Abstract
In general, this is a well-written book that brings together much useful and otherwise dispersed data on dogs. It is a difficult task to present a coherent text on the subject, and this is reflected in the difference in emphasis and data between some chapters, but the authors and editors have obviously worked hard to minimize this. Some chapters concentrate on the laboratory beagle, which is of evident interest to those who work in drug safety evaluation, despite the fact that lifespan studies are now a rarity in the pharmaceutical industry, where the maximum age at necropsy is usually around 2 years. Data in other chapters are derived principally from the literature and experience with companion breeds, and these chapters do suffer a bit in comparison with other major texts in the field with regard to detail.
Many of the photomicrographs are suboptimal, particularly with regard to size, which limits their usefulness; however, the book is not intended to be intructive in histopathology, so this is not a severe handicap. The table of contents and index are well contructed, and in general, the text is highly readable.
Despite these minor inherent limitations, the book certainly fills a gap and will be a useful reference for both academic and industry pathologists as well as toxicologists. Its major attraction lies in the descriptions for many of the organ systems of the physiological and biological changes that occur from birth to maturity and beyond. The price, however, is elevated, at $600 US.