Book Reviews

Book Review - Golden Retrievers for DUMMIES
By Rue Chagoll, Golden Retriever Rescue of Central NY

Golden Retrievers for DUMMIES by Nona Kilgore Bauer

Ó2000, IDG Books Worldwide - ISBN 0764552678 - 256 Pgs. - List Price $15.99

 It was the author’s reputation, not the title, that prompted me to read this book.  She didn’t disappoint me. 

In her first offering nearly a decade (The World of the Golden Retriever: A Dog For All Seasons), Nona Bauer delivered an instant classic, celebrating our breed’s heritage and versatility.  This time she’s given us an incredibly thorough and highly practical “owners manual.”

So many basic breed books I’ve seen are generic to the degree that with just a change of photos and a very few lines of text, a volume could apply as easily to Bichons as Berners.  But let there be no doubt: this book is about Goldens, written by a respected and knowledgeable Golden-owner. It’s a work that holds value for the experienced as well as the newbie.

Part 1, “Finding Your Soul Mate,” helps potential owners qualify themselves and maps the proper procedures and sources for finding a Golden.  I suppose this sort of introduction is obligatory, but frankly I’ve yet to meet the owner who “bought the book before the dog.”  The real meat, and two thirds of the book’s volume, is in the next two sections.  Addressed in Part 2 is every imaginable aspect of puppy-rearing: necessary equipment, proofing the house and the kids, feeding, socializing, housebreaking and crating, basic obedience training and more.  If every new owner could absorb and apply the contents of chapters entitled “Canine Communication & Growing Pains” and “Home Schooling Your Golden Puppy,” a whole lot of grief might be avoided as that pup starts exhibiting behaviors never seen in those “perfect” Hollywood and Madison Avenue dogs.

Part 3, “Keeping Your Pal Healthy and Happy,” runs the gamut of nutrition, exercise, preventive care, grooming, problem behaviors, diseases and aging.  Throughout the book, each topic is delivered with tips, cautions, charts and so on — making for easy reading and quick future reference.  So readable, that you could practically flip to any page, rip it out, and have the makings of a good magazine or newsletter article. 

Which brings me to a summary of the book’s most endearing virtues: Beyond its expert and thorough coverage of the subject matter, it’s easy to navigate, easy to read…and it’s cheap.  At a list price of $15.99, “Dummies” is arguably the best-valued investment anyone could make in a Golden’s health and well-being.

Here’s a suggestion to breeders, puppy-referral contacts, and rescue adoption people: Buy and give this book away with every dog placed, or sell it to serious inquirers.  The publisher has a program for non-profit groups (such as your local club or rescue) to purchase small bulk quantities at less than $10 per copy!

If a first-time Golden owner could have but one book, this should be it.  The price and layout encourage daily use, dog-earing, highlighting, and margin note-writing.  Anyone achieving a good grasp of its contents — for sure ain’t no dummy.  That would be good news for a Golden. -Rue Chagoll