Staff Pick
This book is a haunting look at the history of humans manipulating their canine companions for prestige and profit. It's a disturbing read — if you're a big dog lover, be prepared for some tough chapters — but worth every page. Brandow is incredibly tough on the world of dog breeders, especially in our culture of dog breed-obsessed celebrities and the people who yearn to buy the same dog as their favorite actor, however he offers a small slide of hope: we can help reverse what we've forced upon our dog best friends by slowing down breeding programs, shutting down heavy-handed kennel clubs, and purchasing pups from local shelters. I guarantee that dog enthusiasts will have a hard time swallowing the truth about their favorite breeds (like the thousands of puppies who were murdered for being born with "unfortunate snout shapes"), but I felt better knowing that my choice to adopt a mutt was the right one. Recommended By Liz LePage, Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
With a background in journalism, dog care, and community activism, Michael Brandow (New York, NY) has written for publications including the New York Times, New Criterion, Town & Country, and ARTNews. An expert on canine culture, Brandow is a sought-after commentator on dog-related issues and has been interviewed for BBC Newshour and profiled in the New Yorker.
Synopsis
A provocative look at the "cult of pedigree" and an entertaining social history of purebred dogs In this illuminating and entertaining social history, social critic Michael Brandow probes the "cult of pedigree" and traces the commercial rise of the purebred dog. Combining consumer studies with sharp commentary, A Matter of Breeding reveals the sordid history of the dog industry and shows how our brand-name pets--from Labs to French bulldogs and everything in between--pay the price with devastatingly poor health.
Synopsis
A provocative look at the 'cult of pedigree' and an entertaining social history of purebred dogs--"a must-read for all dog lovers" (Booklist). So-called "purebreds" are the mainstay of the dog industry. Expert Michael Brandow argues these aren't time-honored traditions--but rather commercial inventions of the 19th century that were marketed as status symbols to a growing middle class.
Combining social history and consumer studies with sharp commentary, this reveals the sordid history of the dog industry and shows how our brand-name pets pay the price with devastatingly poor health. It includes chapters devoted to popular breeds such as:
- Golden Retrievers
- Boston Terriers
- English Bulldogs
- Labrador Retrievers
An essential read for animal lovers and animal rights activists everywhere, A Matter of Breeding is a fresh take on the history pedigree dogs and encourages us to love all our furry friends--no matter the coat color or price tag.
"If you're considering welcoming a dog (or two) into your family, read Michael Brandow's fascinating and eye-opening book before visiting a pet store or breeder."
--Betsy Banks Saul, founder of Petfinder.com