The Good, the Bad, and the Furry: Choosing the Dog That's Right for You

In his foreword to this little red volume, ASPCA president Edwin J. Sayres talks about the problem of homeless ""companion animals"" in the U.S. Perhaps there wouldn't be so many homeless dogs if only their owners had read this wise and friendly book first. Stall (The Dog Owner's Manual) tells it like it is, giving the most important information would-be owners might need to know about more than 100 varieties of dogs. Each entry addresses key factors, like size, coat type, temperament, exercise requirements, potential genetic issues, schedule demands (does the dog mind if you leave her alone all day?) and financial demands. Helpful pet icons tell if a dog is aggressive, very smart, needs a lot of grooming, can make a lot of noise, etc.; while other icons pertain to owners, differentiating between couch potatoes and active folk, suburbanites and city dwellers, etc. Although photos would've been nice, a sketch of each dog does the job well enough. Stall's humor makes the book a joy to browse; he's funny even when describing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's watchdog potential: ""the only way it could harm a burglar is if the guy tripped over it.""