The TRUTH About

The American
Pit Bull
Terrier
Richard F. Stratton
Title page: American Pit Bull Terrier owned by Lynn Fergeson, photographed by Isabelle
Fran^ais.

© Copyright 1991 by T.F.H. Publications, Inc.

Distributed in the UNITED STATES by T.F.H. Publications, Inc., One

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 The Truth
About
The American
Pit Bull Terrier

by
Richard F. Stratton
 CONTENTS

Contents
Introduction............................................................................ 7
The Truth About the American Pit Bull Terrier..... 15
Headline Mentality............................................................31
Under Siege......................................................................... 43
The Pretenders................................................................... 57
The Real McCoy.................................................................. 73
The Fancy............................................................................. 87
The Game.............................. ............................................. 107
A Matter of Size....................... ........................................ 129
The Building Blocks of the Legend............................ 139
Breeding Better Bulldogs.............................................. 187
A Good Boy Gone Bad.....................................................211
Worth Preserving.............................................................. 223
The Pit and the Pendulum............... .............................287
Annotated Bibliography................................................. 308
Index.............................. ...................................................... 314
DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my three sisters

—Louise, Claudia, and Marie—
who had to endure an older
—and wiser!—
brother.

Opposite: Sandy Musgrove and Susie,

an inbred daughter of Heinzl’s
Cowboy Bob.
 Introduction

“Be kind. Because everyone is

fighting his own battle.”
Author unknown

This book is my fourth on the fancy. You will see as you read these
American Pit Bull Terrier. The pages that I am at once hardpressed
reader may wonder how I could to get in everything that I want to
possibly write four books on one say: I am concerned that readers
breed of dog. After all, an old friend really understand what I’m saying;
once said when he heard (many yet, I do not want to belabor a point;
years ago) that I was going to do a and, I am impatient with those who
second book, “What in the world are know nothing about the breed but
you going to write about? You’ve are all too willing to attack it. In
already covered everything in the other words, I’ve developed an
first book!” emotional commitment to a breed of
However, the American Pit Bull dog. I get depressed if I read some
Terrier or “Bulldog,” as he is more ill-begotten press about it; and my
likely to be called by those who spirits are raised on those rare
know him best, is not merely another occasions when the breed is
breed of dog. I could write volumes somehow shown as it really is—a
about him! And I would never run truly wonderful and remarkable
out of something new to discourse animal.
upon, to wonder at, or simply to raise Just the other day, for example, I
for debate or discussion among the took Hoover, one of my kennel dogs,

7
 INTRODUCTION
dogs, to the veterinarian for a look at It is not without a certain amount
a swollen paw. It was, as I suspected, of chagrin that I confide such an
merely an insect bite; but the point attachment to a breed of dog—even
is that I had to take him to a new if it is not just another breed.
veterinarian, as my regular was out Although the breed is truly unique
of town, and the new one—much to and has detractors who threaten its
my delight!—simply could not stop very existence, surely there are
extolling upon the virtues of the dog. causes which are more worthy of a
He rested his hand on Hoover’s head man’s attention. As a matter of fact, I
in a frank expression of admiration have other causes, too. And it so
and said, “It is a pleasure to treat a happens that, although I am a
dog such as this.” I could tell by his science teacher by trade, I have had
entire demeanor that he really the opportunity to write political
meant it, and it made me feel as commentary for newspapers.
proud as though the dog were my son Although I enjoy being paid to
and had received a sincere and rare pontificate, I somehow do not feel
type of compliment. that such writings are more

Webb’s Brus Balboa indulging in the last refuge of scoun­

drels. Owner, Danny Webb.

8
Behne’s Red Dawn on fish watch.

important than those I have written it, the more noble and unselfish
about the good old American Pit would be my motives.
Bull Terrier. But knowing something and
Nevertheless, it was not without a actually experiencing it are two
certain amount of trepidation that I different things, and there were
first began to write about the breed. times when I was quite willing to
I knew that my reputation might be kick my noble and unselfish derriere
harmed, as I would be accused of up the road for a good long way.
condoning dog-fighting, and such a Fortunately, such times didn’t last
condemnation without debate could forever. Now I receive unanticipated
be the kiss of death for many rewards for all this writing about
endeavors in an uncertain future. such a controversial animal. Famous
And, sure enough, such did indeed football players, who happen to be
prove to be the case. But, even devotees of the APBT breed, have
anticipating that, I plunged ahead, sought me out for my autograph! I
as I had decided that a cause was have even had some of them visit my
important to the meaning of life, and house to see my dogs. This has been
the more hopeless a cause was and enjoyable for me, as I am a football
the less gratification achieved from fan of sorts. To this gratification has

9
INTRODUCTION

Slater’s and Chevez’s Captain Crunch. Owner, Butch

Slater. Opposite: Mims’s Femme Boots Koty is down from
the renowned Tramp’s Red Boy. Owner, Debbie Smollich.

been added the physicians and advice, or at least for my opinion,

scientists I.have met, who also about different aspects of the breed
happen to be devotees of the dog. or legislation involving it. It is my
Many of them I most assuredly would hope that, since animal welfare
not have met if it had not been for people—some of them, at least—can
my writings on the breed. give credence to what I have said,
A particular redemption has been the general public will realize that
that humane agents (whom I often what follows is, in my opinion, the
berated in the past as “humaniacs,” absolute truth about the American
a term that was adopted by the Pit Bull Terrier.
newspapers) have sought me out for

10
 Above: A Pit Bull enjoys working a hide or a tire. Opposite: Hammonds’s Andy
L, the sire of several good pit dogs such as Rufin, Red Doodle, and Roberto.

12
 A Bulldog owned by Thomas Scanlan. Opposite: Bulldogs on guard duty.

14
 The Truth About the American
Pit Bull Terrier

“My way of joking is to tell the

truth. It’s the funniest joke in
the world.”
George Bernard Shaw

If I were to tell you that I acquired But all this is nonsense, and I
a Border Collie for a pet, you might have said that I would tell the truth.
not know what the dog was, but you All right, this is the truth: The
wouldn’t be horrified—particularly Border Collie would be much more
after I had explained that the breed likely to bite my children or me than
was used for herding sheep. If, on the Pit Bull! And please let me make
the other hand, I were to inform you it clear that I am personally a great
that I had just obtained a Pit Bull admirer of the Border Collie;
puppy, you would be horrified. Not however, I am also willing to be
being immune to the media blitz, you honest about that breed, and its
would have it set in your mind that members are a little nippy—
this was truly a dangerous animal, especially with strangers. The point
roughly equivalent to a baby is that any breed comes off second to
rattlesnake. The pup would grow to the Pit Bull in terms of stable
be dangerous and was bound disposition with people. How ironic
eventually to turn on me and to it is that this most gentle of breeds
devour my children in the bargain. has become a household word as the
Having done all this, the dog quite incarnation of savagery! Of all dogs,
likely would escape my premises this breed is most likely to elicit the
and proceed to destroy the city. comment, *‘Why on earth do you want

15
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER

Juli is a dog in Norway, so her name is pronounced “you-lee.”

to keep a dog like that?” Let me now the formal name or the initials
describe what the dog is really like. APBT.
First, let me drop the term “Pit Anyway, a typical Bulldog can be
Bull.” I have used it only because shamefully mistreated without biting
that is how this dog is known to the anyone. He will take maulings from
general public. Other breeds also get young children and thrive upon it.
thrown into this category, so it is a He likes rough play, as long as he
term I prefer not to use. Henceforth, knows it is play, and is tireless in his
I’ll refer to the American Pit Bull indulgence. One of the most uniform
Terrier breed as “Bulldog,” because characteristics of the breed is the
that is how he is known by those who great love for play. The capacity for
know him best. Occasionally I’ll use play is often cited as an indication of
a species’ intelligence. I agree with
that idea, but it is also a
manifestation of an enthusiasm for
John Maranghi’s Dharma, a daughter life. Bulldogs have a bountiful
of Hoover and Tar.
supply of such enthusiasm, and
everything can become a plaything
for them. For kennel dogs, it can be
the feed pan or rocks that are
utilized as objects of play. House
dogs immediately take to a ball or a
frisbee or anything else you would
like to have them use. And, since
Bulldogs so readily settle on what is
to be a toy and what isn’t,
destruction of other property is
usually not a problem. Because he
comes so often to mind as I describe
Right: Kelly
Weldon with
daughter Amber
and dog Jake.
Below: Chico, a
champion tree
climber, as so
many Bulldogs
are.
 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER

Left: Blaze, a one­

time winner, is
down from Rascal
Jr. and
Chinaman.
Below: Trouble.

Opposite:
Carroll’s Breen
leaping for a
stick.

18
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER

Boozer, the Strattons’

house dog.

the nature of the Bulldog and no turns in the contest. Dillinger’s

because he lies at my feet this very mother was Reddick’s Chigger, the
minute as I write, let me describe my dam of the famous Simon. Boozer’s
own house dog, Boozer, and some of mother was by Burton’s Spade (a red
my experiences with him. dog, believe it or not, and a great pit
Boozer is the son of Burton’s dog) and out of Delta Dawn. The
Dillinger, a dog that stopped what reason for citing Boozer’s immediate
was thought to be an unbeatable pit ancestors is for the reader to
dog in a roll and later lost a match in understand clearly that Boozer is
a little over two hours against a dog from straight pit stock.
named Weasil. Dillinger lost the From the time Boozer came into
match when his handler picked him the house as a young pup, he never
up to save his life. There had been once soiled the carpet in any way.

Amber Weldon and Jake.

20
 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER
He house-trained himself from the
start. His disposition is unbelievably k
mellow and always has been. I have
two sons attending college who are
still living at home, and they love to
show off to their horrified friends
how vicious this Bulldog is. They will
take him down and sit on him,
holding him with handgrips on each
side of his neck. Boozer will roar
with mock, but convincing, fury. An
onlooker, brainwashed by the
reputation of the breed or not, is
convinced that my son is a “goner”
once he turns loose this canine gone
mad. No such thing, of course, as it is
all part of the game. Upon being
turned loose, Boozer resumes silent
play. What’s more, although my sons
can be rough with him, he still treats
them as though they were babies,
never even mouthing them and never
putting a scratch on them.
Although I have always
maintained that Boozer was dumb
for a Bulldog, my sons stoutly defend
him and have taught him a number
of parlor tricks. He performs them
adroitly with an artful clumsiness—
well enough that he is a favorite of
all visitors. His own favorites seem
mainly to be girls, so perhaps he is
not as dumb as I thought! Actually,
he probably prefers girls simply
because they pet him and make more
over him than the boys and men that
visit here. Being petted and loved is
something upon which he thrives,
and, like so many Bulldogs, he can
actually grin when receiving
nearly all the attention he craves. Riptide Sweetie Pie is a daughter of
Like so many dogs, Boozer enjoys Hoover and a granddaughter of Grand
going for an outing of any kind. If I Champion Hope. Owner, Dick
believed in E.S.P., I would believe Stratton.
that Boozer has it, as he has an
uncanny ability to know when
someone is going out—someplace
where he might be invited. We have
even resorted to spelling at times to
deceive him—all to no avail!
Part of what makes Boozer such

21
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER

Nightman’s Diesel is a son of Grand Champion Red John and a grandson of the
great Jeep dog. Owner, Ed Laddomada.

22
 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER
good company and so much fun to been seen and is utterly charming in
have around is his expressiveness. every way. Surely not all of this is an
And that goes beyond his facial attempt to flatter his owners.
expressions as, amazing as they are, Boozer can be trusted with our
they are limited by the fact that he house cat and with all other cats, too.
is, after all, a dog. He makes sounds With strange dogs he is friendly but
that, while not words, still unafraid. Even though he is much
communicate his feelings and his smaller than many of the dogs he
needs nearly as well. That is not to meets, he seems to intimidate them
say that he is a noisy animal, as, like somehow; and the other dog’s tail is
nearly all Bulldogs, he rarely barks. usually down as noses are sniffed.
His communicative sounds are Boozer doesn’t take advantage of his
plaintive, amusing, and instructive, intimidating effect—whatever it is—
but they are never obnoxious. and no dog has ever attacked him.
Because of his appearance, Obviously, we have kept him from
Boozer terrorizes most strangers; so confronting other Bulldog males, as
when newcomers come to call, he is he quite likely would be attacked
restricted to the back of the house then, and we don’t wish him to gain
until I’ve been able to explain an appetite for fighting.
Boozer to the persons involved and In short, then, Boozer comes
ascertain that they would not be pretty close to being the perfect
made uncomfortable by him. The house dog. Even though he has his
opinion has been almost breed’s typical mellow disposition
unanimously expressed that Boozer with people, his appearance at sixty
is the most polite dog that has ever pounds serves to make him an

Although Bulldogs can be friends forever, these tug of war

games call for a little supervision.

23
I

Above: Gina at four

months. Left: Julie
Romero with Squeezer
out of Bullyson
bloodlines.

