Written by Andrew DePrisco (with illustrations by the talented Jason O'Malley), "Woof!" covers some truly interesting ground in its 13 chapters. DePrisco offers up a "temperament test," a quiz to measure the compatibility of certain breeds with various personality traits in gay men. Despite some of the tongue-in-cheek questions (for instance, you may be prone to the Hound group if you disdain waxing, and you may like sporting dogs if you've had sex in a Jeep), the results the test delivers seem unnervingly accurate.

Other light, "gay" sections of the book include how to use your dog as a man magnet and tips on incorporating a dog into a busy gay single life. But DePrisco spends more time and insight on the responsibilites of dog ownership, and thoroughly explores issues such as how to choose the perfect puppy; reasons not to get a dog; the most effective research methods for buying a dog; how to communicate with your dog; the "secret sex lives of dogs" (which explores the question "Can my dog be gay?") and more. DePrisco's passion for puppies is obvious, but his voice is a refreshing change of tone in the somewhat staid (and straight) dog-advice world.

And even though I don't think "Woof!" belongs in the humor section, the book is entertaining and funny. DePrisco's chart of gay and nongay dog names is hilarious, a listing of the "10 gayest dog breeds" is dead on, and O'Malley's over-the-top illustrations in the "Matchmaker A-Z" makes for a great conversation starter at your next cocktail party or the dog park.

"Woof!: A Gay Man's Guide to Dogs" makes an entertaining and informative read for the upcoming dog days of summer. And while any dog-lover is bound to enjoy it, it's a must for the gay dog-owner in your life. An added bonus? With only a few shifts of pronouns and perspectives, DePrisco's book might be able to help with those other dogs in your life . . . the ones on two feet.