The Howell Book of Dogs: The Definitive Reference to 300 Breeds and Varieties

by Liz Palika

The Howell Book of Dogs is a hardcover, four-color book that will serve as a timeless and authoritative reference for dog owners and those who are considering getting a dog. Approximately 300 breeds and varieties are covered, encompassing AKC breeds, UKC breeds, and many rare breeds, such as the Eurasier, Jagd Terrier, Mi Ki, and Thai Ridgeback. One or more color photos of each breed will supplement text that describes the breed’s origins, physical characteristics, and personality traits. In addition, the book includes an informative section about dog care and training, making it the only reference book dog owners will ever need.

Genres: Animals

403 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is misleading. This is actually an Encyclopedia of the Dog type of book. It takes about 110 pages of plowing through dog care, life with a dog, and dog law before the breeds start. This leaves only a page or two for each breed. They should've canned the first 110 pages (which was too brief and sketchy to be of any real use) and given extra space to the breeds.

This is not a comprehensive look at all dog breeds available in America. It does look at the top 300, as mainly determined by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Liz Palika is a decent writer, but she is Miss Rah Rah AKC, when it's been the AKC that has done far more harm to dogs than good.

Most of the breed information is just regurgitation from the AKC or the club of the individual dog breed. All of this information is free online, making the book obsolete. There are no descriptions or pictures of the average dog of these breeds. For example, my late lamented Hugo was a variety of Chinese Crested called a Powderpuff. He also was far larger than the breed standard. The only Chinese Cresteds pictured here are the mostly hairless variety.

I'm currently owned by two pit bull mixes. They look very different, but are considered pit bulls by the law. I've already had somebody try to kill them just because of their looks, not because of their actions. So, I am admittedly touchy on the subject of pit bulls, or dogs that are legally classified as pit bulls, no matter their genetic make-up. To Liz Palika's credit, she does talk favorably about pit bulls in this book, when the AKC would rather ignore them all. There is even a photo of a pit bull therapy dog.

Really, if you want a great dog, go to your local shelter and adopt. People are abandoning their pets in record numbers due to money problems, not because the dogs are bad. As a Vet once told me, "A pedigree brings nothing to the table."

[Rosie Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite an extensive factual books about dog breeds. Really helped when we decided to get my grandson a puppy!