Breeds Books

There is no better book to read if you want to learn about Greyhounds or are planning to adopt one. An absolute MUST read. Cynthia Branigan is the ultimate expert and the rescues I know all recommend this book as a prerequisite to adopting.

This book does give good iformation on greyhounds.However it does make it sound as though you have to be with your greyhound 24/7. In my case, my greyhound does do well with being separated from us for a few hours at a time. The bottom line is if your not a dog person willing to give your time and devotion to any dog,then a greyhound or any dog breed is not for you, and you shouldn't have a dog. All dogs need time and attention,they also need trained.You just have to remember,that although a greyhound is fully grown,when they come into your home they are like a giant puppy.

I think this new book edited by Cynthia Branigan and primarily distributed in England, is a great addtion to the new greyhound owner's library. It really focuses on getting to know your dog and all the positive aspects of adopting a greyhound. It doesn't bash the racing industry as so many other readers would like to see which would probably just inhibit many people from persuing adoption as they may think that the majority of these dogs are scarred for life from their experiences. Instead this book helps to share real life experiences from owners and foster parents alike. The racing pictures are definitely english, but the pictures of the dogs at liesure are from the actual owners and foster parents, it's wonderful to see how much love and compassion goes into the day to day life of a retired racer.

Being a seasoned greyhound owner myself, I would recommend this book to any new greyhound family that wants a glimpse into what the future holds for their new life with these majestic, loyal and very often comical companions.

I?ve just finished "Living with a Greyhound" and think it?s a terrific addition to my greyhound library. As the title indicates it is not a guide to adopting a racing greyhound; Ms. Branigan covered that territory first and best in her classic, the appropriately titled "Adopting the Racing Greyhound".
"Living" covers just what the title says, what goes on after the adoption when the hound is part of the family. I thought the articles on greyhounds as therapy dogs, in agility trials, as lure coursers, and in many other arenas were very instructive and helpful. All were written by owners who have extensive experience in the area they discuss, and this gives them real authority and credibility.
As an aside, the same thing applies to Ms. Branigan. The fact that she has been running a greyhound adoption agency since before the first edition of "Adopting" came out in the early ?90?s gives her a wealth of experience and credibility that I don?t see matched in subsequent guides, which unlike "Living" don't cover any new ground and are basically just rehashes of her original.
"Living with a Greyhound" is very readable and its production values are great, nicely printed and bound with beautiful pictures which all seemed fresh to me. I?d recommend this to any greyhound owner or anyone else interested in the breed.

I think the book "Living With A Greyhound" accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do: it describes what it is like to live with a former racing dog. I don't understand how anyone can complain that it does not go into the downside of Greyhound racing--that is not the subject of the book.
I loved reading the first-hand experiences of people who have adopted. They explained how they do such things as get them used to their cat or how they take them into nursing homes as therapy dogs. And the part written by the woman who told of how she nursed her dog through his final illness was very touching and memorable.
Cynthia Branigan edited this book, she did not write it. The last time I checked, an editor's job is to make sure the information presented is factual and readable. Of course, Living With A Greyhound is both of those things.
As for comparing this book to "The Ultimate Greyhound", again, that was edited by Mark Sullivan, not written by him. Furthermore it costs more than twice as much as "Living" does.
In short, "Living With A Greyhound" presents a potential adopter with a comprehensive, affordable glimpse into what it is like to share your life with one of these special dogs.

I was pleased to find this book. I've only seen one other that showed the catahoula. This book is a must read if you are thinking about getting a catahoula. It tell's you just like it is. The catahoula is a wonderful breed and a joy to own if you give them the time and exercise they require.

As a first time Catahoula owner, I found this book invaluable. There isn't a lot of information available on the breed (compared to others) and after reading the book I felt I had a better understanding of my dog. Mr. Abney covers a wide variety of topics including healh, breeding, and history. The section I found most helpful was the section on breed traits. The pictures are wonderful, even though they're black and white. Your Catahoula will thank you for reading this book!

Finally, a book that discusses this wonderful dog. I adopted a stray dog 12 years ago. I did not know what kind of dog he was, but he was different from all the other dogs I have owned. My vet informed me that he is a Catahoula. He has been my companion ever since. I have been looking for someing more about this great breed and this book answered many questions about my dog, from why he has glass eyes to his need to please. My Catahoula was diagnosed with liver cancer recently, and has about six months left. If someone looked up the word "dog" in the dictionary, there should be a photo of a Catahoula. They are truly great dogs. Thanks for the great read!!

