The Good, the Bad, and the Furry: Choosing the Dog That's Right for You [Paperback]

Sam Stall (Author), Edwin J. Sayres (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

With The Good, the Bad, and the Furry, author Sam Stall has consulted with dozens of breed rescue groups to learn the best—and worst—traits of more than 100 different dogs, from Affenpinschers and Afghans to Whippets and Yorkshire Terriers. These illustrated profiles offer honest, warts-and-all assessments of the world’s most popular breeds—and show which ones are right for you.
 
     •  Like to watch TV? The Brussels Griffon is a perfect companion for a couch potato’s lifestyle.
     •  Love to garden? So does the Bernese Mountain Dog, so be careful. Anyone considering this breed should expect a backyard full of holes.
     •  Have a house full of kids? The trusty Irish Setter will be their best friend.
     •  Live in a big-city high-rise? Pass on the Jack Russell Terrier—these dogs have tremendous energy and need plenty of open space to burn it off.
 
With more than 100 illustrations and a handy at-a-glance icon reference system, The Good, the Bad, and the Furry has everything you need to find the right dog for you!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his foreword to this little red volume, ASPCA president Edwin J. Sayres talks about the problem of homeless "companion animals" in the U.S. Perhaps there wouldn't be so many homeless dogs if only their owners had read this wise and friendly book first. Stall (The Dog Owner's Manual) tells it like it is, giving the most important information would-be owners might need to know about more than 100 varieties of dogs. Each entry addresses key factors, like size, coat type, temperament, exercise requirements, potential genetic issues, schedule demands (does the dog mind if you leave her alone all day?) and financial demands. Helpful pet icons tell if a dog is aggressive, very smart, needs a lot of grooming, can make a lot of noise, etc.; while other icons pertain to owners, differentiating between couch potatoes and active folk, suburbanites and city dwellers, etc. Although photos would've been nice, a sketch of each dog does the job well enough. Stall's humor makes the book a joy to browse; he's funny even when describing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's watchdog potential: "the only way it could harm a burglar is if the guy tripped over it."
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Sam Stall is the coauthor of The Dog Owner’s Manual and The Cat Owner’s Manual. He lives with his wife, Jami, their two terrier mixed breeds, and one cat in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Quirk Books (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594740216
• ISBN-13: 978-1594740213
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,432,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Keeshond recognition, June 1, 2005

By 

Ellie Siskind "artistellie" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Good, the Bad, and the Furry: Choosing the Dog That's Right for You (Paperback)

The book fills the need for a handy reference that a family can take along to the breeder or the pound and ask the right questions. The author is honest and caring about dog breeds. The book is written with humor and zest for dog ownership, but the author keeps in mind that educating families to get the dog they need, not the dog they fantasize about is a serious mission. (Delighted to find an accurate description of the Keeshond; as a two-time owner I find they are often overlooked as a five-star family dog, with high intelligence, non-allergenic coat, self-cleaning like cats - they are Dutch, after all! - bred only for family loyalty and riding in boats.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Overview of Breeds, March 13, 2006

By 

S. Pearl - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Good, the Bad, and the Furry: Choosing the Dog That's Right for You (Paperback)

I think this book offers great overviews of most. Ok not every exotic breed is not covered.

Of course the author can't be exact about every breed and some difference of opinion is normal. Every dog isn't the same in a given breed but this book, in my opinion, gives a good overview of each. I own a Pomeranian and found his description accurate.

Buy this book if you are thinking of getting a pure breed dog!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly helpful, May 27, 2005

By 

bookfan (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Good, the Bad, and the Furry: Choosing the Dog That's Right for You (Paperback)

One word: Honest.
More words: One of the things about many pets books is they seem to have an agenda. This one doesn't. It's a very practical, readable guide to picking a canine pet. It will certainly upset people who already have their minds made up but that's not who the book seems to be for.
Expect to see people carrying it into the bookstore. I know I will.