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

( 10 )
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up in Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Hardcover
$14.87
BN.com price
$24.99 List Price (Save 40%)
Marketplace (New and Used)
from
$6.90
$24.99 List Price (Save 72%)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
All (40)  
Used (15)  
New (25)  
Close
Sort by
Page 1 of 4
Showing 1 – 10 of 40 (4 pages)
$6.90
(Save 72%)
Hall Street Books
Seller since 2012

Feedback rating:

(147)

Condition:

New — never opened or used in original packaging.

Like New — packaging may have been opened. A "Like New" item is suitable to give as a gift.

Very Good — may have minor signs of wear on packaging but item works perfectly and has no damage.

Good — item is in good condition but packaging may have signs of shelf wear/aging or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Acceptable — item is in working order but may show signs of wear such as scratches or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Used — An item that has been opened and may show signs of wear. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Refurbished — A used item that has been renewed or updated and verified to be in proper working condition. Not necessarily completed by the original manufacturer.

Like New
2012 - Hardcover - May contain minor shelf-wear. Otherwise, volume un-read and in "As-New" condition. - Used - Like New - - - -

Ships from: Brooklyn, NY

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$6.90
(Save 72%)
Hall Street Books
Seller since 2012

Feedback rating:

(147)

Condition: Good
2012 - Hardcover - - - - Used - Good - - - -

Ships from: Brooklyn, NY

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$6.90
(Save 72%)
Central Kentucky Book Supply KY
Seller since 2006

Feedback rating:

(1201)

Condition: Very Good
2012 Hardcover Very good condition! Any item over 4lbs is not eligible for international shipping.

Ships from: Nicholasville, KY

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$6.91
(Save 72%)
BookJingle
Seller since 2010

Feedback rating:

(866)

Condition: Good
006202048X Good title in good condition. Pages are clean and tight. DJ shows some minor shelf wear. Satisfaction guaranteed. If item not as described, return for refund of ... purchase price. Read more Show Less

Ships from: Georgetown, KY

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$6.91
(Save 72%)
BookJingle
Seller since 2010

Feedback rating:

(866)

Condition: Good
006202048X Good title in good condition. Pages are clean and tight. DJ shows some minor shelf wear. Satisfaction guaranteed. If item not as described, return for refund of ... purchase price. Read more Show Less

Ships from: Georgetown, KY

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$6.95
(Save 72%)
Broken In Books
Seller since 2011

Feedback rating:

(2)

Condition: Very Good
Hardcover Very Good 006202048X Minor wear to dust jacket. Inside appears unmarked. Ships promptly with tracking at no additional cost to you.

Ships from: Rowley, MA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$7.14
(Save 71%)
Keep Reading
Seller since 2012

Feedback rating:

(41)

Condition: Very Good
006202048X Hardback book with dust jacket in very good condition. Minimal signs of wear.

Ships from: Gallatin, TN

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
$8.34
(Save 67%)
Beagle Books CA
Seller since 2007

Feedback rating:

(6671)

Condition: Very Good
Very Good 006202048X Very Good! May have ink on book edge and or/ very light shelf wear.

Ships from: San Leandro, CA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$9.75
(Save 61%)
Central Kentucky Book Supply KY
Seller since 2006

Feedback rating:

(1201)

Condition: New
2012 Hardcover **New! Any item over 4lbs is not eligible for international shipping.

Ships from: Nicholasville, KY

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$11.80
(Save 53%)
Entertainment
Seller since 2012

Feedback rating:

(72)

Condition: New

Ships from: Canton, OH

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
Page 1 of 4
Showing 1 – 10 of 40 (4 pages)
Close
Sort by
NOOK Book (eBook)
$11.99
BN.com price

Available on NOOK devices and apps

  • Nook Devices
  • NOOK
  • NOOK Color
  • NOOK Tablet
  • Tablet/Phone
  • NOOK for iPad
  • NOOK for iPhone
  • NOOK for Android
  • NOOK for Android (Tablet)
  • NOOK Kids for iPad
  • PC/Mac
  • NOOK Study
  • NOOK for PC
  • NOOK for Mac

Want a NOOK? Explore Now

More About This Book

Overview

Every weekend, for nearly fifty weeks each year, tens of thousands of Americans pack up their SUVs and minivans with crates and dryers and treats and shampoos and hairsprays and plush toys and fan out for some of the two-thousand-plus dog shows held annually across the United States. More than two million pedigreed dogs, and exponentially more humans who handle and care for them, will take part in these events—for the most part happily—and the world that has grown up to support them is massive and vibrant, and almost impossible to imagine unless you've seen it in person.

By spending a year alongside rising star Jack, a champion Australian shepherd, and his canine and human friends, magazine journalist Josh Dean yanks back the curtain on the dog show world, providing not just a hilarious and often touching portrait of a colorful subculture only slightly exaggerated in the film Best in Show, but also a revealing look at our love affair with the world's most doted-upon and tinkered-with animal species, examining the colossal array of dog types and humans who love them.

The book follows Jack as he matures over the course of a year, from still-improving adolescent to seasoned adult show dog. We get to know him and the people around him—his owner, his handler, his breeder—to experience what it's like to own a show dog and to train one. And we come to appreciate him for what he is, a lovable and intelligent house pet—albeit one with a highly unusual occupation.

