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Rating: 
Summary: The Past as Prologue
Review: Anne Hier has accomplished the near-impossible. She has brought together in a single volume images and writings from the early days of dog shows and woven them together into a seamless whole that provides the reader with a new appreciation for the sport of dogs. The vivid descriptions of some of the people who were pivotal in helping shape the modern dog show bring to life those times past. The text interlaces excerpts of writings and pictures from old dog publications with Anne's commentaries. Changes that have occurred in dog shows since Victorian times are examined with the same critical eye that the author brings to judging dogs. Of particular interest are the "Questions for Consideration" that are posed for each topic. These are, as their name implies, questions that the serious dog person should think about, discuss, and consider from all perspectives. Indeed, they would make for lively discussion at meetings of dog clubs, or excellent topics for ongoing discussion (and probably even a little disputation) in dog club publications. This book should be a fundamental resource for every serious dog person, and will also be a very informative and entertaining read even for 'pet' fanciers who never show their dogs. The sport of dogs owes the author a debt of gratitude for her meticulous research and her work in bringing such a wealth of material together in a single volume.
Rating:
Summary: The Past as Prologue
Review: Anne Hier has accomplished the near-impossible. She has brought together in a single volume images and writings from the early days of dog shows and woven them together into a seamless whole that provides the reader with a new appreciation for the sport of dogs. The vivid descriptions of some of the people who were pivotal in helping shape the modern dog show bring to life those times past. The text interlaces excerpts of writings and pictures from old dog publications with Anne's commentaries. Changes that have occurred in dog shows since Victorian times are examined with the same critical eye that the author brings to judging dogs. Of particular interest are the "Questions for Consideration" that are posed for each topic. These are, as their name implies, questions that the serious dog person should think about, discuss, and consider from all perspectives. Indeed, they would make for lively discussion at meetings of dog clubs, or excellent topics for ongoing discussion (and probably even a little disputation) in dog club publications. This book should be a fundamental resource for every serious dog person, and will also be a very informative and entertaining read even for 'pet' fanciers who never show their dogs. The sport of dogs owes the author a debt of gratitude for her meticulous research and her work in bringing such a wealth of material together in a single volume.
Rating:
Summary: All you ever wanted to know...
Review: Anne Hier's book, Dog Shows Then and Now, is a brilliant compilation of articles about dog shows, the American Kennel Club,including illustrations and photographs, starting in the 19th century and moving forward to the present. It is done with knowledge, understanding and humor within a very artistic concept. Considering all of the articles which have been written lately, and all of the TV coverage of the pure bred dog scene, it is amazing to find many of the situations described today have been prevalent for well over a hundred years. Even gender prejudice reared it's head the gentleman's sport. If anyone in or outside of the fancy thinks that the problems we face today are exclusive to our times, they have only to look through this beautiful book of articles written so long ago to realize that very little has changed in more than one hundred years. Many of the articles could have been written last week and would still be timely. The illustrations and photographs have remarkable definition and are faithfully reproduced. For me they make the book museum quality. Clearly, Anne Hier has an encyclopedic familiarity with her subject and has put it to wonderful use in this book. Dog Shows Then and Now is a great addition to any serious fanciers library.
Rating:
Summary: Intense read for the dog show enthusiast
Review: This is an absolutely fascinating read for the hardcore fancier - I couldn't really recommend it for someone only slightly interested in the history of exhibiting dogs. The author's questions for you during the read are intended to make you think; this is not a quick read, but I treated it as a textbook, and enjoyed it as such.
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