Bernese Mountain Dog Book Reviews

Here is a selection of all the English & American English Bernese Mountain Dog books that Philippa has managed to find over the years. If you know of anymore she'd be extremely pleased if you would let her know so that she can add them to her collection. I have several copies of most of these books, so if you're interested in purchasing a good condition second hand version then please contact me. As I have read all these books, from cover to cover and several of which I use for reference purposes, I feel that I am able to give you my honest opinion on each of these books, based on the knowledge and informative information of the breed they are supposed to give.

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Jude Simonds Bernd Guenter Paddy Petch Dr Malcolm Willis Diana Cochrane 1st Edition Diana Cochrane 2nd Edition Sharon Chesnutt Smith Louise Harper Esther Verhoef Amy Christiansen Julia M Crawford Lilian Ostermiller

Book of the Breed, The Complete Bernese Mountain Dog by Jude Simonds
First published 1989 by Ringpress Book
ISBN 0 948955 651

Jude Simonds is a leading authority in the world of the Bernese Mountain Dog, one of the founders of the breed in the country and a seriously knowledgeable person about the breed, which she truly loves. Jude has bred many litters of quality Bernese of which many were shown in the early days of the breed, she now concentrates more on the breed rescue in the country which she co-ordinates along with giving huge quantities of advise and help to anyone who should need it, along with judging the breed at Championship level.

If you only ever own one Bernese book, then this is the one you should find and buy, but with only 1000 copies ever printed not an easy task. It is the holy grail of Bernese books and covers The Origins of the Breed, Bernese in Switzerland, Great Britain & America, Breed Standard, Your first Bernese, Initial Training, General care and Management, Working and Leisure activities, Showing , Breeding, Whelping & Hereditary defects. 160 page very informative, clearly written book on the breed. Hardback with dust cover measuring 25cm x 19cm.

Sadly this book is now out of print and we're hoping that perhaps a second addition might be out in the next year or two? Copies can still be found on ebay but prices are rising. This book has to be one of the best, it's so informative, easy to read and is a great reference book. You can tell it has been written by someone extremely knowledgeable about the breed, of which Jude undoubtedly is. I can't tell you the number of times I have used this book, read this book and referred to this book, it really is that good and so worthwhile reading and owning.

 

The Bernese Mountain Dog, A Dog of Destiny by Bernd Guenter
First published 1993 by Doral Publishing
ISBN 0 9745407 3 0

Bernd Guenter is world renowned for his fabulous photographs of the Bernese Mountain Dog, if you've ever seen a breathtaking photograph of this breed it has probably been taken by him. Each year he produces a breed calendar which is highly prized by all those passionate about the breed to adorn their home to be admired at throughout the forthcoming year. Bernd is a German dog writer with this English version now in it's fifth edition.

This book is probably best described more as a coffee table book than a reference book, even though it packed full of information, with chapters covering Meet the Bernese, History of the Bernese, The Bernese Standard, Your Bernese Puppy, Your Adolescent Bernese, Your Adult Bernese, Showing, Breeding & Health. The truly superb colour photographs takes this book into another dimension from all the other Bernese books ever written and is the sort of book that you just want to look at again and again. Extremely interesting are the stages of the Bernese Mountain Dog all in photographic form. 200 pages and many more colour photographs this 28 ½cm x 22cm hardback book is a brilliant investment.

This has to be my all time favourite Bernese book, the Godfather of all Bernese books. The photographs are just amazing and I love to look at the colour photos again and again, they are really that good. This is the book for you if you want to look at hundreds of Bernese photographs, taken in the most breathtaking of places. It surely has a place in every Bernese home?

This book is available from several of the Bernese Mountain Dog club shops, a worthwhile investment and excellent present or anyone in love with this breed.

 

The Bernese Mountain Dog by Paddy Petch
First published 1992 by Dickson Price Publishers Ltd
ISBN 0 85380 152 5

Paddy Petch died some 10 years ago but her book is as popular today as it ever was. Originally a Flat Coated Retriever breeder she was lucky enough to own & breed a second breed which she chose to be the Bernese Mountain Dog.

This book is perhaps more in depth in some areas than some of the other Bernese books and certainly a good reference book. The chapters cover the Origins of the Breed, The Breed in Great Britain & Overseas, The breed Standard, The puppy, Management of the Adult Dog, Breeding, Showing, Working, Champions, Important Pedigrees, Imports into the UK 1969-1989, Hereditary Ailments, Glossary of Terms and Useful Addresses. A hardback book measuring 25cm x 18cm packed full with 209 pages and sporting a large amount of black and white photographs.

I have to admit that I'm extremely fond of this book and it's certainly one of my top three Bernese books. Sadly now out of print, copies are hard to find and are expensive to buy. It's like a firm friend, packed full of information which is written in an easy to understand fashion and a book which is regularly used for reference purposes. It's sad that I wasn't in the breed when she was alive, as I would have very much liked to have met Paddy.

 

The Bernese Mountain Dog Today by Dr Malcolm B. Willis
First published 1998 by Ringpress Books
ISBN 1 86054 084 8

Dr Malcolm Willis is married to well known Bernese breed judge Helen Davenport. He has made it his career to study Genetics and a leading figure not only in the Bernese world but also in German Shepherds.

