Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great look at gundogs from the eyes of a French hunter, December 5, 2001
By A Customer
Although superficially just another pretty canine encyclopedia, the succinct and honest descriptions of the breeds make this worth the price. Typical of Europeans, Lepeudry knows how to look critically at something without necessarily being critical OF it (indeed, he takes great pride in the cynological achievements from all over the globe). He provides great insights into the regional breeds of France, as well as other Continentals such as the GWP and Pudelpointer. He tells about his countrymen did not initially understand the nature of flushing spaniels and retrievers, and subsequently bred many poor ones. Predominantly American breeds (e.g. the Chessie and the Toller) are featured as well, but no mention of the Boykin or American Water Spaniel. Hounds, terriers, and dachshunds get their own section. His description of how the French countryside has changed (thus changing hunting and hunting dogs) will strike home with American who see the same things happening now on our continent. This book is a good read for American sporting dog enthusiasts, as the author's perspective and style is refreshing break from the "oh-so-careful-not-to-offend" style of most American gun dog writers.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not just for the hunter, July 10, 2000
By A Customer
In the preface, the author writes that while not everyone likes a hunter, hunting dogs are very likeable. This is an excellent introduction to the sporting dog breeds. The text describes about 70 breeds, including some rare ones that have recently been introduced to North America, including the Braque du Bourbonnais, the French Spaniel, the Picardy Spaniel, and the Bracco Italiano. The photography is excellent. The author groups breeds according to their main function (pointer, retriever, spaniel, scenthound, and terrier) and organizes them by region of origin. For the pet-lover, who is looking for a companion dog, the description of hunting style is useful: Do you want a dog who will run way ahead of you and call back in a loud bay, or one who will stay close by your side? The book gives a lot of information on the evolution of gun-dog breeds, in some cases applauding the results (the Brittany is described as "perfect") and otherwise, complaining about breeders tainting the original breed with the introduction of dogs from outlying regions. One drawback of the book is that the author ignores the fact that hunters hunt only about four months out of the year, and the rest of the time they need to be able to live with their dogs. There is little information on how the various breeds are in the home: easy to housebreak? OK with pet cats? shed a lot? dig up the yard? drool? grooming needs? Another criticism is that the histories are not entirely accurate. For example, the author claims the Bourbonnais was re-created after becoming extinct (not exactly) and that today's white Spinoni are considered to be closer to the original breed than the brown roans (the opposite is true).
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good coffee table book., January 26, 2006
I'm not a big fan of this type of book, but this one is very good. First, it's an english translation from French, and gives the reader another (very French) point of view. Second, it gives descriptions and nice pictures of many breeds most in the US have never seen.
Just a warning, before you fall in love with some rare breed after reading about it once, keep in mind they will be expensive, and the popular breeds are popular for a reason. I have seen many of the European breeds in action, and some of the descrpitions in this book must only describe the best of the breed, on it's best day. Many are very generous, particularly if the breed originated in France.
It's a nice reference and I get it off the shelf frequently when I have my dog friends over; my neices and nephews enjoy reading "that book with all the dogs" as well.
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