Right Dog for You

I first read this book almost 40 years ago and bought this copy for a relative. I think everyone looking to get a dog should go through this. Very well written, easy to follow, this guy knows his dog and helps you know them too.

This is a must read for anyone considering a dog. (Hopefully a rescue.**) I'm having to buy another copy since after years of loaning it out, it didn't make it back home. It was looking a bit tired anyway. This book helps you understand that a dog is not just a dog. All breeds are different, and each will have traits that are inbred and may, or may not work with your lifestyle.**If you have a breed in mind, no matter what state you live in Google, (for example) 'Pug rescue of California', or whatever breed, or state you're in. You'll find plenty of pups waiting for a great home. And please NEVER buy a pet from a pet store unless they are holding adoptions of shelter animals.

I valued the extraordinary detail provided on each breed; their flaws and strengths; as well as their bred purpose (guarding, hunting, herding, etc.) This book helped me decide which breeds to look for when I was seeking to adopt a pup who would be good with our family and other animals. While I also utilized another more modern guide, the scientific detail in this book is profoundly informative for anyone considering the specific genetic traits of a breed before adopting a dog, including the red flags —genetic and behavioral issues that may indicate a poorly bred puppy-mill pup or potential future health problem. This encyclopedia is slightly limited in just two respects: its age and the fact that it predates the boom in designer dogs. Overall, this was among my best references as I looked for a family-friendly mixed breed.

This book helped eliminate several breeds we liked and choose from the breeds that really fit into what we wanted as dog owners. Instead of just listing characteristics, each chapter starts with a quiz to help you decide what you really want in that characteristic. TAKE THE QUIZZES! For example, because we are very social, we assumed we'd want a dog had high sociability with strangers. Not so - highly sociable dogs will jump on/lick/pester everyone. Moderately sociable dogs are excited about visitors but are able to distinguish (and not pester) people who don't like dogs. They also rank "sociability with children...with other dogs...with family."We didn't want a dog that was too active. This book divides activity levels into indoor and outdoor, and we discovered that we actually wanted a dog that was relatively inactive indoors but was active outdoors. The book also distinguishes between "obedient" and "intelligent." Do you want a dog who learns easily and obeys, or do you want an intelligent dog who can problem solve how to escape from any situation, open cupboards to get to garbage, etc? Big difference! Taking the quizzes helps you clarify what you really want and not what you think you want. We ended up with English Setters and now breed them - and we make sure the new owners really want what an English Setter is!

This book has a lot of good information about choosing a dog that fits what you want and when it was released I bet it was very accurate. But in all honesty, this book is just too old for me to accept as accurate information.This book was written before the Herding Group even existed and it doesn't have some of the more recent breeds that I was interested in (which is fair). A lot of the descriptions for the breeds also feel more outdated and did not compare well to the modern research I had already done.I bet when this book released it was very up to date and accurate, but for me it is just too old to consider as pure facts. It still helps me compared breeds easily and I use it as a reference often. This book is still useful but don't ONLY use this book. Educate yourself with other information as well.

It's been 5 years since I purchased this book and used it to select a dog. My condo HOA had just allowed us to own a dog. There were pages of "don't's" including excluded breeds or breed mixes and list of possible complaints and penalties, e.g., up to $750 for 4 complaints of barking, aggression, etc. 5th complaint and the dog had to be removed. So I had to be really careful on the breed I selected. Wanted a rescue but couldn't bear the pain of having to return the dog if there were issues. Waited several years before rating to see if the guidance worked. It does!!! Wanted a breed that was under 30lbs (per HOA rules) smart/quick learner (but not stubborn smart), emotional stability/consistent behavior, moderately active/active, social ("open family, per the book), low dominance/aggression.This book is not a quick read. It also includes a section on the implication for the personality and life-style of the owner based on the temperamental and behavioral traits in dogs. It also rates both well-bred and some puppy-mill breeds. The book was last updated in 1980 so it doesn't include some of the combo breeds like Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Maltipoos, etc. or some of the rarer breeds which have become more familiar during the last 35+ years. This wasn't the only book I read on selecting a dog, just the best of the group for me. Also spent about 4 months researching.

This book provides excellent insights into both the practical care side of owning a dog, as well as the behavioral & family aspects. The author's training in behavior/animal psychology makes his observations & synthesis about what to expect from different dog breeds & how they are likely to mesh into your family way above what is normally offered in dog guides. Materials in the book can be accessed in a variety of ways (via breed, via class of dogs, & via tables of qualities) that make finding the information very easy. I find that this author provides insights that are unique in the "dog book" market.