
Here is a handsomely illustrated descriptive directory of virtually all major cat breeds available to prospective owners in America--a "must-read" reference source for cat lovers and breeders everywhere. Opening chapters include a survey of feline history and evolution, a detailed description of the qualities that make a purebred, a summary of feline genetics, and a discussion of conformation, color, and coat. Following are alphabetically arranged profiles of 40 different breeds, from Abyssinian through Burmese, Manx, and Scottish Fold, to Turkish Van. Remaining chapters provide detailed discussions of the American domestic cat, experimental breeds, choosing the right breed for the right household, pricing and judging quality when buying a purebred, descriptions of cat associations and shows, and advice on showing purebreds. Supplementary information includes a glossary of terms and a list of helpful books and periodicals.
Customer Review: Not as good as the dog breed book
I have to agree with another reviewer, if you get the dog breed book first, then you're likely to be disappointed in the cat breed book. In my opinion, it's still one of the best cat breed books out there.
Customer Review: Mediocre photos
I had previously bought Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, and was looking forward to the same sort of large, high quality photos in the cat encyclopedia. Boy, was I disappointed! The photos are small (average size is 2 1/2 X 3 1/2). Some are murky or dark. Some are against poorly chosen backgrounds (e.g. a dark cat against a dark background). Some are mislabeled. (The largest photo of a Siamese is clearly NOT a Siamese.) And speaking of Siamese, they get so wrapped up in trying to show the difference between Traditional and Extreme that they never bother to show photos of all or even most of the colorpoints. (i.e. Sealpoint, Lilac Point, etc.) All in all, the photos are better in one of those $2.49 pamphlets that you buy at your local pet store!
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