"sionnach" wrote in message
...

"Paul E. Schoen" wrote:

At least I posted a reference that may be read by those who have not
read the book, to get som insight into the style and basic concepts
proposed by the writer.

This is also irrelevant, sorry.
a) Suja asked for input from people who have actually READ THE BOOK.
b) "Insight into style and basic concepts" is not the same thing as
knowing what's in the specific section she's referring to.

Again, what we're talking about has got nothing to do with training.


What we're talking about is Temple saying things like "Goldens belong to
the same genetic group as...all the other hunting dogs"; claiming that
all Labradors are destructive chewers and obsessive overeaters and that
they are "genetically programmed" to be that way - based on anecdotal
evidence from ONE friend of hers, about ONE Lab!!; claiming that mixed
breed dogs with light skin are less stable than those with dark skin
(with absolutely no data to back the claim up); and last but very far
from least, claiming that "mutts are physically healthier than purebreds
because the bad traits of purebreds, such as hyp dysplasia, disappear
just one or two generations away from the purebred line".

That last statement is ludicriously far from the truth.

Well, at least that is some specific information. Suja did not say what she
had issues with, but only that she had gotten as far as page 80.

Remember that this book is written by someone who has a rather unique way
of looking at the world, and there is probably much more to be gained by
keeping an open mind, rather than picking at specific items. The things you
criticize are opinions, observations, and what may constitute folklore or
"old wives tales". I've heard many people say that Labs are very "mouthy"
and will practically inhale food, and it was "common knowledge" to me, long
before I got a dog and started posting here, that most mutts tend to be
more stable, healthier, and less "high strung" than most purebreds. Those
concepts must come from somewhere, and there is probably some element of
truth.

I also know not to trust the pack's opinion about what they have read, as
evidenced by the wholesale dismissal of John Grogan's problems with Marley
as being all about irresponsibility. I did read that book, and I probably
will read this one as well.

Paul and Muttley