Some of the passages about purebred dogs were downright offensive. A Golden/collie mix is described as "Valley girl meets Forrest Gump" in a section discussing temperaments of mixed breed dogs. There was much space wasted dissing purebreds in like fashion. I guess it's supposed to be humorous, but I found it nasty-tempered and alienating.

Yes, there are German Shepherds that are skittish and shelties that are hyperactive yappers, but this book makes it sound like every purebred dog is a degenerate freak and only mutts are "real" dogs. While I understand the need for a book that promotes mutts as the great pets they are, I wish it didn't have to be at the expense of purebred dogs and those who choose to own them.


My dogs..   May 3, 2002
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I always have to describe my dogs in terms of purebreds. This has never sat well with me. My dog is a mutt. She is medium sized, fluffy and white. This satisfies none of her admirers - she has to be part border collie or australian shepherd in order to slake their curiousity. What is is it with people, why does breeding matter? Yep, she probably has some border collie in her, but she cannot/will not herd (she is stubborn) and hates chasing balls and frisbees - she ain't no stinking border collie.

Oh well, it is nice to have this book for some mutt pride. Yeah, there is not a purebred in my house - but I have this in common with most american families! My dog is known as 'white dog' in this book - and that's enough for me!