The dog breed handbook

By  Joan Palmer (N/A website)
Grange Books, London, 2005
ISBN 9780785825586
Annotation
An encyclopedia of pure bred dog breeds.
Personal Reaction
Dog breed guides are a favorite with many students. The jewel in this one is that all the breeds are in one medium sized glossy well-bound book. A small book in size but not in content, this dog breed book list the different breeds under sections such as non-sporting breeds, herding dog, working dog, terrier, hound, toy and gun dogs. The introduction goes over different physical characteristic and terminology, a brief history of showing dogs with a map of different Kennel Club regions. Each breed has it’s own beautiful glossy page with one or two variations of the breed if there are any. The book has in mind that the reader is looking at breeds to purchase so a little guide to care requirements gives each dog a 1 through 4 rating on exercise, food, space, and grooming. Each page also includes a brief history of the breed and a little more detail on the special care needed and any other little positive things, such as good with kids, great watchdog, loyal. This book is a good addition to the pets’ section where often libraries have many books on individual breeds and not many with a collection of breeds. It could be displayed with other pet books for a unique display of high interest nonfiction. Although it is recommended for adults it’s reading level is very low and the pictures and information is high interest for the dog obsessed.