One person in ten thousand has the innate power to improve the lives of all. This revelation, which was dramatized by Ayn Rand, brings to mind one veterinarian who has improved the lives of tens of thousands of dogs used for hard work and stress—racers, stunters, haulers, herders, hunters, diggers, gunners, guides, guards, sentinels, sniffers, trackers, and rescuers. All of these dogs are likely to benefit from a better understanding of behavior, nutrition, exercise physiology, stress pathology, environmental adaptation, welfare (fitting the dog by selection to its environment and work, or vice versa), and veterinary care. The one man who has practical experience and conducted research on all of these topics is a vigorous professor at Alfort in France. That Dominique Grandjean has run the extra mile to write this engaging and refreshing book is a telling glimpse of his innate power and generosity.
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The final moments in this book deal with ethical and regulatory issues of our times. Here our author has cast aside the often hidden agendas of past conflicts and focussed our attention on what is good for the dogs. Perhaps that should be Dominique's by-line, "What is good for dogs?"
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The Paul Mellon Distinguished Professor of Agriculture and Professor of Veterinary Medicine,
virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
Blacksburg, Virginia
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