The Complete Belgian Shepherd Dog (Book of the Breed S.) [Hardcover]

Deborah Fleming (Author)

Book Description

Series: Book of the Breed S. | Publication Date: February 1, 2003

Packed with stunning photography and helpful, descriptive line drawings, this book covers all four varieties of the increasingly popular Belgian Shepherd. The breed is unique among pedigree dogs because of its diversity and all four types—the Groenendael, the Laekenois, the Malinois, and the Tervueren—are all comprehensively covered here.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Deborah Fleming comes from a strong lineage of dog breeders (her great-grandmother, Mrs. Furneaux Dawson, had the renowned Greymount Pekingese kennels). She has owned many Tervuerens and Groenendaels, and her first Champion, Leircote Freyja of Ailort, gained her title in Ireland and the UK, and was followed by several home-bred title-holders. She has written for the breed in the dog press and regularly reports on shows and events. Fleming has awarded Challenge Certificates since 1998, and now judges internationally.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Ringpress Books (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1860542565
• ISBN-13: 978-1860542565
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,417,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book on the Belgian Shepherd Breeds, November 13, 2004

By 

furkidz (Iowa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Belgian Shepherd Dog (Book of the Breed S.) (Hardcover)

This is a nice book about a great breed of dog. There are few really informational books about Belgians, and I enjoyed this one. Nice photography and well-written. It contains clear (if sometimes basic) information about the breeding, care, temperament, showing, breed standards, grooming, and training of this breed. Nice section on bloodlines. Concentrates on European dogs and balances information between the four Belgian breeds / coat types.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good coverage of history, notable breeders,type & temperament, February 28, 2010

By 

Fiero Belgians (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Belgian Shepherd Dog (Book of the Breed S.) (Hardcover)

I was surprised by this book, what a refreshing change to not be disappointed. I hesitated to order this, as the cover is so similar to the horrid "Breed" books that contain all the standard drivel that is repeated word for word regardless of breed.
On the contrary, this book does a good job of covering the history & developement of the breed, then goes on to list some of the major kennels that influenced the breeds history from all the varieties, touching on Europe, the UK & North America.
The standard chapter on choosing a puppy addresses breed specific points,in addition to the standard fare. Then follows the universal chapter "how to care for your puppy". It is redeemed by addressing issues that are specific to the Belgian breed.
The author then moves on to an excellent chapter covering the breed standard from the UK, USA & FCI for all the varieties, with a clarification of the points of the standard, including detailed discussion & drawings. The drawings are of excellent quality, depicting correct & incorrect type & soundness. There is a fairly detailed section on handling for the show ring & a chapter on the working Belgian that includes brief descriptions of the often ignored search & rescue,protection & herding activities, in addition to the standard obedience, agility & tracking venues. There is also a detailed discussion of temperament that is also breed specific.
The chapter on breeding is your very basic "run-of-the-mill" chapter in all dept. store breed books, however, the chapter on genetics does a good job of explaining the genetics of color inheritance. With a brief mention of the inheritance of Hip Dysplasia & Epilepsy. The health care chapter mentions the defects that can be found in this breed.
What follows is what elevates this book - A 53 page chapter detailing the contributions of breeders & influential dogs from Europe,Britain & North America. In addition there are many color & B&W photos of influential dogs throughout the book.
I recommend this book for novices,breeders,exhibitors & judges.
lexi