Book of the Bitch: A Complete Guide to Understanding and Caring for Bitches (New Edition)

I'm doing research on breeding, and will keep my first intact female dog - I initially spotted this book and thought it would be a funny joke for the eye-rolling I've gotten from the men in the household, but it's actually a very good, informative book with lots of good insight and information about your female dog.

This is an excellent book for anyone who owns or is contemplating owning a female dog. It's packed with information covering every aspect of the female dog including purchasing, prenatal care, whelping, care for the pups until they are eight weeks old, female dog anatomy, etc. in simple, easy to understand language. This is one of the best books out there on female dogs.

Every breeder must have this book in their collection. I have learned a lot about my dogs and reproduction and how to properly ensure my dams are well taken care of while they are pregnant and raising their babies.

this is a great book for any breeder. There's always something you may have forgotten and something to learn. The information is very easy to understand. I bought this for a friend in rescue who was new to whelping puppies. Rescues take in pregnant mothers or they will be euthanized as soon as they go into labor. My friend's rescue had a litter of 12 so this book was invaluable all through raising the puppies.I also used this book when I was breeding and showing dogs. I gave it away when I retired.

I love this the most out of all the books we had bought, good clear instructions and found it easy to follow through on there suggestions.

I have quite a few breeding books and this is by far the least adequate. The text rambles and is filled with more opinions than facts and with little substantiating evidence. Extremely disappointing. There are many other more useful texts available.

this is THE book to have for whelping needs questions and answers. i have gone thru 3 of this book, loaning out to others etc. Wouldn't be without it!

This is a very informative book. Be advised, however, that it comes from Great Britain. The style and vernacular is decidedly different than Americans are used to.

Bought this book originally when my labrador was having puppies and lost it. My Norfolk whelped two weeks ago and I bought another copy. Had totally forgotten how brilliant it was and tells you everything you need to know. There are some pretty gruesome bits too but I guess you need to know both the good and the bad. Just read the various chapters as you go along. Everything from going into season, mating, whelping and finally bringing up the puppies is really helpful.My bitch did everything according to the book and so all my whelping kit, spare bottles and other paraphernalia are all lying unopened in a box apart from the stethoscope which I used to try and listen to the puppies heart beats when they were still in her. Didn't work though!

My youngest dog’s breeder recommends this book to all the families who buy bitches from her but I’d been pretty lax about it.We are now going into the process of seeing whether we’d like to breed from our bitch and I finally bought the book.I have to say I devoured it; there is excellent information (with a couple of slightly outdated moments... something about a payphone!) but our brilliant vet was about to recommend it when I said I’d already read it, which he was very pleased with (he also talked me through how to assist with unusual presentations- so I’d definitely recommend also finding a supportive vet who is invested in seeing a “lovely healthy litter of pups”, as ours is).In the book, I’d say 80% is with a mind to breeding, so it might be more of a read-it-donate-it purchase for new owners of bitches, but as a potential breeder it’s definitely a mandatory purchase.The logistical side of preparing and caring for your bitch alongside the fluctuations of her hormones during her seasons, during mating, gestation and whelping (and beyond) is all carefully detailed. I would still advise broadening your research (kennel club and British Veterinary Association articles online are a great place to start) and keeping in close contact with a trusted vet, but having read the book, I can use it as a go-to at every step of the way.

This book served its purpose as a guide. Its not a bible please remember that when reading this. For example - it reads that puppies should be born 4 hours between each other WORST CASE and if the puppy is born after vet attention is needed. I called my emergency vet and was told the last puppy might not make it, the book also suggests that the pup wont live. 12 hours or so a beautiful pup was born who turned out to be the strongest. Of course if you have any concern you should contact your vet. The book otherwise is good :) and would recommend it.It gave a good indication and was helpful, I was clued up for the pregnancy.

this is a really good book if you are thinking of letting your bitch have a litter. i was undecided whether to let my chihuahua have a litter and after reading this i have decided not too just because there is so much to think about and so many things could go wrong. it really helped make my mind up

J.M Evans MRCVS & Kay White 'Book of the Bitch' certainly one to have close to hand when whelping time arrives. There are so many headings with easy reference sections from bitch management, education, feeding, forward planning, pregnancy, whelping. In section three it covers anatomy, physiology, medical problems, it also sets out how to keep records. He also writes & sketch the different stages of development of the embryo is at and the foetal stage.I would recommend this book both for the occasional breeder and the regular breeder, after all you want to give your bitch the best possible care, armed with this book and your own vet telephone number, you shouldn't need anyone else.After reading this book you will be confident for your bitch when her whelping day arrives.