Product Description

Updated with the latest information on canine breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, this lavishly illustrated volume is a treasure house of information for dog lovers, owners, breeders, and prospective buyers. It begins with a detailed discussion of breed evolution, focusing on the physical and behavioral traits that distinguish one canine breed from another. The book’s main section profiles more than 150 breeds, arranged in the general categories specified by the AKC—Sporting Group, Hound Group, Working Group, Terrier Group, Toy Group, Non-Sporting Group, and Herding Group. Each profile tells how and why the breed was developed, and how selection to perpetuate specific traits affects a dog’s suitability as a pet. Advice for prospective dog owners will help them be sure they are choosing a breed that is compatible with their own situation and needs. They will also find information on each breed’s vulnerability to specific health problems, longevity, exercise needs, compatibility with children, and much more. Profuse illustrations include color photos of all listed breeds.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35456 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 368 pages

From Booklist
In this volume, readers will find information to help them make sound decisions as they consider bringing a purebred dog into their lives. More than 150 breed descriptions are grouped along American Kennel Club divisions: the sporting group, the hound group, the working group, and so on. Each breed entry includes a lovely color photograph that, thanks to the size of the book itself, is large enough to offer bright, clear images. Breed descriptions are organized into subsections entitled "History," "Temperament," "Upkeep," "Health," and "Form and Function." An "Illustrated Standard" sidebar consists of helpful black-and-white line drawings that highlight some of the distinguishing elements of the breed standard as defined by the AKC. Another sidebar, "At a Glance," lists characteristics for each breed, including energy level; playfulness; friendliness toward dogs, other pets, and strangers; protection and watchdog ability; grooming requirements; and heat and cold tolerance. It is easy to compare breeds using these "At a Glance" sidebars.

The appendixes include "Definitions of Medical Conditions," a list of Web-based genetic health resources, lists of currently available DNA tests and testing laboratories for disease-causing genes, a glossary, and drawings of dog anatomy. The glossary is broken into subsections such as "General Terms," "Color Terms," "Head Terms," and "Movement Terms." The "Index of Breed Entries" includes the AKC names as well as alternate names, with the former clearly marked in bold type.

This book is recommended for public and school libraries, and its affordable price makes it a good candidate for the circulating as well as the reference collection. It would also be useful in compact reference facilities such as mobile libraries. Scottie Wallace
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Back Cover
[back cover]


More than 150 breeds profiled and arranged in categories specified by the AKC:

Sporting Group * Hound Group * Working Group * Terrier Group * Toy Group

* Non-Sporting Group * Herding Group



Color Photos of All Listed Breeds

About the Author
D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D., is an award-winning writer who has been showing dogs for more than a quarter of a century. In addition to The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, she is the author of several more dog-care books available in both Barron’s Pet Handbook and Pet Owner’s Manual series.

Customer Reviews

A great book for the children
As librarian in a Pre-K through 8th grade school library, I am occasionally asked by students to buy certain kinds of books. The number one request this year was a dog breed book, not a book about dogs, but specifically dog breeds. I looked at all the books available on Amazon and discovered that "Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds" best met our needs. From the time the book was processed and checked out to the boy who requested it, the waiting list remained steady. Once checked out, the book was relinquished only because of threats by the Library Dragon.

All of the preceding paragraph is background to say how valuable this book is and how much students love it. If you or your family are ready to obtain a dog, this book certainly will provide you with information in making good choices.

The first chapter begins with the Dog Family and moves to the Family Dog, asks how good the breed is with children , and how to use the Breed Profiles. Then most of the book is taken by the specifics of the various breeds of dogs. Divided into classes, dogs belong to the sporting group, hounds, working dogs, terriers, toys, non-sporting group, and herders.

When a book contains over 150 breeds of dogs, the viewer will see almost infinite varieties of some breeds. For example, American Staffordshire Terrier and the Bull Terrier resemble each other. Do you know the Glen of Imaal Terrier? Or the Kerry Blue Terrier or Irish Terrier, Lakeland Terrier? The Manchester Terrier looks like a small Doberman Pinscher. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is one of those with long hair covering his eyes. He's from Ireland.

The Working Group are "those dogs that put their bravery or brawn into the service of humans." They can be guard dogs, protectors, sled dogs, cart dogs, and rescue dogs. They are known for their intelligence and hardiness (105). Each breed gets a two-page spread.

Here's the Komondor, the large dog that has cord-like tassels for fur. The breed originated in Hungary, where it is still plentiful. It was used as a sheep herder and is being bred for that use in the United States now. However, because of its cords, it must live in a cool climate. Its positive qualities are affection, friendliness, good watchdog, and a great protector. Its negative qualities are its unfriendliness toward other dogs and strangers, and low heat tolerance.

Each two-page spread contains sub-articles on history of the breed, temperament, upkeep, health, form and function, At a Glance chart, an illustration showing the standards of the breed, plus a posed, competition-like photograph and a close-up showing the nature of the dog.

The last section of the book contains a glossary of medical conditions, illustrations of dog anatomy, and an index.

This is a book to sit down with and spend an hour at a time, just browsing the interesting articles, looking at photographs, and picking up useful information for now or later concerning dog breeds. "Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds" is simply a great book to have!

A great resource
I found this to be very helpful as my family was searching for a new puppy. We were able to see and learn about breeds we had never even heard of.

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!
IS THE BEST COMPLEMENT FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME, THAT NEED TO REMEMBER SEEING COLOR. IF YOU HAVE THE AKC BOOK AND NEED TO STUDY, THIS ONE IS A MUST TO ADD IN YOUR LIBRARY.