Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Labrador Retriever, Second Edition

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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!

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.

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.

When I ordered The Ultimate Labrador Retriever form a second hand book store, via Amazon, I was told told to expect a delivery deadline of approximately 4 weeks as it was coming from a third party by surface mail. Also that there might be a certain amount of damage to the slip cover etc, due to it being a second hand book. What a pleasant surprise to have it turn up in half the time and in excellent condition!

The breeder I got my new puppy from recommended this book and I am very pleased with it. A lot of information about the breed, nice pictures, very easy to read, a good start to be somewhat prepared for the puppy.

I have raised Labradors for many years. This book is very up to date and informative in all area's of the breed. I would highly recommend to those new to the breed and those who want to expand there knowledge.