A book of dogs: (and other canines)

Meet the canine family! This British import introduces representative examples of the canine family, both domesticated and wild. Viggers, who previously profiled bears, monkeys, and cats in amusingly illustrated volumes, divides familiar breeds into working, herding, hound, sporting, and toy dogs as well as terriers. Each group is introduced on a double-page spread with a short description and illustrations of several examples. The dogs pictured are easily recognizable, and even very young pet owners are likely to be able to pick out their own. Using a similar format, Viggers then devotes spreads to wolves, coyotes, and jackals; foxes; and other wild dogs. She also explores doggy jobs such as search and rescue or therapy. There's a spread on canine communication (a wagging tail indicates happiness, a tucked one conveys fear), another on agility training for pets, and a general world map showing where wild canines can be found. A final page describes mixed breeds and rescue dogs. Most of the artwork consists of realistic, appealing portraits, with a touch of costumed whimsy, such as an image of three retrievers kitted out in athletic gear or a wolf sitting at a table for a meal. From time to time the dogs offer commentary, too, but it is relatively easy to distinguish fact from fancy. An engaging and informative survey of a popular species. (Nonfiction. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.