Show Dog: The Charmed Life and Trying Times of a Near-Perfect Purebred

I hate showing dogs in the AKC conformation ring. I've done it a few times but learned quickly that it's NOT my thing. There is no way on earth I can run a straight line down-and-back, so if I ever have a dog who is nice enough to try to finish, I'll pay someone to do all the hard work. This book helped me figure out some of the mysterious stuff related to gaining an AKC championship and helped me gain insight into the motivations/mindset of those folks I know who actually campaign champions, spend every weekend at dog shows and aspire (and have) shown at Westminster. I know a lot of people like that, and have acquaintances who are AKC breed judges and AKC regional reps. I've met several of the folks who show up in this book. Honestly, I'd just rather have a fun bunch of Siberian huskies (my breed of choice) to share my life with and it's fine if they never set foot in a conformation show ring. For breed fanciers like me, there's always obedience, agility and other specialty events (I LOVED doing herding with a rough collie) and the book does mention some of this. I did enjoy the Aussie aspect....I'd have one myself but can't support tail cropping.If you don't have these kinds of connections, this book may bore you to tears. But I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has the slightest interest in AKC conformation. To be honest, I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I hadn't tried to read it in kindle format. I'm sure the photos would have been easier to enjoy and all those pages and pages of footnotes at the back would have been more easily accessible.

I'm the editor of Cat Talk, a publication of the Cat Fancier's Association. When I saw this book as an ad on Facebook, I clicked on it, saw the summary, and ordered it right away thinking it would be great to write a book review for Cat Talk. The book is outstanding! Even though cats are so different from dogs on many levels, and our shows are seriously different (cats being significantly less expensive to show), Josh articulates the motivations behind fanciers in a way that I found myself identifying with Jack's owners, handlers and breeders. We are all basically the same, we have the same goals, the same joy, the same disappointments, and the same reason for participating in these fancies. And finally, there is a book that explains us.Josh's writing style is perfect for the story of Jack and the crew of humans involved in his show career. I enjoyed the background information on the dog fancy which Josh presented in a way that leaves you wanting even more detail. Josh sort of teases you along by weaving the dog fancy into the story of Jack. It's very well done and keeps you turning the pages, with never a dry or dull spell.Not only does this cat person find herself wishing she could have an Australian Shepherd, but I made a list of dog shows in my area. Now that's a successful book about dogs!

Wow, thanks so much for writing this book! Showing dogs has been a lifelong hobby for me and I often agonize that I am spending so much time and money on something that is "frivolous". Now I know that a life in dogs is worthwhile. Josh Dean plugged himself in to the psychological and emotional lives of people in the dog show world in a way that is so believeable it is uncanny--but even more that that, it is reassuring. I don't know the people in the book, but I sure as heck know plenty of characters in the dog world who are just like them! I also backed a showdog for about a year and a half, and boy do I wish I had read Josh's book before I did. I still would have done it, but I would have enjoyed it more. Not that its a "how-to" book per se, because half the time while reading it I was laughing out loud at the drama unfolding before me. (For example, just wait for the story on the club board member's adjudication of discipline for the lady at the show who couldn't find a place to relieve herself.)For someone like me, who's an introvert, dog shows provide the perfect means to be more social. Dogs, especially "show dogs" are, as Josh says, "awesome!" And so is his book about them.

I read the reviews before purchasing this book and although some of the reviews were not so great, I decided to give it a try. As it turns out, I made a good choice in buying and reading this book. I wanted to know more about the dog show world since I recently got an Australian shepherd of my own that may be show quality. I enjoyed the book because it provided an outsider's perspective to the dog shows and introduced many new concepts and facts that I was not aware of. I also was entertained quite a bit by the author's comical observations at time. This book is one that I would recommend to anyone wanting an entertaining introduction to the world of dog shows. By the end of the book, if you are like me, you will really be rooting for Jack to win. I did not give it a full five stars because it took me longer than normal to finish this book because it does get a little slow at times. Overall though, a great read. I would actually enjoy reading a sequel to this story!

Great read. I couldn't put it down. I've owned dogs all my life but only recently learned about dog sports and competition from my breeder. I currently own two Shelties. One is a seasoned performance dog and the other, just a year old, is currently in training for performance and conformation. I think Dean went the extra mile to explain the ins and outs and ups and downs of competition in the dog world. We are an obsessed bunch of people addicted to the emotional roller coaster of weekends in the ring.For me personally, these weekends keep my life balanced and fun. All week I anxiously look forward to meeting up with my friends and fellow competitors for socializing, celebrating and sometimes commiserating. It's always done with good sportsmanship!I can't imagine how one begins to investigate this hobby without being a participant. My hat's off to Dean for all he endured for over a year in order to write a very true, extensively detailed, always interesting and very accurate account of show dogs, judges, breeders, handlers, exhibitors and the rest of the dog show participants. I hope Dean acquires a show/performance dog in the near future.

I love dogs and dog shows and herding dogs. When I saw this book listed I was very excited and it fulfilled all my expectations. I found it very engaging, especially the character of Jack which was wonderful. Even though I am a collie lover the book almost made me want to switch to Aussies :) I would reccommend this book to anyone who loves dogs. Five stars across the board!!!!

Great insight for addicts to this sport and people who are just interested in what its all about. shows us how much money and time and effort actually goes into a show dog!

This was recommended by several dog show fans and I was very impressed with the knowledge and well written book. Well done Mr. Dean !!