The Ultimate Labrador Retriever, Second Edition [Hardcover]

Heather Wiles-Fone (Editor), H. Wiles-Fone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003 | Series: Howell Dog Book of Distinction

• Origins and History
• Puppy Care
• Training
• Feeding and Nutrition
• Breed Standards
• The Complete Gundog
• Breeding
• Showing
• The Labrador Retriever Worldwide
• And Much More

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The Labrador Retriever is, in many ways, the dog with the ideal temperament. A special blend of intelligence, honesty, and kindness has made it unrivaled as the most popular dog in the world. Bred originally as a fisherman's dog, the gentry were swift to see the potential in this sturdy retriever, and the Labrador was adopted as a versatile gundog, retrieving game over land and in water. Today, the Labrador is still highly prized as a working gundog, but its intelligence and good nature have been put to many more uses.

The Labrador is used worldwide as a guide dog for the blind, its excellent nose has made it a first class arms and drug detection dog, and its gentle nature has made it an ideal therepy dog. Quick to learn and eager to please, the Labrador has also made its mark in the competitive sports of Field Trails, Working Trails, Agility, and Obedience. The breed's handsome looks ensure its success in the show ring, but perhaps most important, the Labrador excels as the perfect companion dog.

In The Ultimate Labrador Retriever, 2nd Edition, editor Heather Wile-Fone has recruited a star-studded cast of specialists to write the definitive book on the breed. Experts from all over the world have pooled resources to give the most comprehensive coverage of the Labrador today.

Starting with in-depth research into the origins and development of the breed, the experts go on to analyze the Breed Standard in detail. An acclaimed feature of  The Ultimate Labrador Retriever is "The Judge's View," in which an American, British, and German judge make a pictorial critique of six different Labradors.

The critical importance of training and socialization is emphasized throughout the book, as well as detailed information on feeding, genetics, health care, and inherited conditions. There is also a special feature on breeding and rearing Labrador Retrievers.

The Ultimate Labrador Retriever, 2nd Edition, lavishly illustrated with more than 200 color photographs, is a "must-have" reference for the true Labrador enthusiast.

About the Author

Heather-Wiles Fone bought her first Labradors in 1967 and the Heatherbourne kennel was founded. Since then she has produced more than 20 champions around the world, including Sh. Ch. Heatherbourne Fisherman, winner of the Best of Breed at Crufts. Heather has judged labradors at the World Show and in many countries, including the United States.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 324 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 2 edition (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764526391
• ISBN-13: 978-0764526398
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,176,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Compendium Of Information On Labrador Retrievers!, March 6, 2004

By 

Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ultimate Labrador Retriever, Second Edition (Hardcover)

Starting with the quite believable notion that the Labrador Retriever is perhaps the single most agreeable and people-oriented creature this side of Paradise, the author shows the reader how and why to care for God's most perfect earthly creature, the Labrador Retriever! By showing us the degree to which the breed represents a witch's brew of intelligence, honesty and loyalty to its human companions, the author illustrates why the Labrador has become the single most popular breed of dog in the world today. Labradors are sturdy creatures indeed, bred for sporting use along the quicksilver shores of Newfoundland, where the water temperatures and sea conditions require a healthy dollop of strength and endurance, and those are qualities these dogs have in spades.

For any of us that have seen them at work or play in the fields and in the water, their unique combination of physical attributes and obvious intelligence makes them the ideal human companion. I should know; I live with four of them! The proof of their adaptability to almost any condition and their loyalty, intelligence, and unparalleled work ethic is demonstrated by the wide use of them as guide dogs and as adjunct partners for the physically handicapped. Stories of Labradors crawling out onto the ice to save their masters are legendary, as are the tales of them rescuing children from fires or from underneath rubble. Never has there been a dog superior to them.

The author has recruited a wide variety of experts to testify as to the qualities and abilities of the dog, and one walks away from a reading of the book much better informed as to the all of the many qualities and capabilities of the breed, which seems to represent an astonishing list of useful and worthwhile attributes. We also get quite critical information as to what to look for when choosing a lab, and how to analyze the quality of the puppy you see before you. The author offers a compendium of information regarding genetics, feeding, health care, and inherited dispositions, as well as some sage advice as to how to ensure your puppy becomes the grown up Labrador companion you will come to view as another family member. This is a great book, and one I heartily recommend! Enjoy!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Has it's good points and bad points, December 7, 2003

By 

Sannah Zay "suncat23" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Ultimate Labrador Retriever, Second Edition (Hardcover)

I don't find this book to be anything special. Although certain things about this book are fantastic, other aspects are annoying or inadequate. Let me start with what is good about the book.

Good points:
Excellent photography, beautiful pictures of dogs.
Outstanding descriptions of the breed standard, presented in a very educational and helpful way.
A good amount of information on competition, breeding and current breeders.

Bad points:
Too much information which is not useful to the typical pet owner, and not enough information that is useful... information is quite sparse on puppy training, socialization, etc.
Annoyingly obvious British colloquial language style, and not particularly well written or readable by any standard.
Lame attempts at scientific presentations of nutrition and anatomy, when this person is obviously not a scientist.
Scattery accounts of the breed history, filled with quotes without much useful elaboration.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars if you care about Labrador Retrievers, get this book, December 27, 2005

By 

Susan Gilbert "Susan" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Ultimate Labrador Retriever, Second Edition (Hardcover)

I have an English Labrador. (She's the love of my life.) This book is different than a lot of the stuff I've read because it doesn't focus on the Labrador of the AKC, or the Labrador Retriever Club of America to the exclusion of all the other valuable opinions on Labs that exist in the world. Labradors have been around a lot longer than the AKC and they aren't necessarily being well defined by them now. The book does a great job comparing and contrasting the difference between English Labs and American Labs. It also very clearly illustrates an ideal Lab versus labs that have faults (with pictures instead of long, confusing paragraphs.) And, it has lots of lovely photographs of beautiful Labs at work and play. If you care about Labradors, as a breed, then this is a must read.