Not all dogs are pets. In fact, around the world many canines are wild, and even dangerous. Wild Dogs looks at wolves, coyotes, foxes, dingoes, dholes, African wild dogs, and many other of these untamed animals. Includes information about the connections between modern canines and their prehistoric predecessors, humans and canines, and domestic and wild dogs.

Reviews:

California Wild , Winter, 2006

Kids love dogs. Yet even the most pet-friendly child eventually takes the family dog for granted, leading to endless repetitions of the sullen mantra “I don’t want to walk the dog!” These reluctant canine caregivers should consider checking out Wild Dogs: Past and Present by Kelly Milner Halls. It just might rekindle their romantic notions of Fido.

This handsome children’s volume provides a survey of canine history, from the wild beginnings of prehistoric dogs to the mildness of modern shar-peis. Hall spends time discussing wild dogs from each continent, including the fabled gray wolf of North America, the raccoon-like tanuki of Japan, the African wild dog, and the stout bush dog of South America. Along the way, Hall peppers readers with fascinating facts about man’s best friend. Those who are curious about the origin of the werewolf myth, the source of Egyptian jackal idolatry, or the fate of the Tasmanian tiger-wolf need look no further.

The strongest suit of Wild Dogs is its vivid mix of illustrations, photographs, and maps. Many species are given glossy photo treatment alongside maps displaying the species’ distribution. Also included are side-by-side weight and size comparisons with other wild dogs, providing readers with a context for understanding the animals. Well-rendered drawings and glossy photos will engage children while the author deftly sneaks in some pertinent information on the side. After reading this book, kids will have a new appreciation for the remarkable history of the canine family—and might even clamor to prowl alongside the domesticated cousin of the wild wolf.

Booklist , November, 2005

Dogs, from tree-swelling prehistoric species to today’s domestic bichons frises, are the subject of this comprehensive overview from veteran nonfiction author Halls. A fascinating survey of early dog descendants, who roamed the globe just after dinosaurs, is followed by a brief look at the dog family tree, including an introduction to taxonomic terms such as kingdom and phylum . Later spreads present today’s canine species, grouped into continental habitats, beginning with North America. The mostly smooth text is supported by intriguing fact boxes that elaborate on various related subjects, such as Native American animal totems and the impact of wolves on Yellowstone Park’s ecosystem. Numerous sharp color snapshots of the animals and an open design will draw plenty of browsers, including reluctant readers, and an extended bibliography, with a selection of Web resources, will lead researchers to more information. A natural choice for young animal lovers.

From School Library Journal , November, 2005

This well-designed book explains how fossils and DNA are used to show the evolutionary lines from prehistoric canids to the dogs we live with today. In a relaxed tone, Halls conveys complex scientific information as she explains why some species die out while others survive and evolve. Common and scientific names are used, and an explanation of taxonomy as it relates to dogs is included. The author presents a wealth of detail through the accessible text; the informative captions, charts, sidebars; and the simple but clear maps. After a trip back 60 million years, Halls takes readers around the world providing photographs and facts about the wild dogs that live on each continent. She also addresses folklore and how various cultures have viewed these animals. The importance of conservation is emphasized, and an explanation of how the reintroduction of one wild species to a habitat can bring the return of others paints a clear picture of the interdependence among animal and plant species. The book ends, like it begins, with references to domesticated dogs, bringing science right into the lives of its readers. An extensive bibliography includes interviews, periodicals, and Web sites, as well as books. An attractive choice for reports or recreational reading.

Outdoor America , Fall, 2005

You will never look at man’s best friend the same way again. Author Kelly Milner Halls weaves expert interviews and current data research together to deliver an intelligent and comprehensive look at canines. Wild Dogs takes an overall look at the evolution of prehistoric canines from all over the world into today’s domestic dog. The audience will be fascinated with various facts such as the 1 percent DNA difference between a canine and a wolf, and the practice of dog worshipping in countries such as Egypt. The illustrations and photographs are splendidly detailed and make the study of the canine an adventure for all age groups.

