2 comments about The Bulldog: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.

1. I am definetly not a Bulldog fan. I HATE them! But I am making a dog website and I looked at all the books in our library and tried to find one with new breeds in it. I saw that this book contained the ancestor of the mastiff-bulldog breeds! That was cool! What I have to say about the actual book is that in the first part is that it talks about the dogs, and then talks about health and care and things like that, and then it goes onto plain dogs. I give this a four because of these opposing properties.



2. I read this cover to cover in one sitting. This text has some pertinent and practical bulldog facts and care tips, but the problem is that the majority of this book is not Bulldog-specific! A huge chunk is about the care and health of ANY dog. Very readable but disappointing in its lack of specificity.

5 comments about The Hamster Handbook (Barron's Pet Handbooks).

1. This is a great book full of useful information including hamster health facts, care and photos. A good addition to any animal library.



2. I care for 10 Roborovsky dwarf hamsters, the world's smallest and fastest hamsters. So naturally I look for information that will help me care for this specific species of hamster. Although much of the information in this book is good, there is some info in here that is just plain wrong. For instance, it lists the Roborovsky as a "large" hamster reaching 4 inches in length, when it is actually the world's smallest hamster, reaching a maximum of 4-5 CENTIMETERS (2 inches). So I have to rate this book as just OK, since it contains some erroneous information. I also rate it lower because the author makes few distinctions between large/standard and dwarf hamster care. But there are key differences that should be noted in any hamster care guide. For example, dwarf hamsters, especially Campbell's, are prone to contract diabetes. So any source of sugar, including fresh fruit, should be very limited or avoided entirely. But the book makes no mention of this, showing the same list of recommended foods for all types of hamsters. Therefore, I would not recommend this book as a good guide for dwarf hamster care (or use it only as a supplemental guide to something better written by a vet, like "Dwarf Hamsters" by Sharon Vanderlip DVM). Since I have no experience with standard hamsters, I would use other people's reviews as a guide for how well this book covers care of standard hamsters.



3. This is by far the best book if you are looking to buy a hamster. My parents made me read it before I could get a hamster and I learned soo much. Not to mention there are adorible pictures on every page! You will learn more about hamsters with this book than with an other book and the internet combined!



4. I had pet hamsters as a child, but now that I'm an adult, I've fallen in love with them all over again. "The Hamster Handbook" is an excellent all-around guide to the history, physiology, and care of hamsters. I appreciated the many anecdotes about the author's personal experience with hamsters that can be found throughout the book. I also enjoyed reading about the hamster's humble beginnings and how it made its way to becoming a popular pet. And the chapter on feeding hamsters has been incredibly helpful...I hadn't realized that there were so many different things hamsters eat (they are omnivores, like humans). If you think hamsters are just a disposable pet for kids, you are very wrong. Pick up "The Hamster Handbook" and learn about the amazing and wonderful little creature that is the hamster.



5. I was so lucky to come across this book! It's deceptively small and thin because in fact, it is chock full of information on every single subject pertaining to hamsters! It takes the basic tenets of any hamster care guide and expands on it tremendously. You get a FULL history of hamsters, a FULL guide to nutrition and health, exercise, hamster language, breeding . . . it even has information on showing your hamster and on hamster clubs and organizations. This book has absolutely everything you will need to know! You are mistaken if you think you can get through it in one sitting!

   A very attractive factor also, is that the author has had tons of experience with making lots of tools/habitats/toys/wheels/breeding shelves herself, and gives you all the information you need to make your own! She does not endorse any product or suggest you buy certain things the way other books do - she will tell you what your hamster needs, and more often than not, she will tell you how to make them! For example, you can make a hamster litterbox out of a juice box (instead of buying an expensive one like I did).

   MOST IMPORTANTLY - it is very evident that the author LOVES hamsters. She writes with affection, care and passion. It was as though the book was written out of love! She talks fondly and sweetly of her own hamsters (she owns and breeds over 70 with her husband) and really makes you feel "okay" for being hopelessly in love with your own hamster :).

   Oh, and, it's got the most adorable, beautiful hamster photographs you've ever seen.

   Buy this book, and you will never need another, or if you insist on buying more than one, this is a *must* for your collection!

3 comments about Understanding the German Shepherd Dog.

