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Since the dawn of history, no other living thing (save, possibly, the snake) has been as reviled by humankind as the wolf. Still, wolves and people have been drawn to each other since the beginning. Canis lupus bounds through our folklore, howls in our dreams, and--occasionally--competes with us on the hunt. As one zoologist imagines it: "Through the cold of winter the wolf made music in the mysterious darkness and sometimes, in curiosity, sat just beyond the dwindling circle of firelight and watched." The curiosity was mutual; this is the feared animal, ironically, that gave rise to man's best friend. Yet only recently has science begun to understand these complex social mammals. Enter biologist L. David Mech. Years of research during the 1960s in Michigan's Isle Royale National Park provided Mech with a level of firsthand knowledge shared by few in the field. In 1970 he compiled his findings (updated in 1980) into the preeminent document of its kind. Thomas McNamee, author of The Return of the Wolf to Yellowstone, calls the book the "best single source of information on wolf biology," and refers to its author as "the undisputed king of wolf research." When government officials in the early 1990s decided to embark on an ambitious project to reintroduce wolves into their former range of Yellowstone National Park, they called on Mech's expertise. All this is to say that, if you want to learn about wolves, you cannot ignore this seminal work or its author. Chapters cover wolf evolution, range, and physiology; society and pack behavior; reproduction; hunting and predator-prey relationships; and the species' uncertain future. Like any self-respecting scientist, Mech includes all the hard data, but he presents his work in an engaging manner that is accessible to a broader audience, drawing heavily on anecdotes and personal experience.

"Many people strongly dislike the wolf," Mech writes, "others rush to its defense. But no one denies that the animal is strong, powerful, intelligent, keen, and dynamic." While persecution by man has severely restricted its current status, the tide is turning, thanks to education and conservation efforts. After all, a night without a howl echoing somewhere across the landscape would surely be a colder, less alive night. --Langdon Cook ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Good Resource for anyone interested in wolves
This was the first book I studied before I bought my wolfdog. It's a great general reference book on wolves, factual and not biased. It's especially useful for understanding wolf behavior and body language, which one must aquaint one's self with before considering getting a wolfdog. Some of data is outdated, such as showing the wolf and domestic dog as separate branches on the canine family tree, but by and large it's a good reference book.

Aaawwwwoooooo!
I simply wish to echo what was said in the previous two reviews of this book. If one wants a primer on wolves for lab, classroom or at home reading this is the one to get.

It is a highly enjoyable book easy to understand for a wide ranging audience. It is my hope this book will inspire it's readers to probe deeper and consider reading further on the topic, for example: Wolves of Minong: Isle Royale's Wild Community (Ann Arbor Paperbacks) by Durward Leon Allen.

Fantastic, informative and 'A MUST READ'
For anyone with a serious interest in Wolf Ecology or Dog Psychology this is a'Must Read!'. In the book Mech draws on his own observations of wolf behaviour, as well as those of other influential wolf researchers. Full of information and observation on the ecology, sociology, behaviour and communication of wolves, I have found this book invaluable in my research into Dog Physcology, and have even applied some of what I learnt from its pages to the training of my Inuit pup.

fascinating book with many, well researched details
This book fascinates every wolf lover even more of this species, and those, who haven't decided yet what to think about wolves, might start to love them and "fight" for the recovery of this species. It gives many details about behaviour, ecology, and conservation of wolves. Despite being written in the 90ths most of its information is still up to date. This book is used by many students, but is equally suitable for the interested public as Mech manages to describe the facts in clear, understandable words. It is highly recommendable for people who want to learn more about wolves. ... Read more

Book Description

This practical guide facilitates a thorough dissection of the dog to learn basic mammalian structure and specific canine features. Emphasizing anatomical knowledge, each chapter presents self-contained guidance on the dissection of a specific body part, allowing the reader to perform these dissections in any sequence preferred. Descriptions are based on the dissection of embalmed, arterially injected adult dogs of mixed breeds, and the anatomical terms used in the book come from the Nomina Anatmica Veterinaria.

„h Content is organized by specific body part to give readers the ability to work in any sequence.
„h An introductory chapter explains commonly used terms in anatomy in great detail. It also discusses the moral implications of dissecting dogs for canine gross anatomy, as well as the procedures and guidelines used in dissection.
„h A list of figures and tables with page numbers is included in the front of the book.

A list of references is provided in the back of the book to provide opportunities for further study. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Learn from my mistake!
Trust me -- DO NOT attempt to dissect a dog without this book! When you're up to your elbows in half-digested Snausages and Milk Bones, you'll wish you had spent just a few minutes with this medical masterpiece. Woof! Good boy!

Nice companion for Miller's Anatomy of the Dog
Overall, I found this to be an excellent book for small animal (technically dog only) gross anatomy. I say small animal, but I find myself referring to this text even when studying large animal anatomy. Reason--I like how the text very clearly indicates proximal and distal muscle attachments for all major muscles and specific nervous and arterial supply to all major muscles.

The pictures and diagrams are decent, but all in black and white. I found it helpful to color in structures in the book as I dissected that specific part of the animal.

I didn't find the text as boring as other reviewers have. True, the subject matter is tedious, but this book gets right to the point. Paradoxally, that is also while I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5. A lot of the detail is missing. I suggest having a copy of Miller's Anatomy of the Dog to go with this dissection guide.

Highly recommended!

First Year Vet Student
This book has excellent pictures, but the text could cure insomnia. While its useful to have some guidelines as to where to cut when if this is your first time in anatomy lab, you might be better off letting your lab partners buy this one and getting a bigger and better reference book instead. I highly recommend the entertaining anatomy books from Sudz publishing by Chris Pasquini.

It's okay
This book has good information, however the diagrams get confusing, and I found myself flipping through numerous pages to find references to diagrams in the text.

easy layout
This book is really helpful in low to medium level of veterinary anatomy. It is easy for begniners to look and find, but professionals might want something else...
I still think it is a great book. ... Read more

Book Description

In this sequel to her illuminating bestseller The Hidden Life of Dogs, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas profiles the canines in her own household to show how dogs have comfortably adapted to life with their human owners -- and with each other. A classically trained anthropologist, she answers questions we all have about our pets' behavior. Do dogs have different barks that mean different things? What makes a dog difficult to house-train? Why do certain dogs and cats get along so well? How does Snoopy recognize people he sees only once a year, while Misty barks at strangers she sees every day?

