Beauchamp, Richard G.
Solving The Mysteries Of Breed Type / 2nd Ed
Included bibliographical references and index
ISBN-13: 978-1-59378-663-2
ISBN-10: 1-59378-663-8
Copyright 2008 by Kennel Club Books

Rabid about reading? No matter if you're a pet owner with a beloved 'Heinz 57', or a veteran fancier running a stable of Specials, over centuries the canine literary genre has managed to present something for everyone. While few would try wrestling Arrians's "On Coursing" in its original Latin, or wade through each and every entry in "Hutchinsons' Encyclopedia of the Dog", the typical offering on todays' retail shelves will nonetheless attempt to educate, enlighten or expose - sometimes all three - in some way, shape or form. Quite simply, there is no end to the list of books, magazines, periodicals and newsletters available to the dog lover.
Personally, whether at home or travellling, in the air or on the ground, I'm rarely without at least one book in my hand and 99.999% of the titles pertain to dogs. Call me a snob, but I tend to stick to historical or non-fiction material - who doesn't like having all the answers in Trivial Pursuit?! With that confession in mind here are three of my favourites, in author last-name alphabetical order: Richard 'Rick' Beauchamps' "Solving The Mysteries Of Breed Type", Bo Bengtson's "Best In Show", and Andrew DePriscos' "WOOF! - A Gay Man's Guide To Dogs".

According to the opening acknowledgements, the book was conceived from articles originally penned for Dogs In Canada, and were further supplemented by material from Dogs In Review and the United Kennel Clubs' Bloodlines. Beauchamp saw a need for a basic, logical explanation of what made a dog 'tick'; what separated the winners from the also-rans, not just in the show ring but in the whelping box. Recognising that not all breeds were created to be judged equally, he set about establishing a basic template that could be custom-fitted to any variety one wished to study. Drawing on his years of railbirding, judging and breeding record-setting Bichon Frise enabled him to categorise what was immediately important as opposed to those features which carried lesser weight. The resulting "Five Elements of Breed Type" - namely, Character, Silhouette, Head, Movement and Coat - has become not only a catchphrase of simplicity , but a reliable, utterly dependable guide for anyone who has needed to assimilate the finer nuances of a breed.

Interspersed amongst the lessons and assignments are full-colour segments headed "Honour Roll Of Excellence". There are three such chapters, all new to the second edition, all bursting with photos of the great winning dogs of yesterday and today, and hinting of the stars of tomorrow. Subliminal teaching? Perhaps - and Northern fanciers get their digs in through Beauchamps' frequent mention of the quality produced by Canuck breeders. Immortals such as Chs. Altanas' Mystique, Muldoon Dewitts' Great One and Fairewood Frolic are highlighted among others and I won't for a minute believe it was accident or coincidence that resulted in the iconic Kishniga Borzoi brothers Chs. Dalgarth and Desert Song gracing the frontispiece.

"Mysteries" is quite possibly the dog fancys' most quoted modern reference, and with good reason. This book should be considered everything to everyone who even remotely considers themselves a true breeder, fancier or judge. Sit a copy next to Pat Craige's "Born To Win", and you'll have two of the most important volumes of this, or any other century; if you can't learn from Beauchamps' lessons or remain unmoved by the luxurious photos of yesterdays' greats and today's stars, then you're in the wrong game - or dead!


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Bengtson, Bo
Best In Show - The World of Dog Shows and Show Dogs
ISBN 978-1-931993-85-2 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-933958-17-0 (Limited ed./hardcover with slipcase)
Copyright 2008 by Kennel Club Books
40 Broad Street
Freehold, N.J.
07728

Also topping my list is the long-awaited "Best In Show - The World Of Show Dogs And Dog Shows", penned by international Whippet authority Bo Bengtson (Bohem). Over four years of world-wide research went into this complex, weighty missive, which covers 150 years of competition and tips the scales at over five pounds . Released just prior to last years' Eukanuba Nationals, the book hit the ground running and hasn't looked back. From the introductions' opening statement of "What's It About"? (illustrated by none other than Canada's own Crufts BIS winner, Ch. Caitland Isle Take A Chance), all the way through to the first appendix "How It Works", this book simply "Does Not Quit". Though only in print a few months, it is doubtful any superlatives are left to use in its description. Instead, close your eyes, let the pages fall open and read from the middle to both ends....it really doesn't make any difference how you face the music, because the symphony is always there. From my selfish perspective, the importance of Bengtson's effort lies not in what debates are laid to rest, but in what has been brought to life. Those who have not lived, eaten or breathed the great sport of conformation shows - or fanciers not yet of a 'certain age' - have had little, if any, opportunity to experience our long-gone greats in any media. Here at last is everything brought under one roof; the breeders, the handlers, the owners, and oh - the dogs. You can't know Greyhounds without visualising 'Punky', or get a feel for Boxers unless you've seen 'Bang Away'; Ch. Rockfalls Colonel might forever alter your mental template of English Setters, as could one of the greatest of all Bull Terriers, Ch. Ormandy Souperlative Chunky. Ch. Shirkhan of Grandeur will haunt you, while Ch. Kippax Fearnought impresses. Nor does the picture windfall simply highlight the U.S. scene; Bengtson gives over entire chapters to the British, the Europeans (yes, a Drever by the name of Ch. Harkilas Mach One really WAS Top Dog All Breeds in Sweden) and makes no attempt to hide his northern friends under back-page print. Canada and Canadians are referred to time and again, and the section given over to our record-setters is liberal, to say the least. If you should tire of dogs, there is much left to explore in the histories of the worlds' great shows; Crufts, Westminster, Morris and Essex, FCI's World Winner, the Australian 'Royals' and the "Kings' and 'Queens' of Japan - or find out what it takes to be a breeder from the mold of 'Cappy' Pottle, Julia Gasow or Karen Cartobona.
What makes 'Best In Show' a 'Best Buy' is the broad-spectrum appeal it will have to all readers, regardless of discipline. You don't have to be a professional handler or veteran breeder in order to appreciate the indescribeable scope of information, nor a judge to value the international flavour of the illustrations. With over 700 images covering almost as many pages, 'Best In Show' will keep you treasure hunting for years.

