Lab Lovers Library: Proven Books You Need On Your Shelf

Labrador history

The Labrador Dog - Its Home and History (1936)

- Lord George Scott and Sir John Middleton

This is one of my favorite books! It was written by Lord George Scott, brother of the 7th Duke of Buccleuch, and Sir John Middleton, the former Governor of Newfoundland. Lots of early history! Although the book's cover isn't in great shape, the interior is well preserved. Even the fold-out pedigrees on tissue paper are intact.

The Popular Labrador Retriever

- Lorna, Countess Howe

It's a typical dog book, but having been written by one of the greatest proponents of the breed makes it special. She knew many of the early breeders and their dogs, often buying the best dogs she found. She wrote of the founding of the breed, the early dogs and their breeders. A story she included was about Lord Knutsford (then the Hon. Arthur Holland-Hibbert). He wanted to import a dog to add to his Munden strain and asked a friend for help. His friend didn't find a dog, but was told "You will get a better one nearer home from a young fellow called Holland-Hibbert who lives at Munden, Hertfordshire."

The Labrador Retriever - The History, The People

- Richard A Wolters

A comprehensive book about the Labrador Retriever. It starts with a detailed dive into the beginning of the breed based on the author's review of early sources. He explains what sources he used and how they fit together, but it's still like a jigsaw puzzle with some pieces missing. He continues onward discussing the Lab's journey to England and Scotland, plus the times the breed nearly ended. Then the export to the US and breeders such as Jay Carlisle of Wingan put Labs on the path to popularity.

Other Labrador Retriever topics

The Dual-Purpose Labrador

- Mary Roslin-Williams

This book was published in 1969 by a woman who knew Labradors. Any book by MRW is worth reading and this one doesn't disappoint. If you can find a copy available, snap it up. Then be sure to read the chapters on Type and Conformation. You may also want to listen to one of her lectures as well.

Reaching for the Stars

- Mary Roslin-Williams

Previously titled Advanced Labrador Breeding, this book is all about breeding. She discusses successful breeders and the qualities that make a good breeder. The part I found most interesting was her description of the stages a breeder goes through.

Legends in Labradors

- Nancy Martin

The author visited many important breeders, both in the UK and the US, and wrote a series of profiles. Included are Sandringham, Banchory, Ballyduff, Blaircourt, Cornlands, Hiwood, Knaith, Mansergh, Sandylands, and more from the UK. Plus Arden, Chidley, Deercreek, Earlsmoor, Franklin, Lockerbie, Nilo, Whygin, Wingan, and others from the US. The profiles aren't long or in depth, but they give you a taste of why these kennels were so important.

The Book of the Labrador Retriever

- Anna K. Nicholas

Starts by discussing the origins and standards of the breed, and provides advice on caring for, showing, and obedience training Labradors. But what sets it apart from many breed books is the information on kennels in the US and Canada. Kennels included Beechcroft, Broad Reach, Campbellcroft, Chidley, Finchfield, Franklin, Killingworth, Kimvalley, Lockerbie, Mandigo, Rupert, Scrimshaw, Shamrock Acres, Simerdown, and Whygin.

The Official Book of the Labrador Retriever

- Labrador Retriever Club Inc

Another comprehensive book about Labradors, although not so deep as Richard Wolters' book, The Labrador Retriever. It has a section on history of the breed, but more interesting are the pedigrees and photos of Labs. Many of the highlighted bloodlines are from Europe and especially England and Scotland.

The Complete Labrador Retriever

- Helen Warwick

A lovely book that lives up to its name. If you want to learn about Labrador Retrievers - albeit at a high level rather than a deep dive - this is the book for you. Mrs. Warwick does a good job condensing the Lab's history and yet keeping it readable. Other chapters discuss yellows and chocolates, Labs in other countries, showing, and breeding.

The Ultimate Labrador Retriever

- Heather Wiles-Fone

This is a large book with each chapter penned by an authority on that topic. Learn about Lab history, raising a puppy, training, showing, breeding, health, and more. And each chapter is complete enough to be its own book.

Sandylands

- Richard Edwards

A very in depth book about the Sandyland dogs - mostly Labradors, but also some other breeds. Follow along as Labs twine through Gwen Broadley's life, from Juno through Tandy, Tweed, Mark, and many others. If you have any questions, the author is active on Facebook. And he also wrote a chapter in The Ultimate Labrador Retriever as did Marjorie Satterthwaite.

The Retriever Owner's Encyclopedia

- Gwen Broadley

I stumbled upon this book recently and bought it because the author bred so many wonderful dogs under the Sandylands name. The book is more of a dictionary of dog terms, some simple and other lesser known terms such as haw, eclampsia, and timber. What I liked best was the sprinkling of photos including Sandylands Tweed of Blaircourt, Sandylands Tandy, Lockerbie Kismet, Knaith Banjo, and Reanacre Mallurd Thunder retrieving a fox. Although most of the photos are of Labs, there are also some of Goldens, Flatcoats, and Curly Coated dogs too.

The Labrador Retriever

- David D Elliot
Numbered edition, mine is #18

A little book with basic Labrador care instructions, but what sets it apart are the number of photos of dogs from the Wingan kennel. Mr. Carlisle did an awesome job importing and breeding the best Labs. He was also very giving with his time to help other breeders. When he died he left his dogs to his trainer, David Elliot.

Life Magazine, Issue December 12, 1936

This issue included an article about Blind of Arden with an arresting photo of him on the cover. The article talked about his win at the "No. 1 U.S. Retriever Test" and included several photos. At that time, Labs were still new to the US.

