Man's Best Friend: Annals of the Dog-Human Relationship

In 1990, Derr wrote a controversial article for the Atlantic Monthly that focused on the overbreeding of dogs for the show ring and for profit under the auspices of the American Kennel Club. Here, he widens the scope to explore humans' everyday relationships with, and treatment of, dogs, punctuating the narrative with historical trivia of the 15,000-year dog-human relationship. Derr introduces us to mongrels bred not to meet a rigidly defined standard but to work alongside man: the hunting curs and feists of the American South; the small black mutts of the Navajo that are bonded from birth with sheep; the mushers of Alaska; the USDA's food inspecting Beagle Brigade. He discusses service dogs who can see and hear for us as well as scent-detecting crime fighters, noting that many of these are rescued from shelters. Throughout, Derr discusses AKC policy, argues against ""the ruination of dogs"" via bad breeding and training practices, and offers sound advice on choosing and caring for a dog. Richly anecdotal, this book will be a source of pleasure to fans of The Hidden Life of Dogs. First serial to Atlantic Monthly; rights (except electronic): Karpfinger Agency. (June)