The Social Lives of Dogs presents marvelous evidence of the power of the group -- and shows us that those who are fortunate enough to be given the trust of an honorable dog will also have their lives enriched. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

For the Animal in Us All
I fairly consumed this book reading it from tip to tail in the course of a few days. It was so engaging in fact that I read it in between my wife's contractions while she was well under way in early labor delivering our son, Connor. One hand massaging the back, one hand keeping the pages of Elizabeth Marshall Thomas' engrossing book open. They both worked well towards wonderful outcomes.

Thomas' title to her book may be somewhat misleading. Though it does focus on the social lives of dogs, it more so focuses on the social life of her zoo-like household of a multitude of dogs both permanent and transitory, cats and more cats, parrots, macaws, oh my, and a husband thrown in there somewhere. The book is more anecdotal than scientific which makes it infinitely more readable but less studied and definitive. Her fuzzy science pleases though drawing you in to her mixed-species household and you find yourself pulling for Sundog the ever-obedient confident alpha, Misty the wary, Ruby the jester, and Pearl the ebullient life-affirming lost car-finding heralder of all things barkable.

It's just hard to not love a dog, the wolves among us. Reading Thomas' book will cause you to love and appreciate them that much more.

Another wonderful work from Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
For those who are already fans of Elizabeth Marshall Thomas and her fine anthropologist's approach to studying animal culture, THE SOCIAL LIVES OF DOGS may be the finest jewel in her crown of works. This book chronicles an approximate fifteen-year study which included, in the order that they came to live in the Thomas household, Sundog, Misty, Pearl, Ruby, and Sheilah--dogs of varying breeds and mixes. Thomas tells, in her own beautiful and compassionate way, the story of each dog's incorporation into the lives of the other dogs, people, cats, and birds in her home. She succeeds beautifully in her sincere effort always to explain her animal observations and then to try to understand and interpret from the animal's point of view. What more could one ask of an anthropologist/ethologist?

For me, Thomas taps into something very deep and important--something that's difficult to find words for. But I know that it has to do with a message that says it's okay to feel deep emotions about your animals, to talk to them and hear their answers, and to sense and acknowledge their deep feelings. Even though many of us have known and felt this intuitively, it is neither the message that our Judeo/Christian tradition nor our Linnean scala natura science of classification has wanted to deliver to us.

In the introduction she poses the questions: "Can we understand the mind of an animal? . . .[do] animals have consciousness?" and then proceeds to say that for some scientists . . . "the view that animals are incapable of conscious thought, or even of emotion, has acquired an aura of scientific correctness, and at the moment is the prevailing dogma, as if some very compelling evidence to the contrary was not a problem." This reader is happy to say that her own experiences with animals have certainly provided "compelling evidence to the contrary."

On a final note, THE SOCIAL LIVES OF DOGS, even though written around the lives of the canines concerned, reads a little bit like Thomas's personal memoir. She puts a lot into perspective in the excellent epilogue, which I found to be the real icing on the cake. Even as Thomas finds "grace" in canine company, so does she tell their story with much grace. This book is a wonderful read!

a peaceable kingdom
This is one woman's story of living with (besides her family) a houseful of canines, cats, and other assorted critters and how they managed to co-exist peacefully (most of the time). Basically, it is a series of revealing anecdotes and stories, most of them heartwarming, a few heartbreaking or even astonishing (including two very different accounts of encounters with large wild cats). As with Lorenz's MAN MEETS DOG or Masson's DOGS NEVER LIE ABOUT LOVE, read this for the stories and not the science.

Not sure what to think....
I borrowed this from the local library thinking it would be a great and interesting book. I love reading about animals, particularly dogs, and love realizing that I am not the only 'animal-nut' out there. However....some nuts are just nuttier and I would definitely have to classify Thomas as one of them.

She talks about anthropomorphism and how it is not as negative a term as many scholarly and scientific people would like us to believe. I don't exactly disagree with her, but I do think lines need to be drawn between what is human and what is not. Dogs are not. Yes, they are living, breathing, FEELING creatures but that still doesn't make them human. I don't doubt that they, like most if not all animals, think and feel but I do think that Thomas is in great danger of doing a disservice to animals in the way that she projects onto them.

I had to stop reading the book b/c, honestly put, I felt that I was reading the diary of a kook; someone who THOUGHT she knew what she was talking about but unfortunately someone who was TOO extreme in her ideas and opinions.

I would not recommend the book, nor do I wish to read anything else by her. I feel her ideas/opinions are too clouded by emotion and a desire to see what is not/could not/should not be there. She is the reason why science has made anthropomorphism negative.

Thank god I borrowed and didn't buy.

Awesome book
So many people don't realize the true meanings behind the dogs actions. This book helped me to understand dog language. Well written and a very knowledgeable author. ... Read more

Book Description

A provocative history of wolves in America and of the humans who first destroyed them and now offer them protection

Over a continent and three centuries, American livestock owners destroyed wolves to protect the beasts that supplied them with food, clothing, mobility, and wealth. The brutality of the campaign soon exceeded wolves’ misdeeds. Wolves menaced property, not people, but storytellers often depicted the animals as ravenous threats to human safety. Subjects of nightmares and legends, wolves fell prey not only to Americans’ thirst for land and resources but also to their deeper anxieties about the untamed frontier.

Now Americans study and protect wolves and jail hunters who shoot them without authorization. Wolves have become the poster beasts of the great American wilderness, and the federal government has paid millions of dollars to reintroduce them to scenic habitats like Yellowstone National Park.

Why did Americans hate wolves for centuries? And, given the ferocity of this loathing, why are Americans now so protective of the animals? In this ambitious history of wolves in America—and of the humans who have hated and then loved them—Jon Coleman investigates a fraught relationship between two species and uncovers striking similarities, deadly differences, and, all too frequently, tragic misunderstanding.



Jon T. Coleman teaches history at the University of Notre Dame.