I recently adopted an 'unknown breed' dog from a no-kill shelter. While at the Grand Canyon last month, a tourist from Louisiana introduced himself, identified my dog as a Catahoula and gave an overview of the history...naturally I went home, checked the web, and confirmed his background. It has now become a hobby finding more and more information about this fantastic breed. Don Abney's book was a great foundation of knowledge for understanding our new family member and also having fascinating background history to tell my friends/family. All I could ask for is more pictures (color) and a list of reputable breeders/clubs...other than that I highly recommend this book! Thanks Don....

The book was very informative. This is a very complex and little-known breed. People need to be aware of what they are getting into when bringing a Catahoula into a suburban environment. This book was very helpful and straightforward. My Cindy is only 4 months old and is already exhibiting some of the traits pointed out by Mr. Abney. Consistency and persistence are very important when training this breed.

Great little book for a first time beagle owner. It is very easy to read and has some cute beagle pictures.

A wonderful book for people new to the Beagle breed. As a beagle owner, I found this book a must have and I give it a four paws up! ~Timothy Glass, author of the Sleepytown Beagle book series for children

This is a great book for anyone who has a new beagle or who is thinking about getting a beagle. Everything you need or want to know is right here. I definitely reccommend it.

This book is an excellent manual of beagle care from breeding to health care to show preparation. The photographs are superb and the authors have really done their homework in presenting the information. The book is written in a plain, clear style that will not only sustain the readers' interest, but will also help keep readers informed about the care and temperament of this wonderful breed.

As the owner of a beagle, I am so glad this book exists. For people who are "prospective beagle owners," I would highly suggest that they do get a beagle and see what wonderful companions and loving pets beagles really are.

I love beagles and this is a terrific book. Beagles are my favorite dogs. They are the reason I'm involved in the animal rights movement. Beagles are a special dog, and David and Hazel know what they're talking about. God bless them both.

This is an excellent training book for beginners and advanced people! What a terrific opportunity for people to go step by step in the world of search and rescue. This book will help to save lives!!!

Jan Tweedie has a very practical approach to training the trailing dog in language and examples that are easy to understand and put to use. One of the best books I own (in my ever expanding library about scent and scent dogs) regarding training a trailing dog and general information about search dogs. A real gem!

Author Jan Tweedie puts her experience in law enforcement and search and rescue operations into practice in On The Trail!: A Practical Guide To The Working Bloodhound And Other Search And Rescue Dogs. Written specifically to aid those who seek to train a skilled and valuable search-and-rescue dog, one who can use its nose to find people who are lost or in trouble, On The Trail! covers the basics of training a working search-and-rescue dog, registration concerns, whether and how to approach advanced training such as searches for human cadavers or obstacle navigation, working with law enforcement and courtroom testimony concerns, maintaining a working dog's health, and much more. An expert how-to manual for professional trainers, police, and anyone charged with the responsibility of cooperating with a bloodhound or other dog to save lives.

I felt that this book is an excellent addition to anyone who is involved with K9's The authour did an excellent job of researching the material for the book. The book takes you step by step in training a K9 to be used in Search and rescue I would and have recommended this book to my others who are involved with search units

Jan Twedie's book is the most comprehensive and thorough document available on the techniques of mantrailing. The advice given is very valuable to those who have the stamina and courage to train and work mantrailing bloodhounds. Highly recommended.

Awsome book, has every thing you need to know about horses

This is such a great book!!! It's got everything you could ever think to ask about horses from A to Z.If you have this book you dont need any other books!!!! Highly recomended to anyone who has or likes horses!

This is a very comprehensive encyclopedia, covering much more than merely equine terminology. The book is filled with information on topics such as equine care and handling, ailments/symptoms and how to address them, equine nutrition, plants that are poisonous to horses, horse anatomy, aspects of showmanship, how to choose an instructor and much much more -- topics too extensive to mention all of them here. You can't go wrong with this book.

Horse lovers and owners should have the Horse-Lover's Encyclopedia as a home mainstay, while public libraries located anywhere near a rural area should have the Horse-Lover's Encyclopedia on their reference shelf. This is a comprehensive, A to Z encyclopedia of horses, from breeds and horse care to stable lore, and provides all kinds of details on everything from caring for hooves to performance and rodeo competition training. Small photos and diagrams throughout make for an excellent, basic handbook on the horse.

This is the best reference horse book i've ever seen. The detail is in every page. I would say this is the only horse reference book you would ever need. Worth Every Penny Spent!

I loved this book! A great resource for horse lovers, this book features all the expected popular breeds as well as several wonderful but rare breeds that I've never seen mentioned in any other book of horses. And the photography is simply glorious. Bravo!

This book was just what we were looking for. The photographs are gorgeous, and the text is informational, including topics such as breed characteristics, conformation, gait, color, breed registry, history of the breed, and additional interesting facts about each breed. This book is a "must-have" for anyone's equine book collection.

