Understanding Your Dog

In This Chapter Defining a diverse group Championing some consummate companions Finding a breed to suit everyone’s needs Okay, so what’s the deal with the Non-Sporting Group? Is it truly a group made up of non-sporting types, or is it a catchall category of groupless pooches? In truth, the answer may be a bit of…

In This Chapter Getting to know the modern hunters Understanding the finer points of the breeds Choosing a breed that suits your lifestyle Learning to live with an energetic dog The “sporting” in Sporting Dogs is less about soccer and baseball than it is about hunting. The dogs of the Sporting Group — the Pointers,…

In This Chapter Characterizing the Hounds Learning to live with a super sniffer Setting your sights on Sighthounds Pursuing the best breed for your lifestyle Dogs are known for their keen eyesight and acute sense of smell. After all, who hasn’t seen a pup take off after a leaf skittering down a path? And what…

In This Chapter Characterizing the Herders Running circles around the competition Choosing a breed for your own flock Transitioning from farm to split-level To see a Herding dog in action is to see something quite amazing. Whether by staring, nipping, stalking, circling, or barking, Herding breeds have an incredible ability to control the movement of…

In This Chapter Defining the Working category Getting to know the workers Understanding the needs of sled dogs Socializing a protective breed The Working Group is a formidable assemblage, made up of dogs of great strength, courage, and devotion. The AKC category of Working Dog describes breeds that were originally bred for jobs other than…

In This Chapter Getting the scoop on Toys Discovering tiny dogs with big personalities Finding a Toy that suits you and your life Looking for a canine companion that packs a lot of personality into a small package? A pooch that fits in a pocketbook? A dog who’s happy walking around the block rather than…

In This Chapter Knowing which dogs need to be clipped Choosing the right tools: Clippers, blades, and scissors Clipping your pooch Clipping a dog is one of the more daunting tasks for pet owners. If you have a dog who needs to be clipped or one who needs a touch-up, this chapter is for you….

In This Chapter Keeping the toenails trimmed and ears clean Getting “expressive” with your doggie’s derriere Brushing your dog’s teeth and caring for her eyes Putting your dog’s best face forward After you discover the basics of dog grooming — brushing, combing, and bathing — you have to tackle some tougher jobs, like brushing your…