RIGHT DOG FOR YOU

Rating:
Summary: Food for Thought
Review: I am constantly amazed at the carelessness with which people select a family pet. I guess that's why the shelters are so full. This book is a must have for anybody considering getting a dog. The book is an older one, and some of the breed personality traits have changed over time. But at the very least, you will walk away from this book with the understanding that a dog cannot adjust its nature to suit your lifestyle. If you choose a Border Collie, she will herd (or use that extra energy to tear your sofa up). If you choose a beagle, he will howl (and run, and eat...). Don't want to vacuum often? DON'T get a golden! Sorry, but that's the way it is. We bred them this way, you know. And the dog's can't do anything about it. This book will give you the tools you need to make an intelligent choice. Good luck!
Recommended Companion, "Don't Shoot the Dog" by Karen Pryor

Rating:
Summary: Food for Thought
Review: I am constantly amazed at the carelessness with which people select a family pet. I guess that's why the shelters are so full. This book is a must have for anybody considering getting a dog. The book is an older one, and some of the breed personality traits have changed over time. But at the very least, you will walk away from this book with the understanding that a dog cannot adjust its nature to suit your lifestyle. If you choose a Border Collie, she will herd (or use that extra energy to tear your sofa up). If you choose a beagle, he will howl (and run, and eat...). Don't want to vacuum often? DON'T get a golden! Sorry, but that's the way it is. We bred them this way, you know. And the dog's can't do anything about it. This book will give you the tools you need to make an intelligent choice. Good luck!
Recommended Companion, "Don't Shoot the Dog" by Karen Pryor

Rating:
Summary: Very Bad Book!
Review: I have been training dogs (Police) for ten years and own over 25 dog books. This book is confusing and hard to read. The "matrix" makes no sense at all. There is a passage on the Bouvier, of which I own two, that talks about its former owners sexual habits. I will return this book ASAP. The author should be aware that children look at dog books! I would strongly suggest not buying this book.

Rating:
Summary: The Right Book for You?
Review: If you are looking for a book that describes the personalities of many different dog breeds, then this is the book for you. It contains 391 pages of breed personality descriptions and charts. 123 different breeds are described in Tortura's book.

There are several things that I like about this book. First of all, for each dog breed, there is a chart that describes the personality of a typical dog from that breed. The chart rates the various personality traits from very high to very low. Some of the traits include indoor and outdoor activity, territoriality, sociability, learning, and watchdog ability to name a few. All of these traits are clearly explained by the author in the first chapter. Also included on each breed's page(s) are a hand-drawn picture of the dog, the AKC popularity ranking (in 1983), and a more detailed written description of characteristics that are not mentioned in the chart. Other tables compare the breeds based on the characteristics mentioned above. Later in the book, there are more charts that describe each breed's average height and weight, coat type, color, grooming needs, function, and AKC behavioral description. Even more tables divide the breeds into groups (i.e. Sporting, Working, Hounds, etc.) and describe their characteristics.

However, there are several things that I do not like about this book. First of all, it is harder to use than some other books about dog breeds because in order to learn all you can about each breed, you must use several different tables throughout the book. Also, the pictures are drawn by hand, which can be a little harder to visualize than photographs. Lastly, since the book was written nearly twenty years ago, some breeds that are popular today are missing from this book.

In conclusion, The Right Dog for You is a good addition to any pre-purchase counseling library as a supplement to another book such as Your Purebred Puppy - A Buyer's Guide by Michele Welton. I believe this book can be useful for veterinary technicians and other veterinary professionals who understand dog behaviors and personalities. However, because the amount of information may be overwhelming, it might not be the best book to recommend to clients who are looking for new canine additions to their families.

Rating:
Summary: The Right Book for You?
Review: If you are looking for a book that describes the personalities of many different dog breeds, then this is the book for you. It contains 391 pages of breed personality descriptions and charts. 123 different breeds are described in Tortura's book.

There are several things that I like about this book. First of all, for each dog breed, there is a chart that describes the personality of a typical dog from that breed. The chart rates the various personality traits from very high to very low. Some of the traits include indoor and outdoor activity, territoriality, sociability, learning, and watchdog ability to name a few. All of these traits are clearly explained by the author in the first chapter. Also included on each breed's page(s) are a hand-drawn picture of the dog, the AKC popularity ranking (in 1983), and a more detailed written description of characteristics that are not mentioned in the chart. Other tables compare the breeds based on the characteristics mentioned above. Later in the book, there are more charts that describe each breed's average height and weight, coat type, color, grooming needs, function, and AKC behavioral description. Even more tables divide the breeds into groups (i.e. Sporting, Working, Hounds, etc.) and describe their characteristics.

