Dog’s Best Friend

In 1923, William Lewis Judy purchased Dog World magazine for just over $1,000. For the next four decades, his unique, poignant, and witty writing and editing style, combined with his genuine love for dogs, enlightened a growing population of dog owners across the nation. A prolific dog show judge and breeder and expert on dog law in America, Judy had a vision that dogs would serve humans in ways most had not imagined. He championed their use in military and police work, and in their value as assistance and therapy dogs. In 1928, he launched the National Dog Week Movement, to honor man’s best friend in a collective and thoughtful manner. Today, that movement continues, a testament to the legacy of this inspiring and gifted dog-enthusiast.

Lisa Begin-Kruysman is an established dog-blogger and administrator for the official National Dog Week Facebook Page. She lives in Ocean County, New Jersey.

Brian Patrick Duggan is a canine historian and author of several books and numerous articles about dogs in history. He is a retired university technology educator and an American Kennel Club judge.

Lisa Begin-Kruysman

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 224
Bibliographic Info: 8 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2014
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7120-1
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1626-1
Imprint: McFarland
Series: Dogs in Our World

Acknowledgments  ix
Foreword by Jane Miller  1
Preface  5
1. The Man Who Went to the Dogs  11
2. From Scientific to Soulful: Will Judy’s Ultimate Work on the Physical and Emotional Lives of Dogs  26
3. Will Judy’s Writing on Dog Obedience Training  56
4. The Handy Dog Booklet Series: Advice on Every Aspect of the Canine  84
5. Will Judy’s Writing on the Nature of Mankind  105
6. Will Judy’s World of the Dog  113
7. The Enduring Influence of Dog World  133
8. When Every Dog Had Its Week: Seven Days to Honor the American Dog  156
9. Captain Arthur J. Haggerty Shares Will Judy’s Mission of National Dog Week with a New Generation  175
Chapter Notes  189
Bibliography  203
Index  207

• “An in-depth look at the life, work, and writings of dog show judge, breeder, and expert on dog ownership laws, Will Judy”—ProtoView
• “This is a fascinating journey for dog lovers about a man clearly ahead of his time.”—Steve Dale, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant
• “The author captures the spirit of Will Judy, a visionary who went to the dogs and took a nation with him. Engaging, relevant, and a wealth of information about American canine history.”—Nikki Moustaki, author
• “Begin-Kruysman’s research and craftsmanship capture Will Judy’s perspective that pet owners should show the utmost of concern about the emotional and physical well being of our canine companions.”—Patrick Mahaney, veterinarian