The Toy Breeds by Margaret Sheldon and Barbara Lockwood (Pelham Books 30s.) "REGULAR grooming with a fibre glove, followed by polishing with velvet . .." is far from our usual idea of leading a dog's life! This excellent book introduces us fully to a rarified aristocratic canine world where strictly defined perfection of forequarters and hindquarters is de rigeur. With its charts and its check lists of characteristics, it is a splendid textbook for the specialists in what one might, perhaps irreverently, call "microdogology." The general reader will be fascinated by the origins of the various breeds and by their historical and artistic associations: for example, by the identification of the dog in Van Eck's Arnolfini as a Griffon Bruxellois; or by Pepy's grouse that Charles II more over his Toy re time me ov Spaniels than over pressing matters of State." There is sound advice about feeding and care—and a warning about the snoring propensities of the Pug! The book is written very clearly, though in some passages the style would be improved by a little "clipping." The photographs are very good.
Maureen Carroll