The Working Retrievers: The Classic Book for the Training, Care, and Handling of Retrievers for Hunting and Field Trials [Hardcover]

Tom Quinn (Author), Stephen J. Bodio (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

In this complete book on retrievers and their training, we enter the world of Tom Quinn, one of America's most successful breeders and trainers of bird dogs. Quinn explains the methods he has used in developing a remarkable series of champion retrievers, including his first Labrador bitch, Nakai Anny, who won honors as Field Champion and Amateur Field Champion, and is a member of the Retriever Hall of Fame.

THE WORKING RETRIEVERS covers every aspect of training dogs for hunting and field trials, from the beginning to the most advanced levels. The book also surveys the various retriever breeds--Labradors, Goldens, Chesapeakes, and others--and their histories. Quinn then takes us, step by step, through the training process.

Also included is information on feeding, care, and transportation; breeding; buying and selling; and other matters of vital importance. Accompanied with photographs, line drawings, and a gorgeous, 16-page, full-color insert with both photographs and some of the author's own fabulous paintings, THE WORKING RETRIEVERS is an expert, comprehensive guide to be cherished by all who love retrievers. It belongs on every outdoorsman's bookshelf.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In this complete and updated book of retrievers and their training, we enter the world of Tom Quinn, one of America's most successful breeders and trainers of these uniquely talented dogs. Quinn explains the methods he has used in developing a remarkable series of champion retrievers, including his very first trained Labrador bitch, Nakai Anny, who honors as Field Champion and Amateur Field Champion, and is a member of the Retriever Hall of Fame.The Working Retrievers covers every aspect of the training of dogs for hunting and field trials, from the beginning to the most advanced levels. In its earlier sections, the book surveys the various breeds of retrieving dogs - Labradors, Goldens, Chesapeakes, and others - and their history. Quinn then takes us, step by step, through the entire training process for the successive levels of trial competition and hunting.Quinn also includes information on proper feeding, care, and transportation; breeding; buying and selling; and many other matters of vital importance. Using photographs and line diagrams to illustrate the text, Quinn has written an expert, all-inclusive guide that is invaluable to the active retriever enthusiast.And finally, a gallery of sixteen pages in full color features Tom Quinn's paintings of retrievers and game birds, captured in rare sensitivity. In its entirety, The Working Retrievers - with its combination of detailed and authoritative guidance, and an exceptionally rich visual treatment - is a book to be cherished by all who love retrievers. (83/4 X 111/4, 292 pages, color photos, b&w photos, diagrams)

About the Author

TOM QUINN is one of America's most successful breeders and trainers of champion retrievers. He is also a talented and accomplished painter and illustrator, an active conservationist, an articulate lecturer on retriever training, and a top-rated field-trials judge. He lives in California.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558217673
• ISBN-13: 978-1558217676
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,344,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for field trial and hunting retriever owners., January 10, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Orlando, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Working Retrievers: 2 (Hardcover)

This book was recommended to me as a great book for overall information on retrievers. It not only covered growing up and loving your dog, but also topics from how to choose a good dog through derby training. It is an excellent reference guide for all owners with working retrievers. Another must-have for advanced training is "Training Retrievers to Handle" by D.L. and Ann Walters.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exellent book for labs., April 15, 2004

By 

Pablo Magallanes (Zapopan, Jalisco Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Working Retrievers: The Classic Book for the Training, Care, and Handling of Retrievers for Hunting and Field Trials (Paperback)

I got this book together with the 10 minute retriever. I must say that both are great books. I been training my lab for 3 months now and I am very suurprised how the training is comming. I have never trained a gun dog in my life and these two books have made it so easy that you would not belive it. You just have to read them, do as they say and the dog will do the rest.

Do not hesitate on these two books. If you are just going to buy one of these two go with The working retriever if you want to even go to trials with your dog. If you want an exellent never failing hunt dog, go with the 10 minute retriever.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "The Bible", February 28, 2001

By 

Seth A. Hodes (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Working Retrievers: The Classic Book for the Training, Care, and Handling of Retrievers for Hunting and Field Trials (Hardcover)

This book has long been reveared by retriever trainers - it is great to see it in circulation again. Many refer to this as "The Bible" (of training that is). There are a lot of junk books out there and for the beginner who doesn't know quite how or where to start, Quinn's book is an excellent place.