Williamsburg Regional Library

Dog's best friend, the story of an unbreakable bond, Simon Garfield

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

platesillustrations

index present

non fiction

Dog's best friend

1202666473

Simon Garfield

the story of an unbreakable bond

"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 humble 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"--Dust jacket flap

Introduction: The dogness of dogs -- The indelible image -- How dogs began -- Fido thinks maybe -- What Darwin didn't know about dogs (was hardly worth knowing) -- Dogs will heal -- The smartest dogs on Earth and beyond -- How we got to Jackshi-tzu -- How to win a ribbon -- Dog story -- Through the hoops -- The art of the floofiest -- Inglorious -- Born a dog, died a gentleman -- Discover dogs!

adult