Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds [Hardcover]

D. Caroline Coile Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

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.

Editorial Reviews

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 2 edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764157000
• ISBN-13: 978-0764157004
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 1.2 x 11.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,747 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Pets & Animal Care > Dogs > Breeds
  • #5 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Veterinary

More About the Author

D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D. has written 34 books and hundreds of magazine and scientific articles about dogs. She writes the monthly Breeder's Notebook column for Dog World magazine and the bi-monthly Nutrition column for the AKC Gazette. Her dog writing awards include the Dog Writer's Association of America Maxwell Award (eight times), the AKC Canine Health Foundation Award (twice), the Eukanuba Canine Health Award (twice), and the DWAA Denlinger Award. Her best-known book is Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. She has also written two children's books about dogs.

Caroline holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Florida State University, with research interests in canine behavior, senses, genetics and neuropsychology. She has taught college classes in psychology, behavioral genetics, animal senses, and animal learning, among others. She has served as a canine consultant to the FAA and has served on the AKC Canine Health Foundation President's Council. She has appeared on television and radio shows, including NPR's Talk of the Nation and Australia's Breakfast Radio. She has been quoted in Newsweek magazine and USA Today.

On a practical level, Caroline has lived with dogs all of her life, and has competed in dog events since 1975. She is the only person to have owned Best in Show, Best in Field, High in Trial (obedience), and High in Trial (agility) salukis, and they were all owner-handled. Her dogs have included nationally ranked #1 show and #1 obedience salukis, and top-10 lure-coursing, agility, rally and racing salukis.

www.carolinecoile.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

98 of 100 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best out there September 27, 2002

By Y. Leventhal

Format:Hardcover

It took $50 worth of purchase of other dog encyclopedias for me to appreciate this concise, well-written, humorous, and very informative book. It outlines the history of the breed in question, the temperament (in several paragraphs, NOT with little obscure and ambiguous icons), and there is an overall rating area that succinctly profiles the breed's exercise needs, energy level, affection level for other pets and dogs and strangers, and grooming needs. If one is trying to decide between two breeds, the ratings make it very convenient to compare and contrast. It also provides the AKC rank for each breed, which gives one an idea of the popularity (and perhaps the availability) of the particular breed in the US. This book does not list very obscure European breeds, however. For those of you who are "just looking for a nice dog", I do highly recommend this book.

74 of 75 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gives you the un-sugar coated skinny on life span, coat care February 4, 1999

By [e-mail]

Format:Hardcover

I have tried and tried to find a realistic text to help me bring in a new large breed dog to my canine family when my Kuvasz passes. I use the Irish Wolf Hound as my guideline to see if an author tells the often unpalatable whole scenario. And this book does. The lavish pictures are a joy to behold but I am NOT unwittingly beguiled into adding a family member that statistically will pass on in 5 to 7 years, such as I know to be the case with the splendid Wolfhound. Other authors, whether through ignorance, lack of research or just plain not caring about the impact of lifespan on an uninitiated I.W. first time purchaser, routinely claim 11 years an I.W. lifespan. This book allows ME to decide based on CORRECT information for the breeds.I also like the distinction between watchdog and protection factors, one often blurred by other authors. HUZZAH!

65 of 68 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Dog Reference Especially for New Dog Lovers! December 26, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I bought this book because I've been looking for a detailed reference on dogs with real pictures. I previously owned Dr. Fogle's book. It is quite good, with full color illustrations of the breeds. It also contains around 400 breeds of dogs, including those not yet registered by the AKC. Unfortunately, it lacks details like affection level, freindliness to different types of "elements" like to dogs, to strangers, etc. This book went further down with what Dr. Fogle has. Unfortunately, only 150 AKC breeds are included. Those looking for uncommon breeds, this book is not for you. However, if you plan on doing research on dogs that are easily obtainable, then this is a great reference. I like the different sections for each breed like History, Temperament, and Upkeep. This helps a lot especially when buying a new dog or puppy. I also like how the author differentiated watchdog ability and protection ability. Many people confuse these as one and the same. Then when they got their dog, they found out that it's all bark and no bite. The standard is helpful for those wishing to show their dogs (the Philippines has the same standard as the AKC). The only thing I didn't like that much are a few of the pictures. Most of them are fabulous. However, some of them, like the Miniature Schnauzer, are not well represented. I have a Mini and kinda disappointed at the second picture of the breed they used. That ear crop on those two dogs is terrible! With this, I have to bring my rating down to 4 stars. Overall, a great book for dog lovers.

82 of 88 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Breeders Agree, It's Great December 24, 1999

By Susan Benson

Format:Hardcover

As an avid dog lover and veterinary student, I found this book to be a very complete, yet concise reference. The pictures are wonderful, I have taken this book to several dog shows and I always get comments on how nice the dogs in the photos are as well as being correct in describing the breeds. I turn to this book regularly to research breeds for clients, for myself and just to look at the pictures.

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The books grows on you ... December 27, 2001

By Yeoh Siok Kee

Format:Hardcover

When I first reviewed this book in May 2001, I gave it 4 stars ... But 8 months down and several other Breed Type books later, I think this book rates 5 STARS ... It's a very good book ...

Its binding and quality (hardcover version) are excellent, the book has stood up to much handling and use, still looks like new. The book is seldom on the shelf and is constantly picked up, looked at, referred to - by friends, visitors and us.

328 pages of useful information, generally good photographs, with illustrations, the book is great value for money.
It's has proven to be a great reference source. (a) It's well printed, easy on the eyes. (b) Information sensibly set out under categories of History, Temperament, Upkeep, Health (including life span), Form & Function. The information provided is detailed enough for most purposes. (c) Provides effective quick reference boxes, setting out basic breed characteristics such as height/weight, energy level, exercise requirements, affection level, watchdog ability, protection ability, ease of training etc ... with sketch illustration of the breed standard.

The design of the book is just so well balanced, allowing for quick reference and well as encouraging detailed reading.
Just as important, we find the information to be reasonably accurate and correct.

Although we have found other books that cover more breeds (this books only covers 150 breeds), the wonderful design and information provided by this book more than compensates for that relatively minor lacking.

Maybe the next edition will include more breeds ... *fingers crossed* ...