The Ultimate German Shepherd Dog [Hardcover]

Sheila Rankin (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1998

The German Shepherd Dog is the third most popular breed in America, and has an international reputation for being loyal, hardworking and eager to serve. Around the world these dogs are at work as police and military dogs, in search and rescue, leading the blind and in many other important roles. This book offers comprehensive information on care, training, health and conformation, plus an insiders look at the most influential dogs and kennels worldwide. Lavishly illustrated in full color throughout.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 1 edition (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876050356
• ISBN-13: 978-0876050354
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,745,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Book on the Ultimate Dog, August 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ultimate German Shepherd Dog (Hardcover)

This is a great book with over 200 color pictures. Each chapter is written by a different expert on each subject. The book covers many different subjects, including the breed's origins, all about the GSD puppy, diet and nutrition, training, health care, show dogs, police dogs, schutzhund, and so much more. I would recommend this book to anybody who is about to buy a German Shepherd.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent Book, October 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ultimate German Shepherd Dog (Hardcover)

I think this is a good book, but I think people need to be aware of what type of book it is. I think this book is excellent for pictures and basic dog knowledge. There is some information about all aspects of this breed, which I think is good. I don't think though that it is ideal book for people wanting to understand GSD psychology, as well as Schutzhund work. It does cover these areas to some degree as I mentioned, but not near enough.

I would recommend this book to people that like GSDs, and perhaps are interested in showing them. It has superb photographs and is nice to own for those purposes. I personally think though that showing dogs is primarily what cripple the breed characteristics and temperament that predominantly are used for any form of working task. If one wants to show their dog, then they should at least qualify in certain events that protect the breed's instinct and it's designed abilities. Many people feel that this is very unnecessary, especially when it comes to training them to protect. My opinion to people who want a pet is to get just that. I don't feel GSDs or any other working canines should be bred for any other reason than their intended purpose whether that is conformation work or hunting wild game.

I also wish that books designed for specific breeds would discuss things about their behavior rather than basic dog maintenance and other common knowledge topics that are discussed in books on dogs in general.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Interesting, August 31, 2001

By 

Michael Conway (Canadian Arctic) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ultimate German Shepherd Dog (Hardcover)

Brit Sheila Rankin compiled this fascinating coffee table book which includes a wealth of information on the German Shepherd dog. The photographs are excellent and numerous. She includes information from a wealth of different resources and touches on everything from the History of the GSD to how to house train a new puppy.

I would suggest that this volume is a wonderful resource for those wanting an overall picture of what a German Shepherd is and should be, however, it is Not a training tool.

The chapters to do with training a GSD are abbreviated and simplistic in nature. The Ultimate German Shepherd Dog is however, a great resource for those contemplating owning a GSD or a a companion book for a more substantial training manual.