Caring for Your Dog: The Complete Canine Home Reference

Rating:
Summary: Essential for any dog owner (or would-be owner.)
Review: As man's best friend, dogs have had more than their share of books written about them. But in a world of throwaway pet guides comes "Caring for Your Dog," an exceptionally complete and beautifully put together book that should be mandatory reading for anyone who loves dogs, or even those merely considering purchasing one.

A classic Dorling Kindersley book, this is a well-bound, finely constructed book with thick pages, clear text, truly helpful sidebars, excellent photography, and intuitive layout of the info. DVM Bruce Fogle writes authoritatively on all aspects of dog care, particularly diseases, with technically accuracy that will not overwhelm laymen. There are even carefully constructed flowcharts for helping in diagnosing illness and attempting first aid.

The sheer breadth of info included in the 448 pages of this book is staggering, but despite this, the book is still readable and interesting for its own sake (apart from merely being a reference.) The section on choosing a dog is helpful for those looking to start out, comparing numerous breeds for their trainability, noise, size and suitability for children. There are training tips, breeding advice, nutrition information, and much more. The largest section in the book, by far, covers diseases and treatment. While it is definitely clinical in its approach, this section is essential for maintaining your dog's health and is quite helpful in pointing out how humans and dogs differ in the diseases they get and how owners need to think along these lines when their pet is not itself. Again, for first-time buyers, there is extensive sidebar coverage of the susceptibility of certain breeds to disease and genetic problems in purebreds. (After reading this book, for instance, I wonder why any first-time dog owner would want a German Shepherd due to the extreme range of illnesses this breed suffers.) Lastly, its recent publishing date makes the treatment info current in a time when medications and treatments change quickly.

In summary, even though too many books get awarded five stars, this book truly deserves the rating. A must for any dog owner or anyone considering the purchase of a dog. Your dog will love you for it.

Rating:
Summary: Buy this even before choosing a breed!
Review: I purchased this reference because I liked its detailed outlines of congenital diseases that affect certain purebred dogs. Having lost two cherished canine companions over the years because of cancer, I wanted to avoid the next time, if possible, breeds prone to such major illnesses. Thanks to this volume, such precaution is now possible. This is a work of major interest and value to serious owners or breeders of purebred dogs, but lay persons can learn much from Dr. Fogle's presentation as well.