... Read more

Book Description

This is the sole book devoted to a unique Arctic breed, the Inuit sled dog, its place in the traditional life of the Northern people, its future, and its role in Polar exploration. The book comprises detailed descriptions of its physique, temperament as well as a nutrition guide. Also documented is how this beautiful dog, indigenous to Canada, has survived for thousands of years in the harshest of climates, and yet was very nearly extinct a mere twenty years ago. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Canadian Inuit Dog
Was excitied to find a book on this topic (Inuit dogs) but upon receiving the book, was dissapointed in the misguided information and the lack of supporting documentation. The book is mostly the authors opinion and not particulartly well written.The photos were nice though.

Inuit Canine Guardian
This immensely informative narrative is beautifully written, full of fascinating facts and unique anecdotes of personal experience as well as astute observations. The author presents a "caring candor" when presenting this breed which should secure it from mismanagement and misplacement in unsuitable homes and situations. Many photos, remote and recent. A true Guardian of the Canadian Inuit Canine!

The Canadian Inuit Dog
The previous reviews for this title refer to the first edition. I found that the shortcomings with the non-captioned illustrations and photos have been corrected in the 2nd edition and the number of photos has been increased considerably. The «fat opinions» about who should own this breed remain but they are there for a reason. The Inuit Sled Dog International, the breed association co-founded by the author, has on more than one occasion had to rescue dogs from people who were led to believe that Inuit Dogs make great suburban family pets. Canadian Inuit Dogs are magnificent animals - loyal, hardworking and intelligent - but they are sled dogs and pack orientated. The author has produced the only book that details the history, physical attributes, temperament and management of this unique breed. A worthwhile read for anyone remotely interested in dogs, in cultural history, polar exploration or animal nutrition.

Inuit Dog
This book is informative about this breed, especially since it is the only book available on the Inuit dog. Lots of good info on the history of the breed is included. I was very disappointed that the author was overly opinionated about who should own one of these dogs. For a book that should be singing the praises of the breed, she spent too much time discouraging the reader from ever owning one. Nonetheless, if you are interested in this breed, it is the only place to get much information.

Finally, a book on the Canadian Inuit Dog!
I was delighted to finally read comprehensive information on this regal animal. Its history is often as harsh as the climate in which this breed was created, and none of it is sugar-coated. The unique temperament and diet recommendations of the Inuit dog is covered thoroughly. The story of the breed reads like a well-written historical novel. My only exception to this otherwise superb book is technical: the photos are not numbered, so one must constantly refer to a descriptive chart at the front of the book. The photo quality is not the best, as some seem rather dark and fuzzy. Other than that, this is a worthwhile book to add to the canine fancier's library. ... Read more

Book Description

Humane education teaches respect for all living things to people of all ages. Michelle Rivera, author of Hospice Hounds: Animals and Healing at the Borders of Death, shows how raising awareness of the needs of animals and society’s responsibility to them can help stop not only violence against animals but also violence against humans. Out of her research and interviews with experts in psychology, education and sociology, Rivera has created a guide for all who want to begin teaching humane education in their homes, classrooms, communities, churches and organizations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

honest, strong and well written
Once in a great while an author tells a story that is both awe inspiring and down to earth at the same time. , Dayton O. Hyde, author of "Don Coyote" has compiled such a work. His tale is the great American novel that not only speaks, but also sings from the heart, Hyde's story is told from his own point of view, and is about his life as a struggling cattle rancher in Oregon and the amazing friends one can meet thru tolerance and understanding. His is a tale of the brilliance one gains when one stops and listens to his environment instead of destroying it. It teaches that one can live in harmony with all of its creatures. In Hyde's life he has experienced the hardship of honest work, the toils and troubles of dreams not working out, and the friendship of one extraordinary creature. When Don Coyote first came into Hyde's life he was but a nuisance, a so called "threat" to his cattle, a threat that by all of the old laws of the west needed to be poisoned and snuffed out of existence imeadetly. Hyde was a good rancher, a good husband to his wife and a good father to his children, an over all a good person. So when it came time to raise his rifle in Don's direction Hyde couldn't kill him, no matter the old myth that coyotes live to only kill sheep, and should be destroyed on sight .Hyde didn't know it then, but that simple decision to not take an "animal's" life would change his own forever. The New York Times Book Review says, "Mr. Hyde is an engaging writer, and he portrays his coyote characters as charming, quirky and almost irresistibly appealing. He also convincingly demonstrates the senselessness of those who kill the wildlife he loves." Experience the extraordinary true story of a man who decided to observe nature with not just his eyes but also his heart, therefore discovering that man is not the controller of his environment but very much controlled by it. Welcome one and all to a tale of true friendship and

camaraderie. "Don Coyote" was published by Ballantine Books and is available wherever Ballatine Books are sold. Also by Dayton O. Hyde: "The Major, The Poacher and The Wonderful One-Trout River," "One Summer In Montana" and "Thunder Down the Track." ... Read more

Book Description

This book is the first book written for the lay reader on how to prepare dogs for athletic endeavor, whether that means top-level competition or casual recreation.This second edition has been completely updated and extensively revised. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Worth the read
I found this book very useful especially how to warm your dogs up before a competition and also before training also there is a fair amount of information about the dogs structure which helps explain why some dogs can do some things and others can't.

The most comprehensive, brilliantly conceived work to date.
Chris Zink writes with great authority and depth of knowledge unlike any other author I have read to date. This book has completely changed how I work with my dog. Thanks a million! ... Read more

Book Description

Part memoir, part meditation, part love story, Shadow Mountain is an impassioned commentary on how our connection to the wild can rescueor destroy us.

While completing an undergraduate research thesis, Renée Askins was given a two-day-old wolf pup to raise. Named Natasha, the pup, was destined for a life in captivity. Through her work with Natasha and her siblings, Askins developed a deep, fierce love for the species. On the day Natasha was unexpectedly taken from her and sent to a remote research facility, Askins made a promise to the wolf pup: "Your life, your sacrifice, will make a difference."And it did.

Renée Askins spent the next fifteen years in the grueling effort to restore wolves to Yellowstone, where they had been exterminated by man some seventy years before. The campaign's popularity with the American public aroused the rage of the western ranching community and their powerful political allies in Washington. She endured death threats, years of contentious debate and political manipulations, and heartbreaking setbacks when colonizing wolves were illegally killed. But in March 1995, Askins witnessed the realization of her mission when wolves were released into their native home in Yellowstone–the first wolves to be found there in almost a century.

