An Illustrated Guide to Companion Animal Breeds provides information on dog and cat breeds, birds, and pocket pets. Readers learn about different breeds and species of companion animals and their characteristics, becoming familiar with diseases and conditions that can threaten their health.

The first to cover all types of companion animals, the book discusses breed origins, characteristics, size and weight, color, coat type, body features, and life span. The unit on dogs features herding, hound, sporting, non-sporting, terrier, toy, and working breeds.

The material on cats discusses color, coat, and body types. It covers numerous specific breeds including Abyssinian, American Curl and Shorthair, Egyptian Mau, Balinese, Persian, Korat, Norwegian Forest Cat, and more.In addition, the text addresses the nutritional needs and caging information of pocket pets and birds, as well as their origins, size, and weight. The book includes full-color photographs of all the animals.

An Illustrated Guide to Companion Animal Breeds is intended for veterinary technology and animal science courses at the university level. The book is also an excellent resource for high school and college competitions in companion animal breed identification, husbandry, training, and events.