a little outdated (mostly public perceptions of some breeds), but lots of good things to consider ( )

Excellent information on various breeds of dogs which goes beyond the standard information put out by breed clubs. The breed clubs and breed lovers give alot of information on breed standards and are always willing to share what is great about their breed but you will rarely hear about the downfalls of a breed. This book explains breeding and also explains how that breeding translates into behaviors. I now know definatively a number of breeds that I would not do well not to own. I also have a better understanding of some of the dogs in my life and will be less likely to blame some behaviours on poor training. ( )

#87, 2006

Good advise about choosing a dog that’s right for your family. The authors spend some time asking questions of the reader, to determine why you want a dog in the first place, and really thinking about your lifestyle so you can get a good match. There are also sections describing breeds that would be appropriate for different lifestyles – good family dogs, dogs for city living, etc. After reading this book, the best choice for our family seems to be a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but we’ve just barely started our research. ( )