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Synopsis

A dog is not for Christmas. This is.

John Bradshaw, one of the world's leading dog experts, brings us a compelling insight into what dogs would ask us for, if only they knew how.

The dog has been mankind's faithful companion for tens of thousands of years, yet today finds itself in crisis throughout the western world. Until just over a hundred years ago, most dogs worked for their living, and each of the many breeds had become well suited, over countless generations, to the task for which they were bred. Now, in their purely domestic roles we fail to understand their needs. And it is time that someone stood up for dogdom: not the caricature of the wolf in a dog suit, ready to dominate its unsuspecting owner at the first sign of weakness, not the trophy animal that collects rosettes and kudos for its breeder, but the real dog, the pet that just wants to be one of the family and enjoy life.

Biologists now know far more about what really makes dogs tick than they did twenty years ago, but this new understanding has been slow to percolate through to owners, and has not yet made enough of a difference to the lives of the dogs themselves. This book is here to set the record straight.

In Defence of Dogs - John Bradshaw

John Bradshaw introduces his book In Defence of Dogs

Reviews

Critic Review:

‘Fascinating … scholarly yet passionate … nothing less than a manifesto for a new understanding of our canine friends,’ Chris Cox, Guardian

‘Every dog lover, dog owner or prospective dog buyer should read this book. It will change how you feel about dogs and, likely enough, how you treat them, too … sparkles with explanations of canine behaviour … Bradshaw denies that his book is a manual, but you’ll find more advice on training here than in most guides,’ James McConnachie, Sunday Times

‘[A] wonderful, reassuring, and encouraging book … distinguishes canine science from canine folklore,’ Jonathan Mirsky, Literary Review

‘Summarizes what science can teach us about man’s best friend. Arguing that modern dogs should not be considered domesticated wolves, [John Bradshaw] asks how we can best breed these social animals to be companions and family pets’ Nature

‘A lovely and clear-headed book on all things dog-emotion, mind, and breed. John Bradshaw’s authority and experience are matched by the thoughtfulness and humanity of his writing. Read this before you bring a dog into your life’ Alexandra Horowitz, author of Inside of a Dog

‘So appealing. He does more than simply lay out interesting theories; he uses science to advocate for a better life for companion dogs,’ The Bark

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