DOGS VS. HUMANS

When it comes to perceiving the world, who scores highest: people or pooches?

For readers who wonder how dogs can be so good at “spotting squirrels waaay across the park and hunting down unattended hamburgers,” Gibeault has answers (along with a couple of cheesy dad jokes). Rightly noting that dogs, just like humans, vary widely in individual capacities, she briefly notes that canines’ senses were passed down from their wolfish forbears. She then points out that while dogs may be more sensitive to movements, humans actually have better depth perception and see a broader spectrum of colors as a rule. If Round 1 goes to the humans, Round 2 definitely goes to the dogs, thanks to canine scent receptors and nasal anatomy superbly adapted to reading doggy butts and “pee-mail” on the local hydrant. Readers curious about which contestants will taste or feel the victory in subsequent rounds, or who gets the “upper paw” in hearing, may be in for some surprises. The final tally ends up a tie, which may be a bit of a cheat, but, following an unscored bonus round about magnetoreception (which dogs demonstrably have and humans might), the author sensibly concludes that for all their differences, “dogs are great at being dogs, and humans are great at being humans.” Both are on display in Edlund’s cartoon illustrations in a variety of breeds, ages, and hues.

A tasty morsel for dog owners and dog lovers.