A born storyteller, Renée Askins offers moving and vibrant examples of the reciprocity that exists between man and animal. And, like a wolf in the shadows, Askins circles the issues surounding the conundrum of embracing wild nature. Shadow Mountain explores the wildness present within animals and humans, urging us to recognize both its light and its shadow–its power to heal and harm. Roaming from wolves to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, from passion to politics, Shadow Mountain is the story of shared struggles and destinies, of failure and redemption, and offers insight into how we can mend our contentious relationship with wildness by understanding the power of the wild to guide and shape us. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A life altering book
I originally got this book out of the library, in part of planning a trip to Yellowstone and a desire to see its wolves. After only a few pages, I realized I was reading a book that was about so much more than wolves -- Ms. Askins writes brilliantly about conservation ethics, wildness, the politics of animal reintroductions, and living a commitment. The book was so good that I rushed out to buy my own copy, in part so I could underline all of the 'nuggets' of wisdom she serves up. This is a woman that I hope someday my daughter can meet - for she is a living example of what someone with vision, chutzpah, a good education, and perserverance can accomplish.

Its not about the wolf.
Askins has crafted a compelling story about examining our human relationship with the natural world. Ostensibly, the book describes the formation of the Wolf Fund, her single issue, streamlined, strategic environmental organization aimed at garnering grass roots support and applying political pressure to achieve the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park. And yet it is about so much more. She writes with candor and wit, wandering back and forth in time, highlighting the trail, effectively illustrating serendipitous twists of fate that ultimately influence her role in the attainment of this greater goal. It's her story, and yet, like any good writing, there is something universal here. Digging at the roots of her own motivation, she uncovers a philosophy for life. Askins herds the reader along with a mixture of dogged determination and poetic passion, feeding us cookies of wisdom along the way, plenty of food for thought. I hope we hear her howl again.

Renee's Wolves
Just before the start of Chapter one in the book Shadow Mountain is the Quote from Gandhi "Whatever you do will be insignificant and it is very important that you do it". Ghandi also once wrote that you can judge people by the way they treat their animals. Renee Askins founded the Wolf Fund in 1986 for the purpose of reintroducing the wolf into Yellowstone National Park. Renee Askins is a fine human being, one who, like Dian Fossey, has devoted herself to one endangered species and from her efforts has found ground breaking and hopefully, long lasting success. Shadow Mountain is a wonderful book filled with emotion and adventure that will make you laugh, make you angry, and make you cry, but most of all is will make you pleased about the way you treat your animals.

great enough to buy it for a friend
Renee Askins has written something (somewhat tangentially), about wolves--that truly translates into every other aspect of life--she's a brilliant and beautiful genius, and it will probably be ages before we realize her wisdom. For the time being, I am content to wander through her metaphors and images, just hoping that I discover their worth.

A Truly Great Book
Renee Askins is a lyrical writer who tells her story beautifully. It's not about the wolves and it's not about Yellowstone; it's about passion and heartbreak and staying on course. It made me laugh, shake my head, and cry. And long after the last page of the book, her bright images peer from behind trees and peek around corners. ... Read more

Book Description

With only 5,000 surviving, the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is one of the world's most endangered large carnivores--and one of the most remarkable. This comprehensive portrait of wild dogs incorporates previously scattered information with important new findings from a six-year study in Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve, Africa's largest protected area.

The book emphasizes ecology, concentrating on why wild dogs fare poorly in protected areas that maintain healthy populations of lions, hyenas, or other top carnivores. In addition to conservation issues, it covers fascinating aspects of wild dog behavior and social evolution. The Creels use demographic, behavioral, endocrine, and genetic approaches to examine how and why nonbreeding pack mates help breeding pairs raise their litters. They also present the largest data set ever collected on mammalian predator-prey interactions and the evolution of cooperative hunting, allowing them to account for wild dogs' prowess as hunters.

By using a large sample size and sophisticated analytical tools, the authors step well beyond previous research. Their results include some surprises that will cause even specialists to rethink certain propositions, such as the idea that wild dogs are unusually vulnerable to infectious disease. Several findings apply broadly to the management of other protected areas.

Of clear appeal to ecologists studying predation and cooperation in any population, this book collects and expands a cache of information useful to anyone studying conservation as well as to amateurs intrigued by the once-maligned but extraordinary wild dog. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not the only African Wild Dog book
No, this is NOT the only book on the African Wild Dog, although yes it is a good one and well worth the money. I'd have to also recommend the one by McNutt, I believe it's called Dispelling the Myths of the African Wild Dog. McNutt has been studying these misunderstood dogs for many many years, and is one of the leading researchers. His book has lots of information about a particular pack he was studying, plus lots of info on the dogs in general, and has GREAT photos...some of the best AWD pictures I've seen.

This is THE book on wild dogs.
That's not just a compliment. It's a literal fact. There is no other book dedicated to wild dogs. Not in print. Probably not at all. And if we're to be "stuck" with just one publication, it is sheer pleasure to be stuck with this one. Highly readable, engaging, informative... robust science, excellent documentation, interesting and mind-expanding explanations and statistics... There's no other book out there, but even if there were, it would be hard pressed to meet this publication for quality and readability. Five stars. Worth every penny. ... Read more

Book Description

A Dog's Best Friend

In Why We Love the Dogs We Do, Stanley Coren provides a foolproof guide to understanding which dog will make the best lifetime companion. He brings together his expertise in the fields of human psychology and animal behavior to provide a completely new approach to the dog/human relationship.

Working with a team of animal experts, Coren has identified seven groups of dogs based on characteristics such as friendliness, protectiveness, independence, and steadiness. Each group contains dogs from different breeds that share similar personality traits -- a unique departure from the familiar American Kennel Club breed groups. Perhaps even more fascinating are the results of Dr. Coren's extensive work matching human personality types with canine characteristics. Using his personality tests, anyone can determine which dog is the right match and which dog is almost certain to cause heartbreak.

