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.
Back to Breed Information
Use the drop down menu to take
you to particular books by certain Authors.
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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