This book is very interesting with chapters including the Origins of the Bernese, Breed Standards, Feeding, Living with your Bernese, Showing, Genetic Principles, Mating & Whelping, Important Bernese Dogs, Routes for Breed Improvement and Genetic Traits, Defects & Disease. A highly comprehensive 183 page hardback book with super colour photographs, measuring 25cm x 19cm.

In my opinion this book has excellent drawings & photographs explaining the whelping process and common faults in the Bernese Mountain Dog. This book not only is a very interesting read it is also a good reference book for looking up key areas during your Bernese's life, a recommended book for anyone interested in owning a Bernese. It's the only book to cover genetics and gives an interesting insight into the topic.

This book is still in print and can be purchased from several of the Bernese Mountin Dog club shops.

 

The Bernese Mountain Dog by Diana Cochrane
First published 1981 by Feoirlinn Publications
First Edition (Blue Cover)

Diana Cochrane is one of the founders of the breed in this country. She can be seen sitting at the ring side of many championship shows and club events around the country and even though she's in her 80's and doesn't show and breed quite as she used to she still takes an active roll in the breed and judges it at Championship level, a name everyone knows.

This first edition book covers topics including; History of the Breed, Bernese in Britain, United States and Canada, Characteristics and Working Ability, British, Swiss and American breed Standards, Choosing and rearing a Puppy, General Management, Housing and Feeding, The Brood Bitch and Stud Dog, Breeding and Whelping, Showing, Judging, Ailments and Diseases and the Future. It's a fully comprehensive book covering nearly every subject you could think of relating to the Bernese Mountain Dog. This hardback book with dust cover measures 22cm x 16cm with lots of interesting colour, black and white photos and drawings, filling it's 177 pages.

It look me a quite a while to find this book and purchase it, having borrowed a dear friend's copy for a sometime, I wasn't too keen to return it. I almost perfer it to the second edition, details below. A delightful book, written in a clear no nonsense fashion and easily used as a reference book.

Sadly this book is out of print and being a first edition is well worth purchasing should a copy come your way.

 

The Bernese Mountain Dog by Diana Cochrane
First published 1987 by Diana Cochrane
Second Edition (Green Cover)

An updated version of the first edition published by Diana Cochrane, this book covers all the same areas as the first edition namely; History of the Breed, Bernese in Britain, United States and Canada, Characteristics and Working Ability, British, Swiss and American breed standards, Choosing and rearing a Puppy, General Management, Housing and Feeding, The Brood Bitch and Stud Dog, Breeding and Whelping, Showing, Judging, Ailments and Diseases and the Future.

Perhaps this book has lost it's charm slightly from the first edition which I'm very fond of. This book is extremely informative and certainly a must have for anyone looking to own this wonderful breed. It gives a good insight into to all areas of the Bernese Mountain Dog and even though it measures 22cm x 16cm the same size as the first edition it's a lot fatter and now houses 198 pages packed full of colour, black and white photos and drawings. A lovely hardback book with dust cover.

This book is still in print and copies can be purchased directly from Diane Cochrane by writing to her at Harlington House, Pershore Lane, Martin Hussingtree, Worcestershire WR3 8TA or can be purchased from several of the Bernese Mountain Dog club shops. A real asset to any Bernese home.

 

The New Bernese Mountain Dog by Sharon Chesnutt Smith
First published 1995 in United States of America
ISBN 0 87605 075 5

Sharon Chestnutt Smith is a successful breeder of the Bernese Mountain Dog in America where she has had success in the show ring and also judges the breed. She is also a successful breeder, exhibitor and judge of the Golden Retriever.

This is an American book on the breed, written by an American breeder for an American market. Having said that it is a very interesting book, even though they do do some things slightly differently over the water. Topics covered are: Origins of the Breed, Development of the Breed in America, Official Standard, Showing, Obedience, Tracking, Carting, Breeding, Raising Puppies, Nutrition and Common Health Problems. This hardback book measuring 24cm x 16cm is packed full of easy clearly written American English with black and white drawings and photographs.

This in my opinion is perhaps the best American English written book on the Bernese Mountain Dog that I've come across. Some of the drawings on common faults in the Bernese are very informative and a lot can be learnt from this book. I believe this book is still in print and I've seen it for sale on ebay several times. In my opinion it's a worthwhile read but one must always remember that it's has been written for the American market and they do things differently over the water. Not a recommended choice for someone who hasn't read at least one if not several of the above books first, but certainly worthwhile.

 

Bernese Mountain Dog by Louise Harper
First published 2001 by Interet Publishing
ISBN 1 903098 78 5

This book covers topics of History of the Bernese Mountain Dog, Characteristics of the Bernese, Breed Standard, Your Puppy, Everyday Care, Training, Health Care, Your Senior Bernese and Showing. A hardback glossy book, with 157 pages, measuring 21½ cm x 17 cm full of colour photos, some of which feature well known faces in the Bernese breed.

