Dogs well deserve the name `man's best friend'. You simply can't beat their loyalty, devotion and companionship. Dogs are wonderful animals and dedicated pets - it's no surprise that their owners live longer than other people. This warm, handy reference book will delight dog owners young and old. And its fascinating trivia and handy tips and tricks will tell you everything you always wondered about dogs, including: * When and how did dogs become man's best friend? * Can you train a dog to be more obedient? * What is the difference between a pure breed and a pedigree? * How do you work out dog years? * Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Love your dog even more with this indispensable pocket guide.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. ALL ABOUT DOGS WHY OWN A DOG? Aside from the undying loyalty and love you can get from having a dog as a pet, there are a number of other benefits to being a dog owner: _ There are health benefits to be had from walking a dog. Walking helps you both keep lean and fit, and encounter other dog owners, allowing you more social interaction. _ Recent studies have shown that people who own a pet generally have less chance of having a heart attack. _ A dog is good for your emotional well being - a fact supported by scientific research. Pocket fact AIDS patients who owned a dog were found to be less likely to suffer from depression. Studies have also shown that patients who are in contact with dogs after hospital treatment or illness have a faster recovery time. HOW THE DOG GOT ITS NAME It is unclear what the exact origins of the word `dog' are, but there is a strong argument to suggest that it comes from an Old English word docga, which means a `powerful breed of canine'. The word docga is said to derive from the Germanic term, dukkon, which translates as `finger muscle' - perhaps an indication of the dog's earliest role as a worker. Correspondingly the word `hound' comes from a Proto-Indo- European word, which follows an indirect root from the Latin word canis, meaning dog. Pocket fact The dog was given the Latin name Canis familiaris and Canis familiarus domesticus in 1758. Recently the Smithsonian Institution and the American Society of Mammalogists have reclassified the dog as Canis lupus familiaris, a sub-species of the grey wolf Canis lupus. DOGS THROUGH THE AGES It is widely agreed that today's modern dog evolved from a small pack of wolves tamed by humans living in China some 15,000 years ago. Scientists have recently published findings which suggest that all modern dog breeds are descended from just three she-wolves. However, other scientists argue that some dogs also contain DNA similar to coyotes and jackals, which must, at some point, have contributed to their development. It is thought that as pack animals the wolves would be drawn to cave-dwelling humans for companionship and warmth. In return, the humans discovered that the wolves were highly skilled at hunting and used these skills to their advantage. The early humans also used dogs to guard their settlements.