The Labrador Retriever: The Dog That Does It All (Howell's Best of Breed Library) [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

by Lisa Weiss (Author), Emily Biegel (Author) "I do not agree that you can link specific virtues or traits to either sex or any color, but there is no sense in arguing..." (more)
Key Phrases: pet dealer, hunt tests, specialty winner, Greg Goebel, Best of Breed, American Kennel Club (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
President Clinton's Labrador Retriever is just one of 150,000 Labrador Retrievers registered each year. This is a book for pet owner, novice fancier and veteran alike. This book is part of Howell's new breed series—more color, more interesting and more useful than all the competition.

From the Inside Flap
The Labrador Retriever, America's favorite breed, is truly the dog that does it all. Labs have been valued since the breed was developed for their even temper, quick intelligence and versatility. These are lively, active sporting dogs, and there's nothing they like better than to do a job for you—whether it's retrieving a duck from a pond or your TV remote from the couch. Labs are wonderful family dogs, great with kids and sociable with others. They are also used widely as assistance dogs and in police work as bomb sniffers and drug detection dogs. The fact that Labs are so very willing to please, and enjoy working for praise, is why they are successful at just about anything they attempt. It's also why they are a very valued member of any family they join. From the dog in the White House to the dog in your yard, no other breed can fill so many niches, or please so many people with such different needs.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; illustrated edition edition (November 16, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876050445
• ISBN-13: 978-0876050446
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #163,952 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite Readable Compendium On Raising Labrador Retrievers!, March 6, 2004

By	Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I loved this book, which is no mean feat, given the fact that I am a person who's had the distinct pleasure of sharing his house and his life with as many as six Labrador retrievers at a time over the last 20 years (I now have four), I am acutely aware of the wonder and awe associated with getting such a wonderful companion can be. Yet, sadly, I am also aware of the profound ignorance many would-be labrador-people are regarding how to select, introduce, and socialize this new member of the family. In that sense, this book , along with a number of others (e.g. Richard Wolper's "Family Dog") can provide the wary would-be initate with all of the essentials on how to successfully transform that cute little puppy into a happy, obdeient, and well-integrated member of the household.

This book does offer one the expert advice one needs regarding the care and nurture of what has now become the single most popular breed in the United States, with information ranging from an impromptu history of Labrador Retrievers to such topics such as adoption options. The book also delivers to the prospective owner a wealth of facts and details regarding Labrador Retrievers. It provides essential and vital information regarding nutrition, socialization, and exercise, and offers some sage advice about how to find and select a reputable breeder. In addition, it also touches on aspects of ownerships such as common illnesses and chronic problems associated with the breed. This is a book I can heartily recommend! Enjoy!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Labrador Book That Covers It All, August 8, 2001

By	Fred Facompre (New York) - See all my reviews

The combined talent and experience of these two exceptional breeders has resulted in an outstanding, informative and well-rounded look at the Labrador Retriever. The book is a valuable source of information for anyone who owns a Labrador, or is interested in obtaining one. It covers the history and development of the breed, finding a responsible breeder to the care of the young and older dog. The book also provides a wonderful look at the versatility of the Labrador; from Show dogs to Field dogs, obedience, companions and guide dogs for the blind. It was wonderful to see the pictures and pedigrees of so many influential stud dogs of yesterday and today. Many of our own dogs can be traced back to these very special Labradors.

The author's "take" on the functionality of the Labrador is exactly on the money. It is possible to have an outstanding looking Labrador that can also perform the tasks it was bred for. As seen on the cover, Baloo, as he is affectionately known, is not only an AKC Champion, from a long line of champions, but has also earned his Junior Hunter and Obedience titles. He is anything but clumsy, unathletic or dysplastic, and has an OFA excellent rating. Perhaps Baloo's most important gift to the breed has been his progeny. He is credited with producing champions, guide dogs, hunters and obedience title dogs, whom have also inherited his "superdog" temperament. The success of this particular dog can only be summed up as "a breeders dream come true".

Buy the book; don't just leaf through it. You won't be disappointed.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just like a Lab - the book is friendly & solid value, May 4, 2001

By	Yeoh Siok Kee (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We wanted a book to help us bring up our yellow labrador retreiver ... and this is the best ... The book provides plenty of sound overall information about the breed; from breed histroy to breed standard, from puppy care to looking after the senior dog ... well written with an added bonus ... its got good pictures too ... many of which are better taken and presented than some so-called coffee table books of Labradors ...

If you are looking for a book that'll help you understand Labradors ... get this ...