Judith Dutson's 96 Horse Breeds Of North America pairs stunning color photos by Bob Langrish with a fine survey of each of the 96 horse breeds of North America. Sidebars of information include height, place of original and special qualities for at-a-glance reference, while more extensive paragraphs on breed characteristics, history, conformation and color provide in-depth details. Perfect for any with an affection for horses and an interest in the breeds.

I agree with the reviewer who said that this is not a very good title. A better title would be Horses of NA or American Horses, or some such. But a great book with a bad title is still a great book, and THIS is a great book. The photographs are marvelous -- a word I rarely use. They're National Geographic quality. And the price! I would have guessed a hardback would be $60 at least. I don't know how they can sell it for so little. If you're a horse buff, you'll want this book.

This is overall a great book, with a really stupid title, don't let it deceive you if you are looking for a great book on horse breeds. Without seeing the book, I even thought to myself, "How did they ever come up with 96 breeds from North America!? I can't think of that many." As it turns out, the book is filled with breeds, the majority of which DO NOT originate from North America at all...strange. For example, Dutch Warmbloods, Halflingers, even Arabians, you get the idea. I suppose they really mean 96 breeds which are popular among horse owners in North America, but that doesn't make a really good title. The book contains a great deal of lovely photographs, but the format is nothing exceptional compared to breed books I have seen before. However, it's merit is featuring many breeds, exclusive to North America, which are often excluded from the books, such as the Shackleford, Sulphur, Pryor Mountain, Nokota and more.

Readers all over the world are better off because they can benefit from the Ross's great pet dog training advice.
Pet dog owners in Southern New Hampshire have been benefiting from their classes for years.

This book was very informative, easy to read with associating pictures. I especially liked how chapters 6 through 11 were broken into lesson plans (e.g.) Chapter Six, Lesson Plan:Week #1. Chapter 3, Recognizing Canine Calming Signals was very interesting. Twelve calming signals were introduced by the author in a manner that was easy to understand. I can see how this chapter is essential for training and observing other canines. I highly recommend this book for training your dog. No canine owner should be without it.

Everything about this book is positive amd if you love your dog that's the way it should be. How nice to teach our puppy that the world is a great place and learning is fun!

I found this book to be extremely helpful and easy to read with "down to earth" information and examples. To reinforce the information, there are also very helpful "homework" assignments that are easy to incorporate into a very hectic schedule. Results were obvious within the first two weeks - my puppy suddenly started listening and responding just the way I wanted him to! THANK YOU!!!

I was given a 5month old German Shepard that had been abused verbally, and physically, no socializing, no housbreaking nothing.
I purchased this book and started reading every part of it, I was determined to make this dog a good dog. It worked, everyone that knows my dog Ranger cannot believe the progress that was made with him.
This book helps you think the way the dog thinks and is very helpful from that point of view. I would recommend this book for anyone who ownes a dog-----especially a puppy!!!!!!
Thank you Moe & Gary Ross awesome job.

While the entire book was jammed packed with useful information and background history of the Border Collie, I especially enjoyed the chapter where 6 dogs were comparatively judged. Head shots, front, side and rear views of 3 male and 3 female black & white Border Collies were each critiqued by judges from England, the U.S. and New Zealand. Very interesting how each judge interpreted his/her country's standard of ideal Border Collie conformation, as well as being helpful in pointing out flaws of basic dog anatomy in general..

A must read before you purchase that puppy!

I got this for my daughter-in-law for Christmas. She has it "dog-earred" and says it is truly the ultimate border collie book

Thank goodness for the wise writing and lovely pictures in this book. She does her best to dispell the myth of the 'genius'dog and the other myth of the 'border collies are black and white and stick thin small dogs'.

As an owner of a mostly white border collie, who is sometimes dismayed by people's comments about 'well she must have (insert breed) in her to be white', it is heartening to see pictures of every possible shade and shape of border collie. Border collies are very diverse - that's because the emphasis is (until recently, some may say) on a working dog, not a certain 'look'. It's their quirky minds that make them so different. A few hours with an obsessive fly chaser and you'll understand :-)

She has great sections on puppies, activities for your BC and lots of history and opinion. Some of the information may rub people the wrong way - bc people tend to be opinionated!

This author has done an excellent job describing the Border Collie. Whether it's behavior, motivations, breed history, stregths, weaknesses, she demonstrates that she is truly an expert. This is not a generic dog book with Border Collie pictures pasted in, it is an excellent reference that I intend to use for many years to come. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who has or is considering purchasing a Border Collie.

