The book Understanding Dogs - A Basic Guide’ is second in the series of Understanding Animals by the authors. The book aims at giving an in depth understanding about The Dog- Humans’ Best Friend. The book provides a clear picture about the evolution and domestication, categorisation, morphology, conformation, basic differentiating anatomical and physiological attributes, dentition and ageing. Managemental aspects such as care of pups and geriatric dogs, basics of housing, grooming, restraint, transportation, selection and training have been well detailed. Highly reputed professionals have contributed chapters on Dog Showing, Parasites of dogs and Common drugs used in the field. Zoonoses, Behaviour and forms of aggression have been highlighted. Special efforts have been taken to include two new topics in the form of Dogs in Art and History and Dogs in Sacred books. The book is well-supported by a number of Tables and Figures and colour pictures of various breeds which make reading more interesting. The language of the book is simple to read and understand for the layman, students, Veterinarians, professionals, teachers and all dog enthusiasts. The book will serve as a basic guide to all dog lovers.

Dr. D. Sreekumar, Ph.D., FNAPM, is presently working as Professor and Head of the Instructional Livestock Farm Complex at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research (RIVER), Puducherry. He obtained his B.V.Sc & A.H and M. V. Sc (LPM) degrees from Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala and Ph. D in Livestock Production Management from the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana. He started his career as Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur and later worked as Associate Professor (LPM) and Professor & Head (LPM) in Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pondicherry. He has to his credit articles in major national and international journals of repute and has hands on experience in working with different farm and companion animals. He has authored three books on farm animals. He is a member of various professional organizations and is at present the Secretary of the Southern Chapter of the Indian Association of Animal Production and Management and Member of Editorial Board, IJAPM. He has been awarded with FNAPM (Fellow National Animal Production Management). Dr. Ninan Jacob, Ph.D., is currently working as faculty in the Department of Veterinary Physiology, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Puducherry. He . graduated in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry and was the recipient of the Vice . Chancellor Gold Medal for the best undergraduate student of the Gujarat Agricultural University. He attained his PhD in Animal Physiology from College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand , Gujarat. He has closely interacted with animals and was involved in the management of farm animals. He has put in more than 20 years of teaching experience in Veterinary faculty and has a number of publications in reputed national and international journals. He has coauthored the book ‘Understanding Farm Animals A Basic Guide’.