I am often asked if I can recommend books of interest to dog owners, trainers, and breeders. Following is a rather select list of very good books with some comments. I have included books that fill a special niche, or are without a doubt leading works in a particular area. Enjoy. If you have a really good one to pass on to me, please let me know.
Training
The Training and Care of the Versatile Hunting Dog (aka "The Green Book"), by Sigbot Winterhelt and Edward D. Bailey, 1973, North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Although first published nearly 30 years ago, this rather small book (just over 100 pages) is loaded with good information about training versatile pointing dogs. It is excellent for the beginning trainer, especially when used with the companion video, both available from NAVHDA. This book is very practical and straight forward. Start with this one and avoid all of the confusion in various training styles. This approach is proven, just wait until after the Natural Ability test for the steadiness training.
How To Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves (Taking Advantage of Early Conditioned Learning), by Joan Bailey, 1993.
Absolutely excellent for those with a new puppy. We recommend it to all our puppy customers. When to begin training? Conditioning versus training. It makes so much sense and she explains it in a very logical manner. Just don't let the pup become number one. Some discipline is necessary.
Breeding
The Technique of Breeding Better Dogs, by Dr. Dieter Fleig, 1992, Howell Book House, New York.
In my opinion, the best written and most informative general breeding book in print. The author gives thorough coverage of most issues related to breeding purebred dogs, but may be too general for those seeking in-depth information regarding such issues as genetics, developing a breeding program, or modern veterinary medicine and techniques. If you are thinking of breeding, read this first!
Planned Breeding, by Lloyd C. Brackett, Dog World Magazine, early 1960s.
This is absolutely must reading for anyone considering breeding, or for those that want to find out more about inbreeding, line-breeding and out-crossing, what they mean, significance of the various types of breeding programs, and common misconceptions. Lloyd C. Brackett wrote this series of articles for Dog World Magazine and it was later published as a booklet. It is very hard to find, but an unauthorized version may be available on the Internet (although reptrinted with some errors in typing).
Genetics of the Dog, Malcolm B. Willis, PhD., 1989, Howell Book House, New York, 417 pps.
This is heavy duty genetics focused on our canine friends. It is very text book like and provides an introduction to genetic principles and covers such inheritance factors such as reproduction, coat, structural traits, genetic diseases, behavior, and others. It does not provide in-depth discussion of some areas of concern to dog breeders such as certain genetic diseases, but points out there is much that is not fully understood. In any event, recommended for anyone considering breeding.
Behavior
The Dog's Mind, Understanding Your Dog's Behavior, Bruce Fogle, DVM, 1990, Howell Book House, New York, 201 pps.
The title says it all. A very well written book about what is between your canine friend's ears, how the canine mind works and how this effects behavior. The first section on anatomy and phsiology of the mind is very heavy reading, but well worth getting through, because it sets the stage for the rest of the book. The rest of the book (approximately 130 pages) deals with the psychology of the dog's mind. Early learning and development are covered and the chapter on aggression is outstanding. If you want to learn more about canine aggression, this chapter alone is worth the cost of the book. Highly recommended.
Understanding Your Dog, Michael W. Fox, DSc, PhD, MRCVS, 1972, St. Martin's Griffin, New York, 240pps.
This book covers a wide range of topics from origin and history of the dog, getting a puppy, puppy temperament, development of the dog brain and related behavior, dog intelligence, body language, and social problems in dogs. Overall a very good book. A good companion to The Dog's Mind, discussed above. Start with either, but read both.
Health and Dog Care
Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, Drs. Carlson and Giffin, IDG Books Worldwide, 548 pps.
This is widely recognized as the best single source of information for dog care in the home. Over 600,000 copies have been sold. It includes information on diagnosis, diseases, parasite, vaccines and emergency care.
Canine Orthopedics, Connie Jankowski, et al, 1997, IDG Books Worldwide, 278 pps.
This book has be recommended to me, although I have not read it. It is supposed to be the single best source of information on canine skeletal structure, locomotion, diseases, joint problems, and treatment.
General
The Complete Dog Book, Official Publication of the American Kennel Club, 19th Edition, 1997, revised every few years since 1941. Howell Book House, New York, 790 pps.
Although much of the information is specifically intended for AKC breeds, it is a worthwhile reference book for everyone's library. It describes the AKC, considerations when selecting a dog, contains the AKC official breed standards organized by AKC groups, and includes other useful sections on training, grooming, breeding, canine health, nutritiion, illnesses, first aid, and a useful canine glossary.
Breed Specific
German Wirehaired Pointers Today, Sharon Pinkerton, 1994, Howell Book House, New York, 160 pps.
Simply the best book available for the German wirehaired pointer. The book pretty much covers everything from breed history, rearing, breed standards, showing, hunting, breeding and other issues. It includes interesting information on the breed in Britain, North America, and worldwide, however, it does focus on a limited number of breeders, primarily focusing on the show ring and field trials. It is hard bound and loaded with lots of high quality black and white photographs.
The Large Munsterlander, Twenty Years in North America, by Sheila and Josef Schmutz, 1997, Aspen Hills Enterprise, Saskatoon, 184 pps.
This is the only book on the breed available in English. It was compiled to honor the 20th Anniversity of the Large Munsterlander Club of North America. It contains a wealth of information on the breed, much preprinted from the breed club's newsletter. Written by some of the breed's foremost experts, it is must reading for anyone interested in this versatile breed, and offers much information for anyone interested in any of the versatile hunting breeds and their development. Available from the authors, soft cover.
© 1999 - 2007, J. Turner. All rights reserved.
Updated February 16, 2007
