Sighthounds Afield: The Complete Guide to Sighthound Breeds & Amateur Performance Events (With a Comprehensive Chapter on Adopted Ex-Racing Greyhounds) [Paperback]

Denise Como (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 24, 2004

Sighthounds or gazehounds -swift and athletic canines that have hunted by sight, rather than scent, for thousands of years - comprise a small but elite segment of known dog breeds. Few events are tailored for their particular skills, and new folks are overwhelmed by the confusion of running rules, policies, and procedures within the various organizations. In 1994 Como published a simple flyer to help explain the differences.The flyer grew into a brochure, and in 1996 the brochure metamorphosed into a "how to" handbook, So, You Want to Run Your Sighthound The handbook, in turn, spawned a completely revised and greatly expanded edition in Sighthounds Afield: The Complete Guide to Sighthound Breeds and Amateur Performance Events (with a Comprehensive Chapter on Adopted Ex-Racing Greyhounds).Sighthounds Afield includes many new photos, original cartoons, and illustrations. This manual explores diet and conditioning, training for field and track, overviews of all amateur performance events and how to attend them to your best advantage, and basic running procedures - including point requirements and titles - for field, track, and open field hunts. Included is veterinary care, where to buy good stuff, a complete library section, and pages of important resources. The author delves into the centuries-old history of sighthounds, and over 40 breeds are explored in photos and text. With the inclusion of an entire chapter devoted to ex-racing Greyhounds, this book is a complete "if you can't find it here, you can't find it" package. SighthoundsAfield puts everything you need to know about these exotic breeds - and how to enjoy them - at your fingertips.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

As the oldest of six children in the suburbs of northern New Jersey, Denise Como''s parents would not let her have a horse. When a neighbor introduced her to the world of purebred dogs and dog show competition in 1963, Denise was hooked. In 1966 she bought a Collie with her own babysitting money, and began showing with her best friend and her Borzoi. In 1972 Denise began her lifelong association with sighthound breeds, beginning with Afghan Hounds. She was introduced to the sport of lure coursing in 1978, with Borzois of her own. Lure coursing - sighthounds chasing artificial lures around a field in controlled circumstances - led to her interest in amateur oval racing, then to amateur straight racing. At first competing with her own hounds (Borzois, then adding Greyhounds, Whippets, and smooth Salukis), Como eventually became a fully licensed lure coursing field trial judge, and also judges at racing events. She continues to write for various sighthound magazines as well as in other genres - with a hound or two lounging around the desk.

Product Details

• Paperback: 668 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (June 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1418438227
• ISBN-13: 978-1418438227
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,197,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definative sighthound book!, October 16, 2004

By 

Rebecca L. King "Enchanted Gypsy" (California, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sighthounds Afield: The Complete Guide to Sighthound Breeds & Amateur Performance Events (With a Comprehensive Chapter on Adopted Ex-Racing Greyhounds) (Paperback)

I have been enchanted with sighthounds since I was a young girl. I'm still in awe at how they've survived since ancient times virtually the same. This book covers sighthound breeds commonly seen at AKC dog shows: Afghan Hound; Borzoi; Irish Wolfhound; Saluki; Scottish Deerhound; ect.... But there are also fascinating histories of breeds virtually unknown in the USA, or even outside of their homelands. There is also information given on a few breeds believed to be extinct. Photos are not provided for every breed due to the breed's obscurity. The photos & line drawings are all in black & white; some are quite old so the quality isn't the best. I must add that this book is the only one I know of to date that includes information on the Silken Windhound! If you are infatuated by sighthounds as I am, I definately recommend this book to you! It's not for the casual dog person though.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greyhounds and Whippets and Deerhounds, Oh My!, March 10, 2010

By 

Scott D. Miller "Sighthound Scott" (Cooks Falls, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sighthounds Afield: The Complete Guide to Sighthound Breeds & Amateur Performance Events (With a Comprehensive Chapter on Adopted Ex-Racing Greyhounds) (Paperback)

I was going to start by saying that Sighthounds Afield is the most un-put-down-able dog book I've ever read, but that wouldn't be 100% accurate; it's the most un-put-down-able book I've ever read, period.

I find myself returning again and again to its information-laden pages, each time finding some new bit of information that I honestly don't know how I lived without knowing before. With each page I fall more and more in love with these elegant hounds that have lived with us for millennia.

For anyone who has ever adopted a track dog, the comprehensive chapter on retired racing greyhounds should be required reading and is alone more than worth the purchase price.

In writing Sighthounds Afield, Ms. Como has created a masterpiece that will remain among the most read books on my shelf for as long as I continue to read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!!!! Should be Required Reading!, February 10, 2010

By 

Jenna Feuerhake "Sighthound Fanatic" (FL, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sighthounds Afield: The Complete Guide to Sighthound Breeds & Amateur Performance Events (With a Comprehensive Chapter on Adopted Ex-Racing Greyhounds) (Paperback)

The best of the best! Funny, witty, and to the point, the writer gives endless great advice in a big thick book that is actually a pleasure to read! You will catch yourself shaking your head in agreement, or even laughing outloud. If you have ANY interest in doing fun events your sighthounds were bred for, this book should be required reading in my opinion. Outstanding!!!!