For thousands of years, people have selected dogs as companions because they provide loyalty, friendship, pleasure, unconditional love and a feeling of security. Although these time-honoured reasons still compel us to become dog owners, people today have many more challenges to face than previous generations. Time, energy and money are limited resources and proper dog ownership requires a good portion of each of these be spent on our companions.

The Canadian Dog Owner's Companion has been written to provide a crystal ball for the novice to see his or her future as a dog owner. In this book we examine the history and nature of dogs; the human-canine bond; owner evaluation; the pros and cons of puppies, adult dogs and shelter dogs; health issues and effective, humane training methods and problem-solving tips. Prospective owners will not only gain an understanding of the most important aspect of dog ownership, but they will receive the guidance and advice needed to make informed choices to keep their dogs healthy and happy. Available from bookstores across Canada and The Canadian Kennel Club (1-800-250-8040)