1. Great book!. I'm in the process of researching the German Shepherd breed, as I'd like to buy a GS puppy soon. For me, part of this process was purchasing a number (5) of GS breed specific books. Of those, "Understanding the German Shepherd Dog" by John Cree, was by far, the best. I had even bought titles touted to be "the best" German Shepherd reference, and none compared to Cree's book. Instead of the ramblings of a German Shepherd fan, Cree provides a very detailed synopsis of the breed, focusing heavily on "temperament", and "character". He also addresses the breed standard, but this is secondary in his work. If you are looking for a book that will provide you with an understanding of the German Shepherd's personality, instead of the usual superficial, and generic reference materials (or obsessed breeder, haughtiness), this book is for you. I was hooked after reading just the Preface.



2. This book was OK but didn't dazzle me with German Shepherd specific insights. I found my "Golden Retrievers for Dummies" to be much better organized. I grew tired of constantly reading the author's quaint stories of he and his German Shepherds frolicking through the green pastures of Europe. Get to the point, please!



3. This is not a "how to train" your dog book, but a book to help one understand (as it's title indicates) the nature of the GSD. Unlike many books about a specfic breed, this book includes information about problems and traits that can become problems, not just the good things about the breed. John Cree's use of personal examples makes his points memorable as well as making the book enjoyable reading. I wish I had had this book when I had my first GSD as it would have helped me better understand her. I would definitly recommend this book for someone considering buying a GSD. But more experienced GSD owners will enjoy and benifit from this book also.

2 comments about The Miniature Pinscher: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.

1. I bought this book for a family member who has a miniature pinscher. They have read it and told me that it's a very informative book and has helped them with training their dog and other things as well.



2. Just take a look at the cover. Aren't Miniature Pinschers (also known as Min Pins) adorable?
   
   I had a two-fold reason for reading this book. I'm writing a novel where some of the characters have dogs (a Min Pin, an Italian Greyhound, and a Keeshond). So I'm doing research on the breed for my book. Currently we don't have a dog of our own. That might change, so I'm reading these books also to aid on which dog would be best for us (though odds are we'll go to the shelter and find a wonderful dog).
   
   This is the best book I've read out of the dog books. Rose Radel is an interesting writer, and does a good job of keeping one's attention. In other words, I enjoyed reading the book just as a book.
   
   The information is also very helpful and useful. It warned me that Min Pins are barkers, and to try to train them would make them less useful as a guard dog, which they are good at. I also learned a good tip that one should not call a dog (I think this advice is for all dogs) to discipline it, or your loyal friend won't come the next time you call.

1 comments about The Super Simple Guide to Koi (Super Simple Guide).

1. I love my Koi and need information on
   Koi's so this book was great to have.

1 comments about Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series).

1. Has lots of nice WPG pictures and breed specific information, although much of the info can be found on the web. There is a considerable amount of general dog info for someone new to dog ownership and training. It's what you can expect from this sort of guide.

5 comments about American Staffordshire Terriers (KW Dog).

1. Never training an am. staff, this book provided lots of information about the characteristics, behavior and caring for an am. staff. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to have this type of dog.



2. The book itself was not of very high quality, the binding was not secured to the pages and I found it falling aprt as I read it. Did enjoy the subject however.



3. Lots of colour photos and beginner info.
   The book construction left a little to be desired (pages fell out) but a good read none-the-less. Great for general information about the Amstaff



4. This book not only touches on the history,care and socialization importance of owning an AmStaff but shows some great pictures of AmStaffs in day to day activities. This book is one that should be used as a beginning tool when deciding if this might be the breed for you and the basics for responsible ownership



5. Nothing the average 12yr.old or petshop "expert" doesnt already know. Very very basic stuff.

5 comments about Parakeets (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. I had thought that I knew a lot about the care and feeding of parakeets, this book showed me much more.



2. Some of the information is great, but it still left me with questions. So the title "A Complete Pet Owner's Manual" is misleading.
   It does have good information on diet and health and exercise.
   But it seems like an overview. But I was looking for more than an overview. The title should be "Parakeets, an overview for the new owner" More details please!



3. I LOVE this BOOK! It is quite informative. I do wish to obtain additional books on parakeets.
   
   I wish these books had been around when I was growing up! i LOVE these animals. Their so cretive and unique in their own little ways thought they really are n ot small at all!
   Thanak you.



4. Authored by Annette Wolter, this manual on parakeets was published in 1999. There are 87 pages. Eight chapters are contained. Numerous color photos and black-and-white drawings are provided. Also, an index is included. The anecdotes the author supplies are informative. Examples of topics covered are tips on purchasing, bathing, care, toys, diet, health, breeding, cages, taming, teaching the parakeet how to talk, intelligence, and behavior. I find the chapter focusing on behavior to be instructive and fascinating. In addition, two tables are displayed; one deals with dangers to the parakeet, while the other deals with health problems. The color photos of the parakeets are pleasing. As for the black-and-white drawings, they are impressive and educational. I recommend this manual.



