I got this book out of a second-hand shop because of its large and glossy pictures, but I did want some practical information also. It certainly contains for the most part a catalogue of pedigree breeds, which are very pretty certainly, but this gave the book a superficial character and tied it to cat shows and the like. What I wanted - the care of the animal - is confined to a few pages at the end. For what it is (a small but general handbook) it does well. Three stars.