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This heavily illustrated directory describes canine breeds recognized by the AKC, including about 16 newly recognized breeds, including the Boerboel, Leonberger, and the Icelandic Sheepdog. The book is divided into the seven AKC groups (Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding) , plus the Miscellaneous Class. A succinct description of each dog cites its:History: where the breed originated and why it was bred for specific traitsTemperament: why the breed was developed and how it is inclined to actPractical Considerations: how much room you need, how adaptable a dog will be to different environments, how much grooming is required, and moreHealth: every breed of dog is subject to different hereditary disorders; this points out breed-specific health concerns and suggested testsRatings: includes energy level, exercise requirements, playfulness, affection levels, friendliness towards other pets and strangers, ease of training, and grooming requirementsA color photo shows an example of each breed in its show pose and an adjoining photo provides a detailed head shot.