This is the first book I ever brought on the breed and even though it's an informative book and certainly reinforced my desire to own a Bernese Mountain Dog, it is in someway's lacking some depth and a rather glossy book. I'm sorry to say that once I'd read this book it hasn't seen the light of day until I came to review it for you. Not the best book on the subject but still worth reading and still in print and can be purchased from several of the Bernese Mountain Dog club shops.

No disrespect to the author but I feel that this book could have been so much better and just by leafing though the pages now I get the distinct impression that as it is part of a series of dog breed books that a large proportion of it has been reproduced to be printed in every book in the series for whatever breed of dog. This book is the sort of book that is sold in pet shops across the country and is slightly disappointing.

 

Bernese Mountain Dog by Esther Verhoef
First Published 2006 by Rebo Publishers
ISBN 13: 978 90 366 0961 6 ISBN 10: 90 366 0961 5

Esther Verhoef has written many informative books on various animals and breeds of dog and gains her knowledge not so much from personal experience but rather from experts, breeders and owners to write this Swiss feel book. This is the newest book on the market covering the subject of the Bernese Mountain Dog.

This charming hardback book with dust cover measuring 24cm x 17cm is packed full of delightful colour Bernese photographs and covers the topics of Bernese History, Characteristics, Buying a Dog, Necessities, Housebreaking, Ranking Order, Socialization, Upbringing Tips, Basic Training, General Care, Feeding, Exercise and Activity, Abnormalities and Diseases and Breeding. It's almost worth just buying for the visual appeal rather than the content, even though it's an informative book and an interesting read it is still a worthy addition to your Bernese book collection.

I'm sorry to say it's not a book I've used much as a reference book, rather more as a picture book. Charming in various ways it lacks much of the in depth knowledge that the older books written by breed specialists have. A book that is readily available nationwide and though the Bernese Mountain Club shops.

 

A New Owner's Guide to Bernese Mountain Dogs by Amy Christiansen
First published 2004 By T.F.H. Publications Inc
ISBN 0 7938 2818 X

Amy Christiansen is a knowledgeable breeder of Bernese Mountain Dogs in America and is an active member of the American and Alaska's breed clubs. Space and time restricts her from breeding more but with a degree in animal science gives this book a good edge.

This American English book has been written by someone who clearly knows the breed and even though it's one of a series of dog breed books doesn't have the feel that a lot of them have, with their reproduced pages to cover a whole dog series of books. This 160 page glossy Hardback book is an interesting read and informative in the American ways of the Bernese Mountain Dog. It covers the topics of Origin of the Bernese, Characteristics, Selecting the right Bernese for you, Breed Standard, Caring for your Bernese, Sport of Pure breed dogs, Health care, Dental Care, Traveling, Identification and Behaviour. This book measures 22cm x 14½cm.

A nicely written book with clear glossy pages and lovely glossy colour photos. Even though they do things a little differently over the water this book is still an interesting read but you need to remember that it has been written for the American market.

 

An Owner's Guide to A Happy Healthy Pet,
The Bernese Mountain Dog by Julia M. Crawford
First published in 2000
ISBN 1 58245 162 1

This American English written book is part of a series of dog books. Two thirds of the book is about the Bernese Mountain Dog and a third about dogs in general sporting photographs of various different breeds of dog.

A hardback glossy book measuring 21½cm x 14cm featuring 158 pages of which 94 pages are actually about the Bernese Mountain Dog. Topics covered are What is a Bernese, Bernese Ancestry, The world according to the Bernese, Bringing your Bernese home, Feeding, Grooming, Keeping your Bernese Healthy. General dog topics are: Basic Training, Getting Active, Your Dog and Family, Your Dog and Community. A few pretty pictures of Bernese adorn the first section of this book along with general pictures and later on pictures of various breeds of dog.

In my opinion this book is really disappointing. It's lack of knowledge of the breed and in depth information along with the fact that it is written for an American market, doesn't really make this book that interesting and clearly not a recommended read. It may boast that over 2 million copies have been sold but that hardly means that it's a worthwhile and informative read.

 

Bernese Mountain Dogs by Lilian Ostermiller
First published 1993 by T.F.H Publications Inc.

Lilian Ostermiller is an American owner, breeder, exhibitioner of the Bernese Mountain Dog. This American English book is quite frankly terrible!

A hardback glossy book measuring 20½ cm by 14cm sporting more general dog information and rubbish than actual informative Bernese Mountain Dog facts. Filled with numerous grotty drawings which have been published in hundreds of dog books over the course of time the few Bernese photographs don't make enough of an impact to improve this book. Topics covered include The Bernese Mountain Dog, Breed Description, The Bernese as a breed, Selecting your Dog, The New family Member, Feeding, Accommodations, Housebreaking and training, Behavior Modification, Health Care, Preventive Dental Care, Breeding, Dogs and the Law. This book may well contain 192 pages but less than 60 pages have anything to do with the Bernese Mountain Dog. The list of topics might sound interesting but nearly all of them are written for dogs in general and not with the Bernese Mountain Dog in mind.

I have many concerns regarding this book and how damaging some of its advice could be on a young Bernese puppy and for this reason alone I wouldn't recommend it.

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