Your Dream Dog: A Guide To Choosing The Right Breed For You

Book Description

"Recognized as an authority and deservedly so,"* Bash Dibra explains to readers why finding the right dog for their lifestyle is so important-for the happiness of both pet and owner. Filled with personal anecdotes, Your Dream Dog includes detailed descriptions of all officially recognized breeds (plus some unofficial ones), tips on how to match the dog's needs with the owner's lifestyle, and hints on how to acquire a healthy dog, whether it's a purebred, a mixed breed, or an all-American mutt.

Customer Reviews:

I worry about incorrect information.......2005-08-09

I think this book would appeal most to folks searching for a dog with little knowledge of the breeds themselves. I won this book and paid little attention to it for a long time. When I finally browsed through it, I was shocked to find that the breed information given about "my" breed (Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs) is almost 100% incorrect. The breed history is inaccurate, the breed standards are misstated and the personality traits are totally wrong. It seems like Mr. Dibra didn't even do cursory research on the breed before writing a summary about it. I'm not as familiar with many other breeds, but did find some glaring inaccuracies about others as well. Please research breeds through nationally accredited breed websites. If you want to research a breed or breeds, don't trust this book as an accurate source of information. I'm sure Mr. Dibra is an expert on dog training, but he obviously is no expert on breeds or types.

Looks like a winner to me!.......2003-08-01

Before I really get into to this, one mild word of warning. In the past couple of years, I have become friends with noted dog trainer Sarah Wilson, who along with her husband, Brian Kilcommons, have written several dog books, including the one I consider the current reigning and undisputed champ of the "how to pick your dog" genre, "Paws To Consider"...it may be worth your while to keep that in mind as you read this...and with that in mind, how does Bash Dibra's "Your Dream Dog" stack up?

Pretty well actually. Mr. Dibra is well-known dog trainer himself, and to be honest about it, his book does offer a couple of advantages over "Paws" (although it feels slightly treasonous to me to say that...)To begin with, his breed listing contains more breeds than does "Paws" (over 160 compared to 147) and some may also find his straight alphabetical listing easier to use than the by lifestyle approach used by Brian and Sarah. Okay, no more comparisons to "Paws" or mentioning of other dog trainers...

Mr. Dibra does all dog lovers a favor by listing in his dog "groups" (or types in this case) the most common of all breeds/types/ call it what you will...the common everyday mutt. And along those lines he echoes the feelings of other noted "dog people" that the potential new dog owner not be fooled by the current fad of matching one breed or another to a poodle, calling it a "something-a-poo" (cockapoo, pekeapoo, whatever) and billing it as a new breed. They not. Period. Cute, yes, adorable without a doubt, but folks, these guys are just plain mutts. Don't pay pure breed prices for a mix.

"Your Dream Dog" also deserves applause for mentioning that your dream dog maybe one of those unfortunates abandoned at the shelter. Yes you can get pure breds there too, and the number of dogs (and cats) that are killed each year in this country is nothing short of criminal.

More credit must be given to Mr. Dibra for including the "puppy temperment test", a more or less standard test used to be the right puppy for you out of a liter, mentioned in dog books by..er...other dog book authors. (See? No names.)

Other pluses includ what to have ready when your new puppy comes home, something so many of us forget, until you raise a frantic shout "Oh my god, I forgot to get...(what?") He also lists activties that you can share with your dog, (and there are a lot of them) and the fact that your dream puppy may be and need not be a puppy at all. Adult dogs can and do bond to their new owners. Our own West Highland White Terrier( ada "Westie), Sally, was five when we got her, and it has been a great match-up.

So what is wrong with the book? Well, a few things, minor for the most part. The brief breed description are a little too brief, especially in regard to the diseases that various breeds are subject too. Mitral Valve Disorder is listed as a problem for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with no mention that this problem is a real killer in these cute little fellows. The national breed assocation for the Cavvy estimates that as many as 50% of the dogs may have this. Breeders are working hard on curing the problem, but starting out so far behind is real handicap. Skin allegeies are real problem, especially in summer for Westies and their owners, but this is not even mentioned in the breed description, although it is in the appendixes dealing with medical problems, but the potential owner of these dogs would not know that without specifally looking for it.

