Encyclopedia of the Dog

by Bruce Fogle

Contains the history of dogs; a photographic guide to more than four hundred breeds; illustrated information on the dog in folklore, art, literature, sports, and films; an explanation of canine behavior; and advice on choosing the right sort of dog.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Dogs, Animals, Science, Education

312 pages, Hardcover

First published September 14, 1995

Reviews

[Dorian Jandreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read it while I was a kid. It was my favorite book.
At 10-11 years old I got my first puppy. He was living with my mom, I visited him often and that's how I slowly fell in love with dogs. I started saving money so I could buy some books about dog breeds and other books with tips of taking care of your pet. This was the book I wanted mostly: the most expensive book of dog breeds in my local bookstore. I got it and enjoyed so much reading it. That's how I understood about dog breeds. Even after my poor dog was murdered by an evil driver, I still kept reading this book and imagining that one day I will have a new dog... but so many years passed and I ended up with cats and fishes.
Oh well... the knowledge I got from this book- stays in my head and I hope one day I will be able to have that favorite breed I have always wanted to own and love.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my FAVORITE BOOK as a child. I carried it everywhere I could take a big book. I memorized facts about nearly every breed I could. I was gifted this by my parents when I was 8 years old and by the time I was 18 it had bite marks from, well, our dog. Because of this book, I can now look at dogs and guess their breeds. And know the history of that breed and various facts about them.

Does that make me a bit of a dog snob? Maybe. Hell, all I know is that this was an incredible, organized book that kept my attention for years and years. I wouldn't read it constantly, but I would flip open to a page and read about a different breed every day.

When people ask me what book made me like reading, I answer this one, which is a bit odd.

[Juli Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading other nostalgic readers' reviews of this book and seeing that I was not the only small child toting this volume with me everywhere I went for years. My childhood copy is an absolute wreck: no spine left, torn pages, and I think probably a little drool in the gutter (dog drool, of course!). In any case, this is still an excellent reference book, including many rare breeds that other dog guides do not cover.

[gg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ultimate Dog Encyclopedia, because it features almost (If not, everything) everything about dogs.
Featuring the widest variety of dog breeds, from a Chihuahua to a Great Dane, from a Beagle to a Pug, the most complete and accurate care guide, the best images, the complete and accurate information of every dog and much more makes this amazing book a must read. Specially If you love dogs as me.

[Roxy Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is essential for all dog lovers. This book is FILLED, and I mean FILLED with every breed of dog. Providing info about each breed and a beautiful photo. You'll learn something new. For example, I learned that a Racoondog exisits! Who knew?

[Jodee Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty Detailed with each breed. You also get a condensed biology life science intro in the beginning about the dog which was pretty good actually. It narrowed down what type of dog we should and should not consider.

[Tanager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have two different editions and love both of them. I have Tyce reading from this book when he comes to my house.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has teached me so much! I love dogs thanks to this book. Thank you!
Still haven't finished the book, I got it years ago and I use it every day, I'm never gonna get enough of this book.

[Alexa Bruno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to carry this book literally everywhere. I think I gained 5lbs of just muscle from carrying it around when I was like 13. I am obsessed with dogs and I credit this one with all my dog knowledge that I spew out at random social events and trivia nights. It also has the best pictures and helped me learn to draw and paint so many dogs. It came to college with me and it was a comfort book to memorize all the dog breeds and shapes and sizes and I’d see a dog out walking and yell out “I love your Nova-Scotia-Duck-Tolling-Retriever!!! May I please pet him?? I’ve never seen one in real life!” And the owner would just stand there amazed I knew what his dog breed was. And at a full out 30 years of age I am still doing this exact pastime.

[max theodore]

this book is about an actual square foot of area and as thick as a brick and when i was six i would carry it on the bus to school with me every morning and back despite it being me-sized and one time it gave me a magnum paper cut and yet i persevered. so i guess it was good although i don't remember much of it now except for the cool graphics on the breed pages

[spike marlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good resource for anyone who owns or is looking for a dog. It has chapters on Development of the Dog, Dogs and Humans, Canine Design, The Language of Dogs, Domestic Dog Breeds (over 400 breeds described), and Caring for Your Dog. An excellent resource

[Larry Strattner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may have read the latest edition of this book since my cover photo matched none of the ones shown on goodreads. But reading other reviews I am sure my comments accrue to all editions.

One cannot really say one has "read" this book since it is so comprehensive. One has rather "referred" to it. I checked my copy out of the public library and read many more chapters and selections than I originally intended. It is a very good reference work and contains many useful nuggets of information about canine care, feeding and relationships.

One feature of particular interest to me was the chart on a dog's appropriateness for specific household settings, child-friendliness and noise-level. These ratings also included a relative assessment of the breed's suitability for a first-time dog owner.

Also there was a brief section on how to insure your dog grows up "smarter" if you are training him or her from puppyhood.

I read many dog books and books referencing dogs. I have a long standing interest in canid genetic history and its influence on behavior. I found this book a great hard-core information source, well done and accessible to even a casual reader.

My only complaint with the book is there are a lot of great color photos of various dogs among the pages and the breed is not always identified. But, except in my case, it's a tiny omission which will probably bother no one.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, I know this is a reference book, but I still love it. When I was in junior high, I really wanted to be a veterinarian (mainly so I could play with puppies), and I would get my mom to take me to the library, so I could sit and read this book and copy down stats on individual breeds, which I would then memorize. Then my parents bought it for me for Christmas one year. I use it all the time - to explain what a dog I saw in public looked like, to tell my husband what kind of dog I want, to see how long it's gonna be before my mother-in-law's dog dies (one of the few dogs I don't love). The pictures are gorgeous, and there really is a wealth of information in it. I mainly put this on my "bookshelf" here to prove that I am total loser sometimes.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Dog...


This book is the best dog encyclopedia in the world. Seriously. Tons of breeds. More than you can imagine. More than you can even find in the U.S. That's my only complaint. There are some dog breeds in here that look really cool and have great temperaments, but are only found in certain parts of the world.

It's a real education for anyone who's fixin to watch Best in Show or the Dog Derby on TV........

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice looking book that lists a lot of breeds. Intended to inform about dogs in general, rather than breeds specifically.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? It's a staple.

I'd be interested in reading a dog book specifically about American canines, more in depth. I mean, someone's got to add the Labradoodle!

[Audrey Cutlip · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gave me all the infomation that i needed to know about dogs. I finished it in less than 5 days i still read over it all the time.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I look at stuff like this over and over again. Love it.

[Rosslyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My personal favorite dog encyclopedia

[Geraldine O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I owned the previous edition. It was my constant companion as I looked after our old family pet. I am sure the latest edition will serve a new generation as well as the last

[Kimberley doruyter · Rating 3 out of 5]

good info, really good if you are still thinking about getting a dog.