"The world of the dog fancy -- puppyhood to top winner."

This entertaining book illuminates the dog show world by tracking the seven dogs that made it into the Best In Show ring at Westminster 2001. Ms. Wood covers these dogs from the time they are picked out of their litters as show prospects, through campaigning at show, on to the floor at Madison Square Garden, and even provides a "six months later" epilogue. In the course of this journey, the author explains the world of purebred dogs and their enthusiasts. She discusses not just judging and winning, but also why the food at dog shows is so bad, the predominance of vendors, and the use of that "b" word. She gives a lot of praise and support for the aims of purebred breeders and exhibitors and the AKC. There are informational sidebars in the text to provide statistics and facts about dog showing. The book has a light and easy-to-understand manner in covering the costs, complexities, uncertainties, and politics of raising, showing, and judging dogs.

Although there isn't anything new or startling here for people already involved and knowledgeable in the dog fancy, I highly recommend this book for the general dog-loving public. As Ms. Wood says in her dedication, "To America's 60 million dogs: purebred and mixed breed, show dogs, couch potatoes, working dogs, and dogs desperately waiting in shelters for their forever families to find them. Every dog deserves to be Best in Show in someone's heart."

Reviewed by Raelene Gorlinsky
Posted March 29, 2002

Summary

From Brush Prairie, Washington, to Madison Square Garden, author Deborah Wood takes readers behind the fur and makeup, the liver bits and hairspray, on a humorous, whirlwind tour of the kooky and caring, exacting and exciting world of dog shows and show dog people. You'll have a front-row seat as dog handlers and their tail- wagging charges vie for Best In Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.