Despite its name, this small dog is bred mainly as a house dog. It is intelligent, alert, and loves human companionship. Barron's comprehensive series of Pet Owner's Manuals advise both current and prospective owners on the care of virtually every kind of pet, including a wide variety of dog and cat breeds, hamsters and other small caged animals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and even scorpions and tarantulas. The author of each book is a specialist in his or her field, which guarantees readers solid advice and instruction that helps them know what to look for when acquiring a pet, feeding, housing, maintaining health care, and where applicable, grooming and training. All Pet Owner's Manuals are filled with high-quality color photos and informative line art.

Sections on breeding, development and training, and on every topic of importance fully describe this loyal companion, alert watchdog, handsome show animal, and willing Obedience performer.

Combining heroic stories of dogs with the latest scientific and psychological information, this book has provoked controversy with its lists that rank more than 100 breeds and its exciting new insights into the thoughts, emotions, and inner lives of dogs.

The Northern, Nordic and Spitz breeds are truly representatives of the most beautiful dogs in the world. Their elegance commands attention, their stature commands respect and their appearance is breathtaking. Simply looking into their eyes reveals a vibrant intellect and spirited life-force that is as enduring as nature itself. This is the story of how Northern Breeds branched away from their wild ancestors and forged a lasting bond with mankind. The most fascinating part of the story is the fact that the breeds of dogs in the world today are descended from original genome of the primitive Northern Breeds by becoming trusted partners that specialized in helping mankind survive by herding, hunting, pulling sleds, guarding and providing companionship. The development of the primitive Northern Breeds was more than thirty thousand years in the making. They held the keys to not only surviving, but adapting to continual change and in so doing, established the master imprint and the genetic survival kit that became the tame domesticated dog. Today's modern dog breeds owe their existence to the noble and capable Northern Breed dogs who bridged the gap between a harsh and solitary life in the wild and applying their talents to provide service to mankind. The way we relate to our dogs is framed by the dogs we've encountered and held close in our past. And our character is shaped by many defining moments in our past and it is tendered by love and our hopes, dreams and aspirations. We are also shaped by our ancestors and the genetics we inherited from them. Similar principles hold true for dogs. We cannot fully comprehend the true nature of the dogs we love until we understand their spirit, their nature and their character, which is woven from the very same fabric and genetics of the Northern Breeds. We never realized how many varieties were locked away inside of their genome until we brought them into our homes and our hearts. This book is an essential guide that helps us understand the ancestral journey our dogs have made as well as providing the keys to unlock, understand appreciate their true nature. The dog genome map and inheritance patterns have provided corrections and additions to the historical story started by archaeology. The inheritance of health strengths and weaknesses provides a glimpse into the future of dog breeding. Also woven into the saga are many age old mysteries such as, "What does Spitz mean?" and "Where did certain behaviors (or instincts) come from?" and "Did dogs descend directly from the Wolf?" and "Is there a gene for white color?" and "Where did Toy size dogs come from?" and more are explored and explained.

US members of state are protected by service dogs and their handlers. Secret Service Dogs shines a spotlight on some of these canine heroes, from Hurricane, a Belgian Malinois with four titanium teeth, to Roadee, a little terrier mix with a big attitude. It's a must-read for dog lovers and anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most captivating programs of the United States Secret Service.

The physical and psychological, historical and practical essentials of over 400 breeds of dog.

A leading reporter offers a tour of military working dogs' extraordinary training, heroic accomplishments, and the lasting impacts they have on those who work with them. People all over the world have been riveted by the story of Cairo, the Belgian Malinois who was a part of the Navy SEAL team that led the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound. A dog's natural intelligence, physical abilities, and pure loyalty contribute more to our military efforts than ever before. You don't have to be a dog lover to be fascinated by the idea that a dog-the cousin of that furry guy begging for scraps under your table-could be one of the heroes who helped execute the most vital and high-tech military mission of the new millennium. Now Maria Goodavage, editor and featured writer for one of the world's most widely read dog blogs, tells heartwarming stories of modern soldier dogs and the amazing bonds that develop between them and their handlers. Beyond tales of training, operations, retirement, and adoption into the families of fallen soldiers, Goodavage talks to leading dog-cognition experts about why dogs like nothing more than to be on a mission with a handler they trust, no matter how deadly the IEDs they are sniffing, nor how far they must parachute or rappel from aircraft into enemy territory. "Military working dogs live for love and praise from their handlers," says Ron Aiello, president of the United States War Dogs Association and a former marine scout dog handler. "The work is all a big game, and then they get that pet, that praise. They would do anything for their handler." This is an unprecedented window into the world of these adventurous, loving warriors.

"This book is a comprehensive and visual reference to over 500 breeds of dogs. There are illustrations, charts, tables and icons that make it the ideal reference for dog lovers. The book provides thoroughly researched canines from around the world and includes ancient breeds and modern breeds. It is organized into various categories making it easy to read and comprehend."--

Time Travel is Real. Meet Dino, one pazzo (crazy in Italian) California dog, who journeyed nine hours into the future to a place called Italy. Join Dino as he narrates his humans' numerous Italian adventures and their hunt for the perfect old stone farmhouse to call home. At times pure dog, but often so much more, Dino recounts the tale of his folks' trials and tribulations living in a land where their language skills were never adequate and their misconceptions about the country proved, at times, to be disastrous. On this madcap Italian pilgrimage, Dino is besieged by the Mom character who thinks she knows best, bewildered by the absurdities of the English language and human behavior, but totally secure in his often irreverent opinions about life and humankind. Dino's story is a laugh-out-loud romp through the country of pasta and pizza told with a dash of wit, a splash of sarcasm, and an overabundance of poetic license.

A charming and original colour illustrated book showing over 250 dog breeds from around the world - fantastic and fun dog book identifier that can be used by all the family.