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Paws to Consider : Choosing the Right Dog for You and Your Family
Paws to Consider Choosing the Right Dog for You and Your Family Author:Brian Kilcommons, Sarah Wilson Are you thinking of adopting a dog? Do you know which good-natured breeds adore kids-and cats? Which ones grow into loyal "one-man" dogs? Which courageous canines challenge intruders-and friends dropping by? Which "cute" breeds can turn into demanding pests? At long last here is the only guide to selecting a dog that looks at your lifestyle, tak... more »es your needs into consideration, and helps you choose accordingly. With forty-five years of experience between them, America's number-one dog trainers, Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson, have seen both the headaches that happen when people pick the wrong dog, and the wondrous love and companionship that result with the right match. Now these experts speak out on the things most "dog books" don't tell you: the best qualities a breed offers and the real drawbacks a potential owner should know. With refreshing candor, Kilcommons and Wilson inform you about: Genetic health problems for all breeds: which popular breeds go bald, which big dogs get orthopedic problems, and why others get cancer. Daily exercise requirements: a once-a-day jog satisfies a Borzoi (yes, it makes a great city dog), while a Labrador needs hours of fetching and playing. Classic temperaments for nearly one hundred breeds: a Golden Retriever will desperately want to please you, but a Beagle will be deaf to your call if he finds a rabbit trail. Lifestyle matches: for instance, a French Bulldog will travel with you anywhere and a Keeshond is perfect for active young families. The potential problem dogs: Jack Russell Terriers, Dalmations, and certain other breeds that can give you more than you bargain for. As compassionate as they are knowledgeable, Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson tell you how to avoid the pitfalls before you lose your patience or money. Their combined expertise and honesty will help you choose wisely, with your eyes wide open as well as your heart. The result will be a dog you can happily live with...and who will reward you with unconditional love.« less