Dr. Dave's Note:
I've been asked what I think are "essential" books. While that can mean different things to different people, at the VERY LEAST, an owner needs as many of the specific breed books as s/he can afford (because different authors give different perspectives......and if any two agree on any one thing, you can bet they're both probably correct about that one thing), and also books on husbandry, nutrition and basic medical care. Below are the books in my library (with one exception, I do not own ALL the specific breed books, nor have I read ALL of them. The specific breed books below are from publishing houses, some of whose breed books I have read and own.).
Books About Specific Dog Breeds.
101 Questions Your Dog Would Ask : What's Bothering Your Dog and How to Solve Its Problems
The American Animal Hospital Association Encyclopedia of Dog Health and Care
American Kennel Club Dog Care and Training
The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World
Dog Behavior
An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet (Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet)
Dog Obedience Training
A Complete and Up-To-Date Guide (Basic Domestic Pet Library)
Dog Training
An Owner's Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet (Owner's Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet)
The Dog Who Would Be King
Tales and Surprising Lessons from a Pet Psychologist
Dog-Mas: Simple Truths From a Wise Pet
Dogs, Selecting the Best Dog for You
A Complete and Up-To-Date Guide (Basic Domestic Pet Library)
Don't Shoot the Dog
The New Art of Teaching and Training
First Aid for Dogs
An Owner's Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet (Owners Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet)
Fun and Games With Your Dog
Expert Advice on a Variety of Activities for You and Your Pet
Homeopathic Medicine for Dogs
A Handbook for Vets and Pet Owners
Housebreaking & Training Puppies A Complete and Up-To-Date Guide (Basic Domestic Pet Library) 
Housetraining
An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet (Owners Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet)
Sit! Stay! : Train Your Dog the Easy Way
(Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals)
Totally Fun Things to Do With Your Dog
(Play With Your Pet) 
To go straight to Amazon.com, Press:
I hope that you will find this information helpful building and maintaining an EXCELLENT pet reference library. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me. I will post as many of your reviews as I can to this document. As in any forum, I would like to hear from people who like the books and from those who believe they aren't so good. We'll let the chips fall where they may.
David E. Hammett, DVM
and the Staff of All Creatures Veterinary Clinic,
PC