Opposite: Emmerts’s
Tugger.
 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER
excellent watch dog—even though he demanding endeavors, such as
doesn’t bark. He will still be there to jogging or hiking. The boys often
greet a potential burglar, and few take him on hiking or skiing
would enter upon seeing him. excursions, and he has a riotously
Whether he would actually attack an good time without causing any
intruder or not is something I don’t problems. It is hard to keep from
know, but the breed is known for its repeating that the dog is an ideal pet
good judgment about when to go into in every way. Of course, some people
action. In any case, it is only of might prefer that he be smaller, and
academic interest, as just being here that’s just it! Bulldogs come in all
and watchful seems to serve the sizes, so you can have one that peaks
purpose, for his appearance and the at only thirty pounds and still have a
breed’s reputation ensures that delightful animal that is all dog and,
burglars are extremely unlikely to most assuredly, no sissy!
strike here. The question is, “How typical is
He is intelligent and Boozer?” Well, I wouldn’t have
entertaining—not to mention utilized him as an example if he
endearing—and he has a short, clean were not typical of the breed in
coat that makes him a clean and nearly every respect Many Bulldogs,
basically odorless house pet. He is however, are going to develop an
game for any type of outing or play, urge to fight even if confrontations
so he is an excellent companion for with other dogs are avoided. About
those of us who are into physically 40% of them will kill strange cats,

25
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER

and those that are inclined to go prostitution) did, he would roll over
after cats will also most likely attack on his back with his legs spread.
bigger game, from cattle to mountain In summary, the breed is an ideal
lions. To be truthful, a good house pet; it is intelligent, with a
percentage of Bulldogs will be a convenient short coat, and an
hazard to all other dogs, and many absolutely flawless disposition with
will be dangerous to have around people. However, many hundreds of
livestock. In fact, they would even be years as first a hunter and later as a
a danger to big Texas longhorn fighter have made the breed the
steers. Such dogs must simply be most formidable of dogs. It is this
kept on a leash, as is required by law characteristic, together with other
in most cities and states; and we circumstances, that has created the
even keep Boozer on a lead when he awesome reputation.
is taken out, even though the only I have extolled the virtues of the
necessity is compliance with the breed not because I want it to
city’s ordinance. become popular. It is too popular
Let me emphasize, though, that now—that is part of the problem.
Boozer’s easygoing attitude with The reason I am so laudatory about
other dogs doesn’t make him a freak the animal is, first of all, he is
within the breed. Many are that deserving of any praise I, or anyone
way—including some renowned pit else, might bestow upon him. He
dogs. Jimmy Boots is one example merits praise and, most assuredly,
that springs immediately to mind. A commands respect. A second reason
world-famous and bone-crushing pit is that the breed is under siege. This
dog, Jimmy Boots was raised as a is the only breed of which I am
family dog and left other dogs aware that has ever been outlawed
alone—unless they made the terrible specifically from any municipality.
mistake of attacking him. He was This fact not only frightens me, it
also an intelligent animal that had angers me greatly, for the injustice
been trained to do tricks. One of the of it all can only be known by those
more ribald ones being that when he who know the breed as it really is—
was asked what the girls in Laramie by those who know the truth about
(a town noted for its houses of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Chance Dancing Goldie is a much admired bitch.

26
 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER

Right: Here
Rose’s Red Cole
places first at a
California dog
show. Below:
This is the
predominant
disposition of
Pit Bulls with
children—not
the aberrations
that have been
featured in the
media.

27
28
 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER

Right: American
Pit Bull Terrier
owned by Charles
M. Kopenhafer.
Below: Champion
Butch is a son of
Champion
Saloon.

29
 Above: Kolohe at one year of age with his favorite toy, a full-sized tire. Opposite:
Under proposed anti-Pit Bull legislation, this puppy would be taken from these
young people.

30
 Headline Mentality

“Credulous acceptance of
baloney can lose you money;
that’s what P.T. Barnum
meant when he said, ‘There’s
a sucker bom every minute.’
But it can be much more
dangerous than that, and
when governments and
societies lose the capacity for
critical thinking, the results
can be catastrophic”
Carl Sagan

The catastrophe in this particular specified length) and a muzzle to be

instance is the outlawing of a breed. utilized when walking a specific
Such events have taken place in breed.
many communities, even at times The strategy of anti-dog groups is
including other breeds in the clear. They have found a weak spot
ordinance. To be fair, the ordinances in the dog world in that the
usually don’t simply outlaw breeds, American Pit Bull Terrier is
but the effect is the same if an perceived as such a dangerous
inordinate amount of insurance is animal. If they can outlaw this one
required and the insurance breed, it will set the precedent for
companies will not grant insurance. others. In fact, as I said, other breeds
Other laws prescribe a leash (of a have already been included. But the

31
HEADLINE MENTALITY
question is: “How did the APBT ever slaughter. Bullbaiting probably
attain such a horrendous reputation developed as a sport that was an
and thus become vulnerable?” It is outgrowth of this activity. In any
not a question for which there is an case, it was this activity that gave the
easy answer. breed the name “Bulldog.” (They
One of the problems is that the were also known in other times and
history of the breed evokes an other lands as “bull biters” and
automatic image of a fierce creature. “bear biters.”)
Ancient artwork shows dogs that Since the modern English (or
look just like modern APBTs being show) Bulldog is no longer able to
used as hunting dogs (that is, hunting hunt wild boar or catch a bull by the
dogs in the ancient sense, dogs that nose and subdue it, and the modern
go in and help kill the prey). Later American Pit Bull is still capable of
the identical dogs were used by exactly those things, most APBT
butchers to help them capture a bull fanciers are inclined to think that it
in the yard that they wanted to is their breed that is the purest form

Left: Bruiser, a 47-pound

dog.

Opposite: Sir Winston

hanging from a training
sleeve.
HEADLINE MENTALITY
of the real, old-time Bulldog; hence, turned on them—especially if it tried
the casual name for him that has to dispute with the humans over the
been retained throughout the ages. kill.
The public, however, is not aware Later—no one knows when—the
of the hunting history of the breed, breed became the dog of preference
but they are all too cognizant of the for canine-fighting contests. The
reputation of the breed as a pit dogs were used as fighters because
fighter. To people who don’t give a of the breed’s endurance, tolerance
whole lot of deep thought to the to pain, agility, and gameness.
subject, it seems only natural that a Gameness means the perseverance
fighting dog must be aggressive of the dog regardless of
toward people, too. It is an automatic circumstances. Many of these traits
assumption of sorts, and people can’t no doubt originated in the breed’s
be blamed for making it. development as a “kill dog” in the
The truth is, though, that there has hunt. In dog-fighting contests,
been a selective process going on for however, the dogs were not just
centuries. It only stands to reason, thrown into a cage and allowed to
for example, that the ancient fight inside. A referee and two
hunters would kill any dog that handlers were with them during the
entire period. The dogs were often
picked up and ministered to. For
STB and Hall’s Champion Sugar is a that reason, dogs that were inclined
four-time winner and a daughter of to bite, out of pain or savagery, were
culled and, thus, not allowed to pass
on such a trait.
The natural inclination is to think
that if a dog is a killer of other
animals, it certainly must be of an
unreliable disposition with people.
But think of retrievers. They have
excellent dispositions with humans
even though they have strong
instincts to go after birds. The same
is true of Redbone Coonhounds,
which are used for tracking and
attacking everything from raccoons
to bears; yet, they have an
outstanding disposition with humans
simply because the historical
breeders were completely intolerant
of “people-mean” dogs.
Why all the hullabaloo in the
media then? I was puzzled by the
phenomenon myself, for I have never
once owned a Bulldog that would
bite anyone.
For whatever reason, the breed
has undergone explosive popularity
in the past twelve years.
Unfortunately, the dogs seem to
appeal to certain macho types who
 HEADLINE MENTALITY

Above: Pat with Kitty, Richard with Honey, and Patricia with Tucker
demonstrate that Bulldogs aren’t necessarily enemies. Below: Behne’s
Clyde looking impressively sinewy.
HEADLINE MENTALITY

Slater’s Samson Lee, a weight-pull ace. Owner, Butch Slater.

Butch Slater and Smokie Joe.

36
are inclined to be irresponsible and
who are boastful about how
formidable and vicious their charges
are. This particular group of people
may be breeding dogs that are more
“people-mean” than is normal of the
breed.
Things seem to have gained an
impetus of their own in the news
media. A Pit Bull bite is more likely
to make the news than a bite from
any other breed. Even bites that
aren’t verified Pit Bull bites often
get reported if suspected as such.
Many mixed-breed incidents
certainly are reported as though the
dogs are pure Pit Bulls. (I have
lapsed back into the “Pit Bull”
terminology, because that is what
the media uses.) A television news
broadcast featured a story recently
about an accidental fight between a
Chow and a Pit Bull. Even the San
Diego Tribune a couple of years back
had a front-page story about a
barking Pit Bull. While it is not
typical of the Tribune to be so
cavalier about its news placement,
neither is it typical of Pit Bulls to be
barkers. It is also not typical of them
to be a threat to any humans.
I’m not saying that there have
been no attacks by Pit Bulls upon
people. Certainly there have been.
But these are rare aberrations of the
breed. If there is a dog bite and
there is any room for doubt, the Pit
Bull will get the blame.
Nearly every single breed has
been involved in attacks on humans.
About twelve years ago, three
Pekingese mobbed and killed an
infant. But, of course, most of the
serious attacks are by large breeds
for the simple reason that they are
more capable of inflicting damage.

Mrs. Lehman and Star.

HEADLINE MENTALITY

STB’s Frankie is a
double-bred Snooty
dog.

The American Pit Bull Terrier is not the best of dogs, it is worth the
a big dog, normally weighing inconvenience.
between thirty and sixty pounds. So we see that the infamy of the
However, there is no denying that he Pit Bull has been brought about by a
is capable of inflicting tremendous number of complex and varied
damage. The point is that he is much causes. First, of course, is the
less likely to do so than breeds opportunism of the anti-dog factions.
you’ve never even heard of. Second is the propensity of the news
Yes, he is a danger to other dogs— media to gravitate toward any
in spite of all his sweetness with alleged Pit Bull story and to
humans. Some individuals also could sensationalize it as much as
be a danger to livestock—including possible. As one young journalist
large, longhorn steers. The law holds told me, “Pit Bulls are a ‘sexy topic’
anyone accountable for the damage right now.” By that, she meant that
his dog does. For that reason, owning Pit Bulls were a hot topic, one that
a Pit Bull is not a responsibility to would sell newspapers and fill up
be taken lightly. But it is not so sensationalistic space when the
difficult to keep a dog confined or on murderers and rapists were resting.
a leash, as is required by law for all Third is a natural tendency for the
breeds. For those of us who consider public automatically to think the
this most unjustly reviled breed as worst of the breed because they

38
 HEADLINE MENTALITY
know of it as a fighting dog. Fourth is makes their bosses happy. Besides,
another natural tendency of the they have many stories to cover.
public to peruse the headlines and Hence, if there is a reaction to what
to do so with absolutely no critical they have written, it has to be an
thinking involved. We all do it to a awfully big one for them to go back
degree; it depends, I suppose, to a and re-examine it, for they are
certain extent upon how interested already on another story. So, no, I’m
we are in the subject involved. not blaming reporters, but I’m not
The truth is that we should all be blind to the fact that most news
more skeptical and inquiring about stories have inaccuracies in them. In
everything that we read (or, even news stories not involving the dogs
more so, about what we see and hear about which I have been privy to the
in the news media). I don’t know who facts, the stories in the papers were
first used the term “headline unbelievably jumbled—or just plain
mentality,” but it is a wonderfully false. Often I could trace back events
descriptive term for the type of to see why the stories came out the
intellect that does absolutely no way they did. Most of the time, it was
probing, no independent or critical simply honest mistakes by reporters,
thinking, and simply swallows the with no malice intended.
whole “circus” that is presented by Still, we have to keep in mind that
the news media. It is a little we must keep a skeptical attitude
depressing to observe humans whose about all stories—including those
strong opinions have simply been that appear in the news. Failure to
programmed into them by whatever do so will leave us with a very
news they’ve been exposed to. distorted view of the world. And only
Don’t get me wrong. I am not of the Bulldog people can fully appreciate
opinion that there is a dark plot by how badly the image their breed has
news people to vilify the Pit Bull. been injured. Unfortunately, this
But reporters are human, and they distorted view of the Pit Bull has led
know what sells newspapers and to some dangerous consequences.

These girls are having fun getting ready to show their

Bulldogs.

39
HEADLINE MENTALITY

Above: Nancy Benson with her dog, the great Champion Bobby McGee. Opposite:
Gary Hammonds with his great Rufus dog.

40
HEADLINE MENTALITY

41
 Above: Champion Gideon is a pit dog whose photo hangs in a
popular restaurant. Opposite: STB’s Dylan is a two-time winner
and a son of Champion Peterbilt.

42
 Under Siege

“I have made but one prayer

to God, a very short one: ‘Oh
Lord, make my enemies
ridiculous.’ And God granted
it.”
Voltaire

Surely no other breed of dog in house by the feet. The lady of the
history has become so infamous. And house, observing this, comments to
how ironic it is for such little cause. her husband who is occupied in the
A breed that some fifteen years ago other room reading the paper,
was nearly unknown is now a “Harold, remember when we got rid
household word. What other breed, of the Retriever because he kept
for example, has been featured in bringing us all the neighbor’s papers
editorial cartoons? Three such and we got a Pit Bull instead?”
cartoons immediately come to mind, Another cartoon that particularly
and although the presumptions amused me followed upon certain
behind them are not funny, I municipalities in California
couldn’t help a bemused smile when outlawing the Pit Bull, and it showed
I saw them. One showed a dog a Pit Bull in a line-up with a bunch
carrying a human body into the of thugs—other wanted criminals!

43
UNDER SIEGE

Austin’s Junior and a camera-shy youngster.

A third showed a bunch of press for ordinances in various parts

terrorists, drawn to make them look of the country to prohibit ownership
like the most violent of people, with of Pit Bulls and sometimes of
beards and tattoos, and guns, knives, “concomitant breeds.” The very first
and grenades in their belts, reading ordinance in a large city was in
a newspaper that was reporting “two Hollywood, Florida, and that one
more Pit Bull attacks.” One of them was overturned by a court as being
is saying, “Those dogs scare the fool unconstitutionally discriminating to
out of me!” a specific group of dog owners. Some
What has happened is that, of the communities have passed the
because of all the news stories about ordinances knowing full well that
Pit Bull attacks, there has been a such a ruling was made. In many

44
 UNDER SIEGE
cases, it was in such small
municipalities that they thought,
perhaps, that their ordinance would
not be challenged and ruled upon.
Unfortunately, the egos of the city
councils in the small towns are often
even greater than those of their
counterparts in large cities, and they
aren’t about to let anyone tell them
what to do. Of course, they knew
nothing about the breed that they
were legislating against.
The reaction of the general dog
community to all this has generally
been one of support, I am happy to
say, for the other dog owners know
that it will set a dangerous
precedent for them. Most articles
appearing in general dog
publications have been against the Boudreaux-bloodline pups enchant­
laws, and the American Dog Owners’ ing a straw-hatted gent. Owner, Jeff
Association began legal proceedings Fontenot.

Hopefully this Bulldog will be around to overturn all the ordinances.

to see many more Christmases—if the One article by a couple of
headline hunters don’t have their veterinarians, who obviously had not
way. learned the power of critical
thinking, did appear in Dog World
and was entitled, “Are Pit Bulls
Giving Good Dogs a Bad Name?” It
attempted to show that the number
of bites per Pit Bull was of a greater
percentage than it should be.
However, the article utilized a faulty
data base and some unwarranted
assumptions. It should be noted that
most veterinarians are the first to
praise Bulldogs because they are so
easy to work on, as they are such
cooperative patients.
Such faith do most members of the
Bulldog fancy have in the reliable
disposition of the breed that most of
us consider the reports of any attack
with a very suspicious eye. The
suspicion is well founded in many
cases, as the attacks are often by
mixed breeds—often with no
Bulldog blood in them at all.

