The Complete Dog Book, 19th Edition [Hardcover]

American Kennel Club Staff (Author)

Book Description

Series: American Kennel Club | Publication Date: September 15, 1998

The Best-Selling Dog Book of All Time! From Affenpinschers to Yorkshire Terriers, with all the breeds and varieties in between, there is only one source for all the breed standards, all the canine sports and all you need to know about choosing, living with and enjoying purebred dogs. The Complete Dog Book Official Publication of the American Kennel Club

"If the dog owner can buy only one book, this has to be the one!" ?The New York Times
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

There's the Scottish Terrier ("an earth dog used in hunting the fox and the brocke"), the Boston Terrier ("a lively, highly intelligent, smooth coated, short-headed, compactly built, short- tailed, well balanced dog"), or the Great Dane ("one of the most elegant and distinguished varieties of giant-type dog"). In fact, there are 146 AKC-recognized breeds profiled within the pages of the Complete Dog Book, and the pictures and text provide great bowser browsing. The breed descriptions help you choose among the hounds, terriers, toys, and working breeds, the herders, guard dogs, and sporting breeds. Measurements help determine which dogs will best fit your abode (Chesapeake Bay Retrievers measure 21 to 26 inches high at the shoulder, Chinese Cresteds are a mere 11 to 13 inches off the ground, while the Irish Wolfhound stands 30 to 32 inches tall), breed temperaments help you choose your ideal pet, and show criteria help you know what you're looking for when you actually start to shop for a pup. In the meantime, there are interesting stories about breed origins, and a useful glossary of dog terms, while the chapters on grooming, training, and Canine Health and First Aid will come in handy once you've brought your new dog home. --Stephanie Gold

From the Inside Flap

The Complete Dog Book, Revised 19th Edition

Since the first edition was published in 1929, The Complete Dog Book has been the premier reference on purebred dogs. The Complete Dog Book contains the official breed standards for all 146 breeds recognized by the AKC. The totally Revised 19th Edition also features complete breed histories and a reworked Glossary. Enhanced sections include "Living with Your Dog" and "Canine Health and First Aid." This revised edition contains numerous new photographs and provides authoritative information on training and all aspects of dog ownership. New to the 19th Edition are standards, histories and photographs for the seven breeds that gained AKC recognition since the 18th Edition: the American Eskimo Dog, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Canaan Dog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Shiba Inu. This is in addition to those breeds currently in the Miscellaneous Class. Agility Trials and Earthdog Trials, along with the Canine Good Citizen? program, have been added to the growing list of AKC events. All the sports, with all the titles, are covered in this Revised 19th Edition. It's All Here! The official standard for every AKC breed, along with a photo and a detailed history of the breed. Sections on:

• AKC registration procedures, including the latest forms
• Joining a dog club
• Choosing the right dog for you
• Training
• Nutrition
• Responsible breeding
• Grooming
• Canine first aid and health
• A complete Glossary, including anatomical drawings

Every AKC sport, what titles are available and how to get involved:

• Agility Trials
• Canine Good Citizen? Program
• Conformation Shows
• Coonhound Events
• Earthdog Trials
• Field Trials
• Hunting Tests and Trials
• Herding Tests and Trials
• Junior Showmanship
• Lure Coursing Tests and Trials
• Obedience Trials
• Tracking Tests

Product Details

• Hardcover: 800 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 19th Edition Revised edition (September 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087605047X
• ISBN-13: 978-0876050477
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Veterinary

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well I give it 5 stars., July 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Dog Book, 19th Edition (Hardcover)

In my opinion this is a nice book. I am very active in show dogs and the AKC, so this book suits me fine. However, some people may not be completely happy with it. For instance, if you want to know what breed of dog you should get, this is not the book to help you. Although it glosses over the history and care of each breed, you will need a lot more information if you want to decide which breed to get. Also, if you are not into purebred dogs or their standards, you probably wouldn't be interested in the book, maybe only the last section with dog care in it. Which brings me to this point: if you are looking for a book which teaches you how to care for your dog, this book only contains only the absolute basics, and you will need a much more detailed book to teach you thorough care. Another thing is, there are more than 400 breeds of dogs, and since the AKC recognizes around 150 of them, this book only gives you a small taste of all the breeds that are out there.

With that said, I truly enjoyed this book, and if you are none of the above, then I recommend this book to you!

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A more perfect reference book on dogs could not be written., January 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Dog Book, 19th Edition (Hardcover)

Definitely the complete dog book. Only the AKC could compile such a magnificent encyclopedia of dogs, their temperments, genetic problems, not to mention some basic training and health tips. As a dog owner and writer I find myself constantly looking into this book for needed facts and reading far beyond what I originally intended. What more can one say?

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars AKC Complete Dog Book, 19th Edition, October 17, 2004

By 

Lisa M. Wilkins "Belle-Peyton Kerry Blue Terr... (Columbia, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Dog Book, 19th Edition (Hardcover)

I recommend this book to every novice who wants to learn about types of dogs able to compete in conformation shows as it gives the AKC official standard of each breed. However, this book needs to be updated very soon. There are at least 9 new breeds that have been added to the Amercian Kennel Club since this publication.

In general this is a great source of reference for the avid dog lover. But if you want to know about every dog breed in the universe, you should purchase and Encyclopedia of Dogs for this.