Which brings me to what I think is the major flaw in "Your Dream Dog." There is no index. I was actually more than a little surprised to see that, since this is a book intended to be used, and used hard. It's not fair to blame Mr. Dibra for this of course, but someone sure dropped the ball here.

Still the book is a worthwhile additon to a dog-lovers library. "Your Dream Dog" doesn't merely lecture, it teaches. All dog trainers, breeders what have you, will agree that research in arugably the most important of the first steps in getting your canine companion and this book will be a good one to begin your search.

Would have given it a 5, but since, you know, there ain't no-stinking-index, I took away a point, (actually a half, but Amazon won't let me do that) for a score of 4 1/2

Amazon.com

David Squire has produced an inspirational and quite practical guide to how the garden can be turned into both a place of healing and a place of calming, restoring energy. Scent, sound, water, and touch can be an integral part of mental and physical healing, or simply an added enhancement to good health and a sense of overall well-being. This book draws on many cultural traditions of healing, starting with the basics of caring lovingly for the soil itself to the use of sounds, water, and color to create powerful emotional states and provide a serene, meditational experience for the gardener and anyone who ventures into the healing garden itself. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this is a charming book for the serious gardener, of course, but it will also inspire the person who delights in simply thinking and dreaming of the garden. --Mark A. Hetts

The Healing Garden: Natural Healing for the Mind, Body and Soul

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The Healing Garden: Natural Healing for the Mind, Body and Soul
David Squire
Manufacturer: Vega
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Healing | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Herbal Remedies | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Accessories:

ASIN: 1843335840

Book Description

“Presenting fact as well as folklore, Squire eloquently and exhaustively addresses aspects of gardening for the senses, from color and sound to fragrance and touch. As he deftly combines historical perspectives with practical considerations, Squire also provides a visual feast of alluring color photos and archival paintings and illustrations.” —Booklist.

Amazon.com

Since the 1970s, ambitious do-it-yourselfers have relied on Old-House Journal for authoritative information on the restoration of Colonials, Victorians, and Craftsmen Style Bungalows. The magazine was one of the few sources offering expert advice on repair issues unique to houses built before the 1930s. Now this much-needed advice has been compiled in an all-in-one guide for homeowners ready to put paintbrushes, hammers, putty knives, drills, sanders, and saws to good use. This resource includes a discussion of house periods and styles along with exhaustive instruction on interior and exterior restoration projects--supplemented with diagrams, photos, step-by-step illustrations, sidebars, and even mini-dictionaries of terms. With this guide, not only do readers learn how to fix leaky stem faucets but also what all the inner parts of a stem faucet are.

What's special about The Old-House Journal Guide to Restoration is that it answers questions specific to houses that have withstood the test of time and weather. How does one fireproof a balloon-construction home? How does one replace a rotting window frame without compromising appearance? Similarly, there's much practiced advice on repairing masonry, updating plumbing and electrical systems, straightening bowed floors and walls, and improving energy efficiency. The book's overall tone is "can-do." If something's broken or decayed, the Old-House Journal folks believe it can be fixed or restored--and they're not afraid to tell how in great detail. This is not just a lesson in stripping and refinishing wood floors, but rather extensive schooling in boosting an old house owner's confidence. --Karen Karleski

Customer Reviews:

Excellent reference book.......2007-07-22

The first house we bought was a 1920s-era Spanish Med Rev. It had been "updated" in a horrendous way in the 1980s and our first task was to undo the updates. The book has been an indispensable resource that helps us understand many of the basic principles involved in old house construction and trim work. Besides allowing me to perform DIY more effectively, it also has been very useful for understand when contractors do--and do not--follow the principles as they work on our old house. On one occasion, when a contractor started to do some work incorrectly, the book allowed me to discuss with him some aspects of the window trim that I wanted done differently. I've had this book for over 10 years and it is one of the most-used books in my collection. I don't want to lend it our because I'm afraid I won't get it back!