45
 Above: Kung Fu King on springpole. Opposite: Hammonds’s Little Selma Two
will spot an intriguing object a mile off in the distance and stand like this for
hours at a time.

46
UNDER SIEGE

Heinzl’s Bozo, a grandson of Heinzl’s Chile.

To help illustrate that most so- effect, much of the population had
called Pit Bull attacks are cases of been programmed to cry “Pit Bull”
mistaken identity, Al Stone, a Los over any dog bite. “Pit Bull” has
Angeles policeman-turned-attorney, replaced “mad dog” as the cry of
compiled an identification book of hysteria.
sorts that contained pictures of all Nevertheless, one morning I
the common breeds and of the heard a report that I knew was a
Bulldog, too. In the cases he was bona fide Pit Bull attack. The report
able to investigate (on his own time), was of a dog killing a baby. The story
all of them were other breeds. In said that the father of the child was
some cases crossbreeds might have mowing his lawn with a power
been involved, but he discovered mower, and his Pit Bull kept trying
that most people were all too eager to attack the mower. He placed the
to say “Pit Bull” when they weren’t dog inside the house with the baby
sure what dog it was. After all, those and proceeded to finish mowing the
were the dogs that they had been lawn, with the dog all the while
hearing so much about as being railing at the mower through the
dangerous, weren’t they? So, in window. When he re-entered the

Opposite: Joe Graham riding his

father’s great tree-climbing dog
Tiger.

48
rmI
UNDER SIEGE
house he was horrified to find the a predator, pure and simple; and he
baby’s dead and terribly mangled may not recognize the baby as
body. human. After all, an infant looks
I was heartsick, for I knew that considerably different from us; it
such a scenario was well within the makes strange noises and is down on
behavior of a Bulldog. Let me all fours. For that reason, the
explain. I know that it was not percentage of fatalities from dog
uncommon for a Bulldog to want to attacks is very largely comprised of
attack a power mower. (Many react infants. And for that reason, I will
the same way to other equipment— not accept the name “baby killer”

Above: Reid’s Billy is a two-time winner. Opposite: Joe Graham’s

Buck was the first Bulldog to undergo obedience and protection
training in the United Kingdom.

including, in the old days, steam for the Bulldog unless the caller
locomotives!) I also know that if the includes Collies, German Shepherds,
dog is grown and the baby is Labradors, and humans, too, for they
newborn, the dog has not been all kill a larger number of babies
raised with the baby. Consequently, than the Bulldog.
he very likely would not recognize it Anyway, after that first real
as human and it could be attacked— Bulldog attack, there eventually
especially with the excited state that came others. The reason was that the
he was in. breed was increasing rapidly in
Let me hasten to add that many population. Since the breed was not
dog experts have suggested extreme AKC-registered, the results didn’t
caution about large powerful dogs show up in that way. And since the
around babies. The potential appeal of the breed was especially
problem is that any dog is by nature strong for those people in the lower

50
UNDER SIEGE

Left: Nick’s Brewzer

with a pure Manx cat.

Opposite: Mims’s Hard

Jack is by Mims’s Pilot
out of Clemens’s
Midnight.

socio-economic structure, the breed about crossing the dogs with other
didn’t really show up in licensing breeds. Now, crossing a Bulldog with
either. Even with those in the “upper another breed can be a formula for
levels,” many owners didn’t license trouble. For if the breed is crossed
their dogs under the name “Pit Bull” with even mildly aggressive breeds,
as a matter of principle, for many of such as the Boxer or German
them knew that many local humane Shepherd, the offspring are likely to
agencies include in their “dog­ have the people-aggressive
fighter” files all owners of Pit Bulls. tendencies of the other breed
And, of course, Pit Bull owners want coupled with the intensity and
to keep their options open in case power of the Pit Bull.
the breed is ever outlawed. A pit-dog man from the East took a
(Although I fight hard against it, I job reading meters for a while to
really do consider that a dim supplement the income from his
possibility.) The point is, with the dairy farm during a tough financial
breed so numerous, the potential for year. He noticed that his fellow
problems is increased exponentially. meter readers were especially wary
When you throw in the concept that of Pit Bulls. He tried to tell them
a great percentage of their numbers how wrong they were, but he
are in the hands of irresponsible discovered for himself that there
people who know nothing about the actually were some out there that
breed, the potential for bad press were people-mean. It is difficult to
looms even greater. convey just how shocking this
A recent article in Dog World tells discovery was to a lifetime Bulldog
of a paramedic’s experiences in devotee.
Harlem. In the article the author Now this doesn’t mean that the
states that the most popular breed in breed has been ruined. It simply
Harlem was the Pit Bull. (And I means that, whereas the breed
myself have noticed that the breed is before had almost no people-mean
truly incredibly popular in lower dogs, now there are some—just like
income neighborhoods that I have other breeds! An important point
visited across the country.) He here is that it is the pit stock which
quotes some of the owners as talking has the dogs with the reliable

52
UNDER SIEGE
disposition with humans; and it is breeds in terms of people-meanness;
the pet stock that is producing the and even that situation is so only if
people-mean dogs. This fact is in we count in the non-pit stock.
sharp contrast to the statements in Accepting this situation, it seems to
an article by an animal welfare me ludicrous for writers such as Dr.
activist, in which she states that dog Michael Fox, a veterinarian and
fighting is not just an animal rights author of a number of books, to
issue but is producing animals that condemn as vicious, in his
are a threat to humans. It is a clever newspaper column, all Pit Bulls,
ploy and perhaps even sincere, but it including American Staffordshire
is totally without merit. For pit-dog Terriers. According to him, if he
men are unimpressed by people­ wanted such a breed he would send
mean dogs, and they routinely cull back to England for it (meanwhile,
them. England is importing APBTs from
So, at worst, we have a breed that the United States!). I have enjoyed,
has degenerated to the level of other to a degree, Fox’s books on the wolf

Ironman’s Blue is a
descendant of Peterbilt
and Petronellis’s Fox.
 UNDER SIEGE

Pollard’s Mike at 60 pounds is an example of the rarer large Pit Bull.

and other wild canids. However, his does turn out as they had pre­
remarks about the Pit Bull not only conceived it. And I speak as one who
show a lack of critical thinking but has had experience with these
show poor judgment in making groups.
comments about something of which Being human, I have my periods of
he is obviously woefully ignorant. doubt and depression, but luckily
Unfortunately, misinformation they are shortlived, for I try to keep
and ignorant writings can affect the in mind that things tend to run in
public; and the public, in turn, cycles. I remember when California
affects the politicians. Hence, we passed the first felony dog-fighting
find the battle lines drawn on a law. I was concerned about the law
number of fronts today, as because it gave too much power to
community after community enacts the humane groups, and I feared that
ordinances restricting in some way innocent Bulldog owners would be
the ownership of a Pit Bull. Many of harassed. Friends, worried that I
the major news magazines and the would be one of the innocent victims
major television news programs caught up in it, urged me to move out
have done stories on the breed with of that “flaky state.” Now, nearly
distorted information. As I see it, every state in the union has a felony
one of the problems about these dog-fighting law much worse than
stories is that the people who want the original California one. And, in
to do the story already have in mind the meantime, California has quietly
what they want it to be; so they edit rolled its law back to a
everything accordingly so that it misdemeanor.

55
 Above: Rush Tango at 58^2 pounds, undeniably in worthy form. Opposite: Cleo,
three years old and 50 pounds, a bitch of Castelli and Johnson’s Zebo breeding.

56
 The Pretenders

“Come, listen my men, while I

tell you again
The five unmistakable marks
By which you may know,
wheresoever you go,
The warranted genuine
Snarks”
Lewis Carroll

The distinguishing characteristics from it One absolutely

of “Snarks” include: a meager and distinguishing characteristic would
hollow taste, a habit of getting up be just which other breeds would an
late, and slowness in taking a jest. experienced pit-dog man utilize in a
Not much more enlightening are pit contest The answer would be
distinguishing characteristics of none! But even a pit-dog man might
breeds that are often confused with be fooled by the appearance of some
Pit Bulls. However, because of the breeds; however, he would
confusion is so rampant, I thought I soon ascertain by his game test that
would take the time once again to try they were not suitable for his
to clarify what breeds are similar to purposes, for that is the true essence
the APBT but are “light years” away of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

57
 The Tibetan
Mastiff can
weigh up to
180 pounds;
in its native
land of China
the breed is
revered for
its great
power and
willingness
to defend its
home and
livestock. It
has never
been known
as a rowdy
rival to other
dogs.

And a lifetime’s experience with the are the purebred dogs and anything
breed has convinced me that all its not registered by that body are
other wonderful characterics either suspect as a legitimate breed. Such
flow from that trait or are is far from legitimate, as most of the
concomitant with it. best and most useful dog breeds are
An important point to make here deliberately withheld from AKC
is that most breeds with which the registrations.
public has any familiarity are show It should be noted that the AKC is
breeds. That is, they are breeds finally coming under fire because of
developed mainly for appearance. In the deplorable breeding tactics that
most cases, the history of such a have been done under its auspices.
breed consists mainly of flights of Hip dysplasia, a cruel and crippling
fancy by one of its more influential disease, is especially rampant in
devotees. It is these dogs, however, AKC stock, as is genetic blindness
that are AKC-registered. To many and a host of other inherited
people, the AKC-registered breeds disorders. All these are a direct

58
 THE PRETENDERS
result of breeding strictly for looks THE AMERICAN
and for sale without regard to other STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER
important traits. In the case of the Am. Staf, we
It is not that I am disdainful of the have a breed whose history really
AKC (well, maybe a little}, for some of has a ring of authenticity to it. The
the breeds it registers (the Labrador breed started out as the AKC version
Retriever, the Shetland Sheepdog, of the American Pit Bull Terrier. In
and the Dachshund, to mention just fact, it was John P. Colby’s family
a few) are dogs I like. But look at (and Colby was one of the foremost
even the breeds I name! (And truly, I breeders of American Pit Bull
did not think of this as I ticked the Terriers) that helped push for AKC
breed names off, as these really are recognition of the breed, for it was
dogs of which I am genuinely fond.) thought that the breed would
The Lab has dysplasia problems, the become more popular under its
Shelties are wracked by blindness, auspices. The first dog registered
and the Dachshunds frequently have was “Pete the Pup” of The Little
back problems. But the main point I Rascals fame. However, he was
want to make is that the American registered as a Staffordshire Terrier,
Kennel Club is not the sole authority as the AKC would not grant the other
or registry of the dog world. name for two reasons: One was that
In any case, in discussing breeds the AKC already had a Bull Terrier,
related to the Pit Bull, I’ll start with and its adherents lobbied against
the breeds closest to it and work including another “Bull Terrier”;
from there. two was that the AKC undoubtedly
The American Staffordshire Terrier is one of many bulldog
breeds, not too distantly related to the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Breeders today do not cross the two breeds, and hence they grow
ever more distant as cousins. Photo by John Ashbey.

59
The Am. Staf (left) and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (right) are two
breeds of bulldog developed on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Once very
similar in physical appearance, the two breeds now are noticeably differ­
ent. Photo by Isabelle Fran^ais.

wanted to avoid granting the same that is truly game, but such an
name under which the United individual is so rare that he must be
Kennel Club had registered the considered a freak of the breed. The
breed for years. (The UKC was the gameness was lost because there was
first big registry to recognize the no way to know which individuals
APBT, and it was the first breed, in should be bred in order to preserve
turn, to be recognized by the United it. Staf owners were always
Kennel Club. All the other breeds— foresworn never so much as to roll a
including the Coonhounds—came dog, so there was no way to ascertain
later.) an individual’s gameness.
But now, some fifty years later, the Since appearance was to be the
breed can no longer be considered main manner in which the breed
the same. The reason? The breeds would be known, breeders had a
have been bred along entirely tendency to breed for stocky,
different lines. The result is the Am. powerful-looking individuals that
Staf (the breed name was later would stand up to people. After
changed to “American Staffordshire many years of experience, it is my
Terrier” to distinguish it from opinion that an Am. Staf is more
imported “Staffords”or Staffordshire likely to bite a person than is an
Bull Terriers from England) is APBT. Crosses between the two
uniform in appearance, but its breeds (which wouldn’t even be
gameness ranges from none to very considered crosses by many people)
little. An occasional dog may turn up could very likely produce animals

60
 THE PRETENDERS
that could be dangerous to people, agreed that they are not as game as
and they most assuredly would be the imported APBTs from America.
known as “Pit Bulls”! Certainly, in my opinion, the
Staffords imported and bred in
THE STAFFORDSHIRE BULL Britain are not even as game as the
TERRIER Am. Stafs.
This is the English version of the When the breed first began to be
old pit dog turned show dog. It was brought over during the early 1950s,
recognized a little over fifty years it was generally believed that this
ago by The Kennel Club of Great was just another strain of the same
Britain and was bred along show breed. In fact, the AKC listed it as a
lines. It is smaller and stockier than Staffordshire Terrier; and some
the American Staffordshire. breedings were made, crossing the
In parts of the British Isles, badger two breeds, and these were
baiting is legal; and this breed has registered as Am. Stafs. One reason
been used for such participations. for these breedings was that many
This was considered a game test by American Staf breeders thought the
some fanciers—even though it would dogs were getting too big. A more
fall far short of a real game test, predominant reason was likely the
which uses another dog. Still, some American fascination for imported
English fanciers have told me that dogs. However, one of the brightest,
some dogs have been used for richest, and most influential of the
fighting over there and that many American Staf breeders was Howard
are game. However, it is generally M. Hadley of Glendora, California,

An unusually colored Staffordshire Bull Terrier in Great Britain.

