Cat Breed Guide/Dog Breed Guide

These two well-researched and colorful guides will please animal lovers of all ages. You’ll be hooked when you turn a page and find one of these cats and dogs staring back. How about an adoring gaze from a Shorthaired Chartreux feline or a Yugoslavian Shepard Dog? These hardback editions are not only fun to look through but contain loads of helpful information. Here’s a closer look at each guide:

Dog Breed Guide: A Complete Reference to Your Best Friend Fur-Ever From dachshunds to Dalmatians and poodles to pugs, this comprehensive guide gives an overview of more than 400 different dog breeds. Each profile includes the breed’s “dog stats”: country of origin, size, coat color and pattern, grooming difficulty, exercise needs, and “K-9 qualities.” With the help of veterinarian Dr. Gary Weitzman and dog behaviorist Amanda Kowalski, kids will also learn how to choose the right dog for them, how to take care of their new furry friend, and how to understand their behavior. Fantastic feature spreads cover dogs in popular culture, dog ancestry, how to prepare for your perfect pooch, and so much more.

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The guide begins with WHAT IS A DOG? A sixteen page introduction includes the history and domestication, diversity, coat varieties, along with a definition of What is a breed?

Next come the breeds arranged in groups. The categories include PRIMITIVE DOGS, SPITZ TYPE DOGS, HERDING DOGS, MOUNTAIN DOGS AND MASTIFFS, SIGHT AND SCENT HOUNDS, POINTERS, RETRIEVERS, FLUSHING AND WATER DOGS, PINSCHERS AND SCHNAUZERS, TERRIERS, and TOY DOGS.

If you can’t find your breed the INDEX clues you in to the correct page. I found my Springer Spaniel on page 202. Interspersed throughout the guide are informative features on such topics as wild dogs, canine IQ, and dogs who work for us to name a few.

The manual is great for dog owners but even better for those getting ready to adopt their first canine in the last section called Picking a Pup. You’ll find the Fido that fits in with your family and lifestyle and be ready to welcome him or her into your home. Training tips are also provided.

No growling aloud while looking through the superb DOG BREED GUIDE. Smile and be amazed at all you didn’t know about our best friends.

Cat Breed Guide: A Complete Reference to Your Purr-Fect Best Friend From Russian Blues and Munchkins to Maine Coons and Persians, this comprehensive guide gives an overview of 71 different cat breeds. Each profile includes the breed’s “cat stats”: country of origin, size, coat color and pattern, grooming difficulty, and cat-titude. With the help of veterinarian Dr. Gary Weitzman and cat behaviorist Mieshelle Nagelschneider, kids will also learn how to choose the right cat for them, how to take care of their new feline friend, and how to understand its behavior. Fun feature spreads cover cats in popular culture, prehistoric cats, and the house cat’s wild cousins.

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With fewer breeds, the cats get full page spreads devoted to what makes each special. All the familiar ones (like Siamese and Persian) are included, organized into the broad categories of shorthairs and longhairs. The vast majority I was not familiar with, but thanks to the discussion on each I now know them well. A handy Cat Stats feature for each breed tells you where they come from, size, color, grooming needs, and cattitude.

Some of my favorites included the natural smile of the British Shorthair, the rare Kurilian Bobtail Longhair, and the large, often odd-colored eyes of the Turkish Van. The photos truly capture their unique nature.

Like the Dog Breed Guide, the cats get a similar introduction with twelve pages on What is a Cat? The history and physical feature pages contain some fascinating facts. Extras (More than 20 in all) are also included throughout. From Cat Senses to Cat Heroes, you’ll explore at a deeper level what makes these creature unique.

Don’t have a cat? The last section explores all the ins and outs of owning a cat from choosing the right one to training your new pet.

From cover to cover this book really is Purr-fect!