016 - The English Water Spaniel

Dive into a fascinating exploration of dog breeding with Animal Heroes, a captivating period piece that details 47 breeds and chronicles the early days of dog breeding. Discover the pivotal moments surrounding the birth of the American Kennel Club in 1884, which set the foundation for breed standards, as well as the evolution of bench shows and field trials. Each article, penned by a prominent breed expert of the time, reveals how today’s beloved breeds were shaped by the finest traits of their ancestors. This insightful work also delves into traditional dog training theories and historical methods of disease treatment. Editor Shields hailed this book in 1891 as the grandest work on the dog ever published, highlighting the efforts of its various authors who played a crucial role in importing canine stock from Europe and establishing national breed clubs. (Summary by Michele Fry)