Breeds Books

This is a cattle lover's wishbook! It's jam-packed with information and glorious color pictures of beautiful cattle. I give it five big stars; try it and I bet you will too!

The First Chinook by David Pagel is the story of Arthur T. Walden and his legendary sled dog, Chinook. Impressively illustrated by Rick Allen's woodcuts and engravings, the story begins in the mid-winter of 1917 when a golden-colored puppy was born in New Hampshire. Over the next 12 years Arthur's enthusiastic dog would set mushing records, help popularize the sport of sled dog racing, and become the progenitor of a new breed of sled dog named after Chinook, finally traveling with Admiral Richard E. Byrd on his First Antarctic Expedition in 1928. Written in rhyming verse in the style of classic Yukon ballads, and illustrated with more than 40 colorful and stylized wood engravings, The First Chinook is a delightful picturebook filled with true stories of adventure.

Anyone who has read Raymond Coppinger's previous work (notably, "Dogs", with Lorna Coppinger) will recognize the easy to read writing style here. What is astonishing about this book, however, is the sly, tongue-in-cheek humor which is enjoyed by layman and dog enthusiast alike. No particular knowledge of dog breeding or showing is necessary, but those who do have such a background will pick up on even more subtle humour. The writing is fantastic, the pictures are perfect - this would be a wonderful addition to anyone's library - I haven't found anyone (from many backgrounds) who has failed to enjoy this book thoroughly.

My father-in-law sat down and read this book cover-to-cover (except for a few breaks to play with the dog and enjoy a festive meal). He kept exclaiming about "these fascinating dogs!" I found that this book covered the waterfront. It was one of the books I consulted before getting a flat-coated retriever pup a few months back. The book was accurate. And, we're delighted with our dog. Good book. It turned out to be a coffee table book.

Last september I finally graced my home with a new Black Labrador Retriever puppy, an adorable but unstoppable little fireball that we named Annabelle Lee, and she has quickly proved to be an unalloyed blessing for us in terms of her personality and her antics around the house. For all of you that love Black Labs in particular, you will know just how adorable and irresistable a Black Lab puppy can be. This calendar reminds us all of what a wonderful gift they are to us humans, and many of the photographs gracing this calendar remind me of sweet little Annabelle, who now is a yearling, and who graces the scales at well over seventy pounds, a puppy no more. Alas, like toddlers, they grow up to soon to suit those of us that love them, and although she is still a joy to behold, we all seem to lose something precious when our puppy matures. Capture that brief moment in time with a calendar like this, one which can remind you all year long just how special our Black Labrador Retriever puppy friends are. Enjoy!

Once you live with a dachshund, as I have, you will love them forever. They have very expressive faces and wonderful personalities. This book is very nice and it was fun to read. The quality is definitely good to put on your coffee table for all to enjoy. p.s. The Amazon title is spelled incorrectly but, it is correct on the book. DACHSHUND.
:)

What better gift for your college student or friend than the gift of Labrador Retrievers Hanging on the dorm wall waiting for him or her after a long hard day in the study hall? Sure, it may be July as I am writing this, but in a wink and a nod it will be December and you will be scrambling around trying to figure out what to buy for as stocking stuffers or extra little gifts for loved ones and friends. Get them this calendar and do both them and yourself a favor; them for having this great gift to enjoy all year long, and you for finding something both inexpensive and eminently approprate for all dog lovers. It is no secret that Labrador Retrievers are the favorite breed in America, and a casual look through this calendar will tell you why so many people love them so much. Hope you catch the hint, and the dog lovers in your family will remember you every month of next year when they turn the page and find a new icon to stare at in wonder for the new month! Enjoy!

I bought this book for the granddaughter of a good friend who loves Alaskan Huskies, and, once I read it, I kept it for myself and my own grandchildren! I'll probably be buying other copies to give as gifts....it is THAT good! Not only does it give you an insight into how Alaskan sled dogs are bred and raised, but it tells a great story besides. You learn what it is like to live in the unique remote conditions of life in Alaska and the simple, extraordinary bond between the "runt" of a litter and the little girl who befriends, raises, inspires and cherishes her. It is such a beautiful story that you cry at times....when the dog almost dies and, especially, when the dog and the girl together win the race!! Yes, it definitely ends well, but the most important thing is that the story is written and lived well. I highly recommend it for young children AND the adults who read to them.....they will ALL enjoy it!!

The book consists of several short stories about friendship. With the simple words and great illustrations, my three years old son learns what does friendship means. It is worth to have one in your bookshelf for toddlers.

If you love maps, Grand Canyon, and geology, you will want to have this marvelous map on your wall. It's a big, dramatically colorful geologic map, covering the entire eastern region of the Canyon, where most of the hiking trails are located. Grand Canyon geology is simple and bold, and therefore eminently accessible to the amateur. This map, which makes it even more accessible, is a wonderful companion piece to the handful of geology books about the Canyon, and will inspire you to purchase one if you have not already done so. With a little effort, using the legend in the margin, you will soon learn to pick out every layer of rock that you can observe from the rim or encounter on your hike or float. Needless to say, the map is even more of a treasure-trove to the professional. More than a map, the beautifully printed sheet also includes several cross-sections of the Canyon, revealing what is going on beneath the surface. If you have visited the South Rim you may have seen this map. Two copies are on display in the entrance hall / cocktail lounge of the Arizona Steak House, adjacent to Bright Angel Lodge. Because of its size, it is not a map you would want to carry in your pack, but, tacked up on your wall or unrolled on a table, it will provide plenty of rock-solid lore as you plan your next Canyon adventure or remember the magic of your last visit.