The Howell Book of Dogs
The Definitive Reference to 300 Breeds and Varieties

By Liz Palika

Best General Interest or Reference Book, Dog Writers Association of America, 2007

I have been teaching dog obedience classes for dog owners and their dogs for more than twenty-five years and have been involved in purebred dog rescue efforts for almost as long. I have been writing about dogs professionally since 1985. Unfortunately, far too often I see owners and dogs who are horribly mismatched. Some owners are too soft and passive for a very pushy, dominant breed. Some cannot provide enough exercise for a high-activity breed, while others expect something the dog simply cannot give. These relationships rarely succeed, which is very sad. When questioned, many owners say, “No one told me that about the breed.” Or worse yet, the dog was acquired with no research having been done at all. In the ideal world, I envision a dog and owner well-suited to each other, forming a partnership unlike any other. The dog would be in a home where he is loved for life and treasured for what he is. This book is, I hope, a huge step in that direction.

The Chapters in Part I

The chapters I Part I take you through the process of choosing the right dog and what to expect afterwards. These chapters should serve as a resource for you in the weeks, months, and years after your dog joins your family.

The Breed Profiles in Part II

The breed profiles provide a bit of history on each breed; a brief description of the breed’s physical conformation; information about grooming requirements, exercise needs, and activity level; suggested training and socialization requirements, and any potential jobs or sports that the dog might enjoy. There are also suggestions for the type of owner best suited for this breed; whether the breed is good with children, cats, and other small pets; and the most common health concerns in the breed. This information is fascinating, or at least I found it so! In addition to providing a lot of information about these breeds, my goal is to help you choose the right dog and breed for your family.

The information in these breed profiles was acquired from a variety of sources. I talked to dog trainers and veterinarians who see these breeds all the time–often at their worst. I also questioned people who have been involved in the breeds in a variety of ways: breeders, owners, exhibitors, and even quite a few who use a particular breed as working dogs. I corresponded with national breed clubs and performance sports clubs. I queried everyone about many breed traits, but I specifically asked everyone, “What should people know about this breed of dog before the acquire one?” I found that most people I talked to were very honest, sharing the good and the less than good (or more difficult) points of their breed. I appreciated their honesty and I think you will, too. My hope is that with better knowledge and awareness of breed characteristics, we can prevent problems in many human-canine relationships in the future.