A Matter of Breeding

Praise

“A must-read for all dog lovers.”
—Booklist, starred review

“A no-holds-barred defense of dogs that are the hapless victims of their clueless owners.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“If you’re considering welcoming a dog (or two) into your family, read Michael Brandow’s fascinating and eye-opening book before visiting a pet store or breeder. Brandow not only unearths the status-driven history of so-called ‘purebreds’ but exhorts us to love all dogs regardless of breed. A dog is a living, loving creature, not an accessory item, and Brandow makes his case persuasively and with wit.”
—Betsy Banks Saul, founder of Petfinder.com
 
“A Matter of Breeding addresses a critical but often ignored ethical issue: dog pedigrees… This book is not only incredibly important but is a delightful read with fascinating insights into the history and psychology of the purebred-dog world.”
—Alan M. Beck, ScD, professor and director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond, Purdue University
 
“Brandow’s A Matter of Breeding is at once a keenly observed memoir of his days as a New York City dog walker, a thoroughly researched history of purebred dogs, and an often biting social critique of people, their dogs, and the world they have made for each other.”
—Mark Derr, author of How the Dog Became the Dog