The Perfect Puppy: Breed Selection and Care by Veterinary Science for Behavior and Neutering Age provides the most updated and expert knowledge on dog breeds to guide the selection of a puppy or mature dog. It offers the latest information on breed-specific behavior profiles and guidelines for spaying or neutering, health conditions, and life expectancy. Researched and written by experts in veterinary science and animal behavior, this book is an unbiased and data-driven analysis of 80 of the most common dog breeds, based on interviews with 168 practicing veterinarians. It covers behavioral expectations per breed, while addressing traits or issues that can arise from environmental factors like home size, presence of other dogs, and human family dynamics. This book is written and formatted to be used by veterinarians for optimal guidance on canine adoptions, while also appealing to breeders and potential adopters as well.

For a happy relationship with your cat, go beyond the looks and make your pick based on demonstrated breed behavior. This is the advice of the Harts, two experts in animal communication and behavior, whose new book takes the process of selecting a cat to the next level by offering data-based behavioral profiles of a wide range of cat breeds. Developed over a lifetime of research and through extensive interviews with eighty veterinary experts, the profiles are presented in easy-to-use graphical form. A history of the development of different breeds is presented, and then breed-specific differences across a range of variables are discussed. These include twelve behavioral traits, in areas such as affection, sociality, activity level, and litter box use. After giving guidance about choosing a cat, the authors present some strategies for avoiding problem behaviors and resolving those that emerge. They also share fascinating theories about the origins of various common cat behaviors, including purring, yawning, eating grass, “flipping out” on catnip, and staking out territory. While the focus is on purebred cats, there is also lots of good information for owners of blends. The book ends with helpful guidance on further reading. Based on the latest science, this is a great book for anyone interested in the fundamental building blocks of feline behavior, and an invaluable handbook for cat owners.