Underdogs: Beauty Is More Than Fur Deep (Hardcover)

by Jim Dratfield (Author) "Thank you to Nicole Duffy for her ability to focus with single-mindedness, whether tracking down that elusive detail or wrangling a wily underdog..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The charming Chihuahua and the pugnacious pug. The graceful greyhound, the shaggy sheepdog, and the brazen bulldog. The miraculously mesmerizing mutt. These are not the dogs that are typically celebrated in dog books—those focus on the most popular purebreds: Labrador retrievers, Jack Russells, German shepherds Dalmatians. But where are the other breeds? And where are the non-breeds that make up more than half of the U.S. dog population, the mutts? Where is their book?

If Americans love anything, it’s the underdog—every kind of underdog, whether it’s a dog or not. We recognize that beauty is more than skin deep—or fur deep. We appreciate dogs of indeterminate lineage, with mottled fur, too-large ears, or strange little bodies; we love dogs who look like impish little children or grumpy old men. Underdogs is their book—a celebration of funny faces and singular shapes, of uncommon breeds and unrecognized mixed-breeds. Underdogs is a charming, touching, and occasionally hilarious look at what we really love about dogs—the true companionship that comes from great character.

From the Inside Flap
The charming Chihuahua and the pugnacious pug. The graceful greyhound, the shaggy sheepdog, and the brazen bulldog. The miraculously mesmerizing mutt. These are not the dogs that are typically celebrated in dog books?those focus on the most popular purebreds: Labrador retrievers, Jack Russells, German shepherds Dalmatians. But where are the other breeds? And where are the non-breeds that make up more than half of the U.S. dog population, the mutts? Where is their book?

If Americans love anything, it?s the underdog?every kind of underdog, whether it?s a dog or not. We recognize that beauty is more than skin deep?or fur deep. We appreciate dogs of indeterminate lineage, with mottled fur, too-large ears, or strange little bodies; we love dogs who look like impish little children or grumpy old men. Underdogs is their book?a celebration of funny faces and singular shapes, of uncommon breeds and unrecognized mixed-breeds. Underdogs is a charming, touching, and occasionally hilarious look at what we really love about dogs?the true companionship that comes from great character.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Clarkson Potter; 1 edition (February 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 060960872X
• ISBN-13: 978-0609608722
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 6.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #410,383 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Work of Art with a Sense of Humor, March 1, 2002

By	Lauren L Fetterman (San Rafael, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Jim Dratfield is at it again with a great collection of character capturing photographs. Fans of Pug Shots and the Quotable Canine & Quotable Feline should be sure to add Underdogs to their collections. The photographs are perfectly matched to witty quotes and my only complaint is that it ended too soon. I gaurantee that this book will be found on the shelf of every dog lover (especially those of us who prefer the less popular breeds and the mutts of the world). Good work Jim!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT COFFEE TABLE BOOK, August 14, 2002

By	Pamela Hans "pambaknj" (Glen Rock, NJ) - See all my reviews

I found this book in a little store in a vacation spot. I thought is was the cutest, most unusal selection of dogs and sayings I've ever seen. It's the kind of book that just lifts your spirits and makes you feel good all over. A wonderful gift for any dog lover in your life. Wonderful photos and inspirational dialogue. You just want to keep picking it up and perusing the contents. Fun book!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep a copy to make you smile; give one to someone you love, May 6, 2002

By	David Rain "random reader" (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This delightful tome features some of the (forgive me) homeliest, funniest, sweetest-looking dogs I've seen in one place. Beautifully photographed dog portraits are paired with quotes by the famous and infamous that become witty in this context if they weren't already. This book is a great tool for meditation: every time I pick it up, I find myself contemplating a photo and a quote with a smile on my face. The cover alone is worth the price of the book, just for the happy-love endorphins it releases in me every time I look at it. (The thumbnail reproduction here on the website doesn't do it justice.)