"Rarely will you read a detailed book that gives factual information, good and bad, about a breed so that the reader may make a formative decision about whether this dog is the right fit for them. This book does that! While hitting the highlights of why Staffordshire Bull Terriers are so great, this book does not hide the things to be concerned with when owning such a strong and energetic dog. Included in this book is much-needed information for any newcomer to the breed, and great reminders to those who have loved this breed for many years. I truly loved how well written it was, and easy to follow." - Teri Keetch, Dyna Staffs Staffordshire Bull Terriers are larger than life; full of personality and endless entertainment. So it is easy to see why they are a popular breed across the world. Unfortunately, their dark history in the fighting world has led to them becoming misunderstood, and sometimes even feared. This book aims to shed light on some misconceptions about the breed, as well as provide you with all you need to know about them, whether you are buying or rescuing a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. In The Complete Guide to Staffordshire Bull Terriers you will learn everything you need to know from start to end; how to choose a puppy, training and breaking bad habits, traveling, grooming, health care, and senior care. You will also learn all about the background of the breed, its history, breed predisposed diseases, and special traits. All the information is specific to Staffordshire Bull Terriers and in easy-reading comprehensive detail. This guide will walk you through the in's and out's of owning this phenomenal breed. Whether you're someone playing with the idea of getting a Staffie, or have already embarked on your journey with your pup, this guide will offer an insight into how to create a happy and fulfilling life for you and your dog. This book will answer all your questions such as: Is a Staffie the right dog for me? I brought my Staffie home. What now? How can I best train my Staffie? What are some common mistakes should I avoid? Topics covered in the book include: Breed Overview Breed History Preparations for a New Dog How to Choose a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Behavioral Issues and Training Obedience Training Socialization Traveling Nutrition Dental Care Grooming Preventative Veterinary Medicine Diseases and Conditions Living with a Senior Dog Whether you have owned Staffies for years or are new to the breed, there will be something for everyone in this book. Veterinarian Dr. Jo de Klerk has compiled this book to provide you with everything you need to know to help you train and bond with your Staffordshire Bull Terrier, leaving nothing for you to wonder or worry about.

Dedicated to the American Pit Bull Terrier, one of the world’s most loyal, intelligent, and versatile breeds, this Smart Owner’s Guide, created by the editors at Dog Fancy magazine, offers the most up-to-date and accurate information every dog owner needs to become a well-informed caregiver for his dog. Illustrated with color photographs of adorable puppies and handsome adults, this easy-to-read primer is designed in a modern, lively manner that readers will find user-friendly and entertaining. Each Smart Owner’s Guide offers a description of the breed’s character and physical conformation, historical overview, and its attributes as a companion dog. The reader will find informative chapters on everything he or she needs to know about acquiring, raising, and training this remarkable purebred dog, including: finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy; preparing for the puppy’s homecoming, shopping for supplies, and puppy-proofing the home; house-training; veterinary and home health maintenance; feeding and nutrition; and grooming. Obedience training for basic cues (sit, stay, heel, come, etc.) and solving potential problem behaviors (barking, chewing, aggression, jumping up, etc.) are addressed in separate chapters, as are activities to enjoy with the dog, including showing, agility, therapy work, and more. Entertaining tidbits and smart advice fill up colorful sidebars in every chapter, real-life heroes and rescue stories are retold in full-page features, and recipes, training, and care tips are also highlighted on special pages. The Smart Owner’s Guide series is the only series that offers readers an online component in which dog owners can join a breed-specific online club hosted by dogchannel.com. At Club APBT, owners of the breed can find forums, blogs, and profiles to connect with other breed owners, as well as charts and checklists that can be downloaded. More than just 20,000 pages of solid information, there’s a host of fun to be had at the club in the form of downloadable breed-specific e-cards, screensavers, games, and quizzes. The Resources section of the book includes contact information for breed-related organizations and rescues, as well as practical guidance on traveling with dogs, identification, and locating qualified professionals to assist the dog owner, such as pet sitters, trainers, and boarding facilities. This information-packed Smart Owner’s Guide is fully indexed.

Filled with inspiring stories and photographs, this heartfelt tribute to the pit bull celebrates one of America’s most popular yet misunderstood dogs. Perhaps more than any other breed, the pit bull has been dogged by negative stereotypes. In truth, pit bulls are innately wonderful family pets, as capable of love and good deeds as any other type of dog. Setting the record straight, Ken Foster sings the praises of pit bulls in I’m a Good Dog, a gorgeously illustrated, tenderly written tribute to this most misunderstood of canines. Founder of the Sula Foundation, which promotes responsible pit bull ownership in New Orleans, and the author of two acclaimed books about abandoned dogs, Foster has made it his mission to bring overlooked canines into the limelight. I’m a Good Dog traces the fascinating history of this particularly maligned breed. A century ago, the pit bull was considered a family dog, featured in family photos and trusted as loving companions for children. More recently, pit bulls have been portrayed by the media as stereotypes of everything they are not. Foster shatters that reputation through moving profiles of pit bulls that serve as therapy dogs, athletic heroes, search-and-rescue dogs, and educators, not to mention as loving pets. Foster also profiles many pit bull lovers, from Helen Keller and Dr. Seuss to actor Todd Cerveris, who took his pit bull on tour with him for the musical Spring Awakening. Proving that there’s much to love and nothing to fear, I’m a Good Dog restores the pit bull to its rightful place as friend, family member, athlete and entertainer.

Traces the evolution and development of dogs and describes their uses today.

Reveals the positive realities about the Pit Bull Terrier and its usefulness in society.

“A fascinating, informative and highly entertaining expedition through the highways and byways of dogdom.” —John Bradshaw, New York Times bestselling author of Dog Sense A charming meditation on the relationship between humans and dogs, drawing upon history, science, art, and personal experience to illuminate a magical bond that has endured millennia—from the New York Times bestselling author of Just My Type. “Ludo is now an elderly gentleman, and we would do almost anything to ensure his continued happiness. We schedule our days around his needs—his mealtimes, his walks, the delivery of his life-saving medication (he has epilepsy, poor love). We spend a bizarrely large amount of our disposable income on him, and he never sends a card of thanks. When he’s not with us for a few days, the house feels extraordinarily empty. I feel so fortunate to know him.” Ludo is a dog—Simon Garfield’s beloved black Labrador retriever, one of millions of canines who have become integral parts of our lives. But how did the dog become top dog? How did these faithful animals come to assist us not only in hunting, but in bomb disposal and cancer detection—and ultimately become our closest companions? Dog’s Best Friend examines how this bond developed over the centuries, and how it has transformed countless lives, both human and canine. Garfield begins with the earliest visual representations—dogs depicted in ancient rock art—and ends at the laboratory that first sequenced the canine genome. Along the way, we meet the legendary Corgis of Buckingham Palace, the dogs of the Soviet space program, the world’s first labradoodle, and a border collie that can identify more than a thousand different plush toys. Garfield reveals the secrets of the world’s best dog trainers, takes us inside the wild world of dog breeding and dog shows, and unearths the deep psychological roots of the human-dog link. And Ludo pops his snout in from time to time as well. A celebration of this deep interspecies connection, delivered with Simon Garfield’s inimitable wit, Dog’s Best Friend offers delights and insights for anyone who has ever loved a dog.