Customer Reviews

Gladiator Dogs

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Dr. Semencic wrote "Gladiator Dogs" as a follow-up to his first book, "World of Fighting Dogs", in which he introduced several breeds of gladiator dogs that had been virtually unknown here in the United States and elsewhere in the world. "Gladiator Dogs" contains an updated perspective of each of the fighting dogs, among them the American Bulldog. The book is not intended to be an "everything you always wanted to know about these breeds" kind of book. Each section is an acute overview of its subject, covering the time span between books and bringing the reader up to speed with newly discovered information and answers. The book contains a section of the questions most frequently asked, and Dr. Semencic's answers. The photographs and accompanying captions are very well suited to the book and give several different perspectives of each breed. The composition is Dr. Semencic's usual style of comprehensive and informative writing with a flair for the personal mien. All in all, the Watchkeeper Critic found "Gladiator Dogs" to be worthy of more than a second glance. It is a meritorious and substantive addition to the American Bulldogger's library.

Reviewed by Jodi Suda, Editor The WATCHKEEPER Magazine

In my opinion, one can offer nothing but a five star review to any book that is based solely upon totally independent research and which offers valid information that has never been offered in writing anywhere before.

This is especially true when the subject in question is one of the oldest and most commonly discussed subjects in the world. For the past two decades, Semencic has been this area of interest's greatest pioneer. If he has, in fact, made the decision to write no more books about dogs (as he suggests is the case in Gladiator Dogs), dog fanciers world-wide have certainly lost something important. It's a pity that any of us are so blind (read "jealous") as to be unable to see what he has contributed.

"Gladiator Dogs" is written in typical Semencic-style, as if he were "talking dogs" with an old friend. Like his other books, information is offered about breeds that have never, ever been mentioned in print. All of the information is first hand. It is based upon what he has learned from his worldwide network of friends and acquaintances who are involved with these rare breeds and upon the extensive travel he has done in order to come to know these breeds himself.

There are a few editorial errors in this book but it is plain to see that these errors are the fault of the publisher and not the author. All that I could find are restricted to photo captions. Maybe this author could have use another publisher? Also, I am a little bothered by the fact that I bought this book when it was first released at $60.00. Now it is available for much less. But this isn't Semencic's doing either.

All in all, if you are seriously interested in the gladiator breeds of dogs, there is no question that you should own this book. If you own none of his books, buy them all and keep them in good shape because they will be collector's items one day, should they ever go out of print.

His first book, "Fighting Dogs", in its original cover is a collectors item already.

Congratulations "Doc". Thanks for the great contribution to the world of dogs and thanks for including us in your hobby.

Excellent Book. The Author has done an extraordinary job compiling indepth facts and truths about these interesting and great breeds. This is a book that you can't put down. If there is one detail I must point out, I feel the author left out one important breed, The Argentine Dogo. Examining the other breeds and their intended purposes, as outline in this great reference book, I personally feel that this one breed was left out. This book is a must have.

I have an American Bulldog named Gator X. He has the potential to bring down a big man, and it was not hard to make this choice of dog with the help of the man, Dr. Carl.
If you are in the market for a good mastiff doggue, please read this book. These dogs may be big and scary, but they have also been bred for 2 thousand years to stick to their humans. This book shows this in all honesty. Yes, there are fighting pics, but I see small dogs do the same thing owned by bad owners.
Dr. Semencic is the penultimate expert on what a dog can do, and where they came from, and that THEY ARE GREAT DOGS TO LOVE, NOT ONLY FEAR.
Please read this book if you are a big dog enthusiast. If you want a book that delivers great insight as to why so many of these breeds are misunderstood, buy it. If you want amazing pictures, buy it.
I can not imagine taking anyone else's word as to the dog world considering the mastiff breeds than Dr. Semencic's.
History should ensure mistakes are not made again. Here is a book that shows you why these dogs are here, and why you should respect them or go small. I have a military life, and my hubby may be gone, but because of this book, and his preceeding, and because of Laurakennels, I am safe, secure, and enriched.
May you all read this and realize that dogs are big investments with great history and great rewards. This book is the decisive measure for those on the line.
Go bullies go.

