Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds [Hardcover]

J. Anne Helgren (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997

Here is a handsomely illustrated descriptive directory of virtually all major cat breeds available to prospective owners in America--a "must-read" reference source for cat lovers and breeders everywhere. Opening chapters include a survey of feline history and evolution, a detailed description of the qualities that make a purebred, a summary of feline genetics, and a discussion of conformation, color, and coat. Following are alphabetically arranged profiles of 40 different breeds, from Abyssinian through Burmese, Manx, and Scottish Fold, to Turkish Van. Remaining chapters provide detailed discussions of the American domestic cat, experimental breeds, choosing the right breed for the right household, pricing and judging quality when buying a purebred, descriptions of cat associations and shows, and advice on showing purebreds. Supplementary information includes a glossary of terms and a list of helpful books and periodicals.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764150677
• ISBN-13: 978-0764150678
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Cats > Breeds

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an almost "purr-fect" cat encyclopedia, October 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds (Hardcover)

After buying many encyclopedia cat books (6 in all) and continually being disappointed in the lack of detailed information on many subjects, such as the differences in personalities among the various breeds, I have finally found, what I believe, is the definitive book on cat breeds. Ms. Helgren has taken her time to explain the dissimilarities among each breed and has done so in an extremely interesting and concise profile form. She has used easy to read charts for showing the various levels of behavior and general care concerns for each type. There's even a chapter on how to choose the best cat for YOUR personality. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is either beginning a search or just wants to find out more about these wonderful feline companions.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, December 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds (Hardcover)

I agree wholeheartly with the reader from California. If you are considering purchasing a cat, you will find this book to be helpful. I also enjoyed the chapter about the history of cat organizations. The author remains neutral about all the various groups, but it appears as if some of them would like to scratch the others eyes out! Talk about being "catty"! I had no idea where were so many cat associations. This book has it all - great pictures, detailed ratings of each breed's characteristics, and well written personality trait descriptions. I have enjoyed every page.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre photos, July 20, 2004

By 

M. L. Bless (Jersey Shore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds (Hardcover)

I had previously bought Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, and was looking forward to the same sort of large, high quality photos in the cat encyclopedia. Boy, was I disappointed! The photos are small (average size is 2 1/2 X 3 1/2). Some are murky or dark. Some are against poorly chosen backgrounds (e.g. a dark cat against a dark background). Some are mislabeled. (The largest photo of a Siamese is clearly NOT a Siamese.) And speaking of Siamese, they get so wrapped up in trying to show the difference between Traditional and Extreme that they never bother to show photos of all or even most of the colorpoints. (i.e. Sealpoint, Lilac Point, etc.) All in all, the photos are better in one of those $2.49 pamphlets that you buy at your local pet store!