AN EDUCATION - Dog Breeds, Dog Care, Dogs Dogs Dogs Dogs

I have many many books on how to care for dogs, how to care for your senior dog, how to cook for your dog, and I have many many books on dog breeds, dog encyclopedias, and even a dog "bible." I love each one of these even if each one has information the others do. It's fun to look at the pictures and dream of the dogs I have had and the ones that will be my family in the future. Here is a tiny collection of my "Dog Books."




"Planet Dog: A Doglopedia," by Sandra and Harry Choron
2005

This book is packed, I mean Packed, with quotes about dogs, lists about dogs, lists of dog care information, tips about being a dog owner, and tons and tons of fun and useful trivia. It's just fun.

Some fun bits from "Planet Dog."

"A dog's whiskers are touch-sensitive hairs called vibrissae. They are found on the muzzle, above the eyes, and below the jaws and can actually sense tiny changes in airflow."

"A List of The 10 Gassiest Dogs"
1. German Shepherd Dog
2. Mixed Breed
3. Labrador Retriever
4. Boxer
5. Doberman Pinscher
6. Poodle
7. Cocker Spaniel
8. Rottweiler
9. Beagle
10. Dalmatian

"Highlights of the Iditarod" gets 3 whole pages.

"If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
- Unknown


"Dogs 24/7: Extraordinary Photographs of Wonderful Dogs," created by Rick Smolan and David Elliot Cohen
2005

187 pages of photographs of dogs being dogs. Going to the vet, being in their yards, working, and sleeping. It's just a beautiful book, and each photo can start a conversation.


"The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Dogs, Dog Breeds & Dog Care," by Dr. Peter Larkin and Mike Stockman
1997

A concise compilation of not just dog breeds in the Hound, Sporting, Utility (Non-Sporting), Terrier, Working and Toy groups, but of information on choosing the right dog for you and how to feed, train and care for it. The pictures are really good of each breed presented and it's fun to have a little bit of information on a lot of different dogs.


"The Original Dog Bible: The Definitive Source For All Things Dog," edited by Kristin Mehus-Rice
2005

A huge book with sections describing Dog Genetics and Development, Dogs in Religion and Folklore, Dogs and the Law, Activities You Can Do With Your Dog, Diagnostic Tests and Techniques, Socializing and Training Your Dog, and many many many other topics. It also has 207 pages devoted to various dog breeds.

When the kids in my life were younger, we looked at this book nearly every day. We read about different dogs we'd seen during the day and guessed about their breed make-up. We talked about what dogs we'd had and what dogs we might like to have and what would be a perfect mix of dog. It inspired many wonderful conversations. Plus, when neighbors' dogs were diagnosed with an illness, we'd look it up for them and they could read what the prognosis and treatments might be. We were the hub of dog information because our Dog Bible was always at the ready.

I don't look to the Dog Bible as frequently as I've needed to in the past, but I love knowing it's available on the shelf, and when a new edition is published, I have a feeling some kids I know will be wrapping it up as a present for me!