This Old-House Journal Restoration Guide.......2000-03-08

When we purchased and moved into our "remuddled" (the previous owners paneled over the fireplace in the living room) 126-year old home, we were completely overwhelmed. My husband and I took turns being stumped by all the things that needed repair. Then a friend told us about this book. I finally have answers to the questions I thought were unanswerable. I can tackle the calked-shut windows, the sagging staircase, and even the holes and cracks in the plaster. On some issues I even know more than the home improvement store people I used to seek out for help.

Book Description

From saltboxes to split-levels, Victorian Ladies to Colonial Revivals, Prairie Styles, bungalows, and Moderns, these are the houses that have defined the architecture of a nation for the past three centuries. In House Styles in America, these classic examples illustrate the major movements that have shaped the American landscape. This beautifully illustrated tour of America's houses begins in 1640 with the early roots of American style--a combination of European skill and attitude combined with American know-how. This architectural journey continues on through the 18th and 19th centuries, through the Greek Revival, the Americanization of the Gothic Revival, and the early Colonial Revival. The houses of the 20th century are the main attraction as House Styles in America delves into the major movements in the Romantic Revivals of the 1920s and 1930s: English, French, and Spanish. Replete with 200 color photographs, this architectural journey is an essential and beautiful guide for realtors, tourists, and students of architecture.

Customer Reviews:

Best book on the subject.......2003-02-25

So why is it out of print? (Had no trouble getting one though.) This book is based on a series of magazine articles for Old Home Journal, so the style is informal. The carefully chosen color pictures set it apart from its competition, A Field Guide to American Houses, by the other husband and wife team. But mostly it's the authors' ability to explain in simple language the events that caused the rise and fall of the various styles: the switch to stud framing, the widely circulated pattern books, the Arts and Craft movement, World War I and the various European styles brought home by the soldiers, etc.

A house for everyone.......2000-07-09

House Styles in America is a well constructed collection of american houses dating back to the old Ironworks houses, Like the Turner house and Bacons Castle,but this book also contains modern houses, like Phillip Johnson's glass house. This book is a great addition to anyones growing architecture library.

Restoration Manual No. 10: Old-House Journal, 1985 Yearbook

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CONTENTS

Restoration Manual No. 10: Old-House Journal, 1985 Yearbook
Old-House Journal
Manufacturer: Old House Journal Corporation, the
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0942202147

Customer Reviews:

CONTENTS.......2005-05-22

This softcover yearbook is a one-volume compilation of all the editorial pages printed in "The Old-House Journal" in 1985 - an ideal resource for those interested in restoration and maintenance techniques for the pre-1939 house! The book measures 8-1/2" by 11" (closed) and contains 224-pages.

CONTENTS:

Preface

January - February
Stripping Exterior Masonry
A Philadelphia Stencil Story
The Screw Gun
The Rumford Compromise
The Art Deco House
Deco Materials
Objects D'Art Deco
Do You Need An Engineer?
My Life With A Beehive Oven
Lye Stripping

March
Standing Seam Roofs
General Rochambeau Slept Here
Wall-Lining Materials
The Amazing Water Level
Yes, I Still Use Whitewash

April
Carpet Bedding
Is "Remuddling" Snobby, Elitist, Mean, And Unhelpful?
Restoring 1919 Stencils
Seeing Through Opaque Stains

May - Special Issue: Bungalows
The Bungalow - And Why We Love It So
In The Valley Of Hearts Delight
A New Craftsman Light Fixture
Stripping Beams
How To Repair Stucco
The Bungal-Ode
Fabric Accents For The Craftsman Home
Doors Of The 1920s

June
Removing Interior Woodwork
A Midwestern Cinderella
How To Hold A House Tour
Decorative-Finish Services

July
Return To Awnings
A Scaffolding Primer
If Only I'd Read Those Pages
Who Ever Heard Of White Oak Shingles?