Yes this is a simple book. Yes it reads like a grandpa telling you his wartime stories in the backyard. Yes the photos looks like those taken off of a traveler's album. No this is not a major academic work on the subject. BUT ... Yes, this is also the only book I've seen on rare breeds such as the Boerboel. Yes, this is the only book that I've seen to dare show pictures of fighting dogs in action. Yes, the author made an attempt on his free vacation time to visit places that no other have shown before as it relates to the subject of fighting dogs. No, the book is not a waste of money for those inclined to have a "bulldoggy" book on their shelf. After all, it's about supply and demand........and the supply on this subject is still few. Until more comprehensive books are published, Dr. Semencic is still the leading authority in terms of relaying this information to the public outside of cyberspace.

A truly good book on the fighting breeds. Notice I don't say "great book", but that's only because of my Swedish upbringing......we're taught not to use superlatives. Joking aside, this is a great book to my mind. There's very little I can't agree with (I hate to admit that, but it's fact), and very little else that I'd like the author to add. I read it like a dogbook, as opposed to a breed-book, and I guess that's the correct state of mind. Well, do I think the general public will love it, and buy it en masse?? Nope, I don't think they'll love it, but yes, I think they'll buy it en masse. This book is, to my mind, a book which requires an open mind when it comes to dogs, and preferably a little knowledge on dogs beforehand. None of this is always found among the general public. However, I'm sure you'll sell LOTS of it since it's a well done book with great pics, and it offers some controversial info. And controversity, no matter the subject, is a sure-fire way to catch the interest of the average guy (and girl!).   In short then: Any openminded person, blessed with some knowledge on the true essence of dogs, will love this book and hail it as a great one. The rest of them will still buy it because they need something they can heap scorn upon......

This is very similar to The World of Fighting Dogs. While there's more information about each breed, there aren't many new breeds. I count the Jindo, the Canary Dog, and the South African Boerboel. I'm not sure that this necessitated a new book, but when I'm looking for information I turn to this book instead of The World of Fighting Dogs since, as I noted, it does contain more information.

Once again, the photographs are excellent, and I'm glad that Dr. Semencic went to the trouble of pulling so many photos together. These dogs are truly beautiful examples of their breed.

I very much enjoyed Dr Semencic's "folksy" writing style - it worked very effectively in conveying not only his deep knowledge of the subject but also his enthusiasm. This is the first book I have read by Dr Semencic and I look forward to reading his previous ones.

If anyone can find a word written about the American Bulldog, the Tosa, the Perro de Presa, the Jindo, the Bandog and the others before Dr. Semencic's books were written I'd sure like to know where. This man started the whole interest on his own with these books. He introduced these breeds when there was no internet.

I will always have his books in my house.

This book could have been written by anyone half interested in dogs and was willing to go as far as his nearest internet site. I bought the book hoping to get some serious insight on some breeds that really fascinate me. I recently acquired an american bulldog and am totally in love with the breed. The information Dr. Semencic had on this wonderful breed I picked up in a half an hour strolling the internet the night before I purchased my pup. After reading his very overpriced book I realized I could have done this with anyone of the breeds mentioned, including his beloved APBT. I also found it interesting and very disappointing that Dr. Semencic has very little knowledge of dogs, other than a very casual interest in dog fighting and family vacations. Yet he intertwines the two in order to make money off of a book he has no business writing. I also find it amusing that he takes so much credit for the evolution of the american bulldog, yet he has never even owned one and has only discussed them with a very small percentage of the man credited with preserving this great breed. If you are truly interested in any of the breeds he has mentioned in his book, do yourself a favor and get your valuable information from those who know the breed. THE BREEDERS!!!