61
THE PRETENDERS
and he recognized that the breeds THE BULL TERRIER
were not the same. He resisted the Now here is the biggest pretender
idea of the Stafford’s being accepted of them all, a breed that for years
as the same breed as its American was the only one the public knew as
counterpart, and, in the end, he a pit dog. In his show standard, it
prevailed. The Staffordshire Bull even says that this breed is the
Terrier was recognized as a separate “gladiator” of the canine world. The
breed by the AKC. truth is he is no such thing. Oh, of
Generally speaking, it has always course, there was the concocted
seemed to me that the Stafford had story of how the originator of the
an even better disposition with breed crossed one of the old Bull-
people than the Am. Staf, but he is and-Terrier types with some terrier
even more of a caricature of the and perhaps a Dalmatian to get
original pit dogs than the American cleaner lines and more agility—not
show counterpart; that is, he is to mention the white coloration. As
extremely squat, almost to the point the story goes, Hinks (the originator)
of being grotesque. But, of course, matched one of his dogs against the
that is the “cakes and ale” of show­ old type, and not only did it win, but
dog people. They don’t like dogs that it did so with little harm to itself that
look ordinary. The more grotesque, it was able to win a dog show the
the better; and you can be sure that next day. I’m sorry, but I don’t
the show people will dream up some believe a word of it!
story of why the breed looks that The reason I am so skeptical is not
way—just as they did with the entirely due to my innate perversity.
Dachshund! The whole story simply smacks of the

An example of the Colored variety of the show Bull Terrier, a British breed cre­
ated in the nineteenth century.

62
 THE PRETENDERS

The Bull Terrier’s muzzle is more elongated than that of many other bulldog
breeds, which enabled the Bull Terrier to excel in a pit of rats. Photo by Isabelle
Frangais.

type of thing that show dog people wouldn’t cross a racing Greyhound
do. They have been known to make with a Pointer to obtain a better
crosses for the sake of a certain build. Crosses of any kind are
appearance they wanted. But you doomed to produce slower
don’t do that with a competitive Greyhounds, because that breed is
performance dog. For example, you simply the master of speed. You

63
THE PRETENDERS
don’t cross him for the same reason people have ended up with is a wide-
you don’t cross a thoroughbred to a set, fat dog that can’t see very well.
Morgan, an Arabian, or any other And he can’t fight his way out of a
breed. paper bag!
Now, here is what I think really
happened, but, of course, it is just a THE SHOW BULLDOG
guess; nevertheless, it is an educated Since all of these breeds have a
guess in that it takes into account the certain relationship I end up
tendencies of performance-dog covering the same ground, so the
people as opposed to show-dog reader may bear with me if
people, and it is influenced by a interested in this aspect of things—
lifetime of looking at artwork or skip over this part!
to puzzle things out. To begin with, As I have stated many times, the
there was a brachycephalic type of American Pit Bull Terrier is the
Bulldog that was kept and bred for purest representative of the old-time
the oddity of its appearance. Bulldog. He looks like him, and he
Brachycephalic is the technical term does the same types of things that
for the pushed-in nose appearance the old Bulldog was known to do.
of the modern show Bulldog and a That is, he is the fighter without fear,
number of other breeds, including he will run down and attack wild
the Boxer, Pug, King Charles game—from boar to lion—and he
Spaniel, Pekingese, and Bullmastiff, will catch a bull or hog for a farmer
to mention just a few. In my opinion, and hold him until the farmer
this dog was crossed with some secures the animal.
Terrier to produce the old “Bull- Even in the modern APBTs, we
and-Terriers” or “Half-and-Halfs,” have individuals showing up with
as they were sometimes called. I aberrations of appearance. This is
think it was this “old type” that true, of course, with all breeds to a
Hinks worked with to produce his degree. However, there is a
“White Cavalier.” It is even possible predictable pattern to some of the
that they had a little match. variations. For example, undershot
Certainly, with those mouths, they dogs are by no means a rarity. The
wouldn’t have been able to hurt each reason is that a dog that does the
other! Anyway, I have seen drawings things which our dog does needs a
and paintings of Bull Terriers done strong lower jaw. Since there are
in the late 19th Century which natural variations on both sides of
showed them with the
the ideal jaw, the strong mandible
brachycephalic nose. So it may often results in an undershot dog. If
indeed be true that the “Bull-and-
Terrier” cross was made, but it
influenced show dogs only, and was
not an important landmark in the Opposite: The show Bulldog of
history of the modern APBT. England first entered the
To give an example of how show­ conformation ring in 1860.
dog people rationalize show points
Through selective crossing for
(aspects of desired appearance), the
Bull Terrier has a wide stance so desired characteristics, the
that he is not easily taken off his Bulldog has had its appearance
feet; and he has those slanted eyes changed over the years. Note its
for protection from injury to them. large skull, rose-shaped ears, and
But, in my opinion, what these undershot jaw.

64
THE PRETENDERS
a dog is not undershot too badly, his It is a strange twist of irony that
bite (that is, the force of it) is not the “Bulldog” should end up with
affected. However, if he is undershot our breed’s name officially in the
to the extent that the lower teeth AKC (and all other show-dog
show, it is nearly always predictable registries) and certainly in the
that the dog will not have biting public’s mind. If what I think is true
force. does indeed happen to be the case, it
Sometimes the condition is really is possible that the “Bulldog” is just
extreme if the animal, in addition to as pure a descendant of the old,
being badly undershot, has a short historic Bulldog as is our breed. It is
muzzle. To me, it is easy to see how just that this one was bred away
an especially extreme example of from the old type for the sake of
this could have occurred early on in appearance and fashion. Oh, to be
the history of the old Bulldog; and sure, the characteristics were
the exotic and human-like rationalized in typical show dog
appearance of such an animal might fashion. The brachycephalic trait is
make him more likely to be kept as a called “lay back,” and it’s supposed
pet and eventually turned into a to help the dog breathe while it has
show dog. In the world of show dogs, hold of the bull. The wide stance is
the exotic and grotesque are to give the dog leverage, when he has
paramount. the bull by the nose. And perhaps

This English Bulldog and its pup illustrate the present-day show breed’s
more mellow temperament, compared to that of its pit-fighting ancestors.
 This American
Bulldog shows
the strongly
muscled, solid
build that is
characteristic of
the breed. More
of a working
guard dog than a
show dog, the
American
Bulldog
maintains an
active following
in the U.S.

the tiny hindquarters are to give him dogs that have been produced under
agility at least at the back end! In its auspices. Unfortunately, the show
any case, it is all nonsense. Anyone Bulldog doesn’t help its case any.
who has seen a catch dog work Short-lived and dull-witted, the show
knows that the show Bulldog Bulldog often must bear its young by
couldn’t possibly do that kind of Caesarean section because of the
thing. The Bulldog simply has no ridiculously small hindquarters
mouth; he has very little to work having to give birth to the even more
with in grasping the bull. Besides ridiculously large head.
that, he has no agility and no
stamina. And I have yet to see one THE AMERICAN BULLDOG
that has the inclination to do the This breed is supposed to be a
work. direct descendant of the old-time
To many people, the modern show Bulldog. It may be true, but he
Bulldog has character all his own; certainly doesn’t look like the
and he is the national symbol of paintings and woodcuts of the old
Britain. It gives me no pleasure to Bulldog. Besides, there is little
say anything against other breeds. reason to believe that he is. A
But I would be remiss if I didn’t at breeder in Georgia has been beating
least give the facts. I mentioned the drums for this breed, making the
before that the AKC happens to be claim that it is in fact the old
receiving some criticism now for the Bulldog. Pardon me for being

67
THE PRETENDERS

A Neapolitan
Mastiff, half of
Swinford’s
Bandogge creation.
This is Ossa
standing in front of
owner’s well-
guarded and
greatly prized
Cherimoya tree.

skeptical, but I would like a little veterinarian named Swinford. It was

proof. a perfectly legitimate enterprise.
Still, although the breed is not yet People are always trying to improve
recognized by the AKC, it may make upon what we have. Swinford was
the grade some day, as people seem aware that the American Pit Bull
to like the big rough-looking animals Terrier was the supreme fighting
that these dogs are. They look dog, so he started out to make a
something like a drop-eared Boxer, better one. His theory, which
but are much larger, running certainly had its merits, was that if
between 80 to 100 pounds. he could increase the size greatly, he
would succeed. Not having the
THE SWINFORD BANDOGGE patience for trying to increase the
In this breed’s case, there was no size of the APBT by selective
attempt to claim an ancient origin. breeding, he bred a Neapolitan
The breed was started by a Mastiff bitch to a good American Pit

68
 THE PRETENDERS
Bull Terrier male and then they have allegedly been used for
proceeded, with the help of friends, fighting. The Akita is obviously
to try to develop a separate breed by unrelated, as its appearance is that
selective breeding for size and of the Spitz family of dogs (sled dog
gameness. type), rather than the bulldog-mastiff
After ten years of this selective appearance of so many of the other
breeding, Pit Bull owners were fighting dogs.
challenged. One of them came up According to Carl Semencic,
with a sixty-pound dog to go against author of The World of Fighting Dogs,
one of the 130-pound behemoths, and today’s Akita breeders prefer to
the little dog chased the bigger one think of the Akita as a hunting dog.
out of the pit at the twelve-minute Semencic makes a convincing case
mark. for its being included in the fighting
dog category, however, and I well
THE AKITA recall, when the Akita first came to
Now we come to some unrelated this country, its owners touted it as
dogs; that is, they have no real the breed that would dethrone the
relationship to the American Pit Pit Bull as the premier fighting dog
Bull Terrier other than the fact that of the country. It was, perhaps, after

A native Japanese breed, the Akita displays a plush coat, prick ears, and
curled tail—suggestive of the breed’s stemming from northern blood­
lines. The Akita stands 24-28 inches high and weighs 75-110 pounds.

69
THE PRETENDERS

The Shar-Pei traces its roots to mainland China. In the 1970s, when very
few specimens remained in existence, fanciers brought some of these
dogs to the U.S., where the breed has prospered. When the Shar-Pei en­
tered America, it was considered one of the rarest breeds in the world.

he failed to do this that his devotees THE SHAR-PEI

decided that he was a hunting dog. This breed first came to the
For some reason, the Japanese, country as the Chinese Fighting Dog.
who have sent us such excellent It was supposed to be the end of the
small cars, have a penchant for big Pit Bull’s fighting supremacy; and it,
dogs. The Akita is evidence of this, like the Akita, failed. In fact, it failed
as the size of the breed often more miserably than all the others.
exceeds 100 pounds. Some now say that it was all a

70
 THE PRETENDERS
horrible mistake in the first place However, the Tosa is an exception to
that anyone ever thought of this as a most of these, as he is a legitimate
fighting breed. It was a mistake fighting dog that can be tough to
brought about by the mistranslation whip. I am told by those who live in
of some Chinese documents. Asian countries, in which pit
Nevertheless, it is a breed that has contests are legal, that the Tosa is
been included in some of the bans not taken lightly by APBT owners. It
on “fighting dogs” in certain is generally considered that it takes
“unenlightened” municipalities. a Bulldog that is at least fifty-five
pounds to whip one.
However, the sun may be setting
THE TOSA on the Tosa as a fighting dog for the
Here is a bona fide fighting dog simple reason that even those
from Japan. Like the Akita, the Tosa enthusiasts in Japan are beginning
is huge. In fact, it looks a little like a to prefer the American Pit Bull
large and lippy APBT. I have only Terrier. There is good reason for
seen one of these dogs, and I was this. A smaller dog is a more
impressed with it. Most of the giant convenient pet than a large one. And
breeds are misbegotten animals, if he can whip the dogs that look so
slow of wit, short-lived, and not so awesome, there is no need for him to
formidable as their owners think. look that way himself!

Once popular in the dog pits of Japan, the Tosa would fight to the death
without ever uttering an audible syllable. The Tosa, selectively bred for
size and silence, can weigh up to 200 pounds—truly an impressive dog.

71
i Above: The shady, well-shaded Freeman’s Rusty Red Boy. Opposite: Sam is
owned by Gary McCurdy.

72
 The Real McCoy

“A pound of pluck is worth a

ton of luck.”
James A. Garfield

The bona fide American Pit Bull men seek is not easily attained—but
Terrier has more than luck and more it is quite easily lost! Still, nearly all
than pluck. If he is, as I and many members of the breed have a
other APBT devotees believe, the measure of the trait that would
most direct descendant of the old- astound the average person—even
time Bulldog, then he is the end though it could be completely
product of countless centuries of unimpressive to a pit-dog man.
breeding for pure courage. And that The ideal of gameness takes a
he has. In fact, he has something little getting used to, so perhaps it
beyond courage—and that is called would be sufficient to say that it is
gameness. the one trait that is most prized by
“Gameness” is a term that is pit-dog men. And it is my firm
tossed around rather casually by conviction, after over forty years of
sports commentators and writers experience with the breed, that it is
and by people in general, but to the the Pit Bull’s gameness that gives it
pit-dog man it has a very important its rock-steady disposition and its
meaning. It refers to that attribute of unique character which holds so
never giving up regardless of many of us utterly entranced.
circumstances and conditions. The Of course, the American Pit Bull
true, deep gameness that pit-dog Terrier is best known as a fighting

