I don't know how many others in the dog world are big readers, but I am a voracious reader myself. In addition to novels I read for entertainment and journals and texts I read for work, I think that I have read over 40 dog related books in the last year. So I thought that I would list a few of my favorites here. They are divided by topic. (I will try to update this list and the related reviews over time as I come across more good books).
BREED SPECIFIC
The Standard Schnauzer Source Books 1-5. These books are published by the Standard Schnauzer Club of American and available through their publications page. The contain photographs of past champions, lists of accomplishments and pedigrees for many of the great dogs in our breed's history. They also include updates on things relevant to the development and progress of the breed in other countries. I have found them very helpful learning resources.
CONFORMATION
The Absolute Beginners Guide to Showing Your Dog by
Cheryl Smith. I could not have survived without this book! It is an excellent overview of what dog show are about, explaining what happens before, after and during the shows from how to be a spectator to the skills you need to do it yourself, the required paperwork and set up, to what the judge is doing and why. I highly recommend this book for anyone new to the sport.
Raising a Champion: A beginner's guide to showing dogs by
Carole Richards. This book is also "required reading" for first time show dog owners. While the book above is a good overview to help you understand the general concepts, this book is a "how to" manual you can not live without. The authors say that the idea for this book came about from all the puppy people they have worked with over the years who wished for an owners manual. So one day they finally decide to sit down and write one. Well, I think that they did an excellent job. They teach you everything from setting a goal, purchasing required equipment and basic puppy care to training skills, show craft, entering events and building points. One of the things I like best is the use of photographs to illustrate the effect of both correct and incorrect use of skills (for example, stacking) in the same dog. I found it very helpful to my understanding of WHY we are meant to do things in a particular way (and why NOT to do them in other ways). I hope you will find it as helpful as I did.
Loose Lead: The Life and Dog-Training Secrets of Texas Legend Adelene Pardo by
Nancy Francis. This book is both instructional and biographical. Its is by far the funnies book I have read in years. I laughed so hard the first night I was reading it that my husband wanted in on the joke and from that point on I had to read the book aloud. I love that this very well known and respected woman demonstrates such grace and self confidence that she has learned through the years to laugh at herself and doesn't mind allowing us to join her. It makes me want to say: "when I grow old I too shall wear purple!"
An Eye For a Dog: Illustrated guide to judging purebred dogs by
Robert W. Cole. This book is just what the title implies, an educational tool for learning about breed type, body structure and movement. The illustrator is clearly skilled and has the ability to visually depict subtle differences in form and structure in a way that helps the reader learn to look for these effects in his/her real life subjects. The book is intended for breeders and judges but is also useful for new people interested in learning about the sport of dogs if they are also ready to move beyond the mechanics of the event to better understand what's really happening and why.
OBEDIENCE
The Canine Good Citizen: Every dog can be one, 2nd edition by
Jack and Wendy Volhard. This is a new book from the AKC. It briefly describes the creation and development of the AKC's new Canine Good Citizen Program. It also provides a list of the required skills and instructions on how to teach your dog to achieve them. I was already enrolled in a CGC class when I read this book but I found it helpful to have a good overview of the training objectives and the reasons for them. Though I don't think that I would have been able to use the book to replace the course.
Success is in the Proofing: A Guide for Creative and Effective Training by
Debbie Quigley and Judy Ramsey. This nice little book which is designed for people in obedience to take with them to events or to be handy for training. Its spiral bound with a laminated cover that makes it easy to use. The authors describe techniques similar to the ones they teach in their classes and seminars for proofing skills as your dog learns them. The focus primarily on the skills that are used for formal obedience but the principles could apply to any training situation.
The Rally Course Book: A guide to AKC Rally Courses by
Janice Dearth. This is a very well designed book with a laminated cover and spiral binding. It describes the development of rally course and provides several examples. However, this is not a good book for a beginning who is primarily interested in learning about the sport and the various signs and procedures. You'll need a different book for that.
AGILITY
Success is in the Shaping: The education of an unlikely champion by
Susan Garrett. This book is based on a collection of articles Ms. Garrett has previously posted about her own experiences in training a boarder collie puppy who went on to be one of the most successful champions in the history of agility. I don't agree with her premise that this dog was an "unlikely" champion. He comes from amazing stock with multiple record holding family members. However, it is a very entertaining book, funny and well written. It conveyed a sense of hope to me for my own boy and helped me to laugh at my own follies as the author was clearly able to do for her own. I think its well worth reading and am glad that the publisher allowed me to keep it when they mistakenly shipped this in place of another item I had originally ordered.
REPRODUCTION
Canine Reproduction and Whelping: A breeders guide by Myra Savant-Harris. This was a good basic primer written in understandable terms and covering a broad range of topics. Although the author purposely chose to write the book using laymen's terms where possible instead of medical jargon, the book still feels well research and appears to be based on a reasonably up to date reading of the literature. This is the best basic breeding guide I have read.
Advanced Canine Reproduction and Puppy Care by Myra Savant-Harris. This is a fabulous book. A friend and I were just discussing a couple of the topics raised in the first 4 chapters of this book. It is like the author read our minds. I am personally fascinated because the book touches on subjects that link my professional activities and my dog hobby. Though this may not be a book for everyone. Many of the suggestions coming out of the book are based on conjecture derived from the literature pertaining to reproduction in other species rather than on science specific to canines. However, the science to support these ideas is unlikely to be conducted if we don't start thinking about it and discussing among ourselves.
This author also has a book called Puppy Intensive Care. However, I haven't had the chance to read it yet and will not review it until the next update.
GENERAL INTEREST
The Dog's Mind: Understanding your dog's behavior by
Bruce Fogle. This is a great book. I believe that it is out of print now but you can still find used copies on Amazon from time to time. The book is a very well written and well researched volume that describes a scientific basis for understanding animal behavior (and dog behavior in particular). The author is a veterinarian and something of an authority on the subject. Some parts of the science are a little bit dated at this point as the book was written in the 1990's but only a scientist who works in this area or is very knowledgeable his/herself would notice those issues. The typical reader will find that this book is a priceless tool for making sense of what dogs do and why.
The Other End of the Leash by
Patricia McConnell. Dr. McConnell is a well known academician and animal behavioralist. This book was published for the consumption of the general public and as such is both informative and accessible to the typical reader. Like the Dog's Mind, this book give great insight into the relationships between dogs and humans. However, it is not focused on the physiological explanation for that relationship so much as the behavioral cues we humans provide to our four legged companions and how our behavior impacts theirs. It is an excellent book and well worth your time to read.
Dog's I've Nosed by
Jack Kenner. This is a photo essay book with some incredibly artistic images of our four legged friends.
