Customer Reviews

The Standard Book of Dog Breeding: A New Look

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A practical no-nonsense approach to dog breeding is the prime focus of this very readable book. Dr. Grossman writes for the novice and advanced breeder as well, spotlighting possible pitfalls and providing guidance...In short, everything you wanted to know about breeding a winner but were afraid to ask.

Dr. Grossman writes a very thorough book that is filled with good content. Many things that we know but need to be reminded and many things that are new (at least to me). Really enjoyed reading his work. Helped focus my objectives on how to begin a successful breeding/showing program.

Dr. Grossman combines the artistic principle of 'having an eye for a dog' with sound scientific principles of breeding and genetics which will prove to be of immense value to both the first time breeder and the successful breeder of many champions

Dr. Grossman doesn't write mundanely.It is certainly one of this and the past decades most important books. He presents facts in an exciting light as in his discussion of Mendel's work in applying genetics to dog breeding

I particularly recommend the thorough reading and appreciation of the first chapter. Those who have sufficient experience will appreciate and endorse the many points which are made upon the early stages of ownership and the requirements of breeding.

The book is excellent with regard to the technical aspects and considerations of health and whelping, but ignore the author's advice regarding genetic principles of inbreeding and line-breeding.
Do so only if you are an experienced breeder, and are intimately familiar with your line and what traits reappear time and time again in your dogs. Many undesireable traits are tied to the desirable ones. The other reviewer who cautioned disaster has a valid, informed point!

This book tells you how to use inbreeding and linebreeding, and it teaches you the basics of Mendelian genetics, but these help to manage one or two traits at a time.

The problem is that genes don't assort one trait at a time! Genes are linked to chromosomes. While we were all busy inbreeding and linebreeding to 'fix' the desirable traits of breed type and conformation, something else happened, and now we are producing a steady increase in unwanted traits that we call genetic defects.

Time magazine has an interesting article on this problem...