Griffon Gun Dog Supreme: The History and the Story of How to Improve a Breed

Rating:
Summary: One-of-a-kind 'inside' story of a breed
Review: I've seen breed books before. Boring club lists. Here is a change of pace. This is riveting reading for anyone. A rare look inside a breed. (The only look? Any other insider books like this?) If you wonder why a dog book needs to have a lawyer look it over, you'll know why after reading this. Candid reports on the serious troubles a dog breed club faced with its dog going downhill fast. Starts with how the dog was created; its highpoints; its intro to the US; then outlines how the trouble started. A great distillation of the purpose and spirit behind those who work for dogs and why. A great primer! Health, stability and function: these basics were all in trouble. But the club found a way out. A desparate measure. ---The one fault with the book is its one-sided nature. But it is quite clear that it is a personal story. My own subsequent investigation showed that the situation and rescue method was perhaps arguable. But that's second-guessing. This book puts you on the frontline of an emergency. You get the feel that if someone else wanted to stake their career and reputation on the quality of a breed, they could have. But you won't find many who will make such a stand. The characters in this book do. Many people quit the club. But it looks like the dogs are far better off. Quite a tale! As good as any potboiler!

Rating:
Summary: One-of-a-kind 'inside' story of a breed
Review: I've seen breed books before. Boring club lists. Here is a change of pace. This is riveting reading for anyone. A rare look inside a breed. (The only look? Any other insider books like this?) If you wonder why a dog book needs to have a lawyer look it over, you'll know why after reading this. Candid reports on the serious troubles a dog breed club faced with its dog going downhill fast. Starts with how the dog was created; its highpoints; its intro to the US; then outlines how the trouble started. A great distillation of the purpose and spirit behind those who work for dogs and why. A great primer! Health, stability and function: these basics were all in trouble. But the club found a way out. A desparate measure. ---The one fault with the book is its one-sided nature. But it is quite clear that it is a personal story. My own subsequent investigation showed that the situation and rescue method was perhaps arguable. But that's second-guessing. This book puts you on the frontline of an emergency. You get the feel that if someone else wanted to stake their career and reputation on the quality of a breed, they could have. But you won't find many who will make such a stand. The characters in this book do. Many people quit the club. But it looks like the dogs are far better off. Quite a tale! As good as any potboiler!

Rating:
Summary: More than history, this book is about the future.
Review: This book is more than an excellent, well researched, history of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. It is about the future of all breeds. That future is in the hands of people. Some individuals use a breed for their own ends. Others cooperate together for a common goal. This book is about people cooperating together to develop the Griffon Gundog Supreme. The history of the Griffon and the methods used by the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Club of America to improve and preserve this breed can apply to any breed.

Rating:
Summary: More than history, this book is about the future.
Review: This book is more than an excellent, well researched, history of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. It is about the future of all breeds. That future is in the hands of people. Some individuals use a breed for their own ends. Others cooperate together for a common goal. This book is about people cooperating together to develop the Griffon Gundog Supreme. The history of the Griffon and the methods used by the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Club of America to improve and preserve this breed can apply to any breed.