Dogs Working for People

by Joanna Foster

Photographs and brief text describe the skills of retrievers, sheep and cattle dogs, Seeing Eye dogs, greyhounds, bloodhounds, police dogs, watchdogs, huskies, and other canines that work for man.

Genres: Childrens, Nonfiction, Dogs

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like the title of the book first off. Other books like this I've read have been titled something along the lines of "working dogs." This title makes it sound like they're just machines, not intelligent creatures who deserve respect for their unique abilities.

Some of the jobs are interesting, and there are a lot of different things dogs do that are covered. But there are some I would have been fine if they'd been left out, such as hunting and racing, especially the latter, since I don't think being something people gamble on is really a job "working for people."

The photographs are excellent and fairly well presented considering the quality of printing available then for a children's book (1972). That's to be expected, though, since it was published by National Geographic.

The story is written like it's for very little kids like, "Splash! Into the water he plunges, when his master days, 'Fetch!'" Yet you can see the words aren't really little kid words. Other parts of the book are less storylike and more narrative. It's a weird mixture.

If this were written now, it would be 2 stars, but I'm going easy because it was written when I was five (well earlier because it was probably written a year before it was printed, or more if they person couldn't sell it).

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book is a capable introduction to working canines, it does present an outmoded, 1970s sensibility.

Expect constant references to "masters," as well as a statement that greyhounds love track racing. Some of the dog jobs seem obsolete--with modern security systems, I am doubtful that many Dobermans patrol locked-up department stores these days. A photo of a hunting dog carrying a dead duck in his mouth may upset sensitive children.

However, I was pleased to see the Bloodhound's easygoing nature explained in this book. Sadly, this gentle tracking dog's reputation has been unfairly sullied by those who wish to engage in revisionist history.

[Debby]

Short narrative with pictures to tell some of the useful things dogs do.

636.7

[Joe Farrar]

cute...