"Fighting Dog Breeds" by Dieter Fleig

"Without question, the most controversial of all groups of dogs, Fighting Dog Breeds evoke love or provoke hate from the dog person.  Each of the breeds discussed in this book have been the target of uniform dog legislators and partisan media, yet each breed continues to thrive despite its many detractors.  Dr. Dieter Fleig, an acknowledged international expert, details the origins of the old fighting breeds and tells the whole truth about their modern counterparts and their skills, temperaments and shortcomings. The author’s impassioned, intelligent account begins with the Tibetan dogs, the Roman warriors, the Bull and Bear Biters, and the Mastiffs and Bulldogs of England and continues with the modern breeds that rightly are counted among the Fighting Dog Breeds.

In addition to the premier fighting dog, the American Pit Bull Terrier, Dr. Fleig discusses the Staffordshire Terriers, Bullmastiff, Great Dane, Boxer, Neapolitan Mastiff, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu and Bordeaux Dog, among others.  This second volume on the fighting dogs is illustrated with valuable historical photographs as well as beautiful portraits of these gladiator dogs today."

"History of Fighting Dogs" by Dieter Fleig

"A history of fighting dogs through the ages, which explains the ways in which they were used, from the war dogs of ancient Persia through to European dog fighting in the 19th century"

"Pitting man's best friend against man's best friend counts amongst the most heinous crimes our race has ever committed. Animal rights activists and many dog lovers cannot bear the thought of dog fighting as an acceptance "sport", yet the breeds once used in these bloody games remain among the world's most loved and popular companion dogs.

The History of the Fighting Dogs traces the fascinating history of the dog pits, from staged battles with bulls and bears, to the queer pittings of dog against monkeys, opossums, and donkeys, to the gory contents with a thousand rats, to the ultimate fight: dog against dog.

We cannot ignore or deny the history of our dogs, or of our race. This important first volume by international dog expert Dr. Dieter Fleig delved deeply into the history of the fighting dog, its effects on our dogs today, and its reflection on the social character of the times. 

Over a hundred prints, paintings, and sculptures - many in color - bring to life the woeful tales of the dog pit and the brave canine warriors that proved fearless and relentless time and time again. For advocates of the bull and terrier breeds, for all dog lovers, and for animal people everywhere, this book is a timeless, truthful testament to man's best friend and his all-giving - and forgiving-heart." 

"Gladiator Dogs" by Carl Semencic

From the author of The World of Fighting Dogs and Pit Bulls and Tenacious Guard Dogs comes this third and most impressive book to date, Gladiator Dogs. Bringing to life thirteen breeds originally used as fighting dogs, Dr. Carl Semencic illustrates the history, characteristics and abilities of the world's toughest canines, and shares hundreds of great color photographs of top dogs sent by owners around the globe. The author does not fight dogs and does not condone dogfighting, but he is fascinated with the qualities and instincts of these fearless gladiator breeds. Gladiator Dogs is a valuable educational book that represents years of experience and research on these remarkable historical dogs. In addition to the author's favorite breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier, Dr. Semencic discusses other related breeds, such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier, covering the differences and similarities between these bully cousins. A respected rare-breed authority and an accomplished world traveler, Dr. Semencic shares his first hand experience with these dogs from his trips to the Canary Islands, South Africa, Europe, and more. Gladiator Dogs profiles many breeds that the author has introduced, mentoured and promoted, including the American Bulldog, Canary Dog, South African Boerboel and Korean Jindo.

“This a book about breeds of dogs that were bred for the sport of dogfighting. The fact that many breeds were originally bred for dogfighting purposes and that some breeds are still bred for dogfighting purposes is a reality-like it or not. The fact that the sport of dogfighting has been a pastime among so many people of the world for thousands of years and that it remains a spo1t that is actively pa1ticipated in today by people all over the globe is also an indisputable reality. This is a book that confronts and explains this reality. It is not a book that condones or promotes dogfighting as a sport.”

"The World of Fighting Dogs" by Dr Carl Semencic

Whether you look upon dogfighting as a sport or as an exercise in pure barbarity, this book offers a wealth of valuable information.  It covers the history of dogfighting in general and also provides in-depth studies of the individual fighting breeds. Fascinating and factual, it's also loaded with good photos-including many full color photos-and it includes photos of some of the rarest dog breeds in the world. Individual breeds are covered thoroughly, with attention to their history and, where applicable, their standards of appearance

and behavior. And although there is no attempt made to rank the various breeds according to their fighting abilities, interesting comparisons and contrasts of style are presented.

"A Complete History of Fighting Dogs" by  Mike Homan

Fighting dogs have existed in some form and in numerous societies for thousands of years. These dogs and the purposes for which they were developed have been an endless source of fascination and intense study for several centuries. Now this important new book brings a meaningful historical perspective to the entire subject. A Complete History of Fighting Dogs details the dogs of war, and all the forms of baiting and fighting sports that were developed and the dogs that were used in them. When the reader is done a new appreciation is gained for the contemporary fighting breeds and their valiant ancestors.

With the help of a spectacular collection of historical and contemporary illustrations, this book provides a unique insight and much-needed understanding into one of the world's oldest canine groupings. Some of these are reproduced here for the first time.

"Fighting Sports" by Capt. L Fitzbarnard

This famous book covers cockfighting, dogfighting, bullfighting, manfighting, and many other old sports such as bear-baiting, ram, and buffalo fighting, as well as bizarre sports such as matches made between dogs and monkeys.

"This is an attempt to look back at those far-away days when bravery, valour and courage were valued beyond measure. We were proud of our empire and all its traditions. Today many old sports are illegal and, therefore, are lost for ever in history. Our young men hear of them, but can find little or no literature on the sports or the background against which they took place.

