Customer Reviews

Reaching for the Stars: Formerly Advanced Labrador Breeding (The Pure Dog Bred Series)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
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Learing about the five stages of the development of a dog breeder and exhibiter was mind boggling. Mary Roslin Williams is an excellent story teller and her knowledge cuts across all breeds. With the added information bringing the book up-to-date and adding famous dogs and breeders from around the world has made this book even more valuable.

The owner of the famous Mansergh Kennels, what Mary Roslin Williams didn't know about Labrador Retrievers isn't worth finding out. In this book, the distillation of years of experience, Mary ruthlessly dissects the business of building a better lab. Her examination of what separates the mediocre breeding program from the spectacular is required reading for any serious student of the breed. Beautifully written, this book spills over with Mary's intelligence and tough-minded wisdom. Crammed with inspirational photos of famous labradors, Plate 17 deserves special mention. A head study of Fulbeck Flashing Stream, it shows the perfect labrador head and expression. Also lovely is the photo of Fabracken Georgie Girl.

If you could only have one book to guide you as a serious breeder and/or canine judge, this would be it! All the knowledge, experience and wisdom is contained in this one book and all you have to do is absorb it. Don't be put off by her Laborador Retriever background, the information pertains to all breeds. I only wish I had read this book 10 years ago.

Excellant view of breeding in England. If you are considering becoming a breeder this will make you look at some hard choices you may have to make about keeping your own stock down to a manageable number.

A great read, the author is obviously an expert in her field and an entertaining writer too.

If your looking for genetics info it isn't here, this book is written from an older pre-genetic perspective.

Finally, a dog breeding book that goes beyond the more simplistic aspects of dog breeding. This book breaks breeders into seven categories, from beginner through top breeder and outlines the pitfalls encountered at each level and what it takes to become a good or top breeder. The author is not concerned with the how-tos of breeding a litter, rather she concerns herself with the topics of why breeders fail and leave the sport, how to keep your kennel size manageable and how to breed a Labrador that is as at home in the field as it is in the showring.

This book was incredibly helpful and insightful, although one has to overcome the author's incredible bias towards the British, while condemning the Continental and American ways of doing things at every turn.

I would sincerely recommend this book to anyone who has already read the "how to" books and is looking for more in-depth information about other aspects of breeding.

I cannot more highly recommend this book if you are interested in breeding or showing Labradors. It is a godsend! Every Lab fancier should read this book. It made me seriously rethink my decision to show and breed Labradors, and I definitely recommend it to novice exhibitor and expert breeder alike.

I only wish that I had read this book 15 years ago (though I may not have understood parts of it at the time). Though written from an English perspective, the lessons to be had are universal in geography & breeds. It was a fast read (3 days), partly because I could not put it down, and I will re-read it several times, no doubt. Definately meat & potatoes - not the usual fluff. Probably not for the beginner, but it provides insight for those that seem stuck in the never-ending rut of competition with a win here & there. Sound advice on developing & improving a bloodline & managing your dog population while doing so. Not a whelping or puppy raising "How To", but an insight into how to be a contributing,long-term breeder. I wish I could find more books llike this.

This book is a bit different than the others in that it is written by a lady who was light years ahead of many in her thinking of the breeding of her beloved labs. Annie Clark, Dick Beauchamp and the like recommended this book to many people and that is what sparked it's resurgence in popularity. Excellent reading and very well thought out and illustrated. This is a book for the serious dog fancier not just the average dog owner...