The Perfect Match: A Dog Buyer's Guide

Howell reference books

by Chris Walkowicz

This book is a must for anyone considering a canine addition to the family. Nearly 150 breeds are presented with a full photo for each and a complete checklist including personality and physical characteristics, as well as both possitive and negative attributes. Never before has there been such depth of truth and authority collected in one comprehensive volume.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Reference, Animals

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is still my go-to book for anyone looking to find a dog breed that fits their life. Great overviews of all the relevant information about a good hundred plus breeds.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is another book I'd recommend for those considering a dog or wanting to know more about their dog. While it isn't as comprehensive as the Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, the information is useful and, if the Amazon reviews are any indication, accurate. This book presents information on the characteristics, temperament, and features of each breed. It also explains what type of owner would work best for the dog (one with a yard, one with an active lifestyle, etc.) as well as what lifestyle would not work for the dog (is the dog content to be alone, or would s/he get into mischief if left alone). I've found those two features of this book to be incredibly useful. Another note-worthy aspect of this book is the information at the beginning regarding the decision to get a dog, how to find a dog that fits your lifestyle and preferences, how to choose a particular dog, what to learn before buying a dog, and what to expect. There's even a list of questions you could bring to a breeder during a visit, which I think would be incredibly useful. To someone who has never bought a dog on her own, this book offers a wealth of practical information.

[D.L. Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the influence of our six year old son, we have decided to get a puppy. My husband and I had pets in the past, but this will be our first "family" dog that we choose together. So I purchased this book to research dogs and determine which one best suits our family's' needs. I found this book to be not only informative, but an easy and fun read. I especially love the pictures and descriptions of all the dogs. This book definitely helped us narrow down our pet choice. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about adding a dog to their family!

[Moose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books is very thorough and detailed. I was disappointed to see that the vast majority of dogs that I enjoyed were cited as not being good for someone like me. It was somewhat unclear whether you should be one or all of the above in the "best for" section and some descriptions in the "not for" section were vague. Overall this book seems well researched and very loving. I still have hope to one day find my perfect match.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot when I was a kid; when I was 11 or 12, I based a lot of my breed recommendations on its text. I guess it's a nice place to start if you know absolutely nothing about dogs or what kind of dog would be best for you. My full review here: http://thedoggerel.wordpress.com/2011...

[Anne Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful in deciding which breed is best for your lifestyle, this book was able to persuade a grown man to buy a hairless degenerate of a dog--who, by the way, could not be more perfect for us.