5. Unfortunately, Barron's has a tendency to publish same-subject books in both this series and in their top-of-the-line "Handbook" series, and the topic of Parakeets is no exception. They have, in fact, printed two books on Parakeets in this series (one about Budgies, which are the same species) and a Parakeet Handbook (which is co-authored by both of the writers involved in this series' books).

   Annette Wolter's style is one that is easy-to-read, but it is still quite informative. Had I not read "The Parakeet Handbook" first, I would have learned much from this book. However, as it is reasonably priced, well-written and informative, I can recommend it with few reservations.

4 comments about Dressage: A Study of the Fine Points of Riding.

1. I bought this book back in the 70's and had immediate success in apply Mr. Wynmalen's techniques with my off the track Thoroughbred. This book shows that caring about the horse is not something new. Dressage: A Study of the Fine Points of Riding is a great book and I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't want their horse to be miserable - and who wants a horse who is light, responsive, and a pleasure to ride.



2. I bought the hardback version of this book in the 1950's and it has been the one I have used most ever since. Dressage itself is a useful training method for all disciplines. Wynmalen makes the "how-to" clear to those of us who do not have access to a teacher. In the 1950's I didn't even have access to videos to show how the exercises were supposed to look and feel when done right, yet the book made almost everything clear -- about the only thing I didn't understand from the book alone was the half-halt. Wynmalen's irreplaceable contribution is in the respect he shows the horse, which leads to understanding. His focus is on better communication and performance, not show success (although he had that too). A gentle, understanding, master at work. Other favorites of mine are The Schooling of the Western Horse, by John Richard Young, and the works of Mark Rashid -- start with A Good Horse is Never a Bad Color. The Rashid works are for those who know the basic cues, since he doesn't cover that.



3. This book....what can I say? It literally is the best book written on riding I have yet come across. Ironic, isn't it, that I am not an English rider, but a Western rider and still found this book to be of great help. Yes, help. It describes in graphic detail what you should really understand before even thinking about mounting a horse, plus tips and guidelines on what you should know when you do mount a horse.

   I really did find this book invaluable. I have owned it for years and I'm still learning from it. I find it absolutely great for references.

   I would highly recommend this book to anyone who rides horses, and to those who don't, just so they can truly understand the significance of horse intelligence and human/horse companionship.




4. This book is remarkable in that the author always puts the horse first. Written in 1952 the author is thoroughly modern in stressing the establishment of a dialogue with the horse. Bear with the language of the early 1900s and be enlightened!

5 comments about Great Cat Stories: Inspirational Tales about Exceptional Cats (An Amazing Stories Book) (Amazing Stories).

1. This was a fantastic book by the highest standards. It was truly a joy to read. Especially high praise for the Simon story, it made me bawl! Amazing how touching a story can be, especially those of us familiar with the bond between humans and animals. Eagerly waiting for any other books by Roxanne Willems Snopek!



2. A wonderful collection of tales that will touch the heart. Particularly the tale of Simon, I found myself sobbing like a baby at the end, which is generally NOT a manly thing to do. The way Snopek write these stories, you can almost feel the characters come out of the pages and touch your heart, too bad they don't live long enough for those of us that love cats. I particularly loved it because of its Canadian content and origins. Well worth the price.



3. Incredible Tales About Exceptional Cats is a wonderful book for people of all ages. The variety of stories can make you laugh or bring you to tears. It also can make you appreciate and love your precious pets more and inspire you to take care of them as your most precious treasures., and not to disregard them as soon as they immerge from being kittens to adults. Unfortunately there are still some people who do that because they have neither the patience or the love to care for these little ones for the rest of their lives.



4. I was given your book "Amazing Cat Stories" as a gift and absolutely loved it! I wanted to thank you for your wonderful talents and allowing me to go back in time. I had to send my "Buddy" to kitty heaven this past August and I can honestly say that was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. After 15 1/2 wonderful years of companionship I felt lost without her. After reading your book, so many great memories came flooding back to me. I would defintely recommend this book to any animal lover or for that matter anyone with a heart! Thank you and keep up the great work!!



5. A wonderful collection of short but inspirational stories, reaffirming the indisputable importance of animals in our lives - both for them and for the human race. Made me cry - and made me laugh! A great learning tool - for all ages. I loved it!