Rich in anecdotes and grounded in scientific study, Why We Love the Dogs We Do offers us the tools we need to find happiness in what can be among the most satisfying relationships of a lifetime. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Nice anecdotes, but hardly unbiased science
I really did enjoy the little anecdotes in this book -- the ones about James Stewart and his dogs were especially sweet. It's worth browsing for some of those little gems, although frankly I don't think there's much here that hasn't been reported elsewhere. I can't answer for the structure of the "find your breed" quizzes, although I thought it weird that different breeds were recommended for men and women of the same personality "type." ...[I]t seems odd that no breed falls into two categories -- surely some are *both* "friendly" and "clever"?

Where Coren drops the ball and then trips over it is when he discusses people who dislike dogs, and people who like cats. ...I think it's worth taking a closer look at exactly what he does in these two chapters. Apparently, people who dislike dogs have no other redeeming features. It's interesting to see Harry Truman discussed solely in light of his failure to enjoy the company of dogs. Apparently, Napoleon grew up a dictator because he lacked the love of a good dog. This is superficially convincing, until you remember that Adolf Hitler was apparently capable of being fond of at least ONE dog in his misbegotten life. What Coren is doing here is playing to the prejudices of animal lovers, who sometimes believe we're superior to people who don't like animals. Specifically, though, it's to any inherent feelings of superiority experienced by dog lovers.

The chapter about cats and cat people is even worse -- and again, it's worse for an interesting reason. In his far superior book, *The Intelligence of Dogs,* Coren is at great pains to point out that "obedience intelligence" is only one kind of intelligence, that dogs bred for different purposes think in different ways, and just because a terrier is not as biddable as a goldenn retriever, it does not make the terrier "dumb."

Then he uses the word "dumb" to characterize cats -- repeatedly. It never occurs to Coren that an animal which is not a dog might legitimately behave in a way different from dogs. And it's obvious he doesn't know much about cats, because he mouths all the stereotypes (aloof, unfriendly, doesn't socialize with its humans) in a manner to make anyone who knows a well-socialized cat howl with laughter. ("You rarely see cats during the day." Sure, you rarely see mine, unless you happen to be near me and looking down -- they're almost always underfoot!)

Coren then quotes from a "study" he did of cat and dog owners. He doesn't reproduce his survey instrument, so there is no way of knowing whether it's reliable, but he uses it to characterize cat owners as cold, aloof, unloving people -- far inferior to the nice warm dog people! Then, just in case we haven't already lost all faith in his scientific impartiality, he proceeds to relate an anecdote from his past, in which a single, neurotic woman with obvious attachment issues is made to represent all cat people. (And yes, he says she is the quintessential cat person.) Now, if half of what he says about this poor woman is true, she was a mess -- but I know dog owners who treat their unfortunate pets in the very same ways. Turn them into picky eaters and then feed them an unbalanced diet of people food? Some dog owners do it all the time. Fail to socialize their pets and then make excuses when Fluffy bites someone? Again, plenty of dog owners do this. Let your pet run loose and then shrug when it comes to a tragic end, because "that's the natural way"? I've known several dog owners who did that, with a series of dogs. Coren's attempt to characterize these flaws as "typical" of cat people make it clear that he is unable to overcome his own dislike of cats, and either lacks the insight to realize it, or hopes to foist his agenda off on his readers.

Me, I like dogs. I like cats. And I enjoyed his earlier book. But after he's exposed his own unacknowledged prejudices to this extent, how am I supposed to believe his discussions of different breeds of dogs carry any less bias? If the only criteria he has for dismissing cats as pets is his own opinion (and he does, in fact, offer his unsupported opinion that owning a cat is just slightly better than coming home to an empty house), what if he doesn't care for a particular breed of dog? Will that influence the groupings he creates?

This is pop psychology of the most shallow, facile sort. Read this book for the anecdotess about Jimmy Stewart, but for heaven's sake don't hope for any insights into animals or people!

It works!
I admit, I went into this book thinking it couldn't possibly work - that I would know just by reading dog descriptions what dog I wanted. But I have been there - I have gotten a dog and it just didn't work - so I tried this. I read the book, I took the test. I examined the types of dogs that he recommended - I did further research and then I bought one of those types. WOW was he right on - this has been the best fit yet! I am an absolute fan of this book and recommend it to anybody who tells me they are thinking of getting a dog.

Most people don't really know much about the different breeds - they know what looks good to them - and what looks good is NOT what fits into our lives. Try it - you'll be surprised by what he comes up with - and I bet it will be a match for life!!

Interesting but sloppy; not useful for breed choice
While full of fascinating anecdotes, this amusing book is only =useful= if you already know a great deal about dogs. And cats, may I add; cats, too, come with differing personalities depending on breed/type, and are social domestic animals. The entire chapter spent cat-bashing was totally uncalled for, not to mention wildly peculiar. I've been to both dog and cat shows, and let me tell you, cat shows do NOT smell and are NOT full of yowling cats. The statement that dog shows are quiet was sort of mindboggling. And most unfortunately, the editing on this book was incredibly sloppy, resulting in such howlers as the statement in an opening chapter that Queen Victoria was George IV's daughter! I wouldn't use this to research the Right Dog For Me, but it's an amusing bedtime read.

Extremely sloppy, but entertaining
I bought this book while browsing through the bookstore, because it seemed to have some interesting anecdotes about celebrities and their dogs. I already am a dog owner, so I didn't need the book to help me find a dog.

Coren's main premise is that he can match owner personalities with dog personalities. This might be doable, but Coren does this in a very sloppy manner. He takes a bunch of historical figures and celebrities, and presumes to figure out their personalities. For example, he rates Josephine, the wife of Napoleon as medium for extroversion and dominance. Hmmm. Given that she lived two hundred years ago, how accurate can he really be? There's a lot of stuff like this in the book - Coren figuring out personalities based on secondary information.

The second problem with the book is that the groupings of the dogs is very broad, making this exercise almost pointless. How useful is a grouping when Shih Tzu's are grouped with terriers?

The books that I think are much better are: Your Purebred Puppy by Michele Welton and Understanding Dog Mind by Bonnie Bergin.

