Sos Dog: The Purebred Dog Hobby Re-examined

By Johan Gallant and Edith Galant

Modern dogdom was inaugurated in 1873 with the establishment of the Kennel Club (London). The initiative to breed existing breeds closely to standards and to create new standardized breeds from a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1577790995
• ISBN13: 9781577790990
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: Alpine Pubns
• Length: 246 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Best Dog Book

If you only read one book about dogs this year, SOS Dog should be the one. This well-researched, easy to read paperback shines a bright light on what people have done over the years to purebred dogs & gives suggestions for how to turn-the-tide back to a more normal canine. My veterinarian (DVM & homeopathy) read this book at my recommendation & was also very impressed. I strongly urge you to use the information in this book to benefit our ever-faithful canine companions - they deserve no less.

SOS Dog

For most of us, the worlds of dog showing and breeding are rather mysterious to us. We might see a dog showing on television and laugh at the comical audacity of the scene but we really don't understand what is going on. In our ignorance, we assume that well breed animals are more beautiful and healthy than the average mutt at the SPCA. In fact, this may not be the case. SOS Dog is written by a couple who actually breed and showed dogs. Their work is actually well respected in the community, having bred several winning dogs. Perhaps this is why their opinion on breeding is so very eye-opening. The idea of breeding started off with the greatest of intentions. Animal lovers wanted their pets to live longer, be stronger, and have greater immunity to disease. However, over time, breeding has become more about adhering to certain physical traits that are deemed beautiful. The problem is that often these characteristics are not very functional. Moreover, the inbreeding necessary to replicate these desired traits increases the risk of genetic disease. Forced and artificial reproduction further reduces the natural behaviour of these animals causing unnecessary dependence.

A must have book for all dog lovers

This is one of the most refreshing books that I have read in a long time. It does not sugar coat the condition of today's purebred dog industry. For years I have felt the same way as Johan and Edith Gallant about what breeders have done to the dog breeds of the world. This book spells it out in an easy to understand fashion. The Gallants, breeders from South Africa, started by examining their own breeding practices. Then they spent years researching the results of twentieth century breeding practices, health and behavior issues and comparing them to the last indigenous group of dogs in Africa. What they discovered is truly amazing. The Gallants explain the reasons for many behavior problems, structural and health issues. They trace the dog industry, starting with the formation of the major kennel clubs of the world to what it has become today. Their journey into the why's of modern dogdom and their conclusions, although scientific and in depth, are explained in a way that anyone can understand. But they do not leave us hanging without a solution. They have practical steps that modern breeders can take to solve the problems of the dogs of today. I strongly recommend that anyone who owns or aspires to own a dog read this book. I have made this book required reading for my Canine Behavior program at Kutztown University.