The Bichon Frise Today

Rating:
Summary: Mrs Ferelith Somerfield wrote in the DOG WORLD
Review: Jackie Ransom is always a pleasure to read. She writes in a straightforward way, easy to follow and without any of those flowery phrases so beloved by some writers but which so often are meaningless. And this is certainly true of her latest book THE BICHON FRISE TODAY. Her chapter on the history of the breed will interest all lovers of the Barbichon group of breeds-the Maltese, Bolognese, Havenese, Coton du Tulear and Lowchen, as well as the Bichon. Another highlight of the book for me was the comparison of the British, American and FCI Standards, which is well laid out and helped by some very good drawings. In this chapter is also given the breed's first standard in French, which was published in 1935 as part of an article in a magazine called L`Eleveur and headed "Bichons, Maltais, Havanais et Cie". I found this fascinating. Explicit pictures also add greatly to the chapter on grooming and show presentation. Today the badly presented Bichon does not stand much success in the show ring so this should be invaluable to the beginner and also help those who are just missing that little expertise to get to the top. There is in addition a very full explanation of the various show systems and I particularly note that show training, obedience, agility and juniors are not forgotten. In this section I love the pictures of Am. Ch./OT Ch. Sea Star's Sandpiper UDX. NA in action. Apparently in his spare time he was also a licensed and working therapy dog, one of a very few allowed to work with paralysed and comatose patients. S there are a lot of roles for our Bichon to play, apart from the devoted pet and fun dog. Mrs Ransom covers all aspects of owning Bichons, including the thoughts that must go into breeding. She takes us carefully through the whelping and rearing of puppies, while there is also an important chapter on health care and hereditary diseases by vet Trevor Turner. Barbara Stubbs has contributed an interesting chapter on the Bichon in the US and then Mrs Ransom covers the show scene in Britain and other countries. There is also a valuable glossary of terms and list of abbreviations and a bibliography. The book is profusely illustrated with pictures of top winning and producing Bichons world-wide and in all is a publication which no Bichon lover anywhere will want to miss. Mrs Ransom, who introduced the breed to the British show ring and was the founder, first president and secretary of the Bichon Frisé Club of Great Britain, has done a great deal for her breed, and this book will I am sure be a prime focal point of her work.

Rating:
Summary: Mrs Ferelith Somerfield wrote in the DOG WORLD
Review: Mrs Jackie Ransom's latest book `The Bichon Frisé Today' maintains her excellent standard of presentation which is to be found in all her previous titles. The current book is undoubtedly an essential for those who are new to the breed. It not only gives a short history of the origins of the breed it also gives advice on the choosing, rearing and training the first puppy and then talks the new owner through the facets of bathing, grooming, and eventually, showing their new acquisition. This is a must for all new comers; it also has a lot to interest those already in the breed. A well produced volume with a profusion of lovely photographs of past and present champions, which should be on all Bichon owners' bookshelves.

Rating:
Summary: The Bichon Frise Today
Review: This book by Jackie Ransom was my favorite choice when looking for a book on Bichons. I first borrowed it, along with other books, from a local library. I liked it because it was the newest book that I found, and it also had many great pictures, including a section that shows how to bathe, comb out, and properly trim a Bichon. I also learned alot about breeding, and the birth process. The only thing in the book that I don't think that I agree with is on page 96. It starts out "Dogs do not understand words", and refers to using different tones of voice for praise and reprimanding. Overall though, the section on training was good, and also the chapter on health care and possible diseases was enlightening. Of all of the books I have seen, this one is my favorite by far. The biggest reason I purchased the book was the colored picture section on how to bathe, comb, and trim, with step-by-step instructions. It's a winner!!!!