Choosing a Dog For Dummies [Paperback]

Chris Walkowicz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 29, 2001

Getting a dog is more like getting married than it is like buying a new car or lawnmower—it’s a melding of spirits and a lifetime commitment. So, before you take the leap, you’d better make sure that your choice is based on more than a nice smile and a lively tail. And with more than 400 breeds to choose from, it shouldn’t be too hard to find the right canine companion for you. Looking for a fun-loving pal for lots of rough and tumble family fun? You might try a Boxer or Spinone. Are you a neat-freak who values quiet? The meticulously clean, cat-like Basenji—the handsome Egyptian barkless dog—is for you. Looking for a dependable, even-tempered guard dog/baby-sitter? You might want to consider the fierce-looking Neapolitan Mastiff.

No matter what qualities you’re looking for in a dog, there’s a breed out there for you, and Choosing a Dog For Dummies can help you find it. Written by Chris Walkowicz, President of the Dog Writer’s Association of America, this friendly guide fills you in on what you need to know to:

• Figure out whether or not you really want to share you life with a dog
• Decide which pet qualities you value most
• Select and buy the perfect pet for you and your family
• Give your canine pal the care it deserves
• Find out about breed rescue
• Select a kid-friendly dog

From Affenpinschers to Xoloitzcuintlis, Chris gives you the complete lowdown on 150 of the most popular breeds along with priceless pointers on:

• Finding a reliable breeder and choosing the right puppy for you
• Navigating registration and pedigree issues and handling the paperwork involved with getting a purebred dog
• Preparing your home for the new arrival and adjusting to your new lives together
• Understanding the unique instinctual qualities  and demands of each breed, including grooming, exercise, training, and more

When it comes to matching the right dog to your lifestyle and temperament, it doesn’t pay to play Wheel of Fortune. Make sure that the breed you choose is the right one and have fun doing it with Choosing a Dog For Dummies.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Chris Walkowicz, author of The Perfect Match and other books, is president of the Dog Writer's Association of America. She has raised numerous champion show dogs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (July 29, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764553100
• ISBN-13: 978-0764553103
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect starting point, January 23, 2007

By 

Stacy F. "baybreez" (Long Island, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Choosing a Dog For Dummies (Paperback)

I just finished reading this book and buying my first puppy. This was my bible. I even had folded down pages and brought the book with me when I went to pick up my puppy at the breeder. This book was great because if you go on the AKC web site, they describe dogs by the qualities I didn't care about. They talk about fur markings, tail length, and things about being show quality. This book told me what I wanted to know about each breed like if it's good with kids, how much it sheds, and typical behaviors you can expect. It does that for many breeds including those considered rare. All the info was here about how to find a puppy, questions to ask when interviewing breeders, what all the health certifications mean, etc. It's told from the perspective of a person on the inside who is clearly knowledgeable about the dog world. It would be nice if more of the pictures were in color, as opposed to just the top 20 breeds, but you can't have everything and it would cost a lot more if it did. But overall, it's a great book for someone interested in getting a dog and wanting to know about all the different breeds.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable resource, February 11, 2002

By 

R. Blanton "1chewbecca" (VA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Choosing a Dog For Dummies (Paperback)

As a cat-owner looking for a dog, I needed help. I've only lived with cats during my lifetime (except the dog my parents had until I was 5). This book gives information about the different breeds of dogs, about finding a breeder or rescuing an animal, plus much much more. If you are looking into finding the type of dog that will fit into your household, I highly recommend this book. My husband also found it to be full of information, and he's been a dog-owner all of his life!

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable advice about selecting a "kid-friendly" dog, September 10, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Choosing a Dog For Dummies (Paperback)

Chris Walkowicz's Choosing A Dog For Dummies is a simple, straightforward, easy-to-read, and dependable introduction on how to decide which pet qualities you value most and are compatible with your own particular life style; all of the practical steps to take in choosing a great dog for you; as well as all aspects of properly caring for your canine pet. Additionally, readers can find out about breed rescue, and there's an invaluable advice about selecting a "kid-friendly" dog. If you are considering the acquisition of a canine companion for you or your family, read Chris Walkowicz's Choosing A Dog For Dummies!