(Hint: 'Best In Show' may be had in either the regular hard-backed edition, or the signed, slip-covered version. My suggestion is go for the latter; both volumes are a steal at twice the price, but any bibliophile will recognise the added value of that personal dedication. It's a nice touch, and one that publishers might do well to consider more often


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DePrisco, Andrew
WOOF! A Gay Man's Guide To Dogs
Illustrations by Jason O'Malley
ISBN-13: 978-1-931993-86-9
ISBN-10: 1-931993-86-6
Copyright 2007 by BowTie Press
3 Burroughs
Irvine, CA
92618

The 'sleeper' of the three is DePrisco's walk on the canine wild side. Although 'WOOF' was released well in advance of the previous pair, its presence has been a muted one - but don't give up if you can't find a copy in the first Chapters you visit because this is one gem worth digging for. DePrisco's personal involvement with dogs and working track record in the publishing world are long and colourful, as witnessed by the successes of such works as The Canine Lexicon and The Mini Atlas of Dog Breeds. Illustrator Jason O'Malley is no slouch, having made appearances in the likes of The New York Times, Elle Decor and Vogue. In 'WOOF', O'Malleys' simply executed figures add just the right amount of visual cheek and irreverance to a text that teases, goads, and dances its way along much in the fashion of Dorothy and ToTo on the Yellow Brick Road.
As might be assumed from the books' subtitle, the general goal of WOOF' is to point single-gender-preferring men in the direction of their perfect doggy partner. From All-American Boy to Chicken Hawk, Leatherman through Yenta, DePrisco waltzes through his ideals of human/dog matchmaking, gaily (gay-ly?) tossing witticisms throughout like confetti at a wedding. Want to know about Gay Pride parades where you can take your pooch? How to stage a Bling Party for 'guys and their dolls'? How "Rugged, Rustic, Untiring and Well Heeled" Herding Group boys differ from their "Courteous, Ladylike, Indulgent and Demanding" Toy breed-loving counterparts? You can find all and a good deal more bared there, in 'WOOF' full-colour. For the most part, it's scream-out-loud funny. It's rude, eye-popping, and full of I-can't-believe-they-printed-that commentary - but when you least expect it, DePrisco gets serious and hands you a warm, loving look at a lifestyle we 'straights' can only...well....read about.

The book isn't all laughs and light-hearted bantering; early on DePrisco hits the quick with comments aimed at those with HIV/AIDS. He challenges those who previously kept animals at arms' length to investigate the "...advantages of a loving canine companion", and manages to do so in a way that is thought-provoking without being depressing or flippant. The sensitivity with which he discusses this delicate topic is a good example of DePrisco's dexterity as a writer, and readers will quickly uncover more unusual tidbits. I was surprised to learn many Native American communities once referred to their homosexual members as 'Two-Spirits', described by DePrisco as "...referring to these gay men's equally developed masculine and feminine sides...the Two-Spirits were revered as a third sex, with special healing and counseling abilities. (Native Americans) valued these unique men for their talents, not judging them for their sexual practises." Who knew? Certainly not this old dog, who was thrilled to find many more such intellectual nuggets as 'WOOF's' pages turned.

If you're easily offended, don't approve of alternative lifestyles, believe with all your heart, soul and brain that "dogs should be dogs" or have a ruler-straight sense of humour (pun definitely intended), then don't buy this book ; hell, don't even LOOK at it...but should you love a good, raunchy belly-laugh, appreciate people (and dogs) for who they are instead of what society or Caesar Milan wants them to be, and enjoy bountiful trivia enhanced by what could be the cleverest illustrations ever put to paper - then the only word you need to know is *WOOF*!

So, pull out your birthday book, and dust off your Christmas wish list. Do whatever you have to do, beg if necessary - I'll wager the minute you open one or the other, you won't be able to put them down. You'll find yourself sharing with others, or just maybe catch yourself bragging up that newfound knowledge on your lesser-informed friends. A hundred years and more from now collectors will be fighting over Bengtson, coveting Beauchamp, and searching out DePrisco. Pass them on, pass them around - but don't pass them by!

 

 

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