The Encyclopedia of the Dog [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

More than 400 breeds are profiled here, including far more international varieties than many a dog-breed book. Alongside the oft-seen German Shepherds and Great Danes, you'll find profiles of Pudelpointers and Groenendaels, Portuguese Watchdogs and Karabashes, Tibetan Mastiffs and Danish Chicken Dogs. And while the profiles are short--generally a half to a full page of pictures and text--each is accompanied by a series of icons that indicate important traits, such as whether or not the breed tends to be good with children, suitable for urban living, or good watchdogs, and whether it requires a lot of exercise or grooming, gets on well with other dogs, and is easy to obedience train.

"Domestic Dog Breeds," however, is but one chapter among six. The encyclopedia tracks the evolution of the dog, and does a beautiful job of explaining and illustrating the dog's body and systems, from skeleton and musculature to organs and coat variations. There's a worthwhile chapter on canine society and psychology that covers courtship and mating as well as integral concepts such as the dog pack, aggression, and affection. The encyclopedia also traces people's interest in dogs, from early domestication through folklore, film, art, and advertising to dogs in sports, in work, and as companions. And finally, there's a chapter on how to care for a dog, with advice on choosing a dog, nutrition, grooming, and behavioral problems.

In short, Fogle's encyclopedia is a fine book for dog owners to rely on and a beautiful book for soon-to-be dog owners to dream on. --Stephanie Gold

Each entry has at least two or three large, clear photos (full face and side view of the whole body), with up to six shots to illustrate particular features ("dark-pigmented lower lips droop naturally" on a golden retriever). Text is concise; just a paragraph on breed history and then a few sentences describing highlights such as the dog's geographic limits or how to distinguish it from similar breeds. The "Key Facts" box for each summarizes the breed's country and date of origin, its first use (puffin hunting, sheep herding, farm ratting) and use today (companion, watchdog, gundog), life expectancy, other names, and height and weight ranges. Coat-color boxes as well as graphic symbols provide information on appearance, obedience training, exercise, and grooming requirements; suitability for homes with children and other animals; and climatic extremes.

The book is as visually appealing as other Dorling-Kindersley titles, such as The Encyclopedia of the Horse [RBB D 1 94]. Coverage with much more text, but far fewer illustrations, and emphasizing AKC criteria and competition may be found in T.F.H.'s Atlas of Dog Breeds (1989) and AKC's Complete Dog Book (1992).

With so much information packed into an easy-to-use format, minor weaknesses can be overlooked. For example, popular names are rarely indexed (the continental toy spaniel is not listed for papillon or phalene), and the text is occasionally repetitive. However, this will be a useful reference and browsing volume for most public and school libraries.