Atrociously ill-meant and foolish
This book might be okay if you hadn't read any other dog breed references, and if your primary interests were in a) celebrities and their dogs, and b) the psyche of the book's author. Okay, I take it back: if you haven't read any other breed references, this book will actually be counterproductive, now that I think of it...

Where to start?

First off, at least half of the text in this thing is taken up with the rich and famous and their preferred breeds. Um, who cares? Jimmy Stewart was a "warm" guy, so he liked Golden Retrievers. Hoop-de-doo. Wading through this junk takes up a lot of reading time.

Once you fight past your indifference to all the eagerly-related inside celebrity scoops, you realize Mr. Coren is attempting to use a personality inventory approach to dog selection. He has you take a little set of personality exams -- a quite rudimentary example of this sort of test, about on the level of an article in Cosmo or Women's Day -- and then use the results to choose a breed. As I said, the test is irritatingly incomplete. As another reviewer here has mentioned, the results you get are ridiculously biased against certain groups of dogs, too. It's impossible to score well for certain groups, and almost inevitable that you'll score well for others. A comparable test is included in Daniel Tortora's "The Right Dog for You," only that one's more well-rounded.

Did I mention the way the dogs are grouped? Other books -- "Paws to Consider" by Kilcommins and Wilson, for example -- use interesting systems to group dogs. "Paws" uses groups like Nine-to-Five dogs, or non-shedding dogs, as a counter to the AKC's "Working Breeds" and "Terriers." Why We Love... tries the same thing, but it's trying to group dog personalities in a really reductionistic way. Believe me, if you love a particular breed, you'll feel vaguely insulted at the way this book tries to stomp that breed's personality flat. The most thorough personality descriptions of the different breeds are probably in "The Right Dog for You," which uses 16-some personality traits for each dog. This book describes one. "Steady." "Warm." Gee, does that mean it's territorial? Dog-aggressive? What DOES it mean?

Finally, don't even get me started on this author's strangely compulsive revelations about his own personality. The cats chapter, which amounts to a really insulting, embarrassing tirade against cats AND their owners, is probably the worst example. I can honestly say I learned much more about the author's romantic life from the chapter than I learned about cats. He phrases a fair chunk of the chapter in anecdotes about a former girlfriend, whom he is plainly misquoting and insulting throughout. No, I'm not pulling your leg. This girlfriend supposedly tells him at one point that cats are good for older people because they won't care when their owners die. Does that sound plausible to you?

If what you want is excellent, carefully written, well-rounded descriptions of different breeds, my personal recommendation is "Paws to Consider" by Brian Kilcommins and Sarah Wilson. They get to a breed's essence without writing like a ponderous encyclopedia. If you're really into the personality test approach, you'd want a copy of "The Right Dog for You" by Daniel Tortora. The tests in that book are sort of half-put-together, but they'll actually help you think about dogs, which this title doesn't do.

If, on the other hand, you want to learn about this author's internal life and whether Zsa Zsa Gabor prefers Great Danes to Yorkies, well, here's your title. I wouldn't use it to choose a dog, though. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

useful, but rather expensive for the student
This book is extremely useful, both for practicioners and in cytology labs. It has a lot of pictures which were a real asset when looking at cytology slides. There was also some text provided which was also useful when looking at slides. ... Read more

Book Description

The clearest recognition guides available. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Walking My Dog Jane by Ned Rozell
I don't know when I have enjoyed a book as much as this one. I think it is extrememy well written as well as interesting. I was so excited by sections of this book, I would wake my husband and read aloud to him. He is an outdoors guy and really understood the feeling experienced by Ned. I intend to buy a few of these books and give them as gifts to special friends. I want everyone to meet Ned Rozell.

Walking my dog, Jane nice
I enjoyed reading Ned's book. It was nice of him to share his personal journey across the Alaskan pipeline. If you are looking for a book to inspire you of Alaska's beauty, I would actually think this is not the book for you. I felt it was more about the people and the evolution of Alaska than the actual hike. It was however written in a way that I did find it hard to put down. I enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed meeting the people. I found Ned's perceptions of the people and areas to be very blunt. He puts it the way he sees it.

It was an enjoyable book to read, and I would reccommend it.

Well worth the Read then Share then Re-Read and always enjoy
I must admit there have been several ways that this book has landed in my lap, but I'm thankful to all the pointers! I really enjoyed my first reading of it to the point where I loaned a copy to a friend of mine ... who promptly decided she needed her own! This is one of those books that takes you on a very human adventure and you really feel as though you are a part of Ned and Jane's lives. In a long drive this summer, I've brought this friend of a book with me. I recommend it to EVERYONE who is moving along in their lives. Simply AMAZING!

Made me fall in love with Alaska all over again!
I found Ned and Jane's journey fascinating and intriguing. If you've even been to Alaska you can appreciate the hardships, joy and bravery these two pioneers faced while walking the entire length of the Trans Alaska Pipeline. When friends ask me about Alaska I always suggest traveling from the south to the arctic north to experience the full range of beauty Alaska has to offer. Through this book I was able to experience it all over again, Rozell does a wonderful job describing the history and the characters they encountered. I am recommending this book to all my friends that want to know why Alaska is so special.

Adventure, Alaska and Dogs - Can't go wrong in life!
If you are a dog lover who enjoys adventure and the outdoors, then "Walking My Dog, Jane: From Valdez to Prudhoe Bay Along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline" is a must read.

This was a book that I could not put down, I was always curious what adventure Ned Rozell and Jane (his chocolate lab) would encounter next. My curiosity was heightened by Rozell's brilliant writing style, in which he makes you feel as though you are hiking along the pipeline with him and Jane. Who would they meet? What act of kindness would the next stranger offer? What would they see? What would be the history of pipeline mile 647?

Finally, this book is about a man who made a dream become reality, and it was this new sense of reality that made his life become a dream! ... Read more

Book Description

The Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race is one of the most challenging sporting events in the world. Every February, a handful of hardy souls spends over two weeks racing sleds pulled by fourteen dogs over 1,023 miles of frozen rivers, icy mountain passes, and spruce forests as big as entire states, facing temperatures that drop to forty degrees below zero on nights that are seventeen hours long.

