Greyhound (Comprehensive Owner's Guide) - Hardcover

Juliette Cunliffe

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1593782373 ISBN 13: 9781593782375

Publisher: Kennel Club Books Inc, 2004

Synopsis

One of the world's most impressive canine athletes, the Greyhound is an equally exceptional companion dog! "Born to run," this speedy sighthound breed is at once gentle and affectionate, requiring surprisingly little of his human family. Whether adopted through a rescue program or purchased as a puppy from a breeder, the Greyhound proves to be one of the most rewarding companion animals and one of the easiest dogs to live with. This Comprehensive Owner's Guide begins with a superbly illustrated chapter on the history of the Greyhound, tracing the breed's long and mysterious origins in Asia and Europe to modern-day England and America where the breed has long been revered as a coursing dog, hunter, racer, show dog and companion. The characteristics chapter expounds upon the breed's personality and physical traits, offers advice for rescuers and warnings about health concerns specific to Greyhounds. New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

More than a whirring blur around a racetrack, the Greyhound has dashed into the homes, hearts and show rings of fanciers everywhere. Originally prized for his speed and agility, today’s Greyhound is an admirable pet animal, with a gentleness and nobility befitting a dog of ancient lineage. For the proper owners, the Greyhound is a mild-mannered yet athletic companion dog, as affectionate as he is active. This book provides the much-needed factual information about the Greyhound and its ancestry, character and standard, as well as the proper selection, feeding, training, preventative health care and behaviour of the breed. The new owner will welcome advice about puppy-proofing the home, preparing for the pup’s arrival and preventing puppy problems. In addition to an extremely authoritative text, this book presents over 135 photographs in full colour, which prove to be as informative as they are attractive. Helpful hints and important information are highlighted to provide easy access to everything the reader needs to know about life with a Greyhound. Whether it’s housebreaking problems, allergies or fleas, this book is the way to prevention, providing the reader with the necessary guidance an owner needs from puppyhood through the senior years. Recommended by top breeders and trainers, this book is the responsible first choice of every new owner of a Greyhound. Topics discussed include: History of the Greyhound; Characteristics of the Greyhound; The Greyhound Breed Standard; Your Greyhound puppy; Everyday care of your Greyhound; Housebreaking and training your Greyhound; Health care of your Greyhound; When your Greyhound gets old; Showing your Greyhound; Understanding the behaviour of your Greyhound.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Greyhound falls into the group of dogs classified as sight hounds, known also as gaze hounds, although in natural history the word 'greyhound' is used to describe a whole group of similar dogs. A sight hound, of which the Greyhound is an early representative, is one that hunts its prey principally by sight. Its body is lean and powerful, with a deep chest and long limbs that provide both stamina and speed. Such hounds are adapted for finding prey in open country. Once the prey has been located, it can be overtaken by speed and endurance. Because of this special form of hunting, sight hounds historically have been found in regions where there is open countryside in North Africa, the Arabian countries, Afghanistan, Russia, Ireland and Scotland.

Edition details

• Publisher: Kennel Club Books Inc
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1593782373
• ISBN 13: 9781593782375
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 160