Customer Reviews

The Book of the American Pit Bull Terrier

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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.

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However, I disagree strongly with many of his out-of-date views, including that of pit fighting.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

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.

RICHARD F. STRATTON KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING WHEN HE WROTE THIS BOOK. HE HAS EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE BREED AND IS A RESPECTFUL "PIT" MAN IN MY EYES. I HAVE READ HIS OTHER BOOKS AND AM HAPPY I GOT TO READ THIS ONE. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO NY ONE WHO WANTED INFO. ON THIS BREED.

I read the book when my wife brought it home from the local library. I could not believe my eyes. This book is very informative and truthful. I haven't found an author who presents the game pit bull so thoroughly. When I go to buy a Pit Bull book I look for Richard Stratton's work.

While this book is well written (for the most part), I was very suprised to find that the author is a die hard pit fighting enthusiast, and that he hopes "matching" continues. Anyone interested should also know that this book contains photos of pit fights which are very upsetting, as well as a written account of a match from start to finish. Any true fan of the breed will be angered and repulsed by the ideas represented in this book. It is NOT for the modern pit bull enthusiast; in the wrong hands, this book could cause unspeakable hardships to innocent animals. Mr. Stratton needs to reconsider his stand on these animals.

Overall pretty good book. My only complaint is that its very similar to Strattons other books. I am not a dog fighter but I do study the breed extensively and I feel Stratton does give you a good history and back ground on dog fighting and the APBT.

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.

Richard Stratton is a real author as well as a person interested in a certian breed. The book reads well cover to cover with 100 plus pictures to reflect upon long after your done with the reading.

This is a great book if you want to learn more about dog fighting and the abilities of pitt bulls in such competitions. You just need to see the cover to figure this out. If you are looking for general information of the breed this book is not very helpful. This books clearly describes the fighting background of this great breed and how it has develop to what we know today as the APBT