Why would anyone want to enter this race? John Balzar-who moved to Alaska and lived on the trail-treats us to a vivid account of the grueling race itself, offering an insightful look at the men and women who have moved to this rugged and beautiful place. Readers will also be fascinated by Balzar's account of what goes into the training and care of the majestic dogs who pull the sleds and whose courage, strength, and devotion make them the true heroes of this story.
... Read more

Reviews (15)

Cold, Dogs, Hermits, and Cursing
This book taught me a lot of dog mushing, the experience of extreme cold, life in the Yukon and remote Alaska. The author follows the race, even mushing for one stretch, so you get a ground view of the racers' experiences and personalities. Especially interesting was the author's encounters with persons living subsistence lifestyles in wilderness areas.

It's important to note that most of the cursing in the book seems to be direct quotes from mushers and locals rather than the author's prose. Moreover, the cursing occurs at moments when it might be deemed appropriate, such as when being dragged face-down across the ice by a loose dog-sled. Therefore, the cursing wasn't remarkable at all when I was reading the book, I only comment because others have seen this as a fault.

An excellent book about adventure and life in very wild areas.

The Real Scoop on the World¿s Most Challenging Dogsled Race
John Balzar is first and foremost a reporter, with a reporter's unerring nose for news. So it should come as no surprise that word of the Yukon Quest, a 1,023-mile dog sled race through some of the coldest and most challenging terrain in the world, would capture his attention and get him started on the trail of a good story. What was a surprise, as much to Balzar as to his readers I suspect, was the degree to which the race and its participants came to matter. Quirky, devoted to a sport that doesn't translate well to television, and immersed in a way of life that 90% of the population can't begin to fathom, the people Balzar meets when he first heads north have "the power to fascinate."

Following the advice of George "Skip" Brink, a construction worker who volunteers at the race, Balzar stops taking notes, sets aside his writing tools, and asks what he can do to help out with the race. Thus begins his stint as a pooper-scooper and veterinary assistant at the race, in which he slowly comes to realize that he is there to learn as much about himself as about the race.

Yukon Alone is full of Balzar's characteristically insightful and amusing observations on life as he sees it, but it is not as polished or self-assured as some of his other work. In fact, the reader gets the distinct impression that Balzar is flying by the seat of his pants, figuring things out as the story progresses, which lends an immediacy and intensity to the writing. We are there, for instance, when he loses control of his dogsled team and ends up in a heap on the side of a trail with a nasty gash in his head. We stand by and watch with embarrassment as he asks a friend to fly him to see a woman friend, even though he knows he is risking both their lives. Here is a story that has much to say about what motivates and sustains us, and the importance of meaningful relationships with other creatures and the land. No doubt you will be amused and disgusted, shocked and dismayed, thrilled and touched by this book. The one thing you will not be is bored, which is one of the highest compliments I can pay Balzar.

A look into the Great White North
What a great book. After reading, and now re-reading, this book I wanted nothing more than to pack up, quit my city job, and move to the Far North in search of a life dominated by weather, dogs, and the will to survive. John Balzar does a great job describing a life dependant on dogs and neigbors (even though they may be 50-100 miles away) in the huge landscape of the Yukon and Alaska. Although the book mostly focuses on the Yukon Quest dog-sled race, it gives the reader an intriguing look into the culture of the people in and around the dog-sledding culture and the Quest itself. Definately worth the read!

WONDERFUL
This book comically and heartfeltly allows the reader to take a trip with the mushers and their dogs. It provides insight to the people that live in such a remote area as well as the love between musher and dog. ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!

Rude author can't figure out why he looses his friends
I give it one star for the topic and his interest in it. I give him another star for actually being able to write decent prose. However, I can't muster any more sympathy from there. Two incidents come to mind:

1. He decries the race sponsor's press squad from Europe about not being interested in a native village in the Yukon. Later he's singing various things to a dog team, and spells out a military "morale chant" that is so profaine towards Eskimo women that I can't even repeat it here.

2. He ditches his volunteer responsibilities, then talks a bush pilot (who has already declaired conditions unsafe) into taking him to town from a remote cabin. The officials had counted on the plane to get a trail crew mechanic and 2 dogs out. The author has the gall to approach the incident as funny, and is bemused when a race official is aggrivated because the dogs don't show up. Reason for the trip: he had a girlfriend driving out to meet him.

And he can't figure out why some people wouldn't talk to him any more, including the race official mentioned in #2. Wow.

Save your money, get "Tracks Across Alaska"- the writing is better, the history presented is richer, and the author ends up making more friends than he looses. ... Read more

Book Description

Nipping at the heels of its predecessor, Dog, comes Pup, an utterly irresistible volume. Photographer Deborah Samuel delivers 80 remarkable black-and-white portraits of our favorite furry bundles, capturing the sweet spirit of puppyhood. Meet Guga, a Lhasa Apso addicted to white chocolate mochas, and Alexi, a Catahoula Leopard Dog and compulsive shoe thief. From an Australian Cattle Dog to a Yorkshire Terrier, this heartwarming album reminds us that no matter what shape, size, breed, or background, nothing is more adorable than a pup. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A real find
I bought this book after a friend of mine told me it was her favorite book this year. I was totally bowled over by the sheer poetry and beauty of this book. You can see that this photographer truly loves dogs, it shines through the photos and that is one of the reasons I think this book is so powerful. I am definately going to buy DOG and I can only hope that she publishes more as I feel that these books will become classics.

A Photography Gem
I bought this book for a friend who is a real dog lover. She and her husband loved it so much that I went out and purchased several other copies . It is incredible value and much appreciated as a gift instead of the usual bottle of wine when visiting friends for dinner.

pup
STOP! Do not buy this book. I order alot (2-300 books ayear) but this is the worst! I bought it on recommandation from Country Living, July 2002, a beautiful photo of Boxer puppies, and expected the book to be a continuation of various breeds with just that puppy feeling. The Boxer photo is a good shot - you can almost feel the softness and sweetness so wonderful about puppies. The rest of the shots - well nosehairs - a shade of something or other dog-bodypart - etc. have little or no pup feeling whatsoever. This is a book for someone interested i photography -if even, not one who wants to look at wonderful shots of puppies. (I am really sorry I also ordered the book 'Dog' arriving on a later shipment and therefor too late to cancel.) Also p.58. says a Cocker Spaniel - I most surely believe it to be a King Charles Spaniel. But who cares - it is not the worst about this book. Save your money.

