BraveHeart Belgians
Recommended Reading

Home
These are our recommended titles by subject with commentary as appropriate:

Breed Selection: Two great books that work together to help you discover the best dog for you and your lifestyle.

The Right Dog For You: Choosing a breed that matches your personality, family and lifestyle
by Daniel F. Tortora, PhD. 
The New Encyclopedia of the Dog by Bruce Fogle, DVM.

Belgian Sheepdogs: 

Belgians: From Start to Finished by Sallyann Comstock
The Complete Belgian Shepherd Dog by Deborah Fleming

Dog Behavior: Answers why dogs behave the way they do, why we interact with dogs the way we do, and how to communicate with dogs so that they understand what we want of them.

The Dog's Mind
by Bruce Fogle, DVM.
Pet Speak
by the Editors of Pets
On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas
Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
Dogs Are From Neptune by Jean Donaldson
The Other End of The Leash
by Patricia B. McConnell, PhD.
Bones Would Rain From the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships with Dogs by Suzanne Clothier

Bitch Physiology & Breeding:
if you choose to own a bitch (or more rightly, be owned by one), these books show how uncomplicated it is. Muriel Lee's book is usually the first book recommended for breeding knowledge. 

The Book of the Bitch: A Complete Guide to Understanding and Caring for Bitches by J. M. Evans & Kay White
Whelping and Rearing of Puppies by Muriel P. Lee
The Complete Book of Dog Breeding
by Dan Rice, DVM.

Nutrition: Learning how nutrition impacts general health and length of lifespan will help you make decisions regarding diet. 

The BARF Diet by Ian Billinghurst, DVM.
Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: The Ultimate Pet Diet by Kymythy R. Schultze
K9 Kitchen - Your Dogs' Diet: The Truth Behind The Hype by Monica Segal
Food Pets Die For by Ann N. Martin and Michael W. Fox

For questions, call us at 575-776-0911 or email us at alpinefire@taosnet.com.

Puppy Development: What a puppy experiences in it's first year of development determines how that pup will interact with others, its surroundings and new experiences as an adult. We cannot stress enough how important early and consistent socialization is to you and your pet throughout its lifetime.

How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With
by Clarice Rutherford and David H. Neil
Taking Care of Puppy Business by Gail Pivar & Leslie Nelson
The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete

Do SOMETHING with your dog - it will make her happy, you proud and be lots of fun.

Training:
A trained dog is always an asset and a safe companion.
Beyond Obedience by April Frost
The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller
How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend by The Monks of New Skete
Smart Trainers, Brilliant Dogs by Janet R. Lewis
Dog Tricks for Dummies by Sarah Hodgson

Conformation:
Show Me!: A Dog Showing Primer by D. Caroline Coile
Tricks of the Trade: From Best Intentions to Best In Show by Pat Hastings
The Winning Edge by George Alston

Agility & Other Dog Sports:
A Guide to Dog Sports by Claire Koshar
Introduction to Dog Agility by Margaret H. Bonham
Enjoying Dog Agility by Julie Daniels
Flyball Racing: The Dog Sport for Everyone by Lonnie Olson

Herding:
Farmer's Dog by John Holmes
Herding Dogs, Progressive Training by Vergil Holland

Therapy:
Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy edited by
Aubrey Fine
Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others by Kathy Diamond Davis

Tracking:
Puppy Tracking Primer by Carolyn Krause
Tracking From the Ground Up by Sandy Ganz & Susan Boyd
Enthusiastic Tracking: A Step by Step Training Handbook by William Sanders

Protective Sport:
Schutzhund Theory and Training by Susan Barwig
Schutzhund Obedience: Training in Drive by Sheila Booth


Our Dogs

Breeder Philosophy

Current
Litter

Buyer Survey

Photo Album

Natural Diet

Bookstore

Recommended Links