★ A brand-new work by David Alderton, a world-renowned authority in the fields of pet encyclopedias and natural history, as well as a bestselling and award-winning author! His books have sold over 10 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 33 languages. Titles such as the DK Nature Library series, How to Choose the Right Cat, and How to Choose the Right Dog have already been published in China.
★ The most comprehensive illustrated reference ever compiled on the world’s most mysterious and loyal companion animals! This visually rich volume explores the extraordinary diversity of cats and dogs, as well as their enduring relationship with humans across cultures and centuries.
The series comprises two books: The Gold Standard Guide to Cats and The Gold Standard Guide to Dogs.

From ancient temple cats and regional breeds to exquisite show cats and modern hybrid varieties, this visually rich volume explores the extraordinary diversity of cats and their enduring relationship with humans across cultures and centuries.
Drawing on authoritative expertise and paired with elegant photography, Alderton examines the temperament, behavior, and defining physical traits of each breed, situating every variety within a broader historical and cultural context. Beautifully designed and endlessly inviting to browse, the book serves as both an indispensable reference and a celebration of the feline world’s mystique, independence, and universal appeal.

David Alderton
David Alderton is a world-renowned authority on natural history and pet encyclopedias, an award-winning author, and a professionally qualified veterinarian, highly respected worldwide. A graduate of Cambridge University, he has traveled extensively to natural history museums, exhibitions, and breeders across Europe, North America, and Australia, gaining deep insights into the breed histories of various pedigree dogs.
His books on animals and nature have sold over ten million copies globally and have been translated into 33 languages. David has received awards from the Cat Writers’ Association in the United States and was honored with the Maxwell Medal by the Dog Writers’ Association of America. His work has also been nominated for the Sir Peter Kent Conservation Book Award. He has served as Chairman of the UK National Birdwatching Committee and as an advisor to both the American Pet Information Council and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.
David has appeared on numerous television programs discussing animal-related topics, producing content for broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Channel 5, and National Geographic. Notably, he contributed significantly to the production of Discovery Channel’s internationally broadcast series “Dog Life” and to a television documentary commemorating the 100th anniversary of the world-famous Crufts dog show in the UK.
His works have been published by HarperCollins, Dorling Kindersley, Random House, National Geographic, Ladybird Books, Alfred A. Knopf, and Reader’s Digest, among others (a selection is listed below). Titles such as “Cats,” “Famous Dogs” from the DK Nature Treasury series, “The DK Guide to Bird Keeping,” “DK Handbook of Ornamental Pond Fish: Identification and Care,” “Choosing Cats Wisely,” “Choosing Dogs Wisely,” “Becoming Friends with Your Dog,” “Becoming Friends with Your Cat,” and several animal encyclopedia sets have all been published in China.