Product Description

Updated with new breeds and new photos!

This best-selling DK title has been enhanced with 148 new pages featuring magnificent photographs of America's favorite pet. The book covers every breed known to man with all the distinctive details of each.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #168007 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 416 pages

Amazon.com
It's important to choose our friends wisely, and relationships with man's best friend require a special kind of wisdom. Renowned veterinarian Bruce Fogle (Natural Dog Care) has compiled over 400 pages of helpful advice concerning canine companions, and those looking to learn more about their favorite breeds need look no further. The New Encyclopedia of the Dog's six chapters are filled with gorgeous photos illustrating dogs of all ages from every breed imaginable. While the majority of the book is devoted to explanations of specific breeds, five short chapters provide information on evolution, domestication, health and anatomy, communication, and the roles dogs have played in recent human history. With historical photographs of tapestries, ceramics, and movie posters, as well as intricate diagrams of canine anatomy and charts outlining proper health care, these chapters provide great material for middle-school research papers or science-fair projects.

The 310 pages that fall within the "Domestic Dog Breed" chapter are further divided into nine categories of dogs that range from fascinating primitives to hard-working livestock and guarding dogs. Each breed has multiple photos, both as an adult and a puppy, and a standard set of information that includes size, weight, life expectancy, date and country of origin, and AKC registration. A few simple icons, explained in this chapter's introduction, provide you with information at a glance--when learning about new breeds, you'll know right away if the dog requires extensive grooming and plenty of exercise, or is suitable for small children and city dwelling. From the popular golden retriever to the exotic xoloitzcuintli, the perfect pooches in these photos would melt even the heart of Cruella DeVille. --Jill Lightner

From Library Journal
Here are two exceptional new titles in the dog encyclopedia category. Superb illustrations of every conceivable common and uncommon breed are the main focus of these books, designed to take the reader on a photographic tour of the dog world. Fogle (ASPCA Complete Dog Care Manual, LJ 6/1/93; The Dog's Mind, LJ 12/92) is an acknowledged animal behavior expert. Because of his vast experience as a practicing veterinarian, Fogle is able to provide his readers with more practical insight. His book includes brief but informative sections on the development and evolution of the dog, dogs and humans (i.e., folklore, art, sports), structure and physiology, communication and behavior, and care (health, feeding, grooming, travel, and behavior problems). Readers wanting further information are referred to Fogle's other books for more details. As expected, the sections on the various breeds dominate. The categories chosen are admittedly arbitrary and unlike those used in similar titles: primitive, sight hounds, scent hounds, spitz type, terrier, gundog, livestock, companion, and random bred. Multiple outstanding photographs accompany half-page to full-page descriptions of the over 400 breeds featured. Legacy of the Dog covers fewer breeds (about 200) but is better organized. The table of contents lists seven standard categories (herding, working, sporting, hound, terrier, toy, nonsporting) and an alphabetical list of the breeds included in each category. There is a brief discussion of the history of domestic dogs, which include the characteristics of the groups chosen. Group charts display all the breeds listed in each group, making comparison very easy. Most breeds have a double-page spread with exceptional photographs (taken by the author over a three-year period) and very brief descriptions. Since Yamazaki is a photographer and not a vet, his book's emphasis is obviously on photography. One also questions some of Yamazaki's observations on the breeds themselves. For example, in a discussion of Border Collies, he remarks that "it is also well suited as a household pet," a statement that Fogle disputes. Both titles are highly recommended for the quality and quantity of photos. However, Fogle may be more accurate in his observations, and if you can purchase only one title, it should be his.?Edell Marie Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., Brookfield, Wis.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
The cover claims that this is "the most comprehensive illustrated guide to the canine world, featuring more than 400 breeds and varieties." Introductory chapters cover dog history, their relationships with humans, physiology, socialization, and care. By far the longest and most valuable part of the book is the section on dog breeds, which is more than 200 pages and describes more than 400 types (not necessarily AKC-recognized). Breeds are organized in an international standard classification using eight categories based on physical characteristics, origin, and behavior.

Each entry has at least two or three large, clear photos (full face and side view of the whole body), with up to six shots to illustrate particular features ("dark-pigmented lower lips droop naturally" on a golden retriever). Text is concise; just a paragraph on breed history and then a few sentences describing highlights such as the dog's geographic limits or how to distinguish it from similar breeds. The "Key Facts" box for each summarizes the breed's country and date of origin, its first use (puffin hunting, sheep herding, farm ratting) and use today (companion, watchdog, gundog), life expectancy, other names, and height and weight ranges. Coat-color boxes as well as graphic symbols provide information on appearance, obedience training, exercise, and grooming requirements; suitability for homes with children and other animals; and climatic extremes.

The book is as visually appealing as other Dorling-Kindersley titles, such as The Encyclopedia of the Horse [RBB D 1 94]. Coverage with much more text, but far fewer illustrations, and emphasizing AKC criteria and competition may be found in T.F.H.'s Atlas of Dog Breeds (1989) and AKC's Complete Dog Book (1992).

With so much information packed into an easy-to-use format, minor weaknesses can be overlooked. For example, popular names are rarely indexed (the continental toy spaniel is not listed for papillon or phalene), and the text is occasionally repetitive. However, this will be a useful reference and browsing volume for most public and school libraries.

Customer Reviews

GREAT Overview of NUMEROUS Breeds with Quality Photos
I think it is hard to find a good dog encyclopedia. That is why I would like to share some information this book contains. Chapter One: Historical Development of the Dog. Chapter Two: Dog's influence on humans. Chapter Three: A Dog's Biology. This chapter contains information for those interested in dogs design, structure, and movement. Chapter Four: A Dog's Lifecycle. Chapter Five: Domestic Dog Breeds. This is what sells the book. It has 375 breeds with excellent pictures. I want to emphasize the pictures because they have at least two pictures per breed. In on case the German Sheppard has 11 pictures. The book also has a good amount of the more uncommon dog breeds. Chapter Six: Caring for your Dog. It contains dog safety, health, feeding, nutrition, grooming, traveling, boarding, behavior, and equipment. Now that you have the general information on the book, I wanted to clarify that in the Domestic Dog Breeds section it is not deeply descriptive on each specific breed. If you were to ask my opinion on the book I would say if you aren't trying to get a lot of information on a specific breed or a lot of information on a certain subject than buy it! From what I was expecting I would rate it a 10.

People Pleaser
Great "coffee table" book , everyone who comes over to my house HAS to pick up this book & peruse through it......ALL making comments ,men & women alike , they LOVE the pictures , facts , etc. Would recommend for anyone who loves/likes dogs/animals , has children , has lots of friends who visit & need a "start-up" conversation , a visitor's "MUST" , surprising impact book......

Grreat for the inquisitive mind
This book is a quick guide to all the dog breeds in the world. My husband and I refer to it frequently; for example, if we see a breed we're unfamiliar with we'll look it up in this book. Or if we meet a dog that is behaving in a certain way, we go to this book to learn what the typical behavior for that breed is. The photographs are straightforward and not overly styled. Yet the photographs are so professional that you really don't need a different book that may have lot's of "beauty" shots in it. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs in general, and who is interested in learning a little bit about all the specific breeds.

The last comment I'd like to add is that this book is really quite beautiful for a reference book. It's worth the price, and if you are a dog lover it will be in your library forever.