73
THE REAL McCOY
dog. And that he is. Naturally, he is were different times.
other things, too, but there is no So all manner of dogs, from huge
denying that he is the fighter par Rottweilers to Tosas to Airedales,
excellence. He is so good at his trade were matched against Bulldogs.
that it is difficult to convey just how After years of doing this, the
good. Perhaps to say that he can Bulldogs never lost a single match!
whip any other breed of dog Even I, who consider these dogs to
irrespective of size will suffice. be some sort of super canine, would
However, even that somehow falls not have predicted such an
short of expressing the enormous overwhelming outcome. What makes
and unique ability of this breed. it all so impressive are these facts:
Now, I am perfectly aware that First, the very best of the other
there are those who will say that breeds were brought in; the
fighting ability is of little individuals didn’t get there unless
consequence and that they are they were the absolute, outstanding,
unimpressed by a dog that is good at exceptional fighter for their breed.
it. Fine. I respect that opinion. Let The Bulldogs, on the other hand,
them look elsewhere for a dog then. were usually the second-rate ones,
But let them also let us have our dog. as a pit-dog man is not going to waste
They should have no quarrel with us a hot match prospect in a “pick-up”
as long as we keep our charges from match against a cur dog. (Remember
pummeling theirs. It is true, of that “cur” is the term among the
course, that the breed has other fancy for all breeds other than
qualities, so that even those who Bulldogs. No offense. It is simply a
would find his fighting abilities tradition that extends back into
abhorrent might want him for his antiquity.) Another factor to take
other traits. However, it is my firm into account is that most pit dogs are
conviction that no one should own kennel or chain dogs, and they don’t
one of these dogs who does not at get much exercise unless they’re
least understand their desire to fight being conditioned for a match.
and ability to do so, and be willing to Hence, all these dogs were Bulldogs
take the consequences for it: a little that were being brought in for a fight
extra caution and care. If they are against an invariably bigger
not so willing and accepting, then let adversary that had most likely had
them obtain another breed. much better conditioning than the
One way to illustrate just how Bulldog. Finally, there is the matter
good these dogs are is to tell the of size. Most Bulldogs aren’t all that
story of a man who is well known big, and the best ones are usually
among pit fanciers in the United small. Size difference isn’t anything
States. He was once a police officer to be sneezed at, so it would seem
in New York and later owned a that at least one other dog might be
plumbing business there. In his able to win simply on that basis. But
plumbing business, he came across it was never enough to overcome the
all manner of dog owners, and, incredible ability of the Bulldog.
everyone knew that he owned One of the most amazing things to
Bulldogs. It so happened that there me is that none of the Bandogges
was a pit stationed in the basement ever won such a match. After all, the
of the plumbing business, so if people who worked with those dogs
someone came in with a dog that were wealthy and educated people,
! they thought could whip a Bulldog, and they were being guided by
he could be accommodated—those veterinarians who most assuredly

74
 THE REAL McCOY

Dolly Danger pouncing through a field.

had some knowledge of genetics. of times for passing up such an

You will recall that the breed was adventure to go to a mere science
started off by crossing a good and convention!) Anyway, one of the
well-bred Bulldog with a Neapolitan things Mr. Greenwood wanted to see
Mastiff, a breed that is supposed to was the Tosas. He saw very few.
be used for fighting in Italy. These When asked where all the Tosas had
huge dogs were selectively bred for gone, he was told that the Pit Bulls
ability and gameness for ten years had killed them all. Well, maybe you
before their owners challenged aren’t impressed by that, but I
Bulldog owners. And even then, certainly am!
against these huge brutes, the Besides defeating other canine
Bulldogs, large and small, prevailed. breeds, the Bulldog proved himself,
I was invited by a Chinese group on both sides of the country, against
to go to Taiwan. I was not able to timber wolves and wild dogs. On all
make the trip because of a prior the occasions involved, either a dog
commitment. The head of the trainer or a veterinarian with an
American Dog Breeders’ Association interest in canine ethology was the
went in my place. (He has since one providing the wild canids. It was
chided me good naturedly a number never a contest in any of the

75
THE REAL McCOY
instances, as the wolf or wild dog “threat display.” If the situation
was simply a terrified animal, actually deteriorates into a fight, it
wanting nothing but to get away from will be over quickly, and the victor
the demon that had hold of him. It is aborts his attack upon receiving the
instructive to remember that in the “submission display” stimulus. It is a
wild, animals don’t really fight the little more involved and technical
way Bulldogs (or people) do. Their than that, but you get the idea. The
“fights” are mainly posturing or point is that we shouldn’t be too
bluffing, technically known as a I surprised that these wild animals

Lundberg’s Penny.

76
 THE REAL McCOY

Bulldog guarding the premises!

were so terrorized by such a Another wild animal that the

“professional” as the Bulldog. It Bulldog has conquered is the
should be pointed out that the wolverine, which has a reputation as
timber wolf is a huge animal that a formidable animal. Two different
will attack and bring down moose in people from Alaska and Canada
the wild. I have seen films of them have sent me pictures of Bulldogs
doing this, and it was truly doing battle with a wolverine—and
impressive. The timber wolf also has whipping him!
much larger teeth than any breed of If the wolverine doesn’t impress
dog, and that fact has caused some you, how about a lion? After all, the
consternation among scientists who lion, along with the Siberian tiger, is
believe the dog is descended from considered the most formidable
the wolf. There are a number of animal of the order Carnivora. Even
possible explanations for this, I would not expect the Bulldog to
including that the origin of the dog whip a lion one on one. Still,
was of a sub-species of wolf with apparently it has happened on
smaller teeth; alternatively domestic occasion. One such occasion was
dogs may have been selectively bred reported by Pierce Egan. A Bulldog
early to have smaller teeth and a and two crossbred Mastiffs were set
curly tail to be distinguished from upon a lion for sport back in
wild wolves. The sled dogs would be Elizabethan England. The Mastiffs,
an example of this even today. The according to Egan, were afraid to
point is that the wolf is a truly attack, and that left the little Bulldog
formidable animal. The question is: to go in alone and seize the lion by
could he whip a Bulldog if he would the nose. This completely tamed the
only stand and fight him? The lion, and he simply tried to get away
answer is academic, for most from the little Bulldog. There were
assuredly one of the reasons the wolf other such events staged, and the
runs is that he has not developed the Bulldog didn’t always come out on
ability to tolerate pain in the same top, but the fact that he did on even
manner as the Bulldog. one occasion against such a

77
THE REAL McCOY

Bell’s Dundee Jones is a son of Winn’s Red Neck.

78
 THE REAL McCOY

Ch. Crash, Son of Tombstone.

79
 THE REAL McCOY

Left: Richard’s
General Stuart,
better known
as Jeb, is by
Grand
Champion
Richard’s
General
Fremont out of
Champion Lar-
San’s Gypsy
Rose. Below:
Riptide Brendy
is a six-year-
old female.

80
81
THE REAL McCOY

Bellisle’s Buddy and Bellisle’s Chunk.

magnificent beast is a real cause for in those same friezes are powerful-
wonder. To be perfectly honest, I looking dogs on leads that were
consider Pierce Egan’s accounts to apparently used as kill dogs in the
be generally unreliable, but so many hunt. Since they look like large
things ring true in this story—such as Bulldogs, it certainly does not seem
the use of the nose hold and the idea unreasonable to suggest that
that the lion would retreat from a perhaps our dogs are direct
dog—that they give the story some descendants of those ancient
credibility. canines. Thus, the Bulldog has traits
Now, of course, we all know that that took more than a few
the American Pit Bull Terrier is not generations to develop.
made of steel; and he doesn’t come One of the traits is the all-
from Krypton, so how does he pull important gameness, a complex trait
off such amazing feats? Well, for one that involves a tolerance to pain,
thing, if we accept the idea that he is which is probably brought about by
descended from ancient times, we an unusual ability to immediately
are not surprised that he is so good generate endorphins in the brain of
at his craft. We know Greyhounds to the animal. It also involves a
be an ancient breed that were sturdiness and ability to absorb
depicted in ancient Egyptian friezes, punishment without serious
so we are not astounded that this consequences. All game dogs seem
breed of dog is so much fleeter than to have an ability to pace themselves
any other. Because of his long just right, to be able to gauge their
history of selective breeding for opponents accurately and pace
speed, we would not try to challenge themselves accordingly. They also
him with a more recent creation. But know when the opponent is sagging

82
A Pit Bull outjumps two English Bull and, thus, when to pour on the heat.
Terriers. Bulldogs are cool under pressure,
certainly under fighting conditions
at least, and they are thus able to
learn new techniques, which they
practice in future rolls or fights. This
ability to learn is so pronounced that
it is often the first thing that is
commented upon by a newcomer
who has never seen a roll or a pit
contest before. Invariably, they say
something along the lines of, “I
didn’t expect them to be so smart!”
Other advantages besides the
natural inclination to learn would
include the agility, speed, strength,
and grace that would be expected to
give an individual dog the edge in a
fight. A natural feel for balance and
leverage also seems to be a part of
the make-up of the breed.
The American Pit Bull Terrier,
though, is more than a mere fighting
machine—good as he is at it The
same traits that make him the
incomparable fighter he is make him
an excellent pet. Although owners
must take extra precautions with
him, the Bulldog is a good pet: he is
shorthaired and clean; and contrary
to the public belief, he has an
absolutely reliable disposition, and

83
THE REAL McCOY
is eager to please. You don’t have to expected to have the excellent “cold
worry about his guarding his food so nose” of a well-bred scent hound;
fiercely that you are afraid to take however, I should point out that not
his food bowl away from him. If he is too long ago a Pit Bull won the
injured in some way, you don’t have national field trial contest for
to worry about his biting you out of treeing hounds. In such contests a
pain and fear, as many dogs of other cold nose and beautiful baying voice
breeds will. Almost all Bulldogs are are not part of the competition, but
very quiet dogs which seldom bark. speed on the trail, hustle and
Strangely enough, while they are intensity are; and that is the reason
tireless companions in any form of why a Bulldog could win a
play, most of them are not Coonhound trial. A Bulldog has such
hyperactive, so they are relatively hustle and intensity that he is likely
sedate house dogs. to climb up that tree after the coon!
If you want him to be more than a Most people are going to want the
house dog, there are certainly other dogs mainly as pets. For the person
uses for him. And I am not speaking who is willing to take a responsible
here about illegal pit fights. He can attitude about the dog, he can be the
be used legally in many areas for most satisfying and fulfilling of all
hunting. Check your state hunting dog breeds in this capacity. Howard
laws, but most states allow you to use Hadley once told me, many years
a dog in hunting wild boar or ago, that there was something about
raccoons. A Bulldog won’t give you these dogs that tended to get in a
the beautiful “voice” of a hound on person’s blood. Once having owned a
the trail of a raccoon, for he is a Bulldog, people in general simply
silent trailer (that is, he doesn’t are not able to settle for anything
make a sound while trailing). Such else. After years of personal
dogs are usually more successful experience with countless dogs and
than open trailers at actually countless people, I have discovered
trapping the raccoon. Personally, that he was truly correct. These dogs
however, I like raccoons and all wild really are spoilers. A Collie may be
animals, and I am not inclined to more beautiful and a Manchester
hunt them. more convenient, but they aren’t as
Naturally, a Bulldog can’t be much fun.

Although friendly
with humans, this
dog reacts to the
presence of a
strange dog.
Considering a dog
vicious because he
is aggressive
towards other dogs
is of the same
mentality as
condemning rat
terriers because
they go after rats.

84
 THE REAL McCOY

Lance’s Little Gobbler on top of Cadillac Mountain in Maine. Owner,

Lance J. Levy.

85
 Above: J.R. “Dick” Colby with Primo, a very important dog, as he was the basis
for the Staffordshire Terrier breed standard. Opposite: The famous Winn’s Red
Neck, also known as Idle Times T.J.

86
 The Fancy

“Toward no crimes have men “There is so much good in the

shown themselves so worst of us,
coldbloodedly cruel as in And so much bad in the best
punishing differences of of us,
belief.” That it ill behooves any of us
James Russell Lowell To find fault with the rest of
us”
Anonymous
The “fancy” is a term that strikes meant primarily people who were
my fancy, but it hasn’t been used for involved with the pit-dog game, but
many years as a regular term, which even those who just kept the dogs as
shows, I suppose, that even in the pets were accepted in earlier days.
pit-dog game terms do change—even Such is not the case today because of
though some stick with us from different circumstances. For one
antiquity. Anyway, the word “fancy” thing, there are a lot more owners of
was used from Victorian times, and Bulldogs as pets, and not all of them
possibly much earlier, to a mere approve of pit contests. (They didn’t
three decades ago to refer to those in earlier days either, but they were
people involved with the American more tolerant.) And, for two, pit-dog
Pit Bull Terrier. Of course, that men must be much more secretive in

87
THE FANCY
these days than they were just a few in its pages, and it seemed to me that
decades past. the breeds encompassed by the UKC
My purpose in this chapter is to were dogs primarily used for
give an overview of serious owners something other than show, as
of the dogs. This will include not American Pit Bull Terrier, English
only pit-dog men and boar hunters, Shepherds, and six varieties of
but an attempt will be made to Coonhounds were featured. That was
include many serious and about the same time that I was
responsible owners. beginning to realize that there was
I first came upon the Bulldog much more fanciful thinking than
scene in 1944 when I was thirteen fact to the histories and capabilities

From left to right: Tom Byron, John P. Colby, Patsy Reardon (head of Boston Wa­
ter Department at that time), and Henry Cooligan in a picture of APBT fanciers
taken about 1920.

years old. I had already had of the show-dog breeds.

experience with a number of breeds In any case, a lot has changed
but had been primarily interested in since then and yet traditions are
Collies (the show type—as was the strong with the APBT breed. For that
case with so many people, I was reason, many of the old ones, along
completely unaware of the real with terminology that obviously has
Collie, the Border Collie). When I ancient roots, manage to stay on
became a subscriber to Bloodlines even to these days. I will touch upon
Journal, the official publication of a few of them and on those that have
the United Kennel Club, all the changed in the mere forty-five years
registry’s breeds were represented that I have observed the game.

88
 THE FANCY

To set the scene, let me give a few One of the most respected of the
facts that are known. Back in Ireland old-time dog men in the U.S. was Jim
and England, and probably the other Corcoran, who had come for the
lands from which the Bulldog came, purpose of meeting John L. Sullivan
it was rare for a person to have a in a heavyweight championship
kennel full of dogs. The people just fight. Sullivan lost the title when he
didn’t have the land or resources for tried to defend it under the new
doing that. So they often worked rules, and Corcoran was strictly a
within a family of real relatives, bare-knuckles fighter, so he stayed
each one keeping one or two dogs, in the country and eventually
and cooperating in breeding became a Boston police captain. He
programs. Sometimes the “family” sent back for dogs from his “old
consisted of a group of unrelated family” and a good many of our
individuals. Whatever the case, the dogs—possibly all—trace back to
people were bound together by their those imports. Of course, the breed
dedication to the dogs, and the term was already here, but Corcoran’s
“family dogs” was often used to refer dogs were generally superior to the
to imports. The term “old family” individuals in his area.
originally referred to any of a The attitude of the time was to
number of bloodlines that belonged “guard the blood,” as each group
to a particular individual’s family of thought that his bloodline was the
fighting dogs. superior one. The pit-dog game was

89
 I
___
THE FANCY

1
dominated by people of Irish and incidentally, was referred to simply
English descent, although there as “the game”).
were plenty of people of all John P. Colby of New England was
nationalities involved. In the early the first successful dog person to
days, nearly everyone who owned a break that unwritten rule: Thou
Bulldog had some connection with shalt not sell a dog to a non-pit-dog
the pit, for it was not easy to obtain person. He openly advertised the
one as a mere pet. Most of the people dogs in a variety of publications and
who owned the dogs but were not did his best to popularize them.
actually engaged in contesting them Perhaps one of the reasons Colby
had, as housepets, dogs that were was able to break with tradition was
“hide-away” dogs for pit-dog men, that he himself was no immigrant,
and were considered an “ace in the and his parents were not dog people.
hole” for men who might lose a key His father and other relatives had
dog in their bloodline (or their worked on the old clipper ships back
“family’s” bloodline). The breed in the days when the only power was
itself was considered secret and the wind. As a young lad of twelve,
special. Anyone who would sell dogs John P. Colby witnessed his first pit­
to the general public was dog contest. The friend he went with
immediately branded a peddler, or had the losing dog. Colby became an
worse, and was pretty much active participant in finding a dog to
ostracized from the dog game (which, defeat the winner. Before long, he

Mike Colby with

a pure white
Colby dog.

