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Rating: 
Summary: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Review: As an owner of my 4th German Shepherd, I can tell you that they are not like other dogs. This book will explain that to you.
The book is very up-to-date and thorough. It covers all the usual topics andis very easy to understand. Admittedly, sometimes the writing comes accross as if the author(s) are writing to a 6 year old, but the info is sound & the format is good.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid Book; lacking health informaiton though
Review: I dunno what the other guy is talking about; 'not breed specific'. This book explains why to get a dog of European bloodlines vs American and how to read the mysterious SV papers from the USA (United Schutzhund Assoc). The section on picking a pup is helpful though again not very indepth but better than nothing; there should have been more about the differences of puppies anod how your puppy greets you initially and how to interpret the puppy appitude test. Also I think a breakdown of the colour in GSDs would be helpful.The health section was actually what I thought was the weakest part of the book: no mention of the dreaded epilepsy, other than in the first aid section, and having lost a GSD to idiopathic epilepsy I am sensitive to that issue (she does give a one liner to it showing up in certain lines). Also did not really mention the diet to CHD relationship either, putting ALOT of weight on genetics and that is a polygenetic disease where overfeeding and type of food matters. A great history of von Stephanitz and his goals of the breed in an easy freindly style. This is helpful to see why the Europeans breed one way and the Americans another. Overall a good intro but don't let this be your only puppy book even if it's your own GSD book. I'd recommend The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey for overall puppy training as a supplement.
Rating:
Summary: Solid Book; lacking health informaiton though
Review: I dunno what the other guy is talking about; 'not breed specific'. This book explains why to get a dog of European bloodlines vs American and how to read the mysterious SV papers from the USA (United Schutzhund Assoc). The section on picking a pup is helpful though again not very indepth but better than nothing; there should have been more about the differences of puppies anod how your puppy greets you initially and how to interpret the puppy appitude test. Also I think a breakdown of the colour in GSDs would be helpful. The health section was actually what I thought was the weakest part of the book: no mention of the dreaded epilepsy, other than in the first aid section, and having lost a GSD to idiopathic epilepsy I am sensitive to that issue (she does give a one liner to it showing up in certain lines). Also did not really mention the diet to CHD relationship either, putting ALOT of weight on genetics and that is a polygenetic disease where overfeeding and type of food matters. A great history of von Stephanitz and his goals of the breed in an easy freindly style. This is helpful to see why the Europeans breed one way and the Americans another. Overall a good intro but don't let this be your only puppy book even if it's your own GSD book. I'd recommend The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey for overall puppy training as a supplement.
Rating:
Summary: At Last!
Review: Unless you consider yourself an expert (and really are one), and you're going to get only one book - or your first book - on GSDs, get this one. This is the best dog book I have ever read, and I've read plenty. I don't mind considering myself an idiot.
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