Natural dogs

This volume follows the author's "Natural Cats" (published in 1996).

It explains how to look after this loyal pet that understands so well how to care for humans.

Chris Madsen explores the dog-human bond, and proposes repsonsible ownership of dogs as pets.The book describes the use of dogs in therapy for children, and as companions for patients in hospitals and nursing homes, and it includes cases of dogs fetching, carrying and fending for disabled owners.The author investigates the history of dogs, charting the survival of the wolf in the wild, and looks at the characteristics of domestic breeds, from pooches to pedigrees, and their special needs from puppyhood to old age.

She also warns of the dangers of disabling dogs by breeding for shows.There is advice on diet, including whether it is possible to feed a dog a healthy vegetarian diet, on medicine and complementary healing for sick dogs, on dog psychology, training techniques and on ecologically-sound disposal of dog mess.Chris Madsen is co-author of "The Natural Garden Book".