Areas covered are:  Cockfighting, Dog--Fighting, Bull-Fighting, Various Fighting Sports, Man Fighting (Pugilism and Boxing)

The whole is illustrated throughout with black and white drawings or photographs. In addition, in this new edition, there are coloured plates by Herbert Atkinson, JW Ludlow, H Alken and Ben Marshall, all renowned for their artistic talents."

"A Falcon on St Pauls" by J Wentworth Day

** VERY RARE **

Introduction by Viscount Castlerossee

"MY friend Mr. James Wentworth Day has, after much close study, discovered the fact that since time immemorial there are other sports in London besides the hunting of rich men by poor women. Jimmy Day has turned day into night. Read his book and you will be bitten.  Bitterns boom. I have been bitten by Jimmy Day, that is why I am booming his book. Jimmy Day knows his subject, which is rare amongst authors."   

"The Dog in Sport" by J Wentworth-Day

Originally published in the 1930's. The author was a well known sportsman with much experience in working with many sporting dog breeds. This fascinating book contains much detailed history and anecdote which will prove of great interest to all who own or hunt with the various breeds. Contents include: The Dawn of the Dog - The Saluki - Foxhounds, Harriers and Beagles - The Chesapeake Bay Dog - The Dachshund - The Greyhound (three chapters) - Coursing Days - The Red Setter - Partridge Days - The Gallant Terrier - Manchester Terriers - The Dog in London Sport - Retrievers - The Spaniel - The Pointer - Deerhounds and Sport in Ireland - The Irish Wolfhound - The Scotch Deerhound - The Sealyham Terrier - Other Terriers and Little Dogs - The Zenith of the Dog. etc. The book contains some forty illustrations. Many of the earliest dog books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

"All Heaven in A Rage" by E S Turner

"This is the story of how the British race was persuaded, shamed and legislated into showing mercy to the "brute creation". It traces the course of controversies over stag and fox hunting, the art of "shooting flying", cock-fighting, the pursuit of big game, vivisection, the bearing rein, performing animals, the spreading of myxomatosis, the introduction of broiler-houses and many other practices which have raised passions. Apart from its controversial issues, this book opens up an unusually rich seam in social history, piquantly presented."

"sporting and working dogs Of Pedigree Unknown" by Phil Drabble

Phil Drabble has never been without a dog in his life. He believes that you can judge both men and dogs by the company they keep so that he prefers working dogs to pampered pets.

The author is a naturalist who can still appreciate the skills of sporting dogs and sporting men. This common bond threw him into contact with poachers and gamekeepers who taught him more natural history than all the boffins with butterfly nets in biology labs at school. 

Mick, his first terrier, introduced him to Hairy Kelly, a professional rat catcher who filled his purse and purse nets with equal guile. Dinah, his whippet lurcher, came from Bert Gripton, terrier man to the local hunt, who taught him the countryman's arts of watching and waiting. 

Such rural individualists roam hedgerow and field -a law unto themselves and they initiated the author into the arts and sciences of rabbiting and ratting, ferreting and whippet running and early morning poaching. Each success or failure increased his appetite for such sports and taught him to coax and train his dogs to develop their specialist skills.

The extinct fighting dogs of Staffordshire chain-makers, tiny terriers in the rat pits of Black Country pubs or delicate whippets which earned their masters more than their wages. may not have had impressive pedigrees but they had guts and intelligence it would be hard to match. 

"The Book of the Dog" edited by  Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald 

Not all breeds are recognised by the Kennel Club, and not all dog-owners are owners of pedigree animals fit for show. In this book we have not been concerned with any particular aspect of the dog world, but with all aspects. We have endeavoured to make this as complete a book as possible, so that the man who reads it may get a working knowledge of the background, of the place of the dog in the world of Man; that he may know something of the many breeds that are not to be found as yet in this country; that he may know something of the work of dogs in many different fields; that he may know at least the essentials of dog management and care; and so come to take that very big step from dog-owner to dog-lover. 

"Staffordshire" by Phil Drabble

HERE is a personal, almost an intimate book. The author feels strongly about the district where he was born and bred, and he is as unfeignedly proud of the toil-worn scars of his be­loved Black Country as of the rugged grandeur of the scenery of the North. He attributes the almost abrupt independence of the people to centuries of strife with authority, and, among other things, he tells of fugitives who have found a characteristic welcome, whether they were the nameless wanderers of Prehistory or persecuted Royalty in the form of Charles II.

"Black Country" by Phil Drabble

HERE, traced from prehistoric times to the present day, is the story of one of the most vital regions in our country. It is, throughout, a personal book, and the author feels strongly about what he writes. Born and bred in the Black Country, he has spent the last twelve years in typical Black Country industry. His friends are the "little men". He knows their homes and their pubs; he goes with them to work and joins them in their sports; he climbs their hills and descends into their mines. He finds contrast and change, and he feels it im­portant to record what there is before it is too late.

Mr. Drabble makes no attempt to avoid the unpleasant issues so commonly glossed over; but the reader will also find natural history, dialect and custom, ballads and food, and, above all, delightful people. Black Country folk, the author feels, were refined in the fire of the Industrial Revolution. Those were the days when only the fittest survived, and they sired the vivid individualists who followed.

Although he depicts the district's rise to fame and prosperity, Mr. Drabble in no way minimizes the subsequent de­cline. Perhaps most important of all, however, is his faith in a better and more hopeful future.

"Thirty Years With Fighting Dogs" by George C Armitage

Originally published 1935, USA. 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.