The Mastiff: An Owner's Guideto a Happy Healthy Pet (Hardcover)

~ John M. Becknell (Author) "Welcome to the big world of Mastiffs..." (more)
Key Phrases: instruct the dog, doggy den, training interludes, Lyme Hall, American Kennel Club, King of Albania (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This is our ninth set of Happy, Healthy Pet titles. Like the others, they are books that pet owners can turn to for the essential information they need to raise a happy, healthy pet. All books contain information on:

• feeding
• grooming
• housing
• health care
• what to expect from the pet
• basic training

As our series expands and focuses on different kinds of pets, the emphasis remains on making the pet a companion.Owners of more unusual pets will particularly appreciate the expert advice in these books because professional care for exotic animals can be hard to come by. As always, the instruction in the books is from experts (people who know their pets intimately but always remember what it was like to have one the first time).

Happy, Healthy Pet guides are rich with professional quality color photos and are designed to be enjoyable and easy to learn from. If you're a first time Mastiff owner, or are thinking of making one of these big dogs a part of your life, then this beginner's guide is perfect for you! With tips on grooming, feeding, training and much more, this book will help you ensure that your pet remains both happy and healthy!

From the Back Cover

At last, a book about your pet that emphasizes total care, training and companionship! You'll not only learn about the species-specific traits of your Mastiff, you'll also learn what the world is like from your pet's perspective; how to feed, groom and keep your pet healthy; and how to enjoy your dog through training and activities you can do together.

The Mastiff is written by a breed expert and includes a special chapter on training by Dr. Ian Dunbar, internationally renowned animal behaviorist, and chapters on getting active with your dog by longtime Dog Fancy magazine columnist Bardi McLennan.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; illustrated edition edition (July 29, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876056095
• ISBN-13: 978-0876056097
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #399,664 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Guide for the Potential or New Owner, December 27, 1999

By	"melinashabani" (Durham, North Carolina) - See all my reviews

If you've ever seen this book on the shelf, you've probably also noticed several other breed-specialized 'Owner's Guides' books by this publisher. Although it may seem template-ish, it is that very feature which makes this book a reliable and informative read. It's written by experts who have done the research, and people who have taken an interest in these kinds of dogs.

I chose to purchase this book when I had several inquiries about the Old English mastiff breed (i.e., their history, sizing standards, feeding and grooming needs, ideosynchrasies, and also general care for dogs). Among its highlights is a section that covers the advantages and disadvantages of owning mastiffs. This is a very important feature, particularly if you're looking into the possibilities of large-breed ownership.

Those who already own an Old English mastiff, or who are interested in rare 'mastiff' breeds such the Neopolitan, Dogue de Bordeaux, or Tibetan mastiffs, will not find this book particularly beneficial, and should look elsewhere.

All in all, I consider it a great book for mastiff enthusiasts and potential owners alike, because of its well-taken photographs and up-to-date info on such a majestic breed.

Happy reading!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is a comprehensive introduction to mastiffs., March 1, 1999

By A Customer

This book is a great for those who are unfamiliar with the Old English Mastiff breed. Although it offers the reader a wealth of information regarding the history, personality, and general responsibilities that go into owning one, I would have appreciated more elaboration on each topic. Also, I would have liked to have seen more photos, especially ones that show a comparison of dog and owner (to allow the reader to truly comprehend the sizeof the mastiff), as well as photos that include the apricot-colored coat (as opposed to just brindle and fawn).

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE MASTIFF, AN OWNERS GUIDE TO A HAPPY HEALTHY PET, May 29, 2003

By A Customer

I found this book extremely informative. I found it helpful in the area of what to fed a mastiff puppy. It was a book our whole family enjoyed and will continue to enjoy. Another book to purchase along with this one, is Mastiff by Kim Campbell Thornton, this book is also very helpful. The book to avoid is Mastiff Aristocratic Guardian by DeeDee Andersson, I found the book had a lot of filler and was not helpful in the feeding area and was a great diappointment.