Panther: And Other Stories of Great Hunting Retrievers

Bys: John Madson, E. Donnall Thomas, Wade Bourne, et al.

Book Overview

The story of Panther, the small Labrador retriever with the big heart, leads off this exciting collection of tales devoted exclusively to hunting retrievers. A diminutive pheasant hunting dog from the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1932052143
• ISBN13: 9781932052145
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Ducks Unlimited
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

If you understand hunting dogs...

I've hunted with Labrador retrievers for nearly 30 years, and can attest to the "special bonds" that exist between a hunting dog and the two-legged hunter, something that the average dog owner will never experience, no matter how much they love their pet. Only the hunter will ever experience the incredible feats, heart, and emotions that a good hunting dog is capable of. Retrievers in particular are capable of showing you exactly what they think; miss an easy shot on a bird, and they will look over their shoulder at you as if to say, "I'm out here doing my job and you miss THAT shot? Maybe you should give that shotgun to me!" "Panther" is a book hunters will enjoy. The non-hunter can appreciate these special dogs, but not to the same degree. It is not a book you will sit down and read cover to cover, but one you'll pick up on a cold winter's night to read one story at a time. Normally I avoid most "me and my dog" stories, since I have enough "me and my dog" stories to write my own book. I also dislike overdone sentimentality and the wailing and gnashing of teeth when a good dog passes on, since over 30 years I've had to deal with that heart-wrenching inevitability many times. I don't care to read someone else's eulogy to "old Shep." Been there and done that myself, and have shed my own tears over my own dogs. That's enough. Fortunately, "Panther" in general avoids excessive sentimentality and simply relates the stories of some exceptional dogs. It is not high literature, it does not set out to "prove" anything or make any points. It simply tells some good stories about real dogs. Any hunter who has had that "special" dog once in their lifetime will understand. It reaffirms why an addiction to hunting retrievers is more expensive, at times more frustrating and more difficult to break than a heroin habit...and why people like me can't live without them.

Lab Lover's Tearjerkers

We've got Triever Fever, and our Yellow Lab is 3 years old now. I had to get this book because it's kind of like that license plate frame that says "If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand". The stories are wonderfully written and we'd love to see a "Panther II". It will pull at your heartstrings like no others can, and if you are owned by a Lab or know someone who is, it's a great gift as well. Highly recommended!