The Irish Wolfhound: Symbol of Celtic Splendor

Rating:
Summary: Book for all dog fanciers, breeders and non breeders
Review: Bought this book yesterday and it's worth every penny that was spend. Since I dont own a Wolfhound and wanted to know more about them before I got one, this is the perfect book. It has everything you need to know. Not just all the boring Kennel, champion part were most other books go into great detail for those who are interested in showing and breeding. Since I'm not,other things are more important like the character,the history,the feeding of puppy's and adults and all the other things that dog owners find important for everyday life. Thank you very much for writing such a great and informitive book with so many great pictures.

Rating:
Summary: As grand and beautiful as the dog itself
Review: I paid an enormous amount of money for this book. Every breeder I spoke with acknowledged it as the premier source of information extant for Irish Wolfhounds. (One breeder said they'd never heard of it, and that raised my eye considerably.)

It was worth every last penny, but for the life of me I don't understand why it's not still in print. There isn't a single book on Irish Wolfhounds that stands up to this, and when you compare this book with others, it's similar to comparing an Irish Wolfhound to a gerbil. No comparison.

The pictures are worth a million words. It's often difficult to get an idea of how immense this beautiful and gentle dog truly is, but there are eye turning pictures in this book that make you wonder if it's a dog or a bear. Aside from its enormity, it's also a stunningly beautiful dog (although many consider it wiry and ugly - their loss), and again, the photographs and drawings capture the true essence of this most magnificent dog perfectly. If all you want is a picture book, this is the book for you. However, I wouldn't advise spending $300 on a picture book if that's all you want. Look on the web, there are great photographs of this leonine canine everywhere.

The author covers so many topics, and she does so with a sure, knowledgeable hand. She begins with what it's like to live with Wolfhounds, and that is an important chapter for anyone considering taking this dog into their home. It's not like buying a German Shepherd, or a Labrador, or even a Mastiff. This dog requires *space*, not to mention room to run. Lots of it.

There is an excellent chapter, that was my personal favorite, on the history of the Irish Wolfhound. You'll find many writings on the internet that say this or that about the Wolfhounds ancestry, but this is the authority.

From there forward the book moves from choosing a Wolfhound (companion or show dog?; what color?; first contact with the puppy) to rearing; adult care; feeding; basic training; breed standards; how the different colors are produced; showing the wolfhound; coursing; breeding; whelping a litter; caring for the litter; health care; and finally discussions on Irish Wolfhounds in the UK, Ireland, North America, and worldwide.

If you have a question about an Irish Wolfhound after reading this book, then rethink your question - you're probably asking the wrong question. It's all here, and it's as magnificent as the dog itself.


Rating:
Summary: Worth Every Penny
Review: In my opinion, this is the best book ever produced on the Irish Wolfhound. In depth information which is easily understood by the novice as well as totally absorbing for the more experienced owner. Mary McBryde has done the Irish Wolfhound proud. A must for anyone with interest in this very special breed.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent research on the most noblest of hounds
Review: In my opinion, this is the best book ever produced on the Irish Wolfhound. In depth information which is easily understood by the novice as well as totally absorbing for the more experienced owner. Mary McBryde has done the Irish Wolfhound proud. A must for anyone with interest in this very special breed.

Rating:
Summary: Worth Every Penny
Review: This was a great investment. I took another's advice and spent the extra money to buy this book versus a smaller, cheaper Wolfhound book. I am so glad that I did. It has a great in depth history of the breed including the efforts of those who worked so hard to keep the Wolfhounds from becoming extinct. It covers puppyhood, breeding, health care, training feeding. It has it all. I went ahead and bought it new to avoid the waiting list. Definitely worth the money!!!