Books on Labradors

I'm asked quite a bit about books that I recommend for Labrador owners. Here is a list of my favorites.

• Reaching for the Stars: Advanced Dog Breeding Concepts (Pure Bred Series) by Mary Roslin Williams. This was originally called Advanced Labrador Breeding but that book is sadly out of print. This is essentially a reprint with a bit of additional information. It is an excellent book for those interested in breeding and how to become a better breeder.
  
• The Ultimate Labrador Retriever, Second Edition by Heather Wiles-Fone. This is a good book written by an English breeder and judge. It provides basics about the breed but is especially interesting because it provides photos to indicate differences in type and structure.
  
• The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete. This is an excellent book for training a puppy during the first 3 months. The monks stress the need for early human socialization. The book also stresses humane training methods, and the importance of positive reinforcement.

• How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With by Clarice Rutherford. This is another great book on puppy rearing. I especially like the idea that it isn't necessary to have formal tests to evaluate puppies. Just watching them play and observing their behavior is just fine!

• Book of the Labrador Retriever by Anna Nicholas. This is an older book but has a lot of information in it. I like the photos of the Labradors of yesteryear.
• The Versatile Labrador Retriever by Nancy Martin. This is my favorite on the breed. It is well-written and provides a lot of information on English and American lines. I like to see photos of the dogs behind our lines. This book provides a very good summation of the history of the breed as well.