90
 THE FANCY

The great
Colby’s Galtie is
shown in a very
rare and
extremely old
photo.

really had the fever. He began to sell them, as there was little extra cost to
dogs at a young age, at a time when bringing a dog along.
the pit-dog men were perhaps more It’s my speculation that Colby was
forgiving of such things since he was able to pull off the idea of selling
just a boy. Still, he had a knack for dogs to the general public because
selective breeding, and he had the he was selling quality dogs, animals
connections to obtain good that pit-dog men themselves would
foundation stock. In the town of be happy to have. And, of course, pit­
Newburyport, Massachusetts, the dog men bought them, too. Although
Irish were pouring in because of the there were some references to Colby
potato famine crisis in Ireland. Many as a peddler, he pretty much
of them brought their Bulldogs with escaped being tarred by that brush.

91
THE FANCY

Colby’s Merle, also known as Vose’s Merle, as the Colbys let Vose utilize her for
a while as a brood bitch before getting her back.

One of the reasons had to be that the they listened to him as though he
strain itself became so desired were a god. He claimed never to be a
because of its quality and has since breeder, but many great dogs passed
become the best known of all strains. through his hands, and he made
Even Staf people don’t bad-mouth breedings with them. Howard Heinzl
Colby, but I wonder how many of was a connection between Colby and
them know that Colby’s Primo was Tudor, though the men were of
the model for the Staf standard. And basically different eras. Heinzl
I wonder how many Stafs measure hailed from Chicago and credited
up to Primo in conformation—and, of John P. Colby with getting him
course, we won’t even compare righted from a bad start. Heinzl
gameness! considered Colby scrupulously
Other members of the fancy, to be honest in every way—including the
sure, occasionally advertised and keeping of his breeding records.
sold dogs. But they didn’t escape the However, Heinzl was also a great
peddler image. Earl Tudor of admirer of Earl Tudor, although he
Oklahoma couldn’t have cared less acknowledged that Tudor made little
about his image, and he sold dogs all effort to keep accurate records—in
his life. Not too much was said about fact, he at times deliberately wrote
him, as he was in his own little group misleading pedigrees.
in the redlands of Oklahoma; and he Men like McClintock, Saddler,
was small but as tough as they come. Wallace, Lightner, and Hemphill
He also had a certain charisma that were breeders of the old school,
drew would-be prospects to him; and breeding dogs only for themselves

92
 THE FANCY
and their friends and family. And to
this day, there persists the name
“peddler,” which is very likely to be
applied to anyone who sells his pit­
dog stock to the general public.
However, there exist almost no dogs
of the bloodlines of the people just
named, while most of the present-
day dogs trace back to Colby, Tudor,
and Corvino breeding, all of whom
sold dogs regularly and for a lengthy
period.
Even to this day Bulldog people
who sell their stock regularly are
automatically dismissed as
“peddlers,” and it can be a tough rap
to take even in these days. Thus, in
an important way, the Bulldog
fanciers differ from devotees of
other breeds, who find no shame
whatsoever in making breedings and
selling the pups to anyone with the
money. Such a situation also makes
it very difficult for neophytes—and
reporters—to find out the straight
Above: “Robert Newton, as Bill Sykes, gazes ruefully at film’s canine star, ‘Re-
lyon Jake the Rake.’ Dog plays role of a toughie.” Below: Colby’s Spook.

93
THE FANCY

Colby’s Primo, Jr., one of the great Colby stud dogs and the sire of the author’s
first Bulldog.

scoop on the dogs. that is, men who were interested

It has been popular to portray the only in fighting the dogs.
pit-dog people in the newspapers There is a difference between the
and on television shows as sadistic men who are most interested in
and ill-educated people. There must matching dogs and those who are
be somebody out there somewhere most interested in the breed and in
who conforms to that stereotype. improving or preserving it through
However, I have never met even one breeding. The point is well made in
who fits it. Certainly, there have a story told by Bobby Hall in his
been many I thought didn’t measure book, in which he mentions someone
up to what an owner of these dogs talking about breeding when
should be; however, I have known Maurice Carver interrupted to say,
none who really felt nothing for the “Bobby doesn’t know a thing you’re
dogs or who wanted to see them talking about. He’s a dog-fighter, not
suffer. On the other hand, I have a breeder.” Of course, some men
known countless dedicated dog men manage to straddle both categories,
who centered their entire lives but they are rare. Most dog men tend
around the dogs. They were either to be either one or the other.
dedicated breeders or pit-dog men, Apparently, each activity demands

94
95
THE FANCY
personality traits that exclude the occasionally matched a dog to test
other. But both these groups are the quality of the strain. However,
dependent upon each other in a sort many simply left it up to the men
of symbiotic relationship. Breeders who were actively engaged in
need pit-dog men to test their stock constantly matching dogs to do the
for them; and pit-dog men certainly testing for them. It is characteristic
need breeders to provide them with of such breeders that they
animals they will utilize in their grudgingly give a dog up for fighting
activities. The two groups have purposes and make themselves a
different characteristics, and I’ll try pain in the neck constantly checking
to delineate some of them to show up on the animal and offering a lot of
how they do differ in attitudes. not necessarily desired advice in the
Breeders are the ones to whom matching and conditioning of a
the only excuse for dog-fighting is as prospect. Breeders complain about
a means of perpetuating a breed of the quality of the people in the pit­
dog that they consider one of the dog game. They believe the best
greatest animals that has ever breed deserves the best people, and,
walked the earth. They take great of course, they obtain a somewhat
pride in the breed, and they are jaundiced view of pit-dog men,
downright fanatical in developing a because they are bound to have a
quality strain. Many of the greatest few bad experiences with the
breeders never fought a dog in their number of dogs they let out.
lives. A few of them, such as Bob Pedigrees become second nature
Wallace, John P. Colby, Bob with breeders; breeders are the ones
Menefee, and Dan McClintock, who always ask what the breeding is

Sandy Keller demonstrates that Bulldogs don’t need a kitten to get

them to run a treadmill. A stuffed unicorn works fine! (And most
dogs will run on the mill for the sheer fun of it.)

96
 THE FANCY
on a dog—and they remember! If a come to mind as pit-dog men who
dog has done particularly well in the went the distance with the dogs,
pit, and no one knows how it is bred never giving up on them, but
(a not altogether unknown sometimes becoming impatient when
occurrence), it is the breeder who there were lean times as far as
will go to great lengths to try to find getting a dog matched was
the answer to the mystery. And it is concerned. Although not caring as
he who is so frustrated if the much about pedigrees as the
breeding can hot be known. breeder, the pit-dog man is usually
It has been my observation that it aware of what type of breeding he
is the breeder who sticks with the likes; but many dislike trying to stick
dog hobby, while the pit-dog man is with a given strain. “Game dogs are

Charles Dunn uses his

Bulldog Rick as a
combustion engine.

more likely to tire of things and find where you find them” was an old
another hobby. Now, this is only my saying of Tudor’s; and it is a
opinion, and indeed it would be philosophy embraced by most pit­
difficult to prove, because the dog men. They really don’t care how
situation becomes muddled, for a dog was bred so long as he was
many pit-dog men (dog-fighters) game and can be relied upon to win.
eventually become breeders. They Unlike the breeder, the “action
make the complete metamorphosis, man” is less demanding about
too, disdaining the matching of dogs gameness. If a dog can win, that is, if
and becoming hypercritical of those he has enough ability coupled with
who do, in the sense that they are enough gameness to beat his
quick to criticize any perceived opponents, that is all the pit-dog man
misjudgments and anything other asks for. A breeder is more of a
than royal treatment for the dogs. purist than that, as he will tend to be
On the other hand, the pit-dog men less impressed by a multi-match
are the “action men,” as they call winning pit-dog if his gameness is
themselves. They aren’t always unproven and if his pedigree is
flashes in the pan either, as several unimpressive.
of them have spent a lifetime at the tlVng about the pit-dog man is
sport. Earl Tudor and Bert Clouse that he finds the “game” absolutely

97
98
 THE FANCY

Right: Barny
and Horus work
at being
photogenic.
Below: Sorrell’s
Hurt, a two-time
winning pit dog
who also became
a show dog and
weight-pulling
ace.

99
THE FANCY____
fascinating. I have actually met many few men have been able to straddle
who really believed that there was a the line, being a member of both
conspiracy to keep dog-fighting from groups. George Saddler, George
the public because it would be too Armitage, and Maurice Carver
attractive to them. Our pit-dog man immediately come to mind as
can’t believe any other way than that examples of such people.
everybody else would be as Whichever group dog men belong
enthralled by the activity as he is. to, there are certain general
Consequently, letting the public in characteristics that apply to most of
on it would be a serious blow to them. First, they are honest-to-
other spectator sports! (Now, of goodness dog lovers. To many
course, this is not a belief of all pit­ people, such a thing might seem
dog men, not even of a majority of impossible, but it is true
them; however, it is certainly more nonetheless. Other dog devotees,
prevalent among the dog-fighters such as sled-dog people, hunting-dog
than among the breeders.) Because fanciers, and herding-dog
of his fascination for the game, the aficionados would tend to
pit-dog man doesn’t mind all the understand that statement more
work entailed in conditioning a dog than the average pet owner of dogs
for a match. He enjoys the and certainly more than show-dog
companionship and joint venture people. However, it must be
1 that is involved in taking a dog admitted that in all dog
through his keep (training period), competitions, from pit-dogs to show
running with him, working him, and dogs, a natural objectivity eventually
doing agility drills with him. develops, and what could only be
Pit-dog men vary in the methods described as a more detached
they utilize for conditioning. Some attitude has to be developed in such
disdain the treadmill, training endeavors. I don’t find this
machine, and swim tanks, and rely “detached attitude” or “hardness,” if
on simple roadwork. Others utilize you prefer, more prevalent among
all methods in order to obtain a well- Bulldog people than among those of
rounded and completely conditioned other competitive dog activities,
animal. These men (and sometimes including showing dogs.
women) feel they develop a special Being a closed society formed
relationship with a dog in the keep, around a clandestine activity, the
one that is unequaled in closeness in pit-dog game has some ancient
any other human-dog partnership. terminology and traditions that still
For the pit-dog, it is a situation new apply today. I have already touched
to him, one in which he receives upon the stance of looking down
nearly eight hours a day of constant upon those who sell dogs, but there
attention. He enjoys it and enjoys are other things too. For example, a
the work. And he does seem to Bulldog man nearly always
become quite close to his handler, addresses a fellow dog man as friend
who is taking him through his keep in the salutory part of a letter (e.g.,
and will eventually be in the pit with “Friend Stratton”). This practice, I’m
him when he meets his opponent. convinced, originated in the fact that
There are ways that the two groups the dog game encompasses people of
are quite similar, and, as I have all walks of life—from criminals to
mentioned before, there is a certain respected professional people. The
overlapping of traits. Also term “friend” denoted that the other
mentioned before was the fact that a person was a true comrade in the

100
 THE FANCY

Some Pit Bulls don’t mind being chained up.

101
 THE FANCY
dog fraternity (often called simply to do with the pit-dog game, such as
the “fraternity”), irrespective of show-dog people and weight-pull
differences in social and fanciers, will also use that term. It’s
educational status. new and not generally used by the
A pit-dog person in the past would real pit-dog people.
usually sign off a letter as “Your The custom of calling the
friend,” but today there has been a American Pit Bull Terrier “Bulldog”
shift to “Yours in sport,” though the extends back as far as I’ve been able
people who have been in the dog to trace, that is, well over a hundred
game longer still disdain that years. Pit-dog people have always
phrase. What is amusing is that even been able to switch over to “Bull
people who have nothing whatsoever Terrier,” “Pit Terrier,” and even “Pit

Cathy and
Randy Street
and Heinzl’s
Trudy. Owner,
Martin Street.

102
 THE FANCY

Lance’s Little Gobbler. Owner, Lance J. Levy.

Bull” when writing formally or made its influence felt. The

speaking to someone outside the American Dog Breeders’ Association
fancy (or the “fraternity”). John P. registered the dogs as “Pit Bull
Colby’s original stationery had a Terriers,” but they later changed the
heading that said “Fighting Dogs” designation to “American Pit Bull
and under that “Bull Terriers.” Terrier.” The only difference then
George Armitage in his book, Thirty- was that the UKC placed the “Pit”
five Years with Fighting Dogs, refers to part of the name in parentheses, and
the dogs as “Bull Terriers,” and the ADBA left out the parentheses.
when he wants to discuss the show Later, the UKC eliminated the
Bull Terrier that we all know as parentheses, too.
such, he calls it the “English Bull A term that has changed since I’ve
Terrier.” The name “American Pit been associated with the dogs was
Bull Terrier” became in vogue more that of referring to a dog’s canine
as the formal name for the breed as teeth as “tusks.” Now they are more
the United Kennel Club grew and often called “cutters”; but that term

103
THE FANCY
is certainly unsatisfactory, as dogs A time-honored custom in the
don’t slash and cut. After a fight or a game is that the source of the dog
roll, they may end up with cuts, but always has the right of first refusal.
those are caused by a dog seizing For example, if someone sells you a
and shaking. A dog mostly has holes dog, and there comes a time that you
after a fight. A more satisfactory must divest yourself of the animal,
term for the canines is simply that, you must offer him back to the
“canines,” in view of the fact that person you bought him from for the
“tusk” is no longer used (except by same price you paid. If the dog was
the very, very old timers!). I’ll admit given to you, then you offer it back
that tusk certainly sounds a little free. Failure to comply with this
odd, and I have no idea when that simple code is seen as very poor
term came into use. manners.

