Customer Reviews

Griffon Gun Dog Supreme: The History and the Story of How to Improve a Breed

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I've seen breed books before. Boring club lists. Here is a change of pace. This is riveting reading for anyone. A rare look inside a breed. (The only look? Any other insider books like this?) If you wonder why a dog book needs to have a lawyer look it over, you'll know why after reading this. Candid reports on the serious troubles a dog breed club faced with its dog going downhill fast. Starts with how the dog was created; its highpoints; its intro to the US; then outlines how the trouble started. A great distillation of the purpose and spirit behind those who work for dogs and why. A great primer! Health, stability and function: these basics were all in trouble. But the club found a way out. A desparate measure. ---The one fault with the book is its one-sided nature. But it is quite clear that it is a personal story. My own subsequent investigation showed that the situation and rescue method was perhaps arguable. But that's second-guessing. This book puts you on the frontline of an emergency. You get the feel that if someone else wanted to stake their career and reputation on the quality of a breed, they could have. But you won't find many who will make such a stand. The characters in this book do. Many people quit the club. But it looks like the dogs are far better off. Quite a tale! As good as any potboiler!

This book is more than an excellent, well researched, history of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. It is about the future of all breeds. That future is in the hands of people. Some individuals use a breed for their own ends. Others cooperate together for a common goal. This book is about people cooperating together to develop the Griffon Gundog Supreme. The history of the Griffon and the methods used by the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Club of America to improve and preserve this breed can apply to any breed.

This book is a labor of love for Versatile Hunting Dogs. It includes the detail progress of how to change a breed of dog to a better ( some would say the best ) versatile foot hunters companion dog. The detail on the history, breeding, and testing of a hunting dog is brought together with dog info on a current breeding/program in a special insiders view.
This is a single source point of reference for Versatile Dogs.
A very interestingly presented lesson in dog breeding.
Jack Dallimore

I had never thought about the history or the need to improve a breed until I purchased my first griffon. I am a hunter and use a dog to help me hunt. I bought a griffon from the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Club of America and through the Club's dog testing process I learned a little of what a versatile dog is supposed to be and how it was determined what that was. I heard of the early problems that breeders of griffons were having breeding dogs to function as they are supposed to. When I found this book was available I jumped at the chance to catch up on the history of breeding and testing of griffons. I now know the slow painful process a group of interested people went through to give their all to a breed of dog and document the progress. I keep going back to "Griffon Gun Dog Supreme" to reference facts about the breed history and to compare the pictures of griffons from Korthal's first griffons to the first American imports to the dogs produced today. All in all a great reference and fascinating read!

There are those who "like" dogs, and then there are those who share their lives with these remarkable four legged creatures. It is to this second group that I recommend, without reservation, Joan Bailey's, Griffon Gun Dog Supreme.

On one level it is a beautifully written, and thoroughly researched, history of the Griffon breed. For that reason alone it is a must for anyone considering a fine hunting dog. It will open the eyes of all serious hunters and help them understand why, since the 1600's, so many have sought a versatile hunting dog, one that can work all day in the field or in water, and then quietly join the family in the home in the evening.

Beyond that, this is a facinating story of how a group of dedicated individuals saved a breed that nearly suffered geo-political and genetic extinction. The detailed and entertaining descriptions of the breeding, training, and testing programs used to accomplish this remarkable feat will be invaluable to anyone who cares about bringing out the best in any breed. It will also be a serious wake up call to those who are unwittly following some paths of breed evolution and wondering at the results.

Whether you are a veterinarian who wants to better understand an important group of your patients, a breeder who should learn more about improving your own breed, or one of the thousands of dog lovers who just want to know more about what makes these timeless companions tick, you will ultimately keep this book next to your favorite reading chair. For yourself, or as a gift to someone who cares about dogs, this is a wonderful work, and a supreme read.

Phil Bennett

Whether you are looking for a new gun dog or just interested in the development of a hunting breed, you will be intrigued by the detail in Joan Bailey's book. It is the first book I recommend when someone meets my Griffons and wants more information about the breed. It is also a must have for the new owners of my pups in order to fully appreciate the history and potential of their new hunting companion.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have a dog from the breeding program described in this book so it's personal for me.
The dog to which I referred is my third Griffon. The breeding program Ms Bailey describes is why I keep going back. These are dogs that take to their their hunting and obedience training well, and have the personality to be outstanding companions and housedogs. They are a pleasure for their owners, as well as the neighbors, hunting partners, and visitors to the house.
Eyes, hips, teeth, coats, and size are all part of the breeding decisions as well as the brains, nose, and attitude that go into making a versitile hunting dog and a great friend.
As I mentioned in the heading, I have my dogeared copy of this book that's been on my livingroom bookshelf for years and just recently picked up a copy to give as a gift.
The history of how intelligent, thoughtful people directed breeding to achieve a package of charecteristics is fascinating and will reward the reader who has an interest in not only hunting dogs but in genetics as well.