Choosing a Dog: How to Choose and Care for a Dog

This short children's book written by Laura S. Jeffery for the American Humane Pet Care Library is an excellent brief introduction to getting and caring for a dog. The chapters cover such topics as dogs in history and in society, finding the right dog, how to take care of a dog, keeping a dog happy and healthy, and preventing behavioral problems. Each chapter ranges from one to eight pages in length and is written in clear, simple language. The target age range seems to be about four to eight years old. Slightly older children will enjoy it, too, but the book does not contain enough information to satisfy their information needs. The book has numerous photo illustrations and, as in common in many recent publications, factoid boxes to highlight certain points. The book concludes with a well done two-page spread on the life cycle of a dog. DOGS, HOW TO CHOOSE AND CARE FOR A DOG is light on discussion of various breeds and what breeds make good family dogs; for that kind of information, you will need to go elsewhere. For a book of this length and for its target audience, there seemed to have been in my opinion a surprising emphasis on spaying and neutering, even including those terms in the short vocabulary list at the end of the book. This isn't to suggest that that point isn't important, but perhaps not so much to a small child. In short, this is an excellent introduction for young children to the responsibilities--and fun--involved in having a dog. At the time this review was written, which seems to me a bit steep. However that may be, if you're looking to give this as a gift to a child whose family is thinking of adopting a dog, I think it would be much appreciated.