As a soon-to-be Border Collie owner, this book has proven to be very helpful. Its chapter on puppies and puppy care from the day you bring it to your home is very good. Living in Denmark, you cannot find many books about the Border Collie so I was very pleased to find this one. I am picking up my little puppy in less than 3 weeks and after reading this book, I feel confident that we have made the right choice regarding dog breed and the breeder. I can especially recommend this book if it's the first time you're getting a dog.

We Give Our Hearts to Dogs to Tear: Intimations of Their Immortality is a thirty-year love story between humans and their animal companions, Jack Russell terriers, and tells of the authors' search for the immortality of dogs and what makes them special. First-person accounts of his dogs blends with philosophical reflection in a memoir which is warm and fuzzy.

Alston Chase has discovered a way of involving his readers both emotionally and pragmatically with this book about Jack Russell terriers. His insights into our love of dogs and our propensity to try to control nature and the environment in which we live are thought provoking. It is refreshing to read about a family that embraces not only their natural surroundings but their own human nature, without the need to purify or "improve" them. Lovers of the Jack Russells will appreciate Mr. Chases' insights into their nature, but there is much more to receive from this book than simply a treatise on this determined little breed.

This modern-day Pioneer family gave up a secure life as a tenured college Professor of Philosophy to venture West to the sparsely populated state of Montana, complete with primative living conditions and harsh winters. By doing so, they connected with the land, their many dogs and themselves. While reading the book, I obtained a new meaning of my love for our little companions, and why we are so willing to expose ourselves to the sorrow we know we will suffer when their short lives are over. I highly recommend the book!

For me this precious read is best served with tea, a cozy chair, and a ray of light pouring through a window. I waited each day for just the right moment to pick it up. It is a book to savor.

I understand that Alston Chase is quite the intellectual - the author of several very heady reads. I have to say that in "We Give Our Hearts To Dogs To Tear" I can see the heart of the author, splayed for all the world to see.

This book takes the reader aside from the hustle and bustle of life and drops into the true essence of living. Maybe that shift is seen through a canine friend's field of vision or maybe because of these canine friends Alston Chase has made that shift himself.

"We Give Our Hearts To Dogs To Tear" is reflective of days gone by, of pioneers, and grit, and lasting love.

Thank you for such an endearing read.

On one level, this is a book about the Chases' retreat to Montana wilderness and their discovery of the treasures around them, including the Jack Russell Terriers they began to acquire. But it runs deeper than that, and explores what dogs are and need to be, and how breeders are ruining them by heeding human criteria, such as form and size, and ignoring the genetic traits that keep a breed viable and healthy.

But this is also a love story, about how the Chases and their Jack Russells (and other pets) deal with each other, and how their differing personalities give and receive differing commitments and differing forms of love. There are passages of great tenderness here, but also passages of speculation: do animals have anything we might call a soul, anything that might transcend death? Might we ever be reunited with our pets beyond the grave?

There is warning here as well: we stand on a precipice. If dogs continue to be bred for purely human criteria such as those imposed by the AKC, and not for those qualities that yield a healthy, athletic animal, the time is not far off when some breeds will be ruined. They will suffer more and more disorders such as deformity, and fewer live births.

This is a love song, and we need to listen to Alston Chase's music.

Most breed specific books contain a lot of information on dogs in general and common sense opinions, that if you're like me, you alreay know. If you're looking for a book on Akitas that will tell you about things that you don't already know and give you the insight that only a 30 year love affair with the breed can give, then buy it. I have two Akitas, and had had them for two years before reading Barbara's book. I was in tune with my dogs' body language, their behavior, the predjudices exacted upon them, and their faults. I was in heaven reading this book for the first time. Finally, new information!: Genetics, nutrition, training, breeding, aesthetic details, personality issues; and, all Akita specific! This book is MSRP at around $... at a retailer, that s why I read it out of the library. I'm Buying it at Amazon.com for about $.... Friggin' awesome!

This is the best book on Akitas I have ever read.
Wonderful pictures and very informative.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about the breed.
Buy a used copy if you can. It's well worth it !

This book is packed full of information for anyone interested in the Akita.A valuable reference for beginner or experienced breeder.Lots of wonderful photos,history and present day dogs and breeders.I have other Akita books;if I had to pick just one,this would be it!!

I would recommend the book to anyone who is interested in the Akita. BJ Andrews, OBJ Akitas, has outdone herself with this book. It's full of beautiful color photos of the breed's great Akitas. She takes a common sense approach to owning, raising, training, breeding and showing Akitas. I like her style!

I have bought a lot of books for Akita dogs but this book is the best because is written from a person who is in love and understand Akitas. A must for any serious fun.