Thirty Years with Fighting Dogs (Vintage Dog Books Breed Classic - American Pit Bull Terrier) (Hardcover)

by George C. Armitage (Author) "I started in with the Bull Terriers about 1905..." (more)
Key Phrases: Harry Clark, New York, Con Feeley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Originally published 1935, USA, this is a reprint of a fascinating historical document about fighting dogs. The original is very rare, expensive and much sought after by dogmen and collectors, both for its rarity and the information contained within. "Thirty Years With Fighting Dogs" is a look at the sport of dog fighting in the early 20th century through the eyes of George Armitage, an acknowledged master of the game. It contains 55 rare photographs including Galvin's Pup, John Noonan's Brandy, Tanner, Shipley's Pearlie, Saddler's Bozo, Dugan's Pat and many more. Many famous battles are related. The contents also include articles on Schooling a Young Dog, Selecting a Dog for Pit Purposes, Armitage's Rules, Sample Contract, Armitage's Keep, Feeding and Breeding. A fascinating look at a vanished era.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Vintage Dog Books (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1905124686
• ISBN-13: 978-1905124688
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #643,054 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Primary Source on Dog-Fighting History, July 22, 2007

By	Enufwork (The Summit) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thirty Years with Fighting Dogs (Paperback)

The book was originally published in 1935 as an infomercial for one man's fighting dogs with emphasis on disparaging his competitors. I read it as background for a book I am writing, and it was helpful for that purpose.

The book does effectively dispel the myth that dog fighting used to be a sport of respectable gentlemen conducted at wholesome family cook outs; the first hand accounts are basements and barns, hiding from the police, with people carrying guns and using them. It was interesting to note that many of the best dogs between 1900 and 1930 were English bull terriers or Boston Terrier crosses, not pits; and that the first fight Armitage ever saw was a Colby dog that quit against a backyard mix.

5 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I won't do this again, September 16, 2006

By	D. Ringuette (King George, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Thirty Years with Fighting Dogs (Paperback)

While I enjoy reading even the darker side of one of my favorite breeds, this book did nothing for me. There is so much more to be expected from these dogs but not by people like this tending to their futures.

5 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THirty Years of Fighting Dogs, by George Armitage, February 23, 2007

By	K. Heenan (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Thirty Years with Fighting Dogs (Paperback)

Enjoyable reading about the ancenstry of a remarkable breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier. Historical photos (many are poor quaility) of world renowned fighting dogs of their day. Historical accounts of matches from the by-gone days of gentlemen matching game dogs.
Using information acquired in this book, I was able to trace my dog's ancestry back to 1845.
A necessary addition to the library of any American Pit Bull Terrier lover who understands the breed's heritage.