Melinda C. reviewed on 12/28/2008 + 12 more book reviews

Great basic information that every first time dog companion should know! Buy this book BEFORE you buy/adopt a puppy or dog. Although I don't like the title "owning a Dog". I believe they are our companions, not to be "owned". However, I do applaud the author for warning people NOT to buy dogs from "pet shops" of any kind, as these dogs are bred in puppy mills. Puppy mills are horrible as the breeding dogs leed very sad depressing lives and are slaves to producing litter after litter after litter with little human interaction. Sometimes they don't even see the light of day. I see the results of these dogs all the time as I volunteer in a rescue group. They are poorly bred and often have many hereditary health problems that are not immediately seen (such as hip dysplasia, cancer, etc., not to mention mental scars if they have been used to breed litters in the mill). Also, this book warns against buying from "backyard breeders", these people often advertise in the newspaper. Go to the AKC website to find breeders that put many years and care into breeding healthy, well-tempered dogs. Or, better yet, go to a rescue group that has evaluated and trained the rescued dogs and will put you through an application process to make sure that you get a dog that is right for you and your family!

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