Tricks of the Trade: From Best Intentions to Best in Show, Revised Edition [Paperback]

Pat Hastings (Author), Erin Rouse (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 2005

In the show ring, judges assess the whole package, which is the sum of effective breeding, evaluating, rearing, teaching, conditioning, nutrition, grooming, care and presentation. Pat Hastings discusses all of these elements in this book and shares a variety of tips and tricks that she has found useful over her long career in the dog world. The revised edition is a significantly enhanced resource, with expanded text, more visuals and all-new illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you only read one dog book this year, make it this book! It is well worth ... reading several times. --Nina Marie Sherrer

About the Author

Pat Hastings has been involved with dogs since 1959. She is currently an AKC judge and a highly respected educator in the dog world. Her articles have appeared in such publications as the AKC Gazette, Dog News, Clean Run and numerous breed magazines. Her seminars, presentations and litter evaluations have benefited fanciers for over 15 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Dogfolk Enterprises, Inc.; Revised edition (June 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967841437
• ISBN-13: 978-0967841434
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not as helpful as reviews suggest, May 1, 2008

By 

Sheltie Devoted - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tricks of the Trade: From Best Intentions to Best in Show, Revised Edition (Paperback)

I purchased this book based on reviews suggesting that this is the one book to get if you are a novice in the conformation ring. It is definitely not that. It is maybe a good book for a novice breeder who is intending to also show their first prospect - and who may be clueless about how to identify a good foundation stock puppy. Much of the book's substance is how to identify a prospect and then how to proceed as a breeder - like advertising, etc. Very little of the book helps a notive/intermediate handler actually do as the title suggests - from best intentions to best in show. It is not very helpful for people who already know how to get a good puppy, know the basics of stucture and how to do basic grooming and care, but would like to learn the basics of showing and the stepped up demands of grooming.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, March 12, 2007

By 

Debbie (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tricks of the Trade: From Best Intentions to Best in Show, Revised Edition (Paperback)

I have bought just about every "How-to" show dog book out there, and this would be the only one that I would recommend. It is by far the best book of its kind on the market. I agree with the previous reviewer as well--it's not just for show people. There is a great deal of information that is valuable for any dog owner. All of my other books went straight to the bookshelf and stayed there. This one is sitting on my kitchen counter, and I have gone back to it time after time.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT RESOURCE, January 9, 2007

By 

B. Delisi - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tricks of the Trade: From Best Intentions to Best in Show, Revised Edition (Paperback)

This is the next best thing to hiring a professional handler. My copy is already getting dog eared. If you are new to showing or have been handling your dogs yourself without advancing as far or as quick as you would like, this is the book to buy.