Children's Literature
The author, a master of nonfiction, welcomes readers to the world of wild dogs with this fact-filled, educational title. The text’s information on wild dog runs the gamut from ancient canines to those surviving in the modern world. Well-organized and detailed chapters cover dogs from North America, Europe and Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Australia, and Central and South America. Each chapter contains a map highlighted to show where wild dogs roam. A few illustrations and a plethora of close-up, quality photos enhance the pages. Facts about some of the dogs include weight, length, stature, height, and color for easy comparison between similar dogs in a species. Scientific names as well as the more common names are offered. Dog myths and legends are included. Sidebars deliver more knowledge. While the reading may be difficult for readers younger than 12, photos would hold their attention as they look through the book. This is a comprehensive “must-have” for libraries and schools.

The Alabama Times , October 23, 2005

Kelly Milner Halls, who wrote last year's award-winning "Albino Animals," is back with a look at the surprising variety of wild dogs through the ages in "Wild Dogs: Past and Present."

With a riveting cover of staring wolf eyes, the book surprises on almost every page. Who knew there are dogs that whistle and some that sing? That there's a South American maned wolf that prefers to eat lobeiras, a tomato-like fruit? Or that there's a bush dog with webbed feet that looks pretty much like a teddy bear?

And those are the dogs that are still roaming the woods around the world.

Halls also gives time lines, family trees and what's known about dogs from the days of giant mammoths and saber-tooth tigers, or even earlier when the humongous canid Epicyon, which was about 12 feet long and 1,800 pounds, was tearing into horned ancestors of camels.

Cynthia Leitich Smith interview, September 26, 2005

An extraordinary look from the ancient miacids (ancestors of cats and dogs) to the family poodle with an focus on the Canidae family. Readers are drawn into the world of the wolf, fox, dingo, and jackal. A feast for the eyes and mind.

While an all-around dog fan, I have a particular affection for wolves. My office actually features a photograph of a gray wolf and a painting of a howling wolf by Donald Vann. I enjoyed pouring through Wild Dogs and intend to keep it handy as a research reference.

The Chicago Tribune, September 18, 2005

Though children may pick up this book because they love their pet dogs, Kelly Milner Halls wants to take up a parallel track, studying wild animals descended from the wolf. After eight pages on prehistoric animals, she settles into an exploration of the wild members of the family Canidae. Many young readers may know something about wolves and, for instance, dingos, but many will be fascinated with all the fox connections and the varieties of jackals. The animals are grouped by continents, which allows a refreshing change from just doing the old favorites. Also, there is an extensive and up-to-date bibliography of interviews, articles and Web sites.

The Spokesman Review, August 28, 2005

NO DOG, THIS BOOK

Speaking of awards, " Wild Dogs: Past & Present " by Spokane young- adult author Kelly Milner Halls was named a Conservation Book of the Year by the Izaak Walton League of America.

" Wild Dogs " (Darby Creek, 64 pages, $18.95) provides, according to a press release, "a close look at the wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals and other wild dogs of North and South America. 'Wild Dogs ' traces the evolution of wild dogs from prehistoric times to the present and includes sections on current efforts to re-establish and protect canine packs around the world."

The Izaak Walton League of America, which takes its name from the 17th-century English angler-conservationist who wrote the literary classic "The Compleat Angler," was formed in 1922. The organization today has 50,000 members nationwide.

The Seattle Times, August 8, 2005

Wild Dogs: Past & Present , by Kelly Milner Halls (Darby Creek, 64 pp., $18.95, ages 10-up), traces the natural history of our modern canine friends all the way back to their creodont ancestors, which were believed to be extinct some 7 million years ago. Then the author moves on to discuss all the different species of today's wild dogs, including various types of wolves, coyotes and foxes. Organized by continent, this book includes lots of informative photos, illustrations and sidebars. It offers a fascinating introduction to these intelligent, often misunderstood animals.

Animal People , July/August 2005

"Wild Dogs is overall a unique and fascinating look at dogs and dog relatives who predate humanity. Tracing the evolution of dogs, Milner Halls points out that each variety of living wild dog is a remnant of the evolution of current domestic pet dogs, and observes that contrary to stereotype, not all primitive dogs are ferocious carnivores."