Pollard’s
Satan “Mike.”

104
 THE FANCY
Now, of course, the fancy refers to
those people who are involved in
some way with the pit activity of the
breed. There are other people
involved with the breed, including
hunters and farmers, who utilize the
dogs as stock dogs or catch dogs, and,
more recently, there have been
added to this non-pit category the
weight-pull enthusiasts and show­
dog people. In fact, their
publications outnumber the
publications dedicated to the pit-dog
game. The attitude of the non-pit
people varies from tolerance of the
game to outright disapproval.
(Though I rarely come across anyone
in any category of the Bulldog Working over a steel-belted tire is
fraternity who understands and has just plain play for the dog.
attended pit contests who is hostile to
the idea of matching the dogs, men were immigrant Irish and thus
although they themselves, for Catholics. Another part has it roots
various reasons, may want no part of in the fact that pit fighting has been
it.) especially popular in what H. L.
An important question might be: Mencken called the “bible belt” part
What is the attitude of the of the country. In any case, it is my
participants—that is, the members of opinion that many of the dog men
the fancy—about their own are quite religious. In fact, there
participation in something as reviled were two that I knew who were
as the matching of fighting dogs? The ministers. One became a born-again
truth is that it varies somewhat. Christian, and the particular
Some individuals feel helplessly religion to which he belonged put
caught in the clutches of a the onus on its followers to obey the
compulsion over which they have no law of the land—irrespective of how
control. They even remark, only half a person felt about them. This
jokingly, that “We all have a defect individual dutifully gave up
in our personalities.” Others feel matching dogs. But he did hold onto
absolutely self-righteous about their his dogs, as he still admired them,
sport; and, if the public has and he hadn’t changed his mind
problems with it and doesn’t about there being nothing wrong
understand it, that is their problem. with matching dogs. He was simply
As far as they are concerned they obeying his religion.
are involved in an ancient and noble I personally am not very religious,
pastime that has produced the being of the “scientific persuasion,”
greatest of canines. so I am not trying to place a halo
It has been my observation that over the fanciers by declaring them
most pit-dog people are quite as generally of a religious bent. It is
religious and inclined toward simply one more step in trying to
conservatism in politics. I suppose present the absolute truth about the
the religious part stems from the fact American Pit Bull Terrier and his
that so many of the old-time pit-dog followers.

105
 Above: Ironman’s Snookie, a descendant of Boomerang on both sides of his pedi­
gree. Opposite: Zeus, owned by Nick Pisano, is by Giroux’s Champion Rocky out
of Saleem’s Boom Boom.

106
 The Game

“Do what you love. Know

your own bone; gnaw at it,
bury it, unearth it, and gnaw
it still”
Thoreau

There have undoubtedly been breed knows that to be true. For that
many pit-dog men who have decided reason, I have argued that the
the dog game was too rough. It was contesting of dogs is not cruel. I
not for them. It was not their “bone.” haven’t bothered to argue the
After all, not only is a pit-dog man an morality of it, because many people
automatic pariah in society, he is are still caught up in the idea that it
subject to persecution and is a cruel and monstrous game
prosecution by a society that is in practiced by the scum of the earth.
the throes of hysteria about Well, they may not all be the salt of
something of which it knows nothing. the earth—though some of them
But the American Pit Bull Terrier are!—but, most assuredly they are
breed, that is something else. It is not all scum. They are dog people
truly what he lives for. Anyone who not unlike other dog people. And I
knows anything at all about the think it ill behooves those of us who

107
THE GAME
find the American Pit Bull Terrier to
be the finest of dogs to condemn the
people who help preserve him as he
is. Should the game be condemned
then? Well, let’s take a look at what
has been said about it, compare it
with other dog activities, and show it
as it really is.
First of all, the people who have
been describing the pit-dog game for
the general public don’t know what
they’re talking about; and they seem
to have little integrity about
representing their knowledge as
fact. For example, Maxwell Riddle, a
columnist for Dog World Magazine
and an author of many fine books on
dogs, has made several comments on
the pit-dog game. One column stated
that pit-dogs were made to stare at
each other until they became
enraged. That simply is not so. It was
an honest mistake, as I think
perhaps Mr. Riddle had been to a
cockfight or two, and he believed
that pit-dog contests must be started
off in a similar way—but they aren’t.
He shouldn’t represent such a thing
as personal knowledge.
But Mr. Riddle (whose writings,
incidentally, I do enjoy) is a very
mild transgressor compared to “the
regulars.” Not too long ago Dog
Fancy Magazine ran a feature by one
of their regular columnists
describing a typical dog-fight. What
was funny was that the column was
entitled “Dog-fighting—Take a
Stand.” Then a scene was described
that no one could favor, and readers
were invited to write in to vote
whether they were for or against it!
Some of the fallacies presented
were: that a regular pit was rarely
used; that the fights actually took
place out in the backwoods; and that
when the handlers led their dogs to
the place of the fight, they kicked
them repeatedly (the reason stated
was that “mean dogs win”). Since
just a few issues previously that

108
 THE GAME

Yankee Boys’ Bean is by Poncho out of Shosty, a daughter

of the great Jeep dog.

109
THE GAME

Dirty Harry’s Hector.

Slater’s Bad Baby.

110
 THE GAME
magazine had solicited an article on of this cows the dog—something a
the “Bull Terrier breeds” from me pit-dog man would certainly not
(one that I was only too happy to want before a fight. Besides that,
write), I wrote the editor and told mean dogs don’t usually win. They
him some day I would point out the lose because they quit A sound
fallacies in the dog-fighting article. I disposition seems to go with
never did do that, because when I gameness. Therefore, nice dogs win
looked at the article closely, it had for the simple reason that almost all
no truths in it whatsoever, which Bulldogs—and especially the game
meant that the author was an ones—are nice dogs. They’re “good

Broadway Shanty, a one-time winner sired by Cham­

pion Drummer.

absolute charlatan. All the more guys”!

reason, I suppose, to write to the Other representations have been
editor and expose him; however, I even more bizarre. About fifteen
had a feeling it would be a waste of years ago, when the hysteria about
time, and I wouldn’t enjoy doing it. the pit-dog game first began, it was
When an old friend of mine who fomented by people who wrote that
does match dogs and has done so for pit-dog men trained their charges by
years called me long distance, I read “baiting” them with kittens and
the article to him over the phone. He puppies. In the fights themselves,
chuckled through most of it, at times they forced the dogs to fight by the
breaking out into a hearty laugh; but use of cattle prods. To “blood” the
when I got to the part about the dogs, pigeon blood was poured on
handlers kicking their dogs, he said them to bring out their blood
the very thing I had been saying, instinct, I suppose, to get them ready
“Not only does that guy not know for the fight. The fighting dogs
Bulldogs, he doesn’t even themselves were likely to be of any
understand the nature of dogs.” breed; in fact, most of them were
What he meant by that was that dogs mixed breeds with a streak of
aren’t made mean by kicking them. viciousness in them. Other accounts
That’s a popular fallacy. The effect related that the “Pit Bull” was the

Ill
THE GAME

Carter’s Champion Sunday.

main event dog, while other breeds and shooting them after the contest,
from Labrador Retrievers to because they were so enraged at
Doberman Pinschers were the being associated with a losing
“preliminary event” In one animal.
“eyewitness” account, it was Now, of course, all these accounts
described how one Labrador can’t be true, for some cancel each
Retriever slashed open the belly of other out. Nonetheless, the accounts
another, and the handler simply are meant to be overwhelming—and
dropped the dog by the side of the they are, to me at least. It is not the
pit, not even having the decency to shock of the accounts themselves
put a bullet through its head to end that overwhelm, however, but the
its suffering. Other accounts tell of cool insolence of the writers who
losing handlers taking their dogs out propagate such nonsense and expect

112
 THE GAME
the public to believe it. And the sad cancel each other out. One account
truth is that the public has generally says a pit is not used. Another
bought the whole circus. One of my describes the pit and tells how a
own nieces told me how a police blood-stained carpet, laden with
officer informed her that her lost urine and fecal matter, is used.
puppy had probably been stolen by Another point is that it would seem
dog-fighters for training fighting obvious that only that which would
dogs, as they had been having a lot of discredit the pit fights is used. For
trouble with that! example, many accounts picture the
The public can’t really be blamed pit scene as being one of prostitution
for believing all these things, as most and drug peddling. It is emphasized
people just don’t know about the that big money is bet on the fights;
true nature of dogs themselves, let hence, the fights don’t merely
alone that of the American Pit Bull constitute cruelty to animals but are
Terrier. Besides, they are part of a big, illegal gambling ring.
bombarded from all sides with these Before I describe a true picture of
stories and variations of them. the game, let me make just a couple
Television dramatizations and news of points. First, in my opinion, the
documentaries have given credence purveyors of this nonsense have not
to them. only lied, but they have done so
Nevertheless, it would seem to me knowingly, with cool calculation, and
that a thoughtful and analytical with obvious contempt for the truth
person would look at these stories and the public. Let’s face it, these
'and eventually come to the people are staking their reputations
conclusion that they are a scam, for on that which they are saying is the
they can’t all be true. They really do truth. They are claiming to be

Any Bulldog will be fine with a cat if it is raised with it.

113
THE GAME
eyewitnesses to some of the caught someone training a pit dog
nonsense just described. Now, I can with cats or little dogs. Can they help
empathize and socialize with an realizing that they themselves were
animal rights advocate, for I am one the inspiration of such atrocities?
myself. But I have no time for out- When I tell of the pit-dog game, I
and-out charlatans—especially when am painting a picture as it really is
they are doing it for their own self- among bona fide dog men. One of the
aggrandizement and to line their problems of the humaniacs is that
own pockets. Look at the harm they they want to put everyone in one bag,
do! Isn’t it bad enough to have a from the street gangs who have
puppy or little dog being lost without discovered the Bulldog (thanks to
having images of it being torn apart our humaniacs’ tales in the news

Kitty and Honey with neighborhood fan club.

by a fighting dog running through media) to the “dope heads” who turn
your mind over and over? And their dogs loose on any canine
consider that, admittedly, the images unlucky enough to pass the way of
portrayed by the media of the their Bulldogs. Bulldog owners need
American Pit Bull Terrier are going not and should not all be tarred with
to appeal to sick minds and the same brush because of the
disreputable people generally. misdeeds of a few. Are thoroughbred
Every time a sensationalistic piece owners thrown in with all those who
appears in the media, it inspires own horses and possibly mistreat
countless miscreants to obtain a them?
Bulldog. And the charlatans who fed At this point, let me leave the
the media the information have told ravings of the unscrupulous lunatics
them how to train it: Simply obtain and make an attempt to return to the
kittens, puppies, and little dogs. world of reality. Here is a true
Eventually our humaniacs will be picture of the game as best I can tell
able to say with truth that they have you.

114
Nick’s Commanche.

115
 THE GAME
When a pit-dog man decides that much more deadly at it. So, a certain
he has a prospect worthy of number of cats could be utilized to
matching, he has done so on the let a Bulldog kill, but what would be
basis of having rolled his dog a the point of it? This would be
number of times and observed that inexcusably inhumane and the dog is
he is a better fighting dog than the learning nothing that is going to help
average. He has not had to utilize him as a pit dog. I personally have
kittens and puppies in his training. always liked cats, and I would never
Indeed there would be no point in defend the dog game if cats were
that, and the young pit dog probably really utilized in training.
would not even do anything to the One of the reasons for opening the
puppy; he most likely would have dog up to match is to ascertain how
played with it. As for kittens, he measures up with the best of what
Bulldogs are no more cat chasers the other guys are breeding from
than ordinary dogs; however, if they their strains. If not for the guy who is
do have such an inclination, they are matching the dog, it is being done for

Dharma ridding yard of garden snake.

116
 THE GAME

Stevens’ Murphy, a brother to Champion Bessie, won one

match and was voted best in show.

the breeder who bred him. Our pit­ reason, the risk of breaking a tooth is
dog man estimates what will be the worth taking to give the pup the
most efficient fighting weight for his experience he needs. Many are
dog and he opens him up at that mindful of George Armitage’s
weight. Of course, he can’t do it admonition that every fight takes
through any publication. He simply something out of a dog. However,
lets friends in the dog game know he many would argue that those are
has that weight available. In some only the long fights, going well over
cases, the dog may have been rolled the half-hour mark.
only once, but more often it has been Whatever the case, once the dog is
several times, because that is the open to match, the affair is
schooling process of a pit dog. consummated when someone else
Opinion varies on how often a young lets the owner know he has a dog at
prospect should be rolled. Fanciers that weight. Forfeits are posted with
who have large kennels of dogs can someone, and contracts may or may
keep a dog around just for schooling not be drawn up. After all, they
the pups. But even against a dog that would have no legal standing, in
is not too rough, a young dog may view of the fact that they involve the
break or lose a tooth. (Incidentally, a particulars of an illegal sport Their
Bulldog doesn’t seem to suffer from only purpose is to make it clear in
such a trauma, the very same thing the minds of both owners what the
that would incapacitate a normal weight is and what variation of rules
human being!) So one school of is to be used.
thought holds that the fewer rolls the Once all the agreements have been
better; if a dog is going to break a made, a dog is put into a “keep,” a
tooth, better that it happen in a system of exercise and feeding
match and not end his career before regimens. The pit-dog man may
it gets started. Another line of utilize the treadmill, flirtpole, swim
thought believes that a pit dog learns tank, roadwork, or any combination
a lot in each roll, and, for that of these. The training period may

117
THE GAME
last for six to twelve weeks, pit while his own dog is being
depending upon the amount of washed. Much has been made of the
money that is put up. The normal washing ceremony by the humaniacs,
procedure is to post a forfeit amount, usually prefaced with something
with the match purse being two and like, “Dog-fighters apparently don’t
a half times as much, on the average. trust each other much, so they wash
So, even if a pit-dog man wins, he each other’s dogs to make sure the
isn’t making much money for the other one hasn’t put poison on his.”
time that he puts in with the dog. True enough, but aren’t there
The only real reason for the forfeits safeguards in all sports? It is only
and the purse is to make sure the human nature that there will be
guy conditions his dog and shows. some individuals to whom winning at
At match time, most dog men go any cost is the goal, even if it
through an agony of nervous involves cheating.
apprehension as though they Actually, most “rubs” that have
themselves were about to undergo been used on dogs in the past were
the contest. It is not because of the designed to deter a dog from a
money; rather, it is because they favorite hold and, thus put him at a
want their dogs to turn out well. disadvantage. Some scoundrels even
They have invested considerable tried to use a nicotine sulfate
time in the dog, and they would be solution on their dog and then cover
less than human not to become it with a spray of silastic silicon. It
attached to the animal, and, of sounds terrible, but it doesn’t work.
course, they want him to do well. First of all, any “doper” takes a
At the meeting place, a coin is chance of poisoning his own dog (not
tossed. The winner of the toss gets a to mention being shunned from the
choice as to whether to wash first or dog game if he is found out). Second,
last. He generally picks first, so that if a handler can’t wash it off with a
the opponent’s dog has to wait in the good combination of detergents and

Two Bulldogs playing tug of war, Pita and brother Kato.

