I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and say that the Dogs Unit Study plan is working!
I found a printable lapbook outline revolving around Dogs and tied into a Nature program that was at our library.
She actually asked to go to the library! And she's been doing some research on her own.

I'm trying my best to tweak it to include history...Most civilizations had dogs, and specific breeds came from certain historical eras. The hard part is trying to convey it all to her. Dogs in history is harder for a 12 year old to research if she doesn't already know something about the civilizations, and some of the information isn't entirely sensitive-kid friendly. (Graphic sacrificial descriptions, journal entries regarding war-dogs in South America...) But it's fascinating stuff. I think we can keep this going well beyond the 20 day suggested time frame! :-)

Great! Keep with the theme as long as she is interested! :) working dogs, leader dogs, hunting, etc. Cool My daughter would love that, too.