Planet Dog: A Doglopedia

I purchased and gave this book for an intelligent dog lover, who has since then enjoyed this book very much. Notably, the book features a variety of interesting information that delightfully ranges in tone (ex: the book is both serious and humorous). Additionally, the inside of the book is reasonably attractive - a lot of information (hundreds of pages), but it is organized and put on full color pages with pictures - so no mundane black and white format.

I love this book! It includes information on everything you could possibly want to know about dogs, the dog show world, and dogs in history. The book is divided into four parts... Part 1: The Culture of Dogs, Part 2: Top Dogs, Part 3: Breeds and Breeding, Part 4: Tender Loving Care and Training. This book is a MUST if you're a dog lover!

Very addictive, and lots of fun. And well-designed and flavorful. Okay, maybe the imagery doesn't quite work, but the book does. It's got a wonderful index, so you can go right to that burning dog question you've just got to answer, and readable, whimsical design, if you're up for browsing for hours. Particular favorites are the dog jokes, dog sports descriptions, song lyrics ABOUT dogs, and the ferociously comprehensive list of "movies with dogs in them." But beyond the fun for dog owners, I believe it'll be a great resource for those people who HAVEN'T landed on Planet Dog yet--those who are thinking of getting a dog. The temperament charts and well-written descriptions of dog breeds are terrific. Planet Dog tells the whole truth about what it's like to be a dog owner, stinting neither on the pleasure or the pain. Before you get a dog, buy PLANET DOG. It's the real deal.

The other day I invented a term: "curdling." It's the act of cuddling in bed with your dog (cur) on a chilly, rainy late-fall morning. "Planet Dog" is the paperback equivalent of curdling. It captures the essence of dogginess -- warmth, love, playfulness, wonder, surprises -- in readable form. If you can't curdle with one you love, at least with curl up with "Planet Dog," so you can get your daily dose of dog in literary form. The only thing missing is the cold nose. (And the shedding.)