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References Used for this SiteBecause the topic of choosing a dog is somewhat subjective, I feel I should list my references here, so that you can read how I came up with the information used to make informed recommendations regarding good family-friendly breeds. I decided that I would consult books only, rather than internet sources, because many websites do not back up their opinions with references, and I felt it was important to use documented sources only, in researching for the selection process. In the list below, I used the American Kennel Club book to help with the structure of my research, since my site is organized by the AKC breed groups. I also got a lot of additional reference information about the breeds from both Cunliffe's and especially Morris' book, which is quite thorough and contains many, many breeds from all over the world organized by the purpose for which they were originally bred, which I found helpful. I was able to look at specific recommendation regarding temperament and general sociability with children in the Kilcommons, Tortora and Gerstenfeld books. Tortora's book is quite old and has some outdated information, but contains a goldmine of data, with tests and charts that I could compare with the other books to get a more well-balanced view. I highly recommend all of the following books, all for different reasons. If you are desiring to do additional research, you may want to check these out at your local library or visit your bookstore and see all that they can offer. In addition to being highly useful to my research, I feel that out of all the references, the ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs is probably the best all-around dog guide book to have, whether you are researching for or already have a dog. There is a little bit of everything in that book, and it is beautiful to look at too, with many wonderful photographs! 
The Book ListCoile, D.C., Ph.D. (2007). The dog breed bible: Descriptions and photos of every breed recognized by the AKC. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. Cunliffe, J. (2005). The complete encyclopedia of dog breeds. Bath, U.K: Parragon Publishing. Gerstenfeld, S.L., V.M.D., with Schultz, J.L. (1999). ASPCA complete guide to dogs: Everything you need to know about choosing and caring for your pet. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. Kilcommons, B., and Wilson, S. (1999). Paws to consider: Choosing the right dog for you and your family. New York: Warner Books, Inc. Morris, D. (2002). Dogs: The ultimate dictionary of over 1,000 breeds. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. The complete dog book: American Kennel Club. (20th ed.). (2006). New York: Ballantine Books. Tortora, D.F, Ph.D. (1983). The right dog for you: Choosing a breed that matches your personality, family and lifestyle. New York: Simon and Schuster, Inc.
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