The Book of the American Pit Bull Terrier [Hardcover]

Richard Stratton (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: TFH Publications; Library edition edition (August 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0866227199
• ISBN-13: 978-0866227193
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,021,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very honest, and full of years of knowledge., January 2, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of the American Pit Bull Terrier (Hardcover)

This book is very good for people who want to know more about this breed and how they came about.Stratton a very experienced for he has been with this breed for years. Stratton goes through the good qualities and traits and some of the things you need to understand and the responsibilities of owning this breed. especially their most precious of all "game" which has nothing to do with aggressiveness or wanting to fight. Game is a hard characteristic to define but Stratton's book does a very excellent job if you are willing to read it for the dogs sake.

23 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Research ONLY, August 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Book of the American Pit Bull Terrier (Hardcover)

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However, I disagree strongly with many of his out-of-date views, including that of pit fighting.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.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Look closely, June 15, 2007

By 

T. Capobianco "Mr. Happy" (Southern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of the American Pit Bull Terrier (Hardcover)

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.