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ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs
The ultimate resource for dog lovers, the ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs is the authoritative volume on selecting and caring for any kind of dog. In the ASPCA tradition, this book has a strong focus on mixed breeds—a major difference from most other dog books, which describe only purebreds. At over 500 pages with more than 650 illustrations and photos, this guide covers everything dog owners need to know to give their dog the best possible care at every stage of life, including advice on bathing and grooming, training and exercise, and the special needs of puppies and older dogs. For anyone thinking about getting a dog or seeking to understand the one they have, this lively book is the place to turn for trustworthy information on all canine matters.
512 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 13, 2018
Awesome book. Very informative on dog breeds
February 9, 2023
"ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs" by Sheldon L. Gerstenfeld is an all-encompassing guidebook that provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the world of dogs. Whether you are a seasoned dog owner or someone who is considering getting a dog for the first time, this book provides valuable information and practical advice to help you make informed decisions about your furry companion.
The book is divided into several sections, each of which covers a different aspect of dog ownership. The first section provides an overview of the different breeds of dogs, including information on their history, temperament, and physical characteristics. This section is particularly useful for those who are considering getting a dog, as it provides a wealth of information that can help you make an informed decision about the type of dog that would be best suited to your lifestyle.
The second section of the book focuses on the various stages of a dog's life, including puppyhood, adolescence, and adulthood. The section provides practical advice on how to properly care for your dog at each stage of their life, including information on feeding, exercise, and grooming.
The third section of the book is devoted to health and wellness, providing information on the various health concerns that can affect dogs, such as skin and coat problems, digestive issues, and joint problems. The section also covers basic first aid and emergency care, providing valuable information for dog owners who want to be prepared in case of an emergency.
One of the key strengths of this book is its attention to detail. Gerstenfeld has done a great job of covering each topic in-depth, providing clear explanations and practical examples that help to bring the concepts to life. The book is well-organized, making it easy to find the information you need, and the writing style is clear and concise, making it easy to understand even for those with no prior experience in the field.
Overall, "ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs" by Sheldon L. Gerstenfeld is an excellent resource for anyone who loves dogs. Whether you are a seasoned dog owner or someone who is considering getting a dog for the first time, this book provides valuable information and practical advice to help you make informed decisions about your furry companion. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is passionate about dogs and wants to provide the best possible care for their four-legged friend.
The book is divided into several sections, each of which covers a different aspect of dog ownership. The first section provides an overview of the different breeds of dogs, including information on their history, temperament, and physical characteristics. This section is particularly useful for those who are considering getting a dog, as it provides a wealth of information that can help you make an informed decision about the type of dog that would be best suited to your lifestyle.
The second section of the book focuses on the various stages of a dog's life, including puppyhood, adolescence, and adulthood. The section provides practical advice on how to properly care for your dog at each stage of their life, including information on feeding, exercise, and grooming.
The third section of the book is devoted to health and wellness, providing information on the various health concerns that can affect dogs, such as skin and coat problems, digestive issues, and joint problems. The section also covers basic first aid and emergency care, providing valuable information for dog owners who want to be prepared in case of an emergency.
One of the key strengths of this book is its attention to detail. Gerstenfeld has done a great job of covering each topic in-depth, providing clear explanations and practical examples that help to bring the concepts to life. The book is well-organized, making it easy to find the information you need, and the writing style is clear and concise, making it easy to understand even for those with no prior experience in the field.
Overall, "ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs" by Sheldon L. Gerstenfeld is an excellent resource for anyone who loves dogs. Whether you are a seasoned dog owner or someone who is considering getting a dog for the first time, this book provides valuable information and practical advice to help you make informed decisions about your furry companion. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is passionate about dogs and wants to provide the best possible care for their four-legged friend.
January 22, 2020
An excellent guide to dog care and training.
June 4, 2020
Really good! had great facts and helpful tips about dogs.
October 2, 2015
Although published in 1999, “ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs” by Sheldon L. Gerstenfeld, VMD with Jacque Lynn Schultz, is still as pertinent today as when it was published. Unlike many other types of “complete” books about dogs, this doesn’t just skim the surface of life with dogs, but goes into more depth. Hopefully, there will be enough demand for a second edition some time in the near future.
