Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Michele Earle-Bridges (Illustrator)

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 --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Description

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. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 343 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; illustrated edition edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764150979
• ISBN-13: 978-0764150975
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #228,459 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Y. Leventhal (Oak Hill, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

51 of 51 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

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.

52 of 53 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] (Lake Bomoseen Vermont) - See all my reviews

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!