Sweet
PUP, the follow up to Deborah Samuel's DOG, is positivley adorable, but not quite as good as it's predessesor. The book is smaller, both in dimensions and in number of photos. Also, unlike DOG, there are none of Ms. Samuel's charming studio notes. Some the photographs aren't as appealing as others, but who can resist so many puppies? This makes a good coffeetable book, but if you haven't picked up DOG, I recommend getting that one instead. Bottom line: It's charming and sweet, but not as good as DOG. ... Read more

Book Description

In a Vietnam War memoir unlike any published before, John C. Burnam recalls his service in-country as a scout dog handler in the 25th Infantry Division’s 44th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) with his canine comrades, Hans, Timber, and Clipper. Like 10,000 other young combat infantrymen, Burnam loved and cared for his dogs, literally carrying their food and water into battle, as they located injured GIs, searched out Vietcong weapons caches and deadly booby traps, and alertly thwarted enemy attacks and ambushes. More than 57,000 Americans lost their lives in Vietnam, and countless others were wounded, taken prisoner, or reported missing in action; thousands more would have fallen victim had it not been for the use of German shepherds for scouting, sentry, and patrolling and Labrador retrievers for tracking. Yet these intrepid animals’ service has been largely forgotten. In fact, the nearly 4,000 American war dogs of Vietnam were classified as"equipment" at the war’s end. Deemed expendable despite the impassioned pleas of their handlers, thousands were abandoned to unknown fates. Vietnam War Dogs is a stirring war story but one that honors the courage of real men and their real best friends. 8 pages of black-and-white photos enhances this superbly written testimonial to the strength and courage of America's soldiers and the heroics of their dog teams during the Vietnam War. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Clipper Would Appove!
" A Soldier?s Best Friend"is about John Burnham"s experience as a Scout Dog handler for the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam. This review drops the "Master Sergeant" from his name because he writes as a "short timer" enlisted man, not as the career non- commissioned officer he became. SBF is a 3 -part tale. The lst concerns the author?s original tour in Vietnam as an infantryman with the First Air Cavalry Division, known to vets as "The Cav". He is wounded, medevaced to Japan and reassigned to Okinawa. Thanks to the vagaries of the Army personnel system, he is assigned as an "OJT" guard dog handler around a Chemical Warfare dump. His time on that island is the 2nd segment. The 3rd part concerns Burnham?s return to Vietnam-after he re-enlists for another combat tour to get away from the chemical dump. (Stranger things have happened! This reviewer knew a guy who reupped for the 173rd Airborne in Vietnam because he was miserable in Wurzburg, Germany!) Burnham becomes a Scout Dog handler with the 25th. A handler and his German Shepherd almost always walked point in the field. They were the lead in the line of march and therefore highly vulnerable. Scout Dogs searched for trip wires, mines and other booby traps, injured GIs and sensed Viet Cong laying in ambush. They saved thousands of Americans casualties. The author himself acknowledges that without his main dog, Clipper, he would be another name on The Wall in Washington DC. This reviewer has not read a combat tale where I felt as close to the ground as in SBF. The author has a very simple and direct style that takes the reader right to the core of a patrol. I loved the recounting of Clipper zigging left, zagging right, dutifully leading a platoon around a series of booby traps. Small wonder that handlers said they felt safer with a good dog than another GI! SBF ends sadly as Burnham is forced to leave his buddy Clipper behind in Vietnam. Their final parting is wrenching to read. Unlike the Korea and WW2 conflicts, the US military forbade repatriation of dogs when a handler's tour was over. They were left behind for the "duration" or until they were killed. Their fate had to be cruel as Vietnamese regarded dogs as a source of food, not pets. The Appendix lists the 288 dogs killed in action as well as the 285 handlers who made the ultimate sacrifice. SBF is highly recommended for its' very personal look at one soldier's combat experience. It is further recommend for yet another unique look at the Vietnam War that affected so many of us. Just when one thinks he has heard every Vietnam story possible, along comes a book like SBF to show that he hasn?t. If the book has a weak spot, it is a common one: NOT ONE SINGLE MAP! Why do publishers constantly make this omission? This merits a reduction in rank for SBF from 5 stars to 4. That complaint aside, SBF rates "Number One"

One of a kind -thus far
Burnam's book was both informative and exciting to read. I initially picked it up because it was such a unique subject.The book is seemingly broken into two parts: Before the Scout Dog assignment and after. I thought that it would be dry getting to the Scout Dog portion. Not So! Each page is filled with an honest look at Vietnam as experienced by a young kid from the Mid-West. Not to ruin it for others, I won't mention them here, but there are several portions that are a hoot and some that are hard to read -emotionally. Burnam holds nothing back for sake of posterity or politics. He explains the military use of dogs in Vietnam and -sadly- the result of their service in how the U.S. Government chose to view the dogs and 'release' them from service. I've read several books about Vietnam and this has been the first one that has given such an honest view of a fairy unknown
(to the general public) portion of the military's arsenal. An excellent read! ... Read more

Book Description

The working springer spaniel had long been the most popular sportingbreed throughout the English-speaking world. A versatile hunting and retrieving dog, itsdrive and energy give it an attractive temperament but make it difficult to handle. KeithErlandson is one of the world's top breeders and handlers of both the working springerand cocker. In this book he describes the knowledge he has gained from more than 37years experience with both breeds.

Illustrated with 16 pages of photographs, The Working Springer Spaniel includesindividual chapters on the origins of the springer; obtaining a spaniels puppy; hip andeye tests; pretraining procedures; training equipment; dogging guns and ammunition;early obedience lessons; steadiness to dummies and introduction to retrieving;introducing the gun; retrieving real game; hunting and steadiness to game; a breakdownof game scent; dropping to shot; blind retrieves; jumping; water work; walking to heal;artificial lines; punishment; soft and hard mouths; the principles and practicalities ofbreeding; field trials in Britain, USA, Canada, and Europe; the working cocker; woodcockand cocking spaniels. The book is essential reading for anyone who owns or is thinking of owning a workingspringer or cocker spaniel. ... Read more