Hi, I've read lots of mentions about the Book of the Bitch, including some people giving it out in puppy packs. Just wondering why it's considered to be such a useful book by some.
I'm asking out of genuine curiosity - don't know anyone with it to borrow, don't get chance to get close to a library, and don't want to buy it unless I think I might find it useful.

Because it tells you everything you need to know - from buying to registering yr puppy, housetraining, ailments, illnesses, breeding, whelping, worming, cleaning, caring for, etc etc.
I found it invaluable when Molly had her litter earlier in the year, admit to not reading it cover to cover but I think I have read the majority of it and found it a most useful, informative book :)

i have got book of the bitch and it is brill it is so informative i also have a book called breeding a litterit is full of info aswell but i personally think book of the bitch is the better one  i got them both from amazon so i didnt pay loads for them

i too think that the book of the bitch is good, but i also have- dog breeding the theory and the practice by frank jackson (who has been involved in my main breed for years) which is also good, i wouldnt say the book of the bitch is the only book you need to buy IMO

Thanks for these responses.  I've got Dog Breeding by Frank Jackson which I really like, I think it was Breeding a Litter that I hated - am I going to like The Book of the Bitch on that basis?!! Think I'll see if I can get to a library first - seem to do nothing but buy books at the moment.
Thanks again

If you own bitches and never breed a litter The Book of the bitch is worth having  as it gives good information for all bitch owners.

The Book of the Bitch is so much more than about whelping or breeding. It covers management, nutrition, planning, anatomy and physiology, medical problems specific to bitches, dog laws, first aid, and lots of other informative reading. But pop along to the library first if you want to and, if you do decide to buy, you can pick them up quite cheaply on amazon :)

Dee

A great book !!!!! and well thumbed in this house lol

I don't know how I managed without my copy before I bought it ;-)

As an aside, is there a similar one for dogs? (males :-) ) It's only just crossed my mind (small as it may be ;-) ) that it would be a good thing to have one specifically about males too.

It will cost you less than a meal out which you would buy happily not knowing if you will like it of not so what is the problem. Buy it for the sake of your bitch, it is not a novel you are not supposed to enjoy it you are supposed to use it to help understand your bitch, her health and everything else you should know to offer your bitch the best you possible can, something that every dog owner should try to do surely.

If you own bitches and never breed a litter The Book of the bitch is worth having  as it gives good information for all bitch owners.

I agree entirely and that is why I gave it to everyone who had one of my bitch puppies. Some bitch owners haven't even hear dof pyometra, which I find shocking! So hopefully, if they read it, they'll be informed on that, as well as other things.

I also think it contains enough of the cons of breeding to put off anyone who isn't really serious or doing things the right way.

> It will cost you less than a meal out which you would buy happily not knowing if you will like it of not so what is the problem.

Not having a limitless income?!

>Buy it for the sake of your bitch, it is not a novel you are not supposed to enjoy it you are supposed to use it to help understand your bitch, her health and everything else you should know to offer your bitch the best you possible can, something that every dog owner should try to do surely.

But I've had bitches, and dogs, for the last 20 years and not even thought of a book specifically aimed at one sex or the other, hence my question about this book.

Thanks for all the responses.

Think if you had read the book 20 years ago you may well have found that your enjoyment would have been increased and your worry lessened, but it is up to you if you are interested in the workings and requirements of your bitches you will want this book. Understand money is always hard to come by but the book costs about £7 the price of a couple of magazines.

I was lucky and found mine in a charity shop last year, I hadn't heard of it before but I always buy doggy books if I see them.  Then I found this forum and everyone was raving on about it. It's a good book. Another good one I found in yet another charity shop is an old Foyles Handbook called Breeding from your Poodle by Margaret Rothery and Barbara Lockwood. Its a really excellent little book, some of the ideas are a bit out date like the housing for the bitches, but the info is excellent.

liz

koolcad
got a copy of this book on ebay for £2.80 including p&p
Go and put in a search on ebay and watch it and bid at last min you will get a bargain.
Has lots of info you probably know about already but has lots more stuff that is realy helpfull.

Get this , i bought mine online for about 8 quid all in ... two days later my daughter buys it on a car boot for 50 pence ...lol...always the same in my house ...and if i can find the second book you can have it ....

Why not ebay one?

Have to find it first ...lol.... Would rather send it or give it to a person in need ....