Book of the Shetland Sheepdog

I found a copy of this book at a pet store for 2.50!!!! It is worth much more than that however. Being a Breeder and fancier this book offers a wealth of information, especially on kennels and lines. I was delighted that the book featured many of the best dogs in the lines I am working with. As another reviewer put it, we should look to this book to see what shelties looked like when they were bred the to the standard, how they should look, unlike the current trends in sheltie today, that I feel are poor. If someone wanted to see some excellent example of the breed, I would tell them to look at his book, rather than go to a dog show. This book shows the great kennels and the great dogs, and is a necessity for any serious fancier. However, I do not recommend it for the casual pet owner, or anyone who is simply not intrested in lines or champions and simply wants a basic guide to learn how to properly care for their sheltie, and what to expect. For this person, I recommend "Shetland sheepdog: A Guide to a Happy, Healthy pet" by cathy merrithew. It is much more appropriate for a pet owner, yet still contains enough info on sheltie history to to be boring or too basic. The book of the shetland sheepdog is a valuable reference to any fanciers bookshelf. I refer to mine often. If you are serious about the sheltie, go buy a copy!

This book is an excellent resource for those who want to seriously develop a bloodline and are ready for the work required to research. With a wealth of pedigrees and pictures you should be able to find quality individuals behind your Sheltie. If you are new to the breed the pictures should give you an overall view so you can determine what type (and line) fit your expectations. Older pictures (less 'perfected' than modern photo work) honestly show where we came from. A worthwhile purchase for serious breeders or lovers of the breed.

I intend on buying this book sometime soon, when I can afford it. There are many pictures of my shelties line and I enjoy looking at them,over and over. Looking at the "old timers" I see what I love in the sheltie and will continue to look for, although modern breeders have altered their look drastically their has to be some that are true to the great champions. Maybe, the breeders of today should look to the past for the shelties future