6 great books about dogs you shouldn’t miss

Do you have any favourite books you would recommend your friends to read? Are any books about pets among those? Today, I will share with you the names of six books about dogs any animal lover shouldn’t miss in my opinion.

Czechs love pets which is also proven in statistics. Almost three fifth of Czechs have a pet at home. And we are also known as dog lovers in Europe. It is not a surprise that our favourite pets are also present in literature and not only as participants in stories but also as their main characters. Who wouldn’t know Karel Čapek’s Dashenka (The Story of the Puppy) in the Czech Republic?  There are also other gems on my bookshelf which shaped my childhood. White Fang and Lassie Come Home also belong to them.

Yet, books don’t have to describe dogs, pets or even rodents only as characters in some fictional stories. I also like books for breeders. I use them to get new ideas for commands and tricks I then teach my dogs. There are thousands of books about pets. I picked six of them which were interesting for me recently and brought me new inspiration.

1. (Kyra Sundance) 101 dog tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog

If you don’t want your dog to be just any dog, this book is for you. It introduces various tricks step by step. My dog learned how to roll over or crawl thanks to it. The author’s key idea is that by training tricks you bond and strengthen the relationship with your dog.

2. (Ceasar Millan) Cesar´s Way: A Short Guide to a Happy Dog

To teach your dog various tricks is one thing but to understand its soul is another. Although Cesar Millan is a controversial figure to some, this book is full of interesting observations particularly for the owners of more demanding dog breeds. Millan shows 98 techniques to find a key to understanding a dog’s behaviour. It is only up to you if you decide to use the recommended techniques :).

3. (Seth Casteel) Underwater Dogs

I have always liked picture books. The fact that I am adult doesn’t change it. In this case, it doesn’t even matter that this book is sold only in English on the Czech market. Because it includes 80 dog portraits with dogs under water. Funny photos will cheer you up not only once, this is a book you will like to return to. And it’s also a great gift for someone who is as keen of dogs as you are.

4. (Garth Stein) The Art of Racing in the Rain

Labradors’ owners will certainly appreciate putting this bestseller on my list of tips. This book is about Enzo, a labrador’s crossbreed, who thinks he is different than other dogs. He is a thoughtful philosopher and adrenaline racer as well as his owner. With the use of a dog’s character, an interesting human story which will provide a stimulus to thinking is described…

5. (Judy Fridino) Ricochet: Riding a Wave of Hope with the Dog Who Inspires Millions

This book is unfortunately not available in Czech but I can recommend it to anyone who can handle English well enough. On the contrary to labrador Enzo’s story, this is a real narrative about a dog who can not only surf but also save and heal at the same time. Ricochet helps both children and adults with a disability to overcome their fear of water. A main character in this book which is a beautiful story about hope is a golden retriever.

6. (Marcela Borgesová) Doggy life, funny life (original: Se psem je psina)

Little fun in the end. This is a book you can find only in an antiquarian bookshop nowadays. I also found it in one. And after quickly going through it, I immediately knew I can’t leave it there. The world is divided into two groups according to the author: into dog lovers who fall under the spell of the four-legged companions who bring mud home and the second group, the practical people. Funny but not an offensive style this book uses will immediately get you into it. A life without a dog? Never!

I’m sure you won’t get bored with these books during spring evenings. It is also necessary to note that these six books are definitely a complex overview of the best pieces about books you can find in bookshops. Leave us a comment telling what books about dogs had impact on you or if you have read any of the mentioned pieces and whether you liked it. :)