Show Dog: The Charmed Life and Trying Times of a Near-Perfect Purebred - Hardcover

Dean, Josh

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 006202048X ISBN 13: 9780062020482

Publisher: ItBooks, 2012

Synopsis

By spending a year alongside rising star Jack, a champion Australian Shepard, and his friends, magazine journalist Josh Dean rips back the curtain on the dog show world, providing not just a hilarious and often touching portrait of a colorful subculture only slightly exaggerated in the film Best in Show, but also a revealing look at our love affair with the world's most doted upon and tinkered with animal species, examining the colossal array of dog types and humans who love them. By and large, the book follows Jack as he grows, over the course of a year (through Westminster, in February of 2011), from still-improving adolescent to seasoned adult show dog. We get to know him and the people around him, to experience what it's like to own a show dog, and to train one. And at the end of every day we come to appreciate him for what he is, a loveable and intelligent house pet - albeit one with a highly unusual acumen. Supplementing Jack's story is the history and sociology of this eccentric and fascinating subculture of breeders and dog show fanciers. Dean explores the history of breeding and of dog shows, and all the many related peculiarities: judging, training, naming, promoting, hair styling, kennel owning, RV driving, hotel finding, treat selecting, and more.

About this title

Review:

“A wonderful, charming look at the sport of dogs and dog shows and an absolute must read for anyone looking to get involved.” (Pat Hastings, AKC Judge and author of Tricks of the Trade)

“A hilarious chronicle of blow-dried poodles, diva trainers and egregious canine puns. Above all, though, this is an irresistible story about the wondrous bond between humans and animals.” (Mark Adams, author of Turn Right at Machu Picchu)

“Filled with heart and humor, bringing to life extravagant characters, pampered pooches, and over-the-top humans without falling prey to tired stereotypes. That’s because it’s not really about animal beauty pageants; it’s about the unyielding bond between people and dogs and what they’ll do to make each other happy.” (Jim Gorant, author of The Lost Dogs)

“As I was sucked into the story of Jack the show dog, I began to understand the subtleties of the sport, the amazing talents of these animals, and the affecting human-and canine- drama behind the show.” (John Hodgman, author of That is All)

“Fascinating and funny...as I was sucked into the story of Jack the show dog, I began to understand the subtleties of the sport, the amazing talents of these animals, and the affecting human-and canine-drama behind the show.” (John Hodgman, author of That is All)

“A well-written, entertaining and accurate look at our great sport of dog shows . . . Dean makes you feel like you are right there with a brush or a show lead in your handa . . . a great accessory for anyone who wants to know more.” (David Frei, Voice of The Westminster Kennel Club and The National Dog Show and author of Angel On A Leash)

“Terrific” (Colin McEnroe, WNPR)

“Superb” (Michael Solomon, The Guardian)

“Excellent” (Benoit Denizet-Lewis, Cesar Milan blog)

“If you don’t know your toy group from your terriers, pick up this beguiling nonfiction account that follows Jack, a lovable, handsome Australian shepherd and an aspiring Best in Show.” (Entertainment Weekly)

From the Back Cover:

Every weekend, for nearly fifty weeks each year, tens of thousands of Americans pack up their SUVs and minivans with crates and dryers and treats and shampoos and hairsprays and plush toys and fan out for some of the two-thousand-plus dog shows held annually across the United States. More than two million pedigreed dogs, and exponentially more humans who handle and care for them, will take part in these events—for the most part happily—and the world that has grown up to support them is massive and vibrant, and almost impossible to imagine unless you've seen it in person.

By spending a year alongside rising star Jack, a champion Australian shepherd, and his canine and human friends, magazine journalist Josh Dean yanks back the curtain on the dog show world, providing not just a hilarious and often touching portrait of a colorful subculture only slightly exaggerated in the film Best in Show, but also a revealing look at our love affair with the world's most doted-upon and tinkered-with animal species, examining the colossal array of dog types and humans who love them.

The book follows Jack as he matures over the course of a year, from still-improving adolescent to seasoned adult show dog. We get to know him and the people around him—his owner, his handler, his breeder—to experience what it's like to own a show dog and to train one. And we come to appreciate him for what he is, a lovable and intelligent house pet—albeit one with a highly unusual occupation.

Along the way, Dean takes a close look at the eccentric and fascinating world of breeders and dog show fanciers—exploring the history and science of purebred dog breeding and the evolution of canine perfection via dog show culture, with that pursuit's many related peculiarities: judging, training, naming, promoting, hairstyling, kennel-owning, RV-driving, hotel-finding, treat-selecting, and more.

About this edition

• Publisher: ItBooks
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 006202048X
• ISBN 13: 9780062020482
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 416