This unique resource offers a general overview of canine body systems and how each system affects the breeding process. Key topics include nutrition, pharmacology, microbiology, parasitology, vaccinations, genetics, and endocrinology, as well as normal anatomy and disorders of the male and female reproductive systems.It provides illustrations which make important information more readily available and provide more accurate representations of actual clinical appearance. Each chapter begins with frequently asked questions and answers, offering quick and easy access to key information, and ends with a "Test Your Understanding" section that encourages readers to review what they have just read and apply it to real-life situations. The book also includes a first aid appendix which offers quick access to information related to various emergencies, and an appendix covering common problems seen in dogs.New in this second edition are an expanded section on genetics, information about alternative therapies such as herbal therapy and acupuncture, and details specifically for veterinary professionals.