The Complete Dog Book | AKC Official Guide | 1972 New Revised Ed. | Howell

This substantial New Revised Edition of The Complete Dog Book is the official publication of the American Kennel Club, with breed standards corrected through September 1, 1972. Long regarded as the definitive single-volume reference on purebred dogs, the work spans 640 pages and presents authoritative coverage of every breed admitted to AKC registration at the time, alongside expanded chapters on dog selection, training, breeding, nutrition, health, and general care. Illustrated throughout with 130 black-and-white photographs and 64 instructional drawings, the volume balances historical breed development with practical technical guidance. Individual breed entries detail origin, working purpose, and conformation standards, while broader sections address genetics, feeding programs, grooming, common diseases, and kennel management. Comparative diagrams, such as tail types and structural features, enhance its value as both a reference manual and a snapshot of AKC standards at a specific moment in time. Condition is Very Good overall. The teal-blue cloth boards are solid and square, showing moderate rubbing, surface scuffing, and light edge wear consistent with age, most noticeable at corners and spine extremities. The binding remains firm with intact hinges. Internally, the pages are clean and unmarked, with bright paper and well-preserved photographic plates. No ownership inscriptions, bookplates, or library markings observed. Taken together, this edition represents a cornerstone of American canine literature - valued equally by breeders, judges, historians, and collectors for its scope, official AKC provenance, and period-correct documentation of modern breed standards.…