Mutts: America's Dogs (Hardcover)

~ Brian Kilcommons (Author), Michael Capuzzo (Author) "Congratulations! And the warmest welcome we know of (wag-wag) to the first book ever about, presumably, YOUR DOG..." (more)
Key Phrases: hound mix, retriever mix, terrier mix, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In this encyclopedic approach to the all-American dog-the mixed breed-behaviorist Kilcommons (Good Owners, Great Dogs, Warner, 1992) and coauthor Capuzzo have considered mutts from all angles and come up with over 100 combinations. They start out by providing an introduction to mixes and pointedly denounce purebreds, contending that purebreds are riddled with problems from overbreeding and lack of hybrid vigor. In Part 2, the meat and potatoes of the book, the authors use the American Kennel Club classification as an organizational focus to group their mutts by type: sporting (including retriever, setter, spaniel, and pointer mixes), hound, working, terrier, herding, and nonsporting. Offering insight into the behavioral characteristics of the purebred that make up the mutt in question, Kilcommons and Capuzzo tell readers what to expect from various combinations of breeds. Part 3 focuses on selection and training, giving commonsense advice that would benefit all dog owners. Peppered with humor, illustrative stories, and captivating photos, this guide should be read by all potential owners before they purchase that "doggy in the window." Essential for public libraries.
Edell Marie Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., Wis.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

A reference guide to mutts provides detailed information on more than one hundred mixed-breed types of canines, shares stories from dog owners, and recommends the best mutts for children, families, and singles. Tour.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446519499
• ISBN-13: 978-0446519496
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #666,221 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mutt pride, but in a nasty way, April 2, 2003

By A Customer

This was an enjoyable book, but not completely a positive experience. I currently have three dogs (two mutts, one purebred), and have fostered many - all different kinds, both mixed and pure. I've loved all of them dearly, but books like "Mutts" imply that one can only love one or the other - purebred or mutt. They're all dogs, all individuals. I don't own a breed, I own my Beau, a collie - a breed that gets a lot of negative attention in this book.

Some of the passages about purebred dogs were downright offensive. A Golden/collie mix is described as "Valley girl meets Forrest Gump" in a section discussing temperaments of mixed breed dogs. There was much space wasted dissing purebreds in like fashion. I guess it's supposed to be humorous, but I found it nasty-tempered and alienating.

Yes, there are German Shepherds that are skittish and shelties that are hyperactive yappers, but this book makes it sound like every purebred dog is a degenerate freak and only mutts are "real" dogs. While I understand the need for a book that promotes mutts as the great pets they are, I wish it didn't have to be at the expense of purebred dogs and those who choose to own them.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Good Authors, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This is a terrific book for those considering adopting a shelter dog. It gives you some guidelines about the different temperaments and characteristics of the purebreed components and combinations you might encounter. There are great stories and good training tips, too. Kilcommons has written several good training books that have a common sense, compassionate and humorous approach to making living happily with any dog easier to achieve.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a book my dog would approve of!, July 3, 1998

By A Customer

This book solidified my desire to bypass dogs with fancy "brand names" and go to my local shelter to pick up a mutt. The statement that eight million mutts are killed each year because no one wants them made me determined to save a dog from being killed. I am now the proud owner of a lovely mutt-of-all-mutts. Both her parents are suspected to be mutts, and she's a mix of so many breeds we can't even figure out what might be in her heritage.

I loved this book because it didn't just tell you to get a mutt, it told you why mutts are the logical choice. It pointed out reasons such as better health, goodwill, and it provided countless examples of hero mutts. This book would make any mutt owner proud of owning one and many purebred owners envious. My favorite story in the book was about "Susan and Joe," the tale of a Great Dane-German Shepherd who helps a multiple sclerosis inflicted woman lead a normal life. Very heartwarming!

Toward the end of the book there are some chapters that tell you how to select a dog and how to stop some common behavior problems. The advice offered there does not go into great detail, though. You'll certainly need some other books to help you raise a mutt, but this book offers a good start.

Finally, the book contained great pictures and was set up in a way that was easy to read and definitely not boring. The print was fairly large, and the book was separated into many sections so you could easily find your way through it. The book was also humorous at times, making for a very enjoyable read.