14 INTRODUCTION. 



books of this character written by one man. It is, more- 

 over, a very instructive book, and of practical value, in 

 many features, to the owners and breeders of dogs. 



This is an American book, describing the American 

 standard of dogs, the appearance of American dogs, and the 

 American diseases of dogs, as well as the American reme- 

 dies which will cure those diseases. By this I do not 

 mean to belittle foreign animals or foreign literature on 

 these subjects. On the contrary, the foreign literature, up 

 to the present time, is far superior to ours, and all our dogs 

 are descended from foreign importations. The idea I in- 

 tend to convey by the above remark is that certain con- 

 ditions and peculiarities of our climate vary not only the 

 appearance of our dogs and the standards applicable to 

 them, from the appearance and standards of other coun- 

 tries, but the diseases to which they are subject and the 

 treatment which should be applied to them. All these 

 things are considered and dealt with in Mr. Shields' book 

 in a way not, in the nature of the case, to be found in for- 

 eign authorities, however excellent, and that is why I com- 

 mend this as an American work. 



Another valuable feature of this book is the illustra- 

 tions. Many of these are artistic and beautiful in a high 

 degree. The portraits of several dogs of world- wide repu- 

 tation are shown, and those of many other typical speci- 

 mens, less widely known, add to the interest and attractive- 

 ness of the work. Nearly every breed is illustrated, and of 

 some breeds several good specimens are pictured. 



A statement of the value of American dogs would startle 

 a stranger to the subject. It is no exaggeration to say 

 that the aggregate salable value of sporting and pet dogs 

 in this country amounts to several million dollars. Our 

 bench shows and field trials are in every way equal, if not 

 superior, to those of Europe. Canine interests in this coun- 

 try have for years past engaged the careful attention of 

 many of the most successful business men in this country. 

 Excellent talent is employed in the larger American cities 

 for the exclusive purpose of writing upon canine subjects; 



