Dog Lovers: A Compendium

The dog is our faithful, reliable, and longtime friend. For thousands of years, he has lived by our sides and during that long association with us he has become uniquely attuned to the human way of life. Despite taking many of his traits and characteristics from his wild ancestor the wolf, he has still managed to become domesticated with ease. The dog was the first species in the world to be domesticated and since then has been selectively bred over hundreds of years to encourage various behaviors, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes. For this reason, today’s dogs vary widely in shape, size, color, and temperament. Dogs are engaged in many roles throughout our society, including hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting the police and military, and companionship. More recently, the dog has been trained for new roles such as aid to those with disabilities and therapy worker. Thanks to their adaptability and affection, it’s not surprising that dogs have earned the label “man’s best friend.” This useful book provides valuable insight into the evolution, history, and development of dogs and their relationship with man. Beautifully illustrated, the compendium features important breeds and a comprehensive section on dog care.