The Bernese and Other Mountain Dogs

by Ludwig, Gerd; Steimer, Christine

• ISBN13: 9780812091359
• ISBN10: 0812091353
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-07-01
• Publisher: B E S Pub Co

Summary

Traces the history of the breed, discusses care requirements, and includesnformation on training and common health concerns.

Table of Contents

Preface	3	(4)
History of Swiss Mountain Dogs	4	(4)
Origins of the Mountain Dogs	4	(1)
From Worker to Status Symbol	4	(2)
Comparing the Mountain Dogs	6	(2)
Typical Mountain Dogs	8	(12)
Herding and Guarding	8	(1)
Independent Action	8	(1)
Guarding and Protective Instincts	9	(1)
Guarding a Herd	10	(1)
Even the Multitalented Need Training	10	(1)
A Short Glossary	11	(3)
Portrait of the Bernese	14	(1)
Portrait of the Entlebucher	15	(3)
Portrait of the Greater Swiss	18	(1)
Portrait of the Appenzeller	19	(1)
Advice on Buying	20	(4)
A Mountain Dog in Your Life?	20	(1)
Mountain Dogs Are Family Dogs	20	(2)
Male or Female Dog?	22	(1)
Puppy or Full Grown Dog?	22	(1)
How You Find the Right Breeder	23	(1)
How You Get the Puppy You Want	23	(1)
Getting the Puppy to Feel at Home	24	(4)
Bringing the Puppy Home	24	(1)
Time to Get Used to the New Home	24	(1)
The First Night	24	(1)
No Dog is Too Young to Learn	24	(2)
What Equipment You Need	26	(1)
Saying No	27	(1)
Precautions Don't Hurt	27	(1)
Understanding Mountain Dogs	28	(4)
The World Through the Nose	28	(1)
``Speaking'' Doesn't Just Mean Barking	28	(1)
Body Language	28	(2)
How-To: Puppy Language	30	(2)
Training and Exercise	32	(7)
Training Should Be Fun	32	(1)
Achieving Success Step by Step	32	(1)
The Training Calendar	32	(1)
What the Mountain Dog May Not Do	32	(2)
How-To: Training	34	(2)
Mountain Dogs Need Work	36	(1)
Duty: Daily Walks	36	(1)
Give the Dogs Jobs	37	(1)
Mountain Dogs Enjoy Trials	37	(1)
Agility	38	(1)
Draft Dog Trials	38	(1)
Routine Care and Grooming	39	(5)
Getting Used to Grooming	39	(1)
Monitoring for Signs of Illness	39	(1)
Keeping Grooming to a Minimum	40	(1)
Bathing in Moderation	41	(1)
How-To: Grooming	42	(2)
Nutrition	44	(6)
What Dogs Need	44	(1)
Commercially Prepared Food	44	(1)
Home-prepared Food	44	(2)
Rules for Feeding	46	(1)
The Dog Needs Bones	46	(1)
How Much Food?	46	(1)
Feeding Places and Feeding Times	46	(1)
Drinking Is Important	47	(1)
Oh, You Fat Dog!	47	(1)
Important for Dieting	47	(1)
Split Diet for the Dog	47	(3)
Health Care	50	(6)
Immunization Shots Are Vital	50	(1)
Just as Important: Worming	50	(1)
Recognizing the Signs of Illness	51	(1)
A Short List of Disease Symptoms	51	(2)
When the Dog Appears Emotionally Ill	53	(1)
Disorders Specific to the Breeds	53	(1)
How-To: Health	54	(2)
Breeding	56	(4)
The Standard for Purebred Dogs	56	(1)
How Do You Get Dogs for Breeding?	56	(1)
Breeding Requirements	56	(1)
The Sire	57	(1)
Sexual Receptivity	58	(1)
Copulation	58	(1)
Pregnancy	58	(1)
The Whelping Box	58	(1)
The Birth	58	(1)
Development of Puppies	59	(1)
Feeding the Puppies	59	(1)
Showing Mountain Dogs	59	(1)
Index	60	(2)
Useful Addresses and Literature	62