However, there are several things that I do not like about this book. First of all, it is harder to use than some other books about dog breeds because in order to learn all you can about each breed, you must use several different tables throughout the book. Also, the pictures are drawn by hand, which can be a little harder to visualize than photographs. Lastly, since the book was written nearly twenty years ago, some breeds that are popular today are missing from this book.

In conclusion, The Right Dog for You is a good addition to any pre-purchase counseling library as a supplement to another book such as Your Purebred Puppy - A Buyer's Guide by Michele Welton. I believe this book can be useful for veterinary technicians and other veterinary professionals who understand dog behaviors and personalities. However, because the amount of information may be overwhelming, it might not be the best book to recommend to clients who are looking for new canine additions to their families.

Rating:
Summary: The new puppy just tore the cover off !!!
Review: Not really the puppy's fault though, since I had already worn the cover off on my own! I have consulted and read this book so many times, I'm thinking of buying a new one. It is very handy for the un-initiated prospective dog owner, as well as a seasoned dog-owner like myself. I especially like the owner personality/dog personality matrices. They are great for figuring out if a typical breed's characteristics are going to fit with my own personal characteristics and lifestyle. So far, the book has been pretty close to true (and I've had several different breeds and breed mixes to use for comparison).

It is a good reference book. I would also strongly suggest reading more breed-specific and dog-raising/training info prior to actually obtaining a puppy.

Rating:
Summary: The new puppy just tore the cover off !!!
Review: Not really the puppy's fault though, since I had already worn the cover off on my own! I have consulted and read this book so many times, I'm thinking of buying a new one. It is very handy for the un-initiated prospective dog owner, as well as a seasoned dog-owner like myself. I especially like the owner personality/dog personality matrices. They are great for figuring out if a typical breed's characteristics are going to fit with my own personal characteristics and lifestyle. So far, the book has been pretty close to true (and I've had several different breeds and breed mixes to use for comparison).

It is a good reference book. I would also strongly suggest reading more breed-specific and dog-raising/training info prior to actually obtaining a puppy.

Rating:
Summary: This book is 100% on target
Review: This book is perfect for anyone that is considering a purebred puppy and are not sure of what breed will best fit! The book answers all the important questions with honest answers. I work in the veterinary field, in my experience this book is 100% accurate. Anyone who is thinking of purchasing a puppy needs to read this book. There would not be so many mixed matched puppies in the pounds if the owners would do their homework and use great tools such as this one to make sure they were making the right choice!
Thumbs up to this book, my English Setter, "Miss Ellie"...is a valued member of our family...I felt confident she would be from making that breed choice with the help of this book! I really cannot say enough about what a great tool this is!

Rating:
Summary: Still one of the best of its type
Review: Tortora's book IS dated, but it is one of the most valuable sources of the breed-choosing books. He's not afraid to mention negative traits, which isn't always the case. (Look for out-of-print "D is for Dog" for some really candid descriptions). The long parts in the back about matching your own personality, family type and lifestyle is not just useful, it's fascinating.

Anyone who is serious about choosing a dog with as much forethought as they SHOULD, to make that match-from-heaven for 10-15 years, ought to read all the breed-choice books available. Some are contradictory regarding certain breeds. If one of those breeds appeals to you, try to find out why the contradictions. When you finally make a "short list", get to know some real dogs. And don't just think of behavioral traits, size and coat type. Look on the net at the OFA and other hereditary disease sites--the OFA lists breed incidence of hip dysplasia (range between breeds is from about 70% to 2%!). Cavalier King Charles Spaniels seemed to be temperamentally the ideal small dog, but more than half of them have congenital heart defects (and pups cost about $1200!).

If you want my soapbox opinion, here goes. Don't buy a breed that is so deformed it can't live a normal life. Dogs that can't breathe properly, have serious eye difficulties due to some exaggerated appearance thing (round pop-eyes or extremely droopy eyes, for example--or the "collie eye" problems of several herding breeds), or routinely have to be propagated by AI and Ceasarian sections have been taken too far by "fanciers". As a pet owner, you can encourage better dog breeding.

Rating:
Summary: Good reference book
Review: When my wife and I initially set out to find what breed was right for us, we were miles apart. I was more interested in "down-ear" dogs, like the Lab, et al. She was more interested in the "up-ear" dogs, like the GSD and Samoyed.

Turns out, the Great Pyr and Bernese Mountain Dogs were more suited to our lifestyle, personality, and well, frame of mind.

Six years later, we have TWO Bernese Mountain Dogs and an Australian Shepherd rescue who qualifies as an honorary Berner. This book matches the right breed to YOU, rather than the other way around. Even though this book is over 20 years old, it's still dead on.