A complete guide to the relationship between dogs and humans and to canine behavior, nutrition, health, and disease, The Dog will be of immense help and intense interest to the many owners, students, and pet professionals eager to learn more about Canis familiaris.

PThe book begins with an account of how the relationship between humans and dogs developed, from the first states of domestication through the present day. The dog's physiology, structure, and reproduction are among the topics Case discusses. The status of the dog today and the importance of proper pet selection and responsible ownership are also covered. Shifting her focus to the dog's development as an individual, from puppy to adult, Case examines the dog as a species with particular emphasis on breed-specific behavior. Her discussion of the learning process in dogs leads to a consideration of various training principles and methodologies, with practical examples illustrating common behavior problems and different corrective approaches.

The Dog also includes a comprehensive overview of canine health maintenance and disease prevention, covering infectious and non-infectious diseases in dogs, first-aid procedures, and nutrition and diet management throughout a dog's life.

Of greater technical depth than generally available books about dogs, yet clear, consistently interesting, and highly readable, The Dog will benefit pet owners and professionals alike--and, in the end, their canine friends.