Customer Reviews

The World of Fighting Dogs (Reprint ed)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

A great book for anyone wishing to know more obout bulldog breeds, it also expells some of the myths surrounding fighting dog breeds. this book does not promote the fighting of dogs, but does explain the history of the barbarrick so called sport.

Whether or not this book is new or old to the dog world in general, it wasn't new to me. I hadn't heard of several of the dogs contained herein, and it was very interesting to see what they look like and read about their history and gameness.

I learned quite a bit about gameness, and the inappropriately labeled "sport" of dogfighting, although this book DOES NOT (nor do I) support or promote dogfighting. I also learned that Dr. Semencic really likes the American Pit Bull Terrier - as it is the gamest of all breeds.

For someone who didn't know very much about the so-called fighting dogs going in, this was an excellent introduction. The information was accessible, and pictures contained within were helpful in getting a good feel for each dog that was discussed.

Semencic's 'The World of Fighting Dogs' is essential reading for anyone interested in the fighting breeds. It is essential not because it is a great book, or even a good book, or because it contains information which is not presented elsewhere, but because people interested in this topic have been influenced by this book more than any other. This book is biased towards the American Pit bull terrier. Several other breeds are not, as the blurb states, covered in-depth. Some breeds are allocated a few words and the breed standard (which can be obtained anywhere). Also, while the book has a number of rare photo's a lot of others are simply taken from other breed-specific T.F.H. publications. The worst flaw with this book is that no references are provided for any 'fact'. It is dated and contains no information which cannot be found in other, more detailed, books

This book is easy to read, keeps you going and offers more information on fighting breeds than any other book I have found to date. Read it, you won't be sorry.

*No, I do not agree with dog fighting.*
However, the true histories of breeds are very interesting to any bull breed lover. This book is very informative, sometimes graphic. History is not always pretty.

This book is probably the best book I read when I first got involved with bull breeds. It gives you a whole load of info in a short space, with quite good photo's. The clear chapter by chapter approach to individual breeds gives a balanced and informative over view of fighting dog breeds. A must for any bulldog library shelf, though perhaps better for the novice. Dr Semencic's presentation of the breeds is a sensible and extremely readable one. Buy it!

I bought my first copy of this book six months after it came out in 1984. Back then, Semencic's critics claimed he'd made up most of the breeds he had been writing about in his magazine articles and books. Well, to tell the truth, I did too and I was already a Bullmastiff breeder. I was sure there was no such breed as a Dogue de Bordeaux and that the chapter about this breed was a sham. Now I breed Bordeaux Dogues.

Today Semencic's critics say that his books are no good because because what he writes is common knowledge. The truth is, it's common knowledge because he made it common knowledge. I know. I was there, watching.

I often wonder how big a laugh he must get out of the newcomers who don't understand what his contributions are, if he's paying attention to them at all. Having watched this situation for the past 15 years, I can tell you it's a good lesson in how time distorts our view of efforts of the past. The fools become heros and the heros fools.

why are so many people bent on trying to erase history. this book and other like it are like history documents around the turn of the century. selling these books doesn't mean people are going to fight dogs anymore or any less. ALL THESE ANIMAL ACTIVIST ARE BORDERLINE IGNORANT !! wow

Exceptional book covering many aspects of the fighting dog world. Dr. Semencic has a very vast knowledge of proven durable, rugged "gladiators". The vestibles of black and white photos give this book a very authentic appeal to even the most scrutinizing critic! Good Work Doc.!!

Dr. Semencic pulled no punches in his honest, opinionated book covering these rare breeds. If you own a Tosa, an American Pit Bull Terrier, a Neapolitan Mastiff, a Dogue de Bordeaux, an American Bulldog, a "Bandog", or an Olde Bulldogge you have either bought the book, read the book, or at least have had to answer questions about the book. Love it, hate it, admit it or deny it, fact is YOU READ IT! This book will be a classic if only for the fact that it was the first to address most of these breeds