A Dog Owner's Guide to Labrador Retrievers

- Marjorie Satterthwaite

This is a nice little introduction to Labs book, but I bought it for sentimental reasons. I met and talked with Mrs. Satterthwaite at the 2004 LRC National Specialty. She said some nice things as she went over my dog, even though we both knew Arwen wasn't a show dog. We talked again at the hunt test when I gave her a photo of her judging my friend's dog the day before. She passed away just a few years later.

Health

The Nature of Animal Healing

- Dr. Martin Goldstein

I got to meet Dr. Marty when he was on his book tour. He's such an inspiration! In his book he gives several ways to help your dog live longer and healthier. If you want to jump right into raw feeding, he tells you how to do it. Not quite ready to go all the way? He has tips to ease into it. I eased in because it's hard to give your dog raw meat - bone and all - and wonder if it's safe. But they loved it and I got over being fearful (mostly). I also think it helped my chocolate Lab live to 17 years old.

Keep Your Dog Healthy the Natural Way

- Pat Lazarus

This book is similar in many ways to The Nature of Animal Healing. It talks about feeding a natural diet and gives variations for females in whelp and another for puppies. Plus it explains why a natural diet is better. It also covers alternatives to vaccinations and the benefits of alternative medicine such as chiropractic, acupuncture and homeopathy.

Field training and history

History of Retriever Field Trials in America

- Fred Kampo and Carolyn McCreesh

A signed, limited edition book that looks great on the coffee table. More than that it provides a detailed glimpse into the start of field trialing in the US. It includes information about the dogs' performances, the handlers and owners, and the estates where trials were held. I love the amount of photos included and the depth of detail. However I wish that sub-headings had been used to make it easier to find specific information.

Mike Lardy’s training articles

- Collections 1 & 2

Collections of articles written by one of the most successful field trial trainers. Covers basic training through blinds, although it’s not very detailed. I recommend getting the first collection to get a good overview on field training. He also offers various videos that are more expensive, but can be a great help if you learn better visually. Most trainers I know use Lardy's training progression or something very similar. Available through Total Retriever Training along with several great videos/DVDs.

Tri-Tronics Retriever Training

- Jim & Phyllis Dobbs

Step-by-step program for retriever training which emphasizes “making it easy for dogs to learn.” Excellent section on the use of the electronic collar. There are also some concepts gathered from Schutzhund training. By the way, if you use Lardy's program, skip this book or vice-versa. Trying to use both will confuse your dog.

Training Retrievers for the Marshes and Meadows

- James B Spencer

A rather chatty book that starts with choosing a puppy and works its way through beginning to advanced blinds and marks. It does work, but you might want to pick up his other books that go into more detail on marking and running blinds.

Training Retrievers to Handle

- DL & Ann Walters

Very in depth book, but worth reading to understand the steps involved in teaching a dog to handle.

Retriever Training Drills for Marking

- James B Spencer

Because we can't have a chat with our dogs and explain what we want - in a way they understand - we need drills. Some drills help teach a skill, others are used to refine a behavior. Drills are introduced during basics training and repeated over several training sessions. This book includes a variety of drills to help dogs pinpoint the area of the fall and go straight there.

Retriever Training Drills for Blind Retrieves

- James B Spencer

Most drills have been developed by pros who need ways to teach dogs a concept. Some drills have been shared, while other drills have stayed within a group of people. For example, wagon wheel and 3-hand casting drills are well known. This book does a deep dive into a variety of drills including the purpose of the drill, equipment needed, precautions to take, and a step-by-step description.

Retriever Training Tests

- James B Spencer

I wish more judges would read this book. Some judges have never hunted which leaves them at a disadvantage. They compensate by setting up a test similar to what they've seen as a competitor. Unfortunately they often don't understand the 'why' of that set up. Other judges have lots of hunting experience which really helps them set up a realistic test. Sometimes, however, what happens in an actual hunt doesn't transfer well to a testing environment.

Water Dog

- Richard Wolters

A classic! Many dogs have been trained using this book, however there are newer books available. I think some of the new techniques are easier for the dogs to learn.

Game Dog

- Richard Wolters

Another good book and similar to Water Dog, but it focuses more on training for upland hunting. I like that it has a step-by-step method.

Other dog training books

Expert Obedience Training for Dogs

- Winifred G. Strickland

I have a couple of Bill Koehler's books and his methods work. However I like more of a partnership rather than a master and servant relationship. Mrs. Strickland worked with her dogs and developed top obedience competitors that were happy and enthusiastic in their work. It also includes how to train tricks and basic tracking.

Peak Performance

- M. Christine Zink DVM

How to keep dogs fit and active by a consultant on canine sports medicine. Owners should learn their dogs' health needs and how to keep them fit to compete successfully.

Beyond Basic Dog Training

- Diane L Bauman

A more recent book on obedience training that allows dogs to learn by trial and error. The dog isn't corrected and so isn't afraid of failing. I've heard many obedience trial champions have been trained using this method.

Tracking Dog Theory & Methods

- Glen R. Johnson

An oldie, but if you follow his methods your dog should be ready to run a TD test in about two months. It's the best all-around book for understanding how to train a dog to track. It includes a schedule to train for TD and TDX titles, although it doesn’t include any information about the VST title.

Component Training For Variable Surface Tracking

- Ed Presnall and Christy Bergeon

Breaks down training for VST into specific skills. Not particularly easy to read, but it is the best book available on VST training.

Other books you need

The New Art of Breeding Better Dogs

- Kyle Onstott

This book does a good job of explaining how to combine genes to create a better dog. It includes an excellent chapter on inbreeding, line breeding, and outcrossing.

The New Knowledge of Dog Behavior

- Clarence Pfaffenberger

Research on how and when puppies are socialized makes a big difference in how well they can adapt to life with people. This led to discovering the critical stages of puppy development. If that time is missed the puppies may never be able to bond with people.