August - September
Salvage Of Original Clapboards
Urbana Renewal
Wood Cornice - Restoration And Repair
English Revival Interiors
Restoring My Mechanical Doorbell
The Party-Wall House

October
Routing Wiring
Seduction In South Dakota
New Life For Old Bathrooms
Owning An Inn Or B&B

November
The Queen Anne Parlor
Old-House Dreams And Mysterious
Casting Decorative Plaster
Wood Cornice - Design And Assembly

December
Reconditioning Floors
The Pitfalls Of Restoration In The Big City
Stripping Paint From Exterior Wood
Making Photos Last

Average customer rating:

The Old-House Journal, New Compendium
Old House Journal
Manufacturer: Old House Journal Corporation, the
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Original Old-house Journal Compendium

ASIN: 0942202112

The Original Old-house Journal Compendium

Average customer rating:

Invaluable source of info on classic home restoration

The Original Old-house Journal Compendium
Clem Labine , and Carolyn Flaherty
Manufacturer: Overlook TP
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Buildings & Construction | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0879511869

Book Description

When Clem Labine and his family abandoned Manhattan for an old brownstone in Brooklyn, Labine decided to launch a newsletter about the restoration and maintenance of antique houses. From these humble beginnings, The Old-House Journal grew until it had many thousands of subscribers in all fifty states.

Since its first publication in 1980, The Old-House Journal Compendium has been the go-to guide for anyone looking to buy, restore, or maintain an old house. This new edition combines the solid, detailed advice that made The Old House Journal newsletter famous, now in a modern, easy-to-use format. Fully redesigned with more than 800 black-and-white illustrations, this famous how-to reference provides sound and encouraging instructions for all at-home renovators. Accessibly organized into chapters that correspond to the parts of a house, The Old-House Journal Compendium covers roofs, windows, wiring, plumbing, plastering, staircases, floors, painting, chimneys, fireplaces, stoves, moldings, woodwork, shutters, kitchens, bathrooms, as well as period design and decoration, and even landscaping--truly everything the new owner of an old home could need.

Customer Reviews:

Invaluable source of info on classic home restoration.......1998-02-27

As a source of information on style, building technique and materials, this book is an invaluable aid to anyone looking to renovate or refurbish an old home. It presents a good a mix of information on the techniques used in construction with style details, plus descriptions of features and their components.

Average customer rating:

The Old-House Journal Buyer's Guide
Patricia Poore , and Clem Labine
Manufacturer: Doubleday Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Buildings & Construction | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0385187467

Away from the Father's House: The Social Location of the Na'Ar & Na'Arah in Ancient Israel (Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Ser. 301)

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Away from the Father's House: The Social Location of the Na'Ar & Na'Arah in Ancient Israel (Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Ser. 301)
Carolyn S. Leeb
Manufacturer: Sheffield Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Israel | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

Social History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1841271055

The Henry Whitfield House 1639. The Journal of the Restoration of The Old Stone House, Guilford

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The Henry Whitfield House 1639. The Journal of the Restoration of The Old Stone House, Guilford
J. Frederick. Edited By Evangeline Walker Andrews Kelly
Manufacturer: The Prospect Press, for The Henry Whitfield State Historical Museum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OIN2K8

Average customer rating:

The Henry Whitfield house, 1639;: The journal of the restoration of the old stone house, Guilford,
John Frederick Kelly
Manufacturer: The Henry Whitfield State Historical Museum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Average customer rating:

Journal of an Unknown Opera Singer
Susanna James
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1412055601
Release Date: 2006-07-06

Product Description

What if the stories of man\'s imminent evolutionary leap are true? And what if music and the human voice carry the very means by which this leap is accomplished?

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