogs depicted in ancient rock art--and ends at the laboratory that first sequenced the canine genome"--Dust jacket flap.