Brittanys: Everything About Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Behavior, and Training (Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals)

Rating:
Summary: Generic Information - A bit of a Letdown
Review: If you are looking for generic information that would pertain to any breed, this book serves the purpose. There is basic information presented pertaining to the Brittany but I found little substance. If you are familiar with breed books from Barrons you understand what I mean. The Brittany is a unique, fiesty little dog and I was looking for a book that would delve into the temperment, development and point me in the right direction as far as training needs for my special companion. The information provided in this book does not concentrate on the Brittany and except for the pictures and brief chapters touching on the breed as a dual purpose companion/upland game hunter you can basically find the exact information on any breed in a Barrons book. I have trained Collies and Golden Retrievers and being a first time Brittany owner was hoping for a lot more information. You can go to the akc.org page and get the breed standard information for free. The book touches on hunting and retrieving but again, more in depth information can be found on most of the reputable breeder sites online. If you are looking to really get inside the breed, save your money, this book is nothing more than basic health care information that would pertain to any dog. A "complete owner's manual" it is not. I don't need to buy a book to tell me that my dog needs fresh water every day. The brief section on training says nothing about the "soft" temperment of this dog and the need for gentle positive reward methods and the risk of raising a timid fearful dog with problems that may be hard for the inexperienced owner to correct. If you are looking for a book with basic care instructions such as nail clipping, grooming, basic daily care and information on various potential health problems such as parasitic infection, explanations of the common diseases that we vaccinate our pups to be protected from, you will find the information in this book.
Bottom line- if you are new to dog ownership you may find the information useful and valuable. If you are an experienced dog owner, pass on this one.

Rating:
Summary: OK, with some errors
Review: This book is OK, but contains a few errors. The first review is also wrong, tri-color is not common or acceptable in American Brittanys. That is a feature of a French Brittany, and the bloodlines are distinct. One thing the book fails to underscore sufficiently is how "hyper" a brittany is: if you have never been around a pointing dog, please take some time to do so before getting a brittany so it doesn't wind up being orphaned. They are sweet, biddable dogs, but need to run alot every day. This is particularly true of a well-bred britt, since it will come from lines that maintain field traits. Good luck.

Rating:
Summary: Cute Pictures, Informative
Review: When I put a down payment on a Brittany pup, I purchased this book in order to gain knowledge about the breed. My Brittany is now 3 years old and I continue to look at this book as a reference.

Rating:
Summary: Cute Pictures, Informative
Review: When I put a down payment on a Brittany pup, I purchased this book in order to gain knowledge about the breed. My Brittany is now 3 years old and I continue to look at this book as a reference.