Big Dogs Rule

Each volume begins with a notable member of the title breed (e.g., Saint Bernard Katie, a therapy dog at a public library). The books then give very broad histories of the breeds, with information about physical characteristics, personality, intelligence, and suitability as pets. “At a Glance” and “Best in Show” diagrams are also included. Numerous photographs enhance interest for dog lovers.

Each volume begins with a notable member of the title breed (e.g., Saint Bernard Katie, a therapy dog at a public library). The books then give very broad histories of the breeds, with information about physical characteristics, personality, intelligence, and suitability as pets. “At a Glance” and “Best in Show” diagrams are also included. Numerous photographs enhance interest for dog lovers.

To pull readers in, each title begins with the story of an individual dog helping humans. The rest of the chapters cover the history of the breed, physical characteristics, temperament, and training. Maps show the dogs’ various places of origin. “At a Glance” fact pages succinctly summarize data such as size, color, and life span, while the “Best in Show” diagrams delineate what judges look for in each breed. The colorful spreads each contain two or three paragraphs of text, photos, and sidebars (shaped like dog tags). Although there is some material on what type of home is best for each breed, these are not pet-care guides.