Basically, it's boring for those who don't care about heraldry, and insulting to anyone who does.


Good for the first couple of reads   March 23, 2003
This book was interesting when I first read it. I had no idea that there was a coat of arms for every breed of dog. However after the first few times of reading it cover to cover I got bord with it. It really is more of a kids book. But as I said it is interesting only the first few times ( for adults) you read it. I would recommend checking it out of a library rather than buying it.


Canine Heraldry   January 11, 2002
The idea of a coat of arms for a particular breed of dogs is humourous, at least for the first few pages. The author's blatant disregard for the art of heraldry and utter disdain for the idea of good design will cause this book to grate on the nerves of anyone who appreciates a real coat of arms.


description of "Bar Sinister is totally wrong"   June 29, 1997
 2 out of 5 found this review helpful

Whoever wrote the description on heraldry for canines about "Bar Sinister" is out in left field and probably knows absolutely Nothing about the charges, ordinaries, metals, etc. If he/she did the person would know that a bend is an honourable ordinary and the bend sinister is the same thing and does not represent a "bastard". That person should know that a regular bend with a baton on the bend is the actual meaning of one of illegitimate birth. How do I know. I've studied the subject for over 25 years. I personally think it is an act of stupidity to put something down like a "bar sinister" as there is no such derivation in any research volume on heraldry.Bill Wendeborn


A real "sleeper" of a book   January 19, 1997
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is a truly astonishing book, a sleeper if there ever was one. The concept itself reminds one that creativity is a wondrous thing. The idea of creating coat of arms for dogs is not something that comes to everyone, but once conceived is irresistible to dog lovers. This small book contains not only the concept but is also the obvious distillation of years of painstaking research into the background of the145 breeds of dog, the arcane world of heraldic art, and the integration of both into meticulously prepared and highly detailed full color coat of arms for each. Each portrays the most significant aspects of the dogbreed's history by the subtle use of tiny drawings and symbols included in the coat of arms. They must be studied carefully, and each viewing reveals something new. Accompanying each drawing is a brief entertaining and often amusing text explaining the coat of arms and the dog's history. In addition, adding to the artistic achievement are the drawings on each of a prime example of the breed. To cap it all off there is even a coat of arms for the mutt, which contains within it a rendering of the very crown worn by illegitimate sons of the Kings of France, as well as the Bar Sinister, which has been used from the earliest days of heraldry to indicate bastadry, which was not looked down upon by the nobility