Rating: 
Summary: Worth its weight in GOLD
Review: AWESOME. The best part of this book is the section on finding a reputable breeder. I work with dogs and I get phone calls every day from people looking for a puppy but don't know what to look for in a breeder. I tell them to go out and get this book. If you are looking for a puppy- or even a adult dog- this is the best money you will ever spend. Michele Welton doesn't miss a thing, all you need to know is in here. Buy it!!
Rating: 
Summary: Lovely
Review: For a book with no color pictures, this paperback publication is an excellent source of information comparing all the AKC breeds -- and more. It has helped me enormously to narrow my search for a new animal. Kudos for accurate, up-to-date information on inherited health issues. A great buy for the price!
Rating:
Summary: Common-sense advice, for the most part
Review: I bought this book to keep on the resource table my animal-rescue group has at pet adoptions. People often want to know what we think is the best breed for them, and I direct them to this book.The author is very honest. She doesn't mince words in the breed descriptions and flat out says of some breeds, "This is just too much dog for the average family." She also gives great advice about finding a good breeder. However, I find that she is a little unrealistic in her discussion of prices. She feels that some breeds, particularly toys, are "overpriced." I dispute that -- as the owner of a Maltese from a top-notch breeder, I know that most toy dogs have very small litters, and puppies are very difficult to come by. In addition, toy breeds often require more assistance with delivery than other breeds, thus driving up the costs of pups even further.
Rating:
Summary: You won't find a better breed guide
Review: I can't say enough good things about this book. Well written, neatly organized, and highly informative, this is the ideal guide for anyone considering adding a new dog to the family. Unlike other books, this one lists all the breeds in alphabetical order rather than by AKC classification, a great feature for anyone who wants to refer back to a breed, but can't remember if their choice belongs in the terrier, non-sporting, or working group. In addition to accurate and detailed breed profiles (and there are LOTS of them), there is a plethora of information designed to help the future dog owner make the right selection: matching the right breed to your lifestyle, tips on finding a qualified breeder, pedigree terminology, health issues, and so forth. I have purchased many books on the subject, and this one is by far the best.
Rating:
Summary: Asking "which dog is for me?" Then read this book!
Review: I regularly recommend this book to anyone who says, "I'm thinking of getting a dog ..." For anyone thinking about finding a new canine companion, this book is the best breed guide you can find. It will help you consider the temperament, health, and family suitability of many different dog breeds, and make the best decision for you, your family, and your new pet. Includes black-and-white photos of each breed, with complete information about what a prospective family should expect when considering the dog as a new family member; excellent "puppy tests" to help you determine any puppy's temperament before you take the plunge; and lots of other information vital to choosing and raising a great dog
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book - Good Value for Money ...
Review: Ms. Welton has produced a most practical book for those wishing to find a pup as companion and family member ... The author prepares the potential new dog owner with all the necessary - from how to pick a breed to how to pick a pup, from how to pick a breeder to a timely caution on the time/effort required to rear a puppy ... While most "how to pick puppy" books may deal with the same topics, Ms. Welton does it exceedingly well, and the chapters are conveniently laid out, easy and fun to read ... What we find most appealing is her description of the 200 breeds set out in the book (more than some breed books) ... Ms. Welton provides plenty of information about each breed (again, more than some breed books), from their expected temperament (including interaction with children) to expected life span, grooming requirements, genetic & hereditary medical cautions, availability (in the US), estimated price etc. After having served its primary purpose and guiding owner to pup - the book will continue to be a very useful addition to any dog book library - as a source of information and reference ... The photographs could be better though - maybe in the new edition ...
Rating: 
Summary: Your Purebred Puppy by Michele Welton
Review: This book does not give Rat Terriers a fair shake. One of the opinions given by the author is that they are not good with children. In my experience, this is absolutely an untruth. Most dog lovers know that ANY puppy needs to be socialized around children, not just terriers. This author states that if you purchase a rat terrier puppy, you can't depend on what it's temperament will be like as an adult. Another untruth...many breeders do temperament testing and rate their pups on a scale of 1 to 5. If you are looking at rat terrier puppies, ask the breeder if they do temperament testing. Personally, I would do temperament testing on ANY breed of puppy. This statement "Terriers cannot be trusted off-leash. They will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that runs" This can be true of several breeds. Dogs are like people with various personalities. Some rat terriers will come back everytime you call, some will take their time, depending on the training they recieved as a puppy. This author talks about "physically chastising" a rat terrier, and being careful to do so....wouldn't one want to be careful physically chastising any breed of dog? Wouldn't positive training methods(like a reward) bring better results? It has in my training experience. There are several other issues that I disagree with, (regarding this authors opinion) about terriers in general, but suffice it to say that anyone reading this author's advice about rat terriers, or terriers in general, needs a second opinion. I'm sure you'll get a more positive opinion from just about anywhere compared to the one in this particular book..... Robbin Peckham
IrishGlyn Rat Terriers
Gaston, Oregon
Rating:
Summary: Very useful, most practical - Great Value
Review: This is a very good book. We wrote our first review in August 2001 ... and some 7 months on, we are still turning to it - sometimes for specific information but just as often - for simple fun of learning a little bit more about doggies ... The book remains 5 stars! As may be expected from its title, the book's is primarily intended to help us find a pup/adult dog. From the expected chapters on how to locate a reoputable breeder, how select a pup/adult dog, to the average price of various breeds in the USA (this is useful price guide, even for readers living elsewhere) ... Ms. Welton takes us through all the various pitfalls and pleasures of finding and caring for a canine companion ... And long after we've found our doggie friend - the book remains useful ... With more than ample information on 200 breeds of dogs (more than some breed books) ... Ms. Welton's book makes a wonderful continuing source of information for anyone wishing to learn more about dogs. The writing is good, the information neatly organised and set out, making the book really easy to read - we are informed of each breed's expected life span, basic temperament (including interaction with children), grooming requirements, genetic & hereditary medical cautions, ease of training and much more ... Value for money for certain and a wonderful addition to any library for sure ... If you ever lend the book out, just make sure its returned! ... *grin* ...
Rating:
Summary: The best : most concise, and most fun
Review: This is full of useful information, clear explanations, and it steps you through the whole process. You won't be left wondering what to say to breeders. Too bad we don't have something similar for computer system purchases. :) This book is also very well-written. It's humorous and enjoyable to read. Yet it is also concise, with the most information per "number of words". I also got A Perfect Match, and a dog encyclopedia for the pictures, but this was the most helpful in looking for my dog (German Shepherd). I was very concerned about health issues. This book was the most helpful in that regard.
Rating:
Summary: Waste of time and money!!!
Review: This is probably the worst book to purchase for breed specific traits in dogs. Too many breeds are lumped together characteristically. Some of the information is unfounded or simply not true. The author has done the canine world quite an injustice to make a buck. It's really sad to think some people have probably chosen the wrong breed for themselves or missed out on a wonderful breed of dog due to this book. If you want factual information on a specific breed, go to a well known registry. They have done the proper research and genetics history of each breed.
| 
