Bloodhound (Comprehensive Owner's Guide)

This Comprehensive Owner€s Guide to the most famous “nose€ in the dog world-the Bloodhound-serves as a complete introduction to this remarkable breed, whose “nasal testimony€ stands up in a court of law. The most famous search and rescue dog on the planet, the Bloodhound is revered as a noble and keenly determined working scenthound, whose abilities include tracking lost children, escaped criminals, poachers, large game, and thousand of gloves (at AKC tracking tests).

The first chapter of the book is dedicated to the breed€s beginnings in Europe, originally raised by clerics at the famed St. Hubert monastery in the Ardennes region of France and spreading in popularity to Switzerland, England, and the United States. The book continues with chapters on the breed€s characteristics and breed standard, offering sound advice about which owners are best suited to this large and somewhat demanding dog. New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a 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 handsome adults and puppies bursting with energy and personality!

In all, there are over 135 photographs in this compact and reliable volume. The author€s advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train his or her dog into the most socialized, well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive chapter on healthcare by Dr. Lowell Ackerman provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more.

The final chapter on solving behavior problems discusses how dogs think and offers solutions to commonly encountered issues, such as separation anxiety, barking, digging, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.