When my sister, who hadn’t had a pet in years, decided on a Weimaraner, I figured she was in trouble. She works nearly full-time and has three daughters who were then just entering their teens.

The Weimaraner proved to be a little too opinionated and a little too hard to train for her family. Back he went to the breeder.

I wish she’d read a new book called New Dog: Choosing Wisely and Ensuring a Happily Ever After (Firefly, $19.95) by Dr. Bruce Fogle and Patricia Holden White.
Fogle, who lives in England, is often referred to as the world’s best-selling practicing vet with more than 20 best sellers. Holden White is a professional dog trainer.

New Dog is a step-by-step guide for potential dog owners with all kinds of easy-to-access lists. There are: recommended breeds for inexperienced owners (Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Yorkshire terrier); breeds for active, involved owners (English springer spaniel, Brittany) and breeds for families with ample spare time (Jack Russell terrier and the aforementioned Weimaraner). My favorite category is breeds for socially responsible families. What else but a mixed breed?

The authors give a run down of what to expect from a breed: personality, health and time taker.
There’s even an essential shopping list so you don’t go out spending gobs of money on things you don’t need. New Dog is filled with colorful photos, which makes it the kind of book even kids will want to read.

My sister, by way, now shares her home with two cats. Let us know if there are other dog books you’d recommend.