The book is aimed at a first-time dog owner or someone who is considering adopting a dog. It also seems aimed as a textbook for animal shelter workers and volunteers. This is written in everyday American English, lacking in much of the dog breeder jargon that slows down other types of this type. And, if you aren’t sure about that jargon to begin with, there’s a nice section near the front of the book called “Terminology.”
Illustrations
The photos in the book are brilliant and have helpful captions. Most are in color, which is especially helpful such sections like “Terminology” where dog color names are described. There are quick run-downs of about 150 dog breeds and mixes and having full color illustrations (often of more than one dog of the breed) helps to quickly recognize and remember the text.
There are also some very detailed black and white illustrations in the first aid sections and the dog anatomy sections. It would have been nice to see more illustrations of common poisonous plants, but the book is already 512 pages long.
Caring About Dogs
Since the book does have ASPCA, there is a lot of information about preventing dog illness, abuse and abandonment. Since it’s written by a vet, there is a lot of helpful information about what aliments each breed of dog is prone to but also takes a stand on such issues as over-breeding dogs and cropping of ears and docking of tails for purely cosmetic purposes.
This makes a refreshing change from other book of this type, which are often just PR for selling purebred dogs, where a purebred dog is presented as the answer to all of your problems. There is an emphasis on getting ready to deal with the problems dogs can bring. The dog owner is to expect problems, which is a realistic viewpoint not often expressed in dog books.
Mixed Breeds
Unlike many other “complete” dog books, a large chunk is devoted to mongrels and mixed breed dogs, instead of just given a passing mention and perhaps one or two photographs. Mixed breed dogs are the most popular type of dog on the planet, after all. There are two-page spreads dealing with several mixed breed types, such as pit bull mixes, shepherd mixes and terrier mixes. There are many helpful photos of these mixes as well.
The book is aimed at a first-time dog owner or someone who is considering adopting a dog. It also seems aimed as a textbook for animal shelter workers and volunteers. This is written in everyday American English, lacking in much of the dog breeder jargon that slows down other types of this type. And, if you aren’t sure about that jargon to begin with, there’s a nice section near the front of the book called “Terminology.”
Illustrations
The photos in the book are brilliant and have helpful captions. Most are in color, which is especially helpful such sections like “Terminology” where dog color names are described. There are quick run-downs of about 150 dog breeds and mixes and having full color illustrations (often of more than one dog of the breed) helps to quickly recognize and remember the text.
There are also some very detailed black and white illustrations in the first aid sections and the dog anatomy sections. It would have been nice to see more illustrations of common poisonous plants, but the book is already 512 pages long.
Caring About Dogs
Since the book does have ASPCA, there is a lot of information about preventing dog illness, abuse and abandonment. Since it’s written by a vet, there is a lot of helpful information about what aliments each breed of dog is prone to but also takes a stand on such issues as over-breeding dogs and cropping of ears and docking of tails for purely cosmetic purposes.
This makes a refreshing change from other book of this type, which are often just PR for selling purebred dogs, where a purebred dog is presented as the answer to all of your problems. There is an emphasis on getting ready to deal with the problems dogs can bring. The dog owner is to expect problems, which is a realistic viewpoint not often expressed in dog books.
Mixed Breeds
Unlike many other “complete” dog books, a large chunk is devoted to mongrels and mixed breed dogs, instead of just given a passing mention and perhaps one or two photographs. Mixed breed dogs are the most popular type of dog on the planet, after all. There are two-page spreads dealing with several mixed breed types, such as pit bull mixes, shepherd mixes and terrier mixes. There are many helpful photos of these mixes as well.
March 11, 2008
this book had really good dog pictures and tons of info
June 9, 2008
Fantastic photographs. This book is pretty realistic about the shortcomings of different breeds.
February 29, 2012
Great book to get information on each breed. The good adn the bad.
June 19, 2013
Great book for finding out 'what kind of dog is that?' -- we're always reaching for it. We've had it for years, all the kids that have come to our house love to look at it too.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews