The dog has been man's best friend at work and at play for thousands of years. No animal lover can fail to admire this versatile and endearing creature, combining as it does strength, personality, intelligence and a willing nature. The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Dogs is an indispensable volume combining a comprehensive reference to the worlds main breeds with a practical care guide, essential to all dog owners. Part One, Caring for Your Dog, opens with advice on buying a dog and covers in detail every important topic that the responsible owner needs to consider. There is invaluable information on all aspects of dog care with advice on bedding types and equipment, safety at home, feeding and grooming, as well as more specialized sections on breeding, training your dog, and health care and basic first aid. The informative text is complemented with step-by-step photographs to make this a truly practical book. Part Two, The Breeds, is a comprehensive visual encyclopedia of pedigree dog breeds from all over the world. Each breed is fully described and such important characteristics as temperament, grooming, feeding and exercise needs, as well as its average size, are highlighted. Glorious photographs of each breed accompany the expert text. This is the perfect guide for those wishing to choose a breed to keep and for anyone interested in breeding and showing pedigree dogs.