The German Shepherd Today (Dog Breed Books) (Paperback)

by Winifred Gibson Strickland (Author), James A. Moses (Author) "The young German cavalry officer stood on the crest of the hill, deep in thought, and watched the sheepherder tending his flocks in the valley..." (more)
Key Phrases: German Shepherd, United States, National Specialty (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Presenting the Great, New Third Edition of the Most Respected Book in Print on the German Shepherd in the English Language. From the time Captain Max von Stephanitz undertook the development of the modern German Shepherd just before the turn of the 20th Century to the present, dog enthusiasts have been quick to recognize the versatility, trainability, and desirability of the universally beloved Shepherd and have taken the breed to their collective heart.

Since 1974 The German Shepherd Today has been recognized as the most definitive source of information for all who glory in von Stephanitz's living legacy. Now, in its third magnificent edition, this great masterwork is more meaningful than ever to the unique fellowship that has the German Shepherd as its common bond. Here you can explore the German Shepherd's roots and the work of the visionaries that launched his fortunes. There is vital information all owners, new or old, need to make the most of sharing their lives with these remarkable dogs. For whatever reason you have been drawn to the German Shepherd and for whatever information needs you have regarding the breed and your relationship to it, you will find all you seek-and more-in the new third edition of The German Shepherd Today. And with the text Shepherd fans recommend to each other, is a large gallery of beautiful photos, enlightening diagrams, pedigrees, and statistics you will find as absorbing as the dog you call your own. The best one remains on top.
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction

From the Inside Flap
The third edition of The German Shepherd Today continues in the tradition of this peerless guide to provide the best, most complete information on this breed to its legion of admirers. Fully updated, it brings you the Shepherd's story from the beginning and takes it right to the closing years of the 20th Century. In 35 definitive chapters, you can explore in as much depth as you like everything that makes this breed both remarkable and justly celebrated. Here are just some of the topics:

• Choosing a Puppy or Mature Dog (American-Bred or Import)
• Reading German Pedigrees
• Naming a German Shepherd
• Housebreaking
• Grooming and General Care
• Preliminary Training
• Early Obedience Training
• Retrieving
• Obedience Classes, Tracking, Agility
• Conformation Training
• The Sieger Show
• Sheepherding Trials in Germany
• Schutzhund Trials and Training, Breed Surveys, and Conformation Classes
• Koer Reports of Famous German Dogs
• German Shepherds in the U.S.
• Futurities and Maturities in the U.S.
• National Specialty and Obedience Trial with lists and photos of Grand Victors & Victrixes, and Obedience Victors & Victrixes
• Dog Shows in the United States
• The Professional Handler
• Handling Tips
• Register of Merit Sires & Dams (and pedigrees)
• Breeding
• The Genetic Factor
• The Color Factor
• The Breed Standard
• Structural Analysis
• Diseases
• Early North American Bloodlines

and a great deal more. Everything about The German Shepherd Today is directed at enhancing your knowledge of and pleasure in the breed. Whether you are seeking or raising your first puppy, looking for help in basic or advanced training in the many disciplines in which the breed excels, are a rank novice or a seasoned veteran with the breed there is something valuable you can take from this edition of the breed's most honored work of reference.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 3 edition (December 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876051549
• ISBN-13: 978-0876051542
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #306,231 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for your reference library, October 5, 1999

By	Sun Star (California,USA) - See all my reviews

I recommend this book to any GSD owner or interested person. It is a great reference book. I have been into German Shepherds 30 years and I still enjoy reading it. It has a wealth of information on German and American lines. It takes you from feeding and socializing a young pup to the caring for your old friend. Learn to read a pedigree, treat your dog for illness, teach him good manners. It's a "everything you wanted to know about shepherds but didn't know where to look all in one book". On the negative side, there are numerous pictures but unfortunatly none in color. I would love to see the different coat colors, ie: sables, black/reds, bi-colored, blacks, whites, and greys. I would also like to see more info on shepherds used for other than conformation or obedience but as service dogs, agility, personal protection, Schutzhund, working, herding, search and rescue, to name a few, as well as how are they used in other countries with accompaning pictures. When all is said and done, this is still a great book, full of information and pictures you won't find elsewhere. Keep it close at hand, you'll be referring to it again and again.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Job Ms Strickland, March 7, 2000

By	Mary Lynn Wakefield (Huntsville, AL, USA) - See all my reviews

I am an avid fan of the German Shepherd dog and have a small library of books on the breed. This book holds a place of honor at the top of the stack as one of the most complete breed books I have found. It appears to be an honest appraisal and history of the breed, but with the obvious prejudice of an owner. Her love of her dogs shines through in amost every page. That can easily be fogive. The comparison of the German and American lines is particularly helpful. Ms Strickland's knowledge of the breed and many years of experience are well known and add to the credibility of her work. Good job, we look forward to the next update.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is Best Of Breed book on the German Shepherd Dog., July 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: German Shepherd Today (Hardcover)

This book doesn't just cover everything about the GermanShepherd Dog that you need to know, it covers it thoroughly andintelligently. In it's THIRD edition it includes all the most current champions here and in Germany. It is as important to the new GSD owner wondering how to raise his new puppy as to the seasoned breeder for research. It even covers training and Winifred Strickland's dog training techniques are classic and will never be 'dated.' Her dogs were top obedience trial champions in the fifties and they are top obedience trail champions today. You cannot do better than to take her advice.

It is a mystery why the publisher hasn't put in color photos, when other rather useless 'fluff' books get color photos to sell them to the public. This fine book should be color.

But it is way ahead of all the rest in it's content and it is lavishly illustrated with black and white photographs. It is the best out there.