Customer Reviews

The Ugly Dachshund

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This book was first published in the Forties, or late Thirties, it is told from a Griffan's point of view, and all the dachshund's and their owners' personalities are a bit eccentric. The Great Dane dog is coming of age, and the climax of the book is his "doing the wild thing" with a Dane bitch. It is a wonderful book for adults, and young adults, not at all too sweet. The allegory is about the coming of war in Europe, but the story is truly timeless. Every dog lover should have a copy in their library, and everybody did have a copy when it first came out, it was a blow away best-seller.

This is a wonderful coming-of-age story that happens to be about dogs. Its introduction describes it as "a little gem," which I cannot improve upon. Ms. Stern paints a vivid picture of how it feels to be "different" when you don't understand why you're different.

This book has the rare quality of being accessible to both children and adults, with something different to offer each age. It is perfect for reading to, or together with, a child.

This classic book is absolutely adorable. Every dachshund lover should have one. The author knows dachshund personality very well. She also gets inside a dog's head very well. The book is very amusing and charming.

I'm embarrased to find that it says "For ages 4 to 8" on the description of this book because I'm much older and I loved it! It is such a sweet and happy story. Its message for humans couldn't be clearer: Just because you don't fit in doesn't mean you are bad. You don't have to try to be just like someone else, because you are much better just the way you are!
In addition to the enjoyable writing, lovely descriptions of the dogs, and the way the dogs talk among themselves, I loved the description of the setting, which is on the Riviera. A father and son are relaxing and enjoying themselves. The son buys a sailboat and sails every day, which makes the dogs who love him very sad. An actress decides to seduce the men, and shows up every day with her Pomeranian. The dad's sister comes in from Paris for a visit with her Brussels Griffon.
The men are bored with the actress and wish she'd go away. The Brussels Griffon falls in love with her Pom. Tono, the Ugly Dachshund, is so goodhearted he tries to make everyone happy. But everything he does meets with disaster. This book is truly enjoyable.
If you like good writing and stories that make you smile, I would also recommend Paws & Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs by Sharon Sakson. It makes you smile a mile a minute.

This is a very short, clever little read that you manage in an hour, perfect for a boring plane ride. It is fun on a concrete level, with the dogs portraying themselves as humans. But also it's an allegory, with the moral of Know who you are, and then be who you are. This book has been out of print for some time, so it is good to see it back.
It is not exactly a children's book, as the main character has a subtle tryst at the end, with a female. Good to see a classic returning.

This charming book vividly and accurately describes the personality traits of the Doxie breed, which are well known to owners and other admirers! There are lessons, of course, but as a 'Lover of Dachshunds', having owned 5 at various times in my life, I thrilled in the descriptions of their Lovable (and Bossy??!!)Personalities. This little
'gem of a book' is a 'must read' for (especially) all who have been owned by a Doxie!