"How much better we would be as dog owners if we knew who dogs really are and understood what motivates them." — Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

Why are dogs typically so devoted to their human companions? What is "pack mentality," and what does it have to do with your dog? How did breeds as different as Great Danes and dachshunds evolve? What kind of dog is best for a household with small children?

From barking to marking, wet noses to wagging tails, Wild Discovery Guide to Your Dog answers the most puzzling questions you've ever had about these most companionable animals. In the spirit of the Discovery Channel television series Wild Discovery, this book delves into the heart of dog behavior, every beat of which is, in fact, an echo of the wolf ancestors in each dog's bloodline. You'll recognize the wolf's defense of territory in your dog's wild barking at every passing postal worker, and see wolf-pack hierarchy in the domestic dog's devotion to his human master.

Written in an accessible, authoritative style, Wild Discovery Guide to Your Dog breaks through "smart dog, dumb dog" misconceptions, instead offering fascinating insights into dog learning, language and intelligence, all factors influenced by the legacy of the wild dog within.

This book is also packed with practical tips on the fundamentals of dog care, particularly as they relate to your dog's breed, his heightened senses, and the various life stages through which he'll pass. Included is expert advice on choosing a dog to suit your lifestyle, caring responsibly for your pet, dog-proofing your home, and ensuring a smooth transition and proper bonding during the first days at home. Once the dog is a member of your family, this useful guide explains how best to play with him, keep him safe, and even train him and travel with him.

Everything you need to know to keep your dog healthy and happy is covered, including feeding and nutrition, cleaning and grooming, common health problems, fighting fleas, pregnancy and birth, caring for an aging dog, vet visits and emergency care.

A detailed breed guide rounds out the book. The spotlight is on each of the 50 most popular dog pedigrees: its origin, life expectancy, coat type, grooming requirements, size, activity level and temperament. An informative dog owner’s resource guide follows.

Generously illustrated with more that 225 appealing, full-color photographs showing the striking similarities between domestic and wild dogs, Wild Discovery Guide to Your Dog will strike the fancy of first-time dog owners and veteran dog lovers alike.

Credits:

Discovery Books worked with a distinguished team of experts, including: Elizabeth Albanis, a certified canine obedience trainer in Montreal; Linda Goodloe, Ph.D., a certified applied animal behaviorist in New York City; Jack Grisham, director of animal management at the Oklahoma City Zoological Park; Debbie Groves, adoption consultant and dog temperament evaluator at the Montreal SPCA; Nigel Gumley, D.V.M., partner in the Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario; Connie Jankowski, a California-based pet-care expert; Margaret E. Lewis, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, specializing in the behavior, ecology, and evolution of carnivores; and Ravi Seshadri, D.V.M., D.A.B.V.P., a member of a private veterinary referral practice in California.