Encyclopedia of the dog [antikvár]

INTRODUCTION Encyclopedia of thc Dog was first publislied in 1981, witli contributions from the foremost authorities in their specialized fields. This new edition has been revised and updated to reflect the increasing popularity of breeds that were unfamiliar 20 years ago, recent revisions to the Kennel Club standards, advances in veterinary science and a growing sense of awareness that dog-owning is a long-term responsibility. As before, the encyclopedia presents a comprehensive picture of all aspects of the dog - its evolution; physiology and instinctive behaviour; basic care; illnesses, first aid and veterinary treatment; dog shows, field and obedience trials; and the variety of useful functions the dog performs in modern life. The dog has been 'man's best friend' for thousands of years - indeed, although dogs were originally domesticated as hunters and guards, archaeological evidence suggests that they have been kept as companions for at least 12,000 years. They have also come to be versatile workers, herders of flocks, warriors and the basis of numerous forms of sport.They have been selectively bred to fight bulls, haul sleds and hunt badgers. They have been indispensable to shepherds, customs officers and the police and, in the 20th century, have become the eyes and ears of many disabled people. Many of the early functions of the dog are recognized in the breed groups used by Kennel Clubs - today's gundogs, terriers and working dogs still show the characteristics for which they were originally bred, even though many are now kept only as companions and show dogs. The selective breeding that produced such a wide range of abilities means that Kennel Clubs the world over now recognize over 300 distinct breeds, each of which is described by a "standard" that defines the appearance and character of an ideal specimen. Many of these breeds are rare and hardly known outside their country of origin. About 120 of the most popular are described in Part Two of this book. For each breed the entry gives an abbreviated form of the standard, for reference purposes or as a guide for those interested in showing their dog. But the entries are also intended to help potential dog owners who are undecided about the most appropriate breed for their particular circumstances. Not every dog is suited to every home - it is cruel to keep a large, active dog in a small flat with inadequate exercise, and foolish to expect a fragile toy breed to cope with the rough-and-tumble games of small children. As I write, the results of a survey announce that 22,000 stray or abandoned dogs were destroyed in the United Kingdom in 1998. For a nation of dog-lovers - for any civilized nation -this is a shameful statistic. Owning a happy and healthy dog is one of the most rewarding pleasures in life, but no dog will be happy and healthy unless it is properly cared for. I hope that the information given in this book will help all dog-owners, both present and future, to choose their pet wisely, to train it and look after it sensibly and to enjoy its companionship and devotion to the full.