Customer Reviews

Dogs of Africa

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

 

 

Dogs Of Africa is an in-depth, 366-page encyclopedic study of those canine breeds that originated on the African continent. From pariahs, hounds, and southern African dogs, to sighthounds, mastiffs, and small pet dogs such as the Maltese Poodle, exhaustive and extensive descriptions are combined with black-and-white photographs, histories of the breed origins and their uses, and a wealth of information both practical and trivial, distinguish this unique and specialized guide which is especially recommended for dedicated dog breeders in general, and African canine enthusiasts in particular.

What can I say other than I am enchanted by this wonderful book! I do not have a sighthound or an African breed but they fascinate me so I got this book to learn more. I am enjoying every single page.

I had expected something like an ordinary book of dogs, a piece of history and then some words about temperament and that would be it. This book is NOTHING like the average book. It is clear that the author knows her stuff and that she really loves these unknown, rare and beautiful breeds. This is not just a breed book, it's a work of passion for the very special dogs of Africa.

My favorite breed is the Azawakh, but after reading this I am in awe of all the breeds presented here!

I have a Tibetan Mastiff myself and so much of what is written in this book can be translated to fit my breed since it's also a primitive breed. I've gotten several aha-moments and I am sure I will get even more as I dig even deeper into to ancient Africa and her hidden treasures, all in the shape of dogs!

This is by far my #1 favorite dogbook of all time (and I have ALOT of books on my shelf)!!! GREAT and educational and very enjoyable!

I was searching for a good book on Rhodesian Ridgebacks for an AKC-member friend of mine who raises and show her dogs. Every other one I considered was the same old formula: how to raise, grade, feed, train, and show them. Typical elitist doggie people fodder, and not impressive to serious breeders and show folks.

This book, written by one of their own, puts new perspective on the rich history and established usages of numerous dog breeds originating on the Continent of Africa. I would have enjoyed more color portraits but the mostly black and white pics represented a more realistic and au naturale portrayal of how these dogs live, where, and doing what, in their native habitats.

And it was this out-of-the-box presentation of all dogs African that did indeed hit the spot with my dog breeder friend. I have it on her authority that this is a fine and illuminating read.

Dogs of Africa documents the different breeds of dogs indigenous to Africa and the Middle East in an exhaustive and comprehensive study, where each breed is described in detail, from it's the history of breeding and it's physical and behavioural attributes in a way that only a dog lover could describe.

Illustrated with many beautiful black and white photographs.

Includes Pariah dogs, the Basenji, , the Israeli Canaan Dog, the Zulu Sicha, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, the Pharaoh Hound, the Boerboel, the Azawakh and Sloughi.

The history behind the breeds and the history of their breeding and origins are fascinating and describe much history of different parts of Africa and remarkable peoples such as the Zulu, Khoisan, Afrikaner and Israeli Jews, of which some of these breeds have been tied up with.

Learn of the loyal, gentle and protective nature of Boerboels, bred by the Trekboers in the 19th century, how when the Jews returned to the Land of Israel after two thousand years, their faithful old friend the Canaan Dog was waiting for them, and the ancient history of the Pharaoh Hound.

Find out about the good care taken by the San of their dogs and how on the other hand Muslims regard dogs as little better than filth, and for whom cruelty to animals is a way of life, and how this Islamic influence led to a drop in regard for dogs and a culture of cruelty in Southern Africa.

I really enjoyed this book. It is very interesting and well written. Lots of pictures.