Planet Dog: A Doglopedia (Paperback)

by Harry Choron (Author), Sandra Choron (Author)
Key Phrases: deaf dog, clicker training, dog writers, German Shepherd Dog, New York, Golden Retriever (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The English Bulldog is the third most popular dog in South Africa, but doesn't rate in the top ten in Britain. The Labrador Retriever, meanwhile, occupies a top-ten slot in every country surveyed in this one-stop information clearinghouse and sprawling shrine to all things dog. The husband-wife authors of this book have compiled over 300 dog-centric lists ("11 Helpful Books on Dog Care," "8 Weird Laws About Dogs," "66 Great Dog Movies") containing troves of trivia, training techniques and pointers on nearly all aspects of the dog-human dynamic-from picking a pup to coping with a dog's death. The authors erred on the side of comprehensiveness when putting together this book; while "20 Tips for Preparing Your Dog for a New Baby," offers great advice, "Why Dogs are Better Than Cats," on the same page, does little more than take up space. Given the book's staggering volume of Fido facts, it will appeal to those already smitten by their own hounds (and possibly seeking to justify the lengths to which they go to please their dogs) and those looking for a wide-ranging resource to consult before taking the pooch plunge.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal
Adult/High School–This powerhouse of an encyclopedia will appeal to dog lovers, trivia seekers, and those looking for more information before buying a puppy. The Chorons have compiled more than 300 lists about man's best friend. Some contain information that will be difficult to find elsewhere (the top 10 Russian dogs sent into space, for example), while others compile practical material (20 Tips for Preparing Your Dog for a New Baby), but all focus on Fido. The book addresses not only the care of dogs, but also their characteristics, competitions, and culture. A comprehensive, visually appealing, and easily accessible resource.–Erin Dennington, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618517529
• ISBN-13: 978-0618517527
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 7.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #169,409 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is like a big bag of dog information hand-crafted potato chips..., January 18, 2006

By	Martha H. Garvey "book author" (Hoboken, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very addictive, and lots of fun. And well-designed and flavorful.

Okay, maybe the imagery doesn't quite work, but the book does. It's got a wonderful index, so you can go right to that burning dog question you've just got to answer, and readable, whimsical design, if you're up for browsing for hours. Particular favorites are the dog jokes, dog sports descriptions, song lyrics ABOUT dogs, and the ferociously comprehensive list of "movies with dogs in them."

But beyond the fun for dog owners, I believe it'll be a great resource for those people who HAVEN'T landed on Planet Dog yet--those who are thinking of getting a dog. The temperament charts and well-written descriptions of dog breeds are terrific. Planet Dog tells the whole truth about what it's like to be a dog owner, stinting neither on the pleasure or the pain. Before you get a dog, buy PLANET DOG. It's the real deal.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Interesting, and Random Information, February 2, 2006

By	K. Jones (Diamond Bar, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love this book! It includes information on everything you could possibly want to know about dogs, the dog show world, and dogs in history. The book is divided into four parts... Part 1: The Culture of Dogs, Part 2: Top Dogs, Part 3: Breeds and Breeding, Part 4: Tender Loving Care and Training.
This book is a MUST if you're a dog lover!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get Your Daily Dose of Dog, December 2, 2005

By	golden (retriever) boy (Left Coast, USA) - See all my reviews

The other day I invented a term: "curdling." It's the act of cuddling in bed with your dog (cur) on a chilly, rainy late-fall morning. "Planet Dog" is the paperback equivalent of curdling. It captures the essence of dogginess -- warmth, love, playfulness, wonder, surprises -- in readable form. If you can't curdle with one you love, at least with curl up with "Planet Dog," so you can get your daily dose of dog in literary form. The only thing missing is the cold nose. (And the shedding.)