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Summary: One of my favorite books about dogs
Review: I like the point made that non-pure bred dogs are wonderful and worth saving. However some of the "catalogue" of mixes was ridiculous. Example: comments on "chow-sharpei" mix and "chow" mixes was obviously due to the fact that the author does not like either breed. I have a chow/samoyed mix who is absolutely wonderful - got the best of both breeds. It would have been more fair to catalogue as well the good points of the breed and perhaps explain more as to why certain breeds can have negative points (poor breeding, socialization & training for example).
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Summary: One of my favorite books about dogs
Review: I've read this book cover to cover more than once, and laughed out loud each time. The authors' love of dogs shines through every page, and the humor is razor sharp and based on experience. For anyone researching dogs as a first step toward bringing home a canine companion -- purebred or mixed -- this book is a great resource (and great entertainment too).
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Summary: Read this before you buy a purebred !
Review: If you are considering buying a purebred dog of any breed, I highly recommend that you thoroughly read this book before doing so. The authors are not anti-purebred but instead protote the idea that mixed breed dogs have so much to offer in terms of health, temperment and companionship There is an excellent discussion of the likely outcome of pairing between different breeds in order to enable you to select a mixed breed suitable to your lifestyle. The writing style is entertaining and informative. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in adopting any dog
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Summary: A great book on the great American mutt.
Review: Mutts (not "politically correct" but so endearing) make up the largest portion of the American dog population but not much of dog books. So much of the dog fancy looks down their noses at these mixed and random breeds. However, anyone who truly loves ANY dogs will love this book. Those who love mutts will especially so. I have purebred dogs but also have a mutt, Eddie, who is featured in the book (pp.129-130) with celebrity dogs such as Benji and Maui (Murray on TV). I'd like the book even if Eddie was not in it. The stories of the bonds between people and their mutts (funny, sad, heartwarming), the analysis of breed characteristics in the mixes, and the useful suggestions on training and caring for these wonderful companions make this a book that belongs in every dog lover's library. It is a masterpiece. [Sadly, Eddie passed away on 28 May 1999 from unknown causes. A thorough necropsy was unable to determine cause of death. It's an open wound on the heart that will not heal. He is missed terribly.]
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Summary: Mutt pride, but in a nasty way
Review: 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.
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