Recommend one book that all prospective dog-owners should have.

There is an excellent thread here about training-books:
http://www.dogweb.co.uk/showthread.php?t=35364
but what book would you recommend as being absolutely necessary reading for anyone before taking on a dog? I know some things will be specific to the type of dog (grooming! etc.), but that still leaves a lot of general information that I hope someone has managed to put into a readable book.
"Puppies for Dummies"?

hi myth my "bible"is THINK DOG by JOHN FISHER i know its old and a bit outdated ,but as i see it dogs and people dont really change that much and ive learnt a lot from it , in my opinion its full of common sense things that i wouldnt have thought of but that once told are so obvious, and they really work .

As a general, all round book for beginners, I think I'd have to recommend Training Dogs the Guide Dog Way, it's full of really hands on practical, sensible advice in a clear format. Well worth a read.
I love Joh Fisher too and would recommend 'Why Does My Dog' to a novice...
hmmmm
there's so many to be honest....go od thread.

'The Perfect Puppy' by Gwen Bailey

'The Culture Clash' by Jean Donaldson

A very fat building society book.........or cheque book.......


Sorry, seriously, The Culture Clash is one of my faves

I know it's not a book as such, but I'd recommend our Quick Start Guides without hesitation to all newbies

http://www.dogweb.co.uk/quick-start-guides.htm

Good recommendations! The quick-starts look very good and thick checkbook sounds about right. I shall certainly get the books, boyfriend will just have to take up less space.

I would have to recommend "what is your dog thinking" By Gwen Bailey. It doesn't explain what to do if your puppy jumps up at you, growls at you etc. It explains WHY they do it! and i think its great!

I would also like to recommend a breed specific one too: Pet Owner's Guide to the Dobermann by Clive Evans. I have about 3 Dobermann specific books but I think this one is the best. Really easy to read. Covers everything you need to know in advance.

However How to Train Your Doberman Pinscher by Liz Palika, Is American but lists all of a Dobes stages which has been really usefull seeing as we are going through the second fear and protectivness stage.

Another vote for Jean Donaldson - The Culture Clash

And another

I don't think she always writes very clear English, she gets a bit lost in pretentious vocabulary (and I'm not talking about the technical terminology), but she certainly makes a lot of sense out of dog behaviour.