Along the way, Dean takes a close look at the eccentric and fascinating world of breeders and dog show fanciers—exploring the history and science of purebred dog breeding and the evolution of canine perfection via dog show culture, with that pursuit's many related peculiarities: judging, training, naming, promoting, hairstyling, kennel-owning, RV-driving, hotel-finding, treat-selecting, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

Dog show enthusiasts are a breed of their own and don't look now, but they are everywhere: There are more than 11,000 American Kennel Club sanctioned shows and the dog walk industry brings in a third of a billion dollars each year. Journalist Josh Dean offers us a backstage pass to this exotic world in this new book, which focuses on a cute, intensely pampered canine champion. Jack, the exquisitely preened Australian Shepard who stars in a year of purebred competitions, beginning with small town preps and escalating rapidly towards the prestigious Westminster Dog Show. Whether your pet of preference is a self-willed mutt or a future blue ribbon winner, Show Dog will touch your heart and rouse your curiosity.

— Lisa Echenthal

Kirkus Reviews
A lighthearted account of a year in the life of a show dog. Dog shows may appear inscrutable to the outsider due to the amount of time and money devoted to promoting and showing animals that, to an untrained eye, appear equally attractive. Former Men's Journal editor Dean's major achievement is his effective demystification of this world. The author demonstrates to readers how easily one can become invested, emotionally and financially, in the success of a show dog. The author focuses on Jack, an Australian shepherd who enjoyed early success in the ring. However, when readers meet him, he is struggling to fulfill his potential. Dean also profiles Jack's entourage--including his fretful but proud owner, Kimberly, his tough but effective handler, Heather, and many other strong personalities who inhabit the dog-show community--and ably explains the motivation behind dog shows: the recognition of dogs who are nearly flawless representations of the exacting standards of their breed. This recognition helps keep these breeds alive, but, writes the author, it also leads to cheating and overbreeding. Unfortunately, the author doesn't seriously examine these problems, and he only mentions--but never develops--his provocative theory that dog-show judges are so influenced by the decisions made by other judges that once a dog gets on a winning streak, few judges want to be the one to break it. Light on investigative journalism, this book will be an amiable companion for those looking for a sympathetic and educational look at the dog-show community.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780062020482
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication date: 2/7/2012
  • Pages: 416
  • Sales rank: 33,081
  • Product dimensions: 6.10 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 1.50 (d)

Meet the Author

Josh Dean is a former deputy editor of Men's Journal as well as a contributor, and was one of the founding editors of PLAY, the New York Times sports magazine. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Outside, GQ, Popular Science, Fast Company, Inc., Travel + Leisure, and many others. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, son, and imaginary pet dog.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 10 )

Rating Distribution

5 Star

(5)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(3)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or Leave Anonymously

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identiy on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously

We're sorry, but penname is already taken.

Please select one of the following:
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously

penname is available!

By visiting the BN.com website or marking a purchase on BN.com, a User is deemed to have accepted the Terms of Use.

Continue Anonymously

Welcome, penname

You have successfully created your Pen Name. Start enjoying the benefits of the BN.com Community today.

Sort by: Showing all of 10 Customer Reviews

  • Posted February 8, 2012

    Great read! And oh, so true!

    Anyone who has ever wondered about the world of dog shows and the people and their dogs that inhabit them will find this book instructive as well as entertaining; those experienced in dog shows will find it a hoot! A good read. Check it out.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted February 25, 2012

    SPOT ON !!!!

    "A DAY IN THE LIFE"....VIVID,EVEN-HANDED PROFILES OF THE BREEDER, OWNER, HANDLERS WHO SPIRIT JACK, THE AUSTRALIAN SHEPARD IN HIS QUEST FOR TOP RANKING IN THE PURE BRED SHOW DOG WORLD. A JOY; FILLED WITH INFORMATION,HISTORY,HUMAN FOIBLES AND EXPLANATIONS OF DOG SHOW RULES AND NOMENCLATURE TO SATISFY BOTH SEASONED DOG SHOW PARTICIPANTS AND
    CASUAL OBSERVERS. IF YOU LIKE DOGS, I'LL BET YOU'LL LOVE THIS BOOK.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted April 25, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Highly Recommended and Totally Enjoyable Read

    A friend of mine, knowing my wife shows Chinese Crested dogs and that I own an Aussie, suggested I pick up this book. I found it totally engaging, funny, and an accurate portrayal of the Show world. We are relatively new to showing, my wife got into it 5 years ago under circumstances weirdly similar to Kim Smith, and she has been hooked ever since. My wife shows and I watch and provide moral support. I found Josh's book to be an extremely accurate and heartfelt portrayal of this world from the viewpoint of someone who has never bred or shown dogs.

    My wife was hesitant to read the book and actually asked me today, "is it judgmental?" I told her I found it to be the opposite, the people portrayed in the book are people who love dogs and love their sport. I would recommend this book to anyone who shows, is interested in what goes on with showing, or just loves dogs.

    BTW, I was floored to find out that the breeder of my Aussies' sire, Kerry Kirtley, was one of the main figures in the book. Small world.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 14, 2012

    Very Engaging

    Even with 30 years in dogs behind me I learned something more from this new angle that I didn't know before.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 8, 2012

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 27, 2012

    Recommended -- great picture of the life of successful show dogs

    This book follows an individual and a dog that has great show potential through the trials and successes of showing a dog to the top 10 of the breed. If you always wanted to know more about how a dog becomes a top show dog (other than because they are a great representative of the breed) -- and there is much to it, take a look at this book.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 25, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 29, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 30, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 8, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 10 Customer Reviews
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)
500 character limit