Customer Reviews

The Complete Border Collie (Book of the Breed)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There are two big problems with the book that I have found. First, the book is filled with anecdotal reports, which are intended to be a guide to training. The problem with this approach is that every dog is an individual! What worked for the author's dog, Trapper, will not necessarily work for mine. Second, the "Health Care" chapter contains ridiculous advice. The author recommends taking your dog to an herbalist, accupuncturist, or chiropractor. When she includes such bizarre recommendations without any data to illustrate that they work, it is an indictment of the rest of her book. If you want cute pictures of border collies that warm your heart, this book is as good as any other. If, however, you are looking for advice on how to raise a border collie, there are other, more factual books out there that you should consider before this one.

This is hands-down the best manual I have read on the subject, and it is the one I recommend to people buying my border collie puppies. Barbara Swann provides a practical, useful, training guide that is really inspirational. You read it and think: I can do this! She may be a bit hard-core for some tastes (see "culling"), and yes, the natural remedies are not for everyone, but this woman knows what she is talking about and is clearly a wealth of knowledge. This book is my bible, and if you are considering a border collie puppy, skip the typical pet-store fluff books and go straight for this one.

Unlike the cookie-cutter breed books, this book is packed with specific information about Border Collies, written by an experienced breeder, trainer, and trial judge. Although the author's notions about natural healthcare for dogs are not for everyone, this book is an outstanding source of information on this unqiue breed. It covers genetics, breeding, training, history and standards of the breed, puppy rearing, working sheepdogs and trails, and other activities suited to Border Collies. Anyone who is interested in the breed will find this book valuable.

I would definately recomend this book to anyone who is even thinking of buying a dog. I hve read it many times and learn something new each time I read it. Barbara Swann takes you into the mind of the dog and very tactfully describes how they think and live like no other author has done. She remindes us that dogs are pack animals and still behave in the same manner that wolves do to this day. And she very skillfully interprets these behaviors. Including how to recognize and cure submission, agression, object and area posessivenes and many others. She covers every aspect of owning a border collie (which in my oppinion can also be applied to any dog). She also tells you how to stay in tune with your dogs everyday moods and needs. And also how to read your dogs expressions and body language. Anyone who wants a rewarding relationship with a dog, wants to train a dog, or breed them will definately not be disapointed in this book!! It makes total sense.

a really comprehensive and friendly guide to raising a border collie. i only wish i had this book a month ago, when i adopted my puppy. i find the book special as it speaks about early training, which is usually neglected in all other training manuals. the pictures do help a lot.

Excellent book-very useful if you're anticipating getting a border collie-service was great. Contains a lot of useful information about the breed.

This Wonderful book tells you everything you could ever want to know about Border Collies. I gained alot of knowledge about the breed through this great book. The auther must know a great deal about the best breed ever, BORDER COLLIES!

I loved this book and while the auther has a sense of humor she stays on the topic. If you buy this book you will never need another one about border collies!