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A whopping 752 pages, this indispensable reference is packed with hundreds of useful tips, facts, hints, and help, here is a canine reference no dog house should be without. Edited by Kristin Mehus-Roe, here is just a hint of the staggering wealth of information to be found in this one-of-a-kind resource:

• Breeds -A thorough introduction (with photos) to more than 250 breeds with alternative names, country of origin, histories, physical description, average height and weight, characteristics, activity levels, ideal environments, special needs and possible health concerns. Includes all significant breeds.
   
• A Healthy Life -Selecting a veterinarian, vaccinations and when to have them, how to spot signs of illness, basic home care, how to identify parasites, fleas, ticks, mites, mange, administer pills and other medications, assemble a first aid kit, and basic emergency treatments allergic reactions, bleeding, burns, choking, fractures, frostbite, heat exhaustion/heatstroke, poisoning, puncture wounds, shock, and spinal injuries. Treating your dog with conventional medical and holistic approaches.
   
• Good Grooming -How to brush teeth, clip nails, clean out ears, wash, brush and trim and untangle a dog's coat.
   
• Finding The Right Support Help -Locating pet-care partners, i.e., day care centers, boarding kennels, in-home pet sitters and dog walkers, and obedience training facilities.
   
• Your Senior Dog -How to make an aging dog comfortable, when to say goodbye, euthanasia, burial or cremation, and creating a memorial to your beloved pet.
   
• Activities you Can Do With Your Dog -Details for breed specific or universal ways to keep your dog fit and strong through agility courses, Earthdog Trials (for terrriers), dog sledding (for many Northern breeds), weight pulling and carting (for big dogs), dogs shows, obedience trials, field trials and hunt tests, herding, Frisbee or canine disc, and others. Plus information on how to start your own dog park, and games for dogs and kids.
   
• Nutrition -Your dog's daily diet, the real skinny about commercial dog food (kibble vs. canned, organic and natural, homemade and vegetarian,), deciphering a dog food label, and dog food ingredients, understanding people food (and the potential dangers of chocolate, onions, garlic, raisins, grapes, and alcohol), and vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements, dealing with obesity. Includes recipes for healthy homemade treats.
   
• Training and Behavior -The reasons dogs act the way they do, and how to cope with barking, noise sensitivity, chasing, unsafe, destructive or anxious behaviors. Here are solutions to teach dogs to behave in a way that suits yourself as well as your pet.
   
• Dogs and Jobs -Complete particulars about dogs who work (police, military, herding, therapy, detection, search and rescue, and entertainment) and career opportunities from veterinarians, technicians and assistants, pet care workers, walkers and sitters; employment opportunities with animal control and government shelters, humane societies, and non profit shelters, education and advocacy, obedience training, animal behavior, show dog handlers, training and handling working dogs.
   
• Pet Careers for You -From vets and veterinarian technicians, to assistants, boarding and day-care workers, protection and advocacy, training and handling, and groomers, the multi-billion dollar industry has jobs for any interest.
   
• Job Opportunities for Your Dog -There are many jobs for dogs: shepherding herds and guarding livestock, helping people alleviate stress and boredom from long-term hospitalization, search and rescue, working in firehouses and police precincts, and starring in movies, TV programs and commercials.