Going for the Blue

January 1, 2001
Aside from someone who has bred, raised, and shown dogs for decades, who other than Caras--"The Voice of Westminster," the hugely successful kennel club dog show held at Madison Square Garden each February--could provide such an insightful look into the world of dog shows. With his typical charm, wit, and humor, Caras takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour, starting with early show history, the politics of the show ring, the mechanics of showing, and picking and choosing both a breed and that all-important puppy. Newcomers to dog shows are often surprised and finally disillusioned by the dedication required to succeed. The competition itself is often a source of frustration, and when the whole family gets involved, the stakes are even higher. This book should be read by anyone who just "might" like to have a "show dog." It does not give all the answers, and the depth of its practical information is not great, but those who still want to get involved after reading it will find that numerous other books provide advice on grooming, handling, breeding, and raising dogs. In the meantime, a book by Caras is always a welcome addition to any dog-lover's bookshelf.--Edell M. Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2001
Anyone who knows anything about dogs will probably recognize the author's name: Caras is president emeritus of the ASPCA, he's appeared on television for a quarter of a century, he's written more than 60 books about animals, and he really, really loves dogs. His new book, an insider's look at dog shows and the people who devote their lives to them, is detailed and informative, filled with facts and history and anecdotes taken from the author's own experiences as a dog expert. It is also rather dry. Caras presents us with plenty of information, but he never quite captures the excitement and fierce sense of competition of the dog-show circuit. Jane and Michael Stern's " Dog Eat Dog" (1997) and, of course, the recent movie " Best "in Show, are far more humorous and entertaining, perhaps because of their irreverence. Recommend this one to purists interested in learning the facts about dog shows and dog breeding but who have no interest in laughing at themselves.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)