Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 dogman? September 16, 2008
dog enthusiast (down south)
Stratton is a joke. Any human being who thinks three "game" little pits could defeat an african lion is an idiot. He talks like these dogs are superheroes. They're just freaking dogs. Not used by an police forces or military, just pets and used by cowardly trash like Stratton, Bill Stewart, etc who don't have the kahunas to fight themselves. They are criminals plain and simple who make excuses to justify their "sport." Pits CAN'T whip any dog alive just because they're apbts, let alone grizzly bears and lions. that's laughable. Hell, one of Colby's dogs QUIT against a backyard mutt. His audience is for lowlifes like him with double digit IQs as he passes down "stories" he's heard. Hell, I've "heard" of everthing from airedales, labs, blackmouth curs beating apbt in fights. Let alone what you can read about freaking kangals, alabais, bully kuttas, tosas, etc. It's a national pastime over there. One of the biggest apbt cheerleaders and who fights against BSL had one of her pits killed by a catahoula dog. He and others just say when a pit loses that the pit wasn;t "game" or the dog was too big, blah blah blah. This just further fans the flames and gets people owning these dogs who shouldn;t own a nasty cocker spaniel much less a potentially fine dog. A quote I saw about stratton says regarding him as an expert on dogs is like getting advice from a damn pedo about kids. If you get a pit, be responsible, train him well, quit worrying about damn dogfighting like this sorry excuse for a human being.
 on the money August 15, 2007
Ericca Parmer (florida)
one of the best pit books ever written. from the beginning to the end, this is a history lesson on this wonderful breed. the fighting i don't condone on any level. although like a lab waiting for a duck to hit the water, nobody has to encourage this pure bred breed to wanna roll. being a former owner of a boomerang dog, when he would see a potential challenger he looked like a kid staring at a mountain of x-mas presents. but i loved my dog like a child and could never stand-by and see him in pain. he was very protective and loving. so read this great book and maybe you'll be lucky enough to bring this wonderful animal into your life.
Look closely June 15, 2007
T. Capobianco (Southern California)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Mr. Stratton absolutely knows and loves this breed. He does not "glorify" pit fighting. He is giving a true to life account of what happened during some of the most important times and events in the breeding of the APBT. What those of you who dismiss pit fighting don't realize is, we would not have this amazing breed and all it's spectactular qualities without the process that took place during the evolution of the APBT. He describes how "gameness" was developed. Yes it's true that there are other ways to test "gameness" in the APBT. Hog catching as an example. However, hog catching is only slightly less dangerous for the dogs themselves. It's no walk in the park for the dogs or the hogs. Those of us who truly know the breed know that the APBT is the most fearless animal known to man. Therefore only another APBT can truly test the "gameness" of an APBT. What is "gameness". I'll tell you "pet pit bull" owners what it means to you. It means courage in protecting you and your family until it's very last breath if it needs to. It means that the dog can literally take a bullet from an intruder and still end the intruders day. You won't have such a problem with the pit fighting from 60 years ago if your APBT has to protect your child from an intruder, and does it efficiently. It means a fearlessness that makes the breed so gentle with their owners and everyone else. What? you say. That's right. Truly having no fear means being relaxed and at peace. It means your 2 year old can poke your pit in the eye and the dog probably won't even flinch. Pit fighting bred a tolerance for pain that no other animal posesses. Try poking a shepherd, or retriever in the eye. You'll need a bandage at least. It's zest for life and happy go lucky attitude all come from the same place. Now, before you get all crazy and whipped into a frenzy, let me say this; I've owned an APBT most of my adult life. I don't like to see a fly land on them. I do not wish to fight them. I am not a fan of fighting these dogs period. However, Richard Stratton is telling you the history of how your beloved "pet" pit bull came to be. The dog's incredible physiology and amazing attitude are a direct result of the process that Mr. Stratton outlines for you. Look closely. If you want to know what makes your sweet, friendly, happy amazing APBT tick, read the book.
Pitbulls are not just fighting dogs April 29, 2006
Annie
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
I resent the way pitbulls are portrayed as fighting objects when in fact they are very loving kind creatures. I personally own a full-blooded APBT and he has a heart of gold. He greets strangers with kisses and is the most loving good natured dog I have ever seen not to mention submissive. A dogs actions are a direct reflection of how they were trained. Dont blame pitbulls, blame the irresponsible people that train their dogs improperly!!!
 Research ONLY August 21, 2003
18 out of 21 found this review helpful
I have read many books by Stratton, Semencic, and Jessup among others. I also have extensive personal experience with the breed and years of research under my belt. I respect Stratton. His work is widely read and well known, and he was one of the first and best authors on the pit bulldog.However, I disagree strongly with many of his out-of-date views, including that of pit fighting. I also feel that there are many other ways of testing gameness that don't require rolling or other illegal activites. There's no reason why the pit bull can't continue to be a great dog with all the qualities we love, without engaging in a cruel practice like pit fighting. We're not in the 1800's anymore. It is dangerous to the breed's continuation to publish a book with a lunging dog on the cover. It is dangerous to the breed to gloat about all the illegal things that pit bulls are good at. This book, in the hands of the media, an ignorant owner, a pit bull hater, or a cruel individual, is very detrimental to the breed. I believe this book should be read for research purposes only. It is not a good resource for pet pit owners, pit bull supporters, and those trying to work against the breed's negative public image.
|
