Pit Bulls and Tenacious Guard Dogs (Hardcover)

~ Carl Semencic (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomasson Grant & Howell; illustrated edition edition (October 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0866226397
• ISBN-13: 978-0866226394
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #262,393 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Get the facts straight, November 16, 1999

By	Paul Amoroso ([e-mail]) (Amesbury, Ma.) - See all my reviews

Although, most of the writing appears to be accurate, the pit bull terrier is not a natural guard dog if left to it's own devices.To consider the pit bull a natural guard dog and compare them to breeds of great size that have been bred as guardians /or protectors for years is a fallacy. Guard work comes naturally to many of the breeds mentioned, specifically the mollusus breeds. However, extensive training is required for the otherwise "people friendly" pit bull to be used in this area. The breed has a deep desire to learn and a yearning to please and this combined with their athletic ability, enables them to excel and in many cases surpass other breeds with regard to it's specific training. They are not natural guard dogs however, and the true American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier without this specific training, could bark or even growl when a stranger knocks at the door. However, they will greet that same stranger with their tail wagging unless unless otherwise provoked. They are not naturally wary of strangers as the other breeds, nor should they be. They are people friendly dogs who happen to have a bad reputation due to man's interference and selfish desires.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stereotypes of Dogs, Beware, Here Comes the Truth, June 17, 2002

By	J. L Shorts "expensivewino13" (Yelm, Washington) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I can say only one thing about Carl Semencic, and that is, "about time!"
I have been a big dog lover ever since my American Bulldoggue, Gator X, came into my life. People say guard dogs are dangerous. I say, yes they are, to the intruder. Here is the reason why they are. Here, also, and most important, is why they are age old and still used.
These dogs are bred to be with people.
Through research and finally pushing the envelope as to the stereotypes, the author has shown the truth behind these dogs. They are useful, loving, and intelligent animals who need the right owner to save them. He shows that the dogs need us like we need them. These dogs are not for show, nor our inadequacy problems, but for the purpose of loving us and being what we bred them to be, and that is the best of all dogs.
They are smart and protective and loving.
This book is a catalog of breeds that will do right by you if you are able to utilize their talents and show them the right attention and love. If you are in the market for a good guard dog, most of the ones I would recommend, save for the bandog and the boerboel, are here. It is the best catalog of good guard dogs in print today.
I suggest Gladiator Dogs as a follow up book.
Go big or stay home.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gives great overviews of functional guard dog breeds., July 23, 1999

By	"lithe" (Somerville, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

If you want a dog capable of being a protector as well as a buddy, but arent sure yet quite what you want, this book has chapters on most of the popular breeds as well as some not usually considered, such as the giant schnauzer. The author does a good job of giving an honest evaluation of each breed, the good points as well as the bad. He also did something I havent seen before in a breed anthology which is 'If you dont see it here, I dont consider it suitable for guard training' (paraphrased). If you can stomach the testosterone-flavored writing (ok, not that bad) it's a fascinating read, with tons of pictures of those breeds you'd love to see in the flesh, but know you never will. Definitely in the top 2 of my doggie book collection.