Customer Reviews

The Original Dog Bible: The Definitive New Source To All Things Dog (Original Dog Bible: The Definitive Source for All Things Dog)

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an excellent, wonderful, well organized book on almost everything you could want to know about dogs; breed types, history, veterinary advice, training, etc. The writing is clear and breezy, the graphics and photos are great, and the book is HUGE! However, like all books of this type, when you cover all the bases (which THE ORIGINAL DOG BIBLE does) you end up not being specific enough about certain topics. Since canine behavior and training is my area of expertise that's what I'm focusing on here.

For instance, in a section about how to stop your puppy from biting, the ORIGINAL DOG BIBLE says, "Do not allow your dog to nip or bite when playing." That's good advice, in a way, but how? By punishing the dog? Scolding him? Or by simply ending your playful interactions with the pup and not re-initiating them until he figures out how NOT to use his teeth in play. The author, Kristin Mehus-Roe, leaves it to the reader (and, I suppose, to the dog) to fill in the blanks. She also gives out the old advice about how to play tug-of-war; in other words, don't let the dog win. Actually, the opposite is the best way. You should always let the dog win and always praise him enthusiastically for winning. This increases the dog's interest in the game, builds confidence, curbs aggression, and has a tendency to increase his ability and desire to focus on you even when there are strong distractions around.

In the section on a dog's social behavior this book is also a little behind the curve. The author is half right, in that she says dogs are genetically engineered (my phrasing) to form close social bonds. That's good. I like that. It's accurate and it gives dog owners the right, loving frame of mind in dealing with their pups. But then she goes on to say that the pack is "a power hierarchy," and that a dog's "rank can rise and fall." This is outdated information, based on old research. In fact, when wolves live in the wild the packs are cooperative in nature, not antagonistic. And there is no hierarchy at all. Hierarchies only form when wolves live (stressfully) in captivity and are forced to form very unnatural groups. It's been my experience that dogs only exhibit these unnatural types of hierarchical behaviors when they're under stress as well.

Still, this is a must-have book. So if you feel the need for a compendium of dog "knowledge" always ready at your fingertips, THE ORIGINAL DOG BIBLE will do just fine until something better comes along. (But don't count on that happening; it must have been damn hard to get as much information into this one volume as Mehus-Roe already has).

Lots of kudos and four stars for the immense nature of the undertaking itself.

I never thought I would find a book like this. I own a couple of og-encyclopedia type books, and they're great for breed descriptions. But this Dog Bible is like 5 more books rolled into one. It covers so much that I very much doubt I will ever need another book on dogs again. For roughly $20 after shipping this is a steal, and you will never spend $20 more wisely than this amazing resource. I was disappointed by the shortsightedness of the reviewer below who didn't give this book a chance because it wasn't all about Pugs. Please disregard the comments he made. This book has information on EVERYTHING, and is not intended to be a breed only title. I for one would rather know everything about dogs and a lot about pugs than nothing about dogs and everything about pugs...

It really does have everything a dog owner, dog lover or a person thinking of getting a dog needs. It has over 200 different breeds with basic info on each. Information ranging from an extensive history on dogs, how to choose a new dog and traveling with one, many health problems, training and behavior plus many dog jobs, which I think is really neat. It is full of wonderful, colorful pictures and little boxes full of bonus information like the most popular breeds of a certain year. Highly recommend for all.

I checked this book out in a pet supply store once, and was rather disappointed to find that so many of the rare breeds were left out in the dog breeds section - including my personal favorite (Spanish Mastiff).

Basically,, this maybe be the ultimate guide for those wanting to read up more on dog care, training, health, and all that... but when it comes to covering info/pics on the MANY breeds of dogs there are out there (known and unknown) - one needs to look elsewhere.. I recommend "The Canine Lexicon" (by by Andrew De Prisco, James B. Johnson, and Isabelle Francais) and "The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World" (by Bonnie Wilcox and Chris Walkowicz) for that aspect.

The title says it all.

Everything you need to know: (condensed from the back cover.)

Section 1: Dogs, domestication and Developement: Dogs from the beginning to the present. The history of our canine friends.

Section 2: A New Dog: Finding the right dog and making a home for him. Breeders, Rescues and what to look for. Preparing for a new puppy.

Section 3: Life with a Dog: Making your dog a part of your family. What activities does your dog enjoy as much as you? What should you consider in planing a canine-friendly vacation?

Section 4: Breeds: Essential information on more than 250 breeds. (Done in categorical sense: herding, working, hound, gun, companion. Every dog breed that is AKC affliated.)

Section 5: Health: Diseases that can affect your dog and how to provide a life time of good health. What to look for in a vet. Preventative maintence you can do at your home.

Section 6: Care: Interperting your dog's body language and techiniques for training.

Section 7: Training and Behavior: Why dogs act the way they do and how we can teach them a better way.

Section 8: Dogs and jobs. From canine companions to search and rescue heroes.

Section 9: Resources: The one stop shop for all the canine particulars you need, including rescue organizations, pet loss hot lines & web sites, breed clubs, supplies and dog travel web sites.

I am a dog-nut person who has been doggie shopping for the last 3 years for the next addition to our family. (We have a lab.)who owns a variety of All-Breeds kinda books that I pretty much read on a weekly basis in my quest for the Ultimate Dog (tm) and though I love books like this, I pretty much am all about rescues and mutts.

I love dog books and getting the info on the breeds from the popular to the rare. This book is am amazing resource for anyone who is either dog crazy ( like me!) or doggie shopping ( like me!) or who wants to educate themselves on our canine friends ( like me!) And who wants to be a better dog owner. ( Like me!) or is happily enslaved by their dog ( like me!)

So, if you want to be more like me ( and really, who doesn't :) ) I cannot recommend this book any higher! The only thing that could make it better is if it came coated in chocolate.

If your a dog expert or a dog beginner this book is a must have! It has an answer to every dog queestion!

The writers at Bowtie continue to amaze me with the quality books they put on the market. I just purchased this book last week and I am incredibly impressed by the volume and quality of information in it. Every Dog owner MUST HAVE one of these!

This is the worst dog book I have ever owned. I've been breeding and showing dogs for 20 years. I picked this book up and thought it might make a good general reference book. I was so disappointed when I got home. I felt like half of the material in it came directly from the Humane Society's web site. Much of the information in the book, which should be factual, is half-researched opinion. I can find better information than this on the Internet. The book hasn't been particularly well proofed or edited, either. Very disappointed.

For a single-volume, weighty reference by dog experts, don't miss Dog Bible: The Definitive Source For All Things Dog. Well over two hundred breeds are covered, but it isn't all about dogs: fifty careers with dogs are also included in this manual of health remedies, emergency solutions, grooming hints and training tips. Each dog's definitive overview includes country of origin, alternate names, and characteristics, while chapters covering life with a dog, dog-friendly rental housing, and more cover all the issues likely to arise under dog ownership. Especially recommended as a library foundation pick.

A must-have for all dog owners. A good-to-have for prospective dog owners. I have constantly referenced this book throughout the past year of being a puppy parent. It's a great reference for most any topic related to puppy/dog ownership. It's a keeper.