118
 THE GAME

Nick’s Bianca. Breeder, Bob Wise.

warm water, a dog is not going to be where the first dog is waiting with
able to lick it off. Generally his handler. Both dogs, incidentally,
speaking, I think it is fair to say that were carried to the pit, normally
cheating defeats the purpose of the wrapped in the towel they were
pit-dog game: to find out who has the dried with. And, rather than kick
gamest and best dog. Hence, their dogs, as reported by the
although talked about a lot, doping is charlatans, the handlers hold their
actually a rare occurrence. dogs closely and try to keep them as
After the second dog is washed calm as possible. Most of the dogs
and dried, he is brought into the pit have been rolled enough (and

119
THE GAME

Baby Barney keeping a watchful eye on the front stoop and the photographer.

perhaps even matched before) that assurances that they are, he orders
they recognize the pit and begin the dogs released. The dogs normally
looking for the other dog, tending to come together with a bang. Usually
fill with excitement and there is only initial growling, if that,
anticipation. The challenge is not to and the dogs are immediately in
try to excite the dogs, but rather to holds. Each dog is trying to attain his
keep them calm. However, once the favorite hold and wrestle his
other dog arrives, the referee opponent to the mat. In the course of
endeavors to get the match under a normal match, the lead changes
way without delay, as the handlers place many times, with first one dog
almost invariably have two very down and then the other. All this
excited canines to hold onto! time the handlers are watching their
The referee asks both handlers if dogs, occasionally talking to them,
they are ready and, upon receiving constantly monitoring their

120
 THE GAME
condition, and observing the dogs’ most people anticipate. The truth is
mouths to make certain that there that the casual observer would soon
are no broken teeth or that the dog is become bored. After all, these dogs
not “fanged,” that is that he hasn’t don’t even make any noise when they
driven a canine tooth through his fight. And, as intense as they are,
own flews. and enjoy it as they do, they don’t
As mentioned before, most people seem to be really mad at each other.
are first impressed with how craftily To the true connoisseur, the
the dogs fight. Then they are interesting part starts when the dogs
surprised by how little apparent begin scratching. This happens when
damage is being done. There are no one of the dogs turns his head and
slit throats or disembowelments, and shoulders away from his opponent. It
broken bones are rare. These are may only be a maneuver for a hold,
formidable animals, but they are but either his or the opposing
tough and hard to hurt, too. In any handler may ask the referee for a
case, it is not the bloodletting that turn. Once called, the dogs must be

Champion
Gideon, a
renowned pit dog
now retired at
stud.

121
THE GAME
handled when they are free of holds,
and the dog upon whom the turn was
called is the one designated to
scratch first. After that, the dogs
scratch in turn. Incidentally,
breaking sticks are not used in the
pit unless one handler has conceded
the fight. Handles must be made
Sam and Tia. Owner, G. McCurdy. when the dogs are free of holds. The
only other exception for using
breaking sticks is if one of the dogs
is badly fanged and the referee can’t
undo it with a stick or pencil while
the dogs are in holds. The referee
can then order the dogs parted with
breaking sticks and, after unfanging
the dog, he orders the dogs faced
four feet apart and then released.
Imagine if you will how calm are
these dogs and how docile is their
nature toward humans that the
handlers can be so close to them (but
they may not touch either dog!) and
that a stranger (the referee) can put
his hand in or near the mouth with
impunity. Doesn’t this give the lie
to the often-stated notion that the
pit is the source of all the people­
mean dogs?
Anyway, the scratching is when
the real devotee’s interest perks
up. (In fact, I recall with
amusement one fancier
saying that if there was a
chorus line of the most
gorgeous girls in the
world on one side and a
pit dog scratching on the
other, he would be watch­
ing the Bulldog scratching.
Such an attitude is a little
extreme!) One reason for the
interest is that the scratches
are often spectacular in
themselves. There is more to it
than that. The match is most
likely to be won or lost when
one dog fails to scratch in the
ten seconds he has to cross the
' pit and make contact with his
opponent. So each time the
 THE GAME
dogs are picked up, it is the
moment of truth for the scratching
dog. Will he rush right back in the
teeth of the fight even if he has
been on the losing end of things up
to this point? A dog that is taking a
beating but scratches back
repeatedly with enthusiasm always
has the heart of the crowd.
Most matches last about forty-five
minutes, usually ending when a dog
fails to scratch or when his handler
picks him up, for to continue will
endanger his life beyond
acceptability. If a dog does fail to
scratch, it means he is not deeply Contrary to popular belief, Bulldogs
game and, for that reason, not a make excellent pets.
prospect for either breeding or using
as a match prospect again. I’m
telling the truth about the game, as I But, let’s face it, it certainly does
am about everything else, so I’ll tell seem like a brutal thing to put down
you that most fanciers euthanize a dog that has just shown more
(destroy) such an animal. Usually it courage than any human ever would
is done in the privacy of a camper or or could. It certainly is not a
perhaps even later when the dog pleasant thing to do. However, good
arrives home. The idea of doing it homes for any dog are hard to come
right away is to alleviate any by. Animal control centers that
unnecessary suffering on the dog’s euthanize thousands of dogs daily
part. It most assuredly is not done can attest to that. In my opinion:
for the purpose of the handler’s Better a certain fate of peace than
disassociating himself from a loser. neglect. I believe that, so I don’t

A puppy down
from Old Family
Red Nose
breeding.
Owners, George
and Patte
Owens.

123
THE GAME

Barney sneaks into forbidden bed.

condemn pit-dog men—or animal enjoyed it, because I like sled dogs
control centers. (but not as much—alas!—as
In any selective breeding program, Bulldogs). However, I have seen sled
the theory is to raise up more dogs dog people at work—good people.
than you are going to use for But after they are deep into the
breeding, and to select the very best competitive aspects of their hobby, a
for breeding. The problem has dog had better not leave slack in the
always been what to do with the ones line and loaf when he should be
that don’t quite make the grade. The pulling. This is true in all
answer in the past was to sometimes competitive breeding of dogs—
find homes for the animals. But including show dogs. In the case of
today, with the overpopulation of show dogs, non-competitive stock
dogs—the solution has been to can be sold as “pet quality” pups—
euthanize the culls. This is true in sometimes! But there is plenty of
all dog games, not just the pit-dog euthanasia that takes place in this
game. Sled dogs have received much field, too.
favorable publicity lately, and I have Some would argue that at least it is

124
 THE GAME
not a life-or-death competition with been sprayed with pesticides. Gun
other dog activities. Well, really it is dogs get bitten by rattlesnakes.
not supposed to be in the pit-dog There is simply no safe path for any
game either. But, of course, because performance dog—not for any dog
of its nature, it is more hazardous really. And not for people either.
than most. But it is a simple matter The pit-dog game is a rough one.
of degree. I am told by Dogs do get hurt. And some of
knowledgeable Sheepdog people them—very rarely—get killed in the
that those working dogs have an pit. More often some die after a
average life span of three years contest. Still, the game as bad as it
because so many of them are killed is—and it most assuredly is not as
by the stock they work. Hounds are bad as most people think!—has
often lost on hunts, both to the produced what almost anyone who
quarry and just plain lost and never has been associated with a Bulldog
seen again. Retrievers drown and get will attest is the best of dogs.
killed working in water that has

Sir Winston.

125
THE GAME

Arsuffis Mink, a two-time best of show (conformation) winner.

126
127
 Above: Rhino, by Buck out of Dina-Mite, is 12 months old in this photo. Opposite:
Barney visits brother Colonel K.

128
 A Matter of Size

“The bigger they are the “Fortune favors the

harder they fall.” audacious.”
Bob Fitzsimmons Erasmus

“But they always fall on me! ”

Howard Heinzl

A newcomer to the breed is nearly weight by even two pounds to win, he

always—as I was myself once— receives the approbation of pit-dog
somewhat dismayed at the men generally, especially if he is
predominance of small dogs among going up against a good opponent
the breed. After all, these are Well, why this predilection for
fighting dogs, so shouldn’t they be small dogs then? It is not a matter of
huge so that they can dispatch other trying to glorify the smaller man, for
canines at will? Yet, the closer we many of the pit-dog men who most
get to pure pit stock, the more likely preferred small dogs, such as W. R.
we are to have dogs that tend to be Lightner, Bert Clouse, and Ham
small. Can it be that size means Morris, were extremely big men.
nothing with these dogs? Such is not One theory, once advanced by
the case, for pit-dog men match Bert Sorrells, is that breeding good
exactly to weight and there is an art dogs is such a complicated business
to bringing the dog in as close to the that by the time a fellow learns how
top weight as possible without to do it right, he is too old to handle
exceeding it. If a dog goes uphill in large dogs, so he tends to prefer

129
A MATTER OF SIZE

Mims’s Carolina Betsy, a granddaughter of Snooty and Bolio. Owner, Judy Mims.

small dogs. The idea merits I have found that if you ask some
consideration. And it is certainly of the big men I’ve mentioned why
true that there are many more good they prefer small dogs, they simply
small dogs than there are big ones. say that they are easier to work and
However, even a poor, big Bulldog cheaper to feed. But there lurks, in
can usually whip a good smaller one. the back of your mind, the feeling
Anyway, there are some big dogs, that the answer is too simplistic, and
rare as they may be, that are it can’t be the entire story. Isn’t a big
excellent pit dogs. Examples would dog worth having simply because if
be Colby’s Pinscher, Burton’s Hank, he is the best at what he does, he is
The Plumber’s Alligator, and Powell a candidate for the very best fighting
and Wilkerson’s Little Boots, to dog in the world and not just the best
mention just a few that come to at a given weight? True enough, but
mind. here is the rub. No one knows who

130
 A MATTER OF SIZE
the very top fighting dog is in the called “Canaria Presas,” and I
entire world regardless of weight, understand they are tougher than
but I suspect that all but the most any of the other big dogs. They weigh
experienced pit-dog men would be about a hundred and twenty pounds;
surprised at what the weight of the however, they, too, have fallen to
dog was. I suspect that it would be quality American Pit Bull Terriers
between sixty and seventy pounds at in the fifty- to sixty-pound range.
pit weight. Bigger Bulldogs than that Also, as mentioned before, even
rarely come from quality strains. small Bulldogs have beaten cur dogs
And even those of the size I’ve (non-Bulldogs) and even the
mentioned are rare—in quality Bandogges. How can such a thing be?
especially. Size equals power. There is no
As mentioned before, dogs denying that. The lions and tigers
smaller than sixty pounds have rule the cats, and they themselves
beaten Bandogges and Tosas with don’t attack elephants. The white
regularity. There are descendants of shark rules the seas except for the
the old-time Bulldogs in Spain killer whale, who is even bigger.

131
A MATTER OF SIZE
Does the Bulldog stand as an ignominious try at it but failed
exception to the general rule? Well, miserably. And back in the days that
not entirely, for we would not expect professional wrestling was a
him to subdue Siberian Tigers or legitimate sport, Frank Gotch
elephants. However, he can subdue reigned as champion at a little over
huge, behemoth bulls and wild a hundred and eighty pounds and
boars. That is impressive enough. In about five foot ten inches tall. (And
fact, it is plenty impressive that he he was generally considered the
reigns supreme among canines greatest of heavyweight champions.)
irrespective of size. What I think is Now, returning to Bulldogs, we

Above: Mims’s Barney with a leg hold on Mims’s Cora. Owner, Matt White. Oppo
site: Spartacus Champion Tuffy.

operating here is that there just may may wonder why a pit-dog man
be a natural size for dogs, a size that would be content to have thirty-five-
if he exceeds it, physical gains due pound Bulldogs that most assuredly
to size begin to diminish. That size are not in contention for the best in
just may be somewhere around sixty the world at unrestricted weight.
pounds pit weight. It is only a theory However, they are candidates for the
to try to account for the best at their weight, and that is good
phenomenon, but I’ll assert it for enough for our dog men. And there is
now until someone comes up with a no worry that such dogs would be
better one. bested by any big dog that wasn’t just
A similar size limitation in regard a bigger, better Bulldog (with
to fighting seems to exist among occasional rare exceptions). These
humans, too. We don’t see any huge dogs are able to whip other breeds
football players or basketball because their intensity and love for
players becoming heavyweight battle terrifies the vast majority of
boxers. Ed “Too Tall” Jones made an I them, to the degree that they are

132
 Left: Nicolas
Accorti with
Vashtie. Below:
Riptide Pogo,
descended from
some of the best
pit dogs, is a
wonderful family
pet shown here
with a first-place
trophy he won in
obedience
competition.

134
Heinzl’s Badger, down from Chili and Blind Ben.

135
A MATTER OF SIZE

whipped from the very beginning. him the “underdog.” People could do
And those that have the grit to stay no less than to marvel at how a little
and battle a few moments are dog could best a big one, usually
eventually worn down by the with considerable dispatch. And
superior endurance and toughness since even a small dog can be a
of the smaller dog. And this goes fighter of no small ability, it is easy
without mentioning the craftiness for us to comprehend how a small
that has been bequeathed from dog would be preferred, for,
countless generations of the best of everything else being equal, a small
canine gladiators. dog is to be preferred for the sake of
So the point is, even a small convenience in a number of ways
Bulldog can whip the general lot of (and they eat less). Of course, we give
curs; and, in bygone days, at least, he up the “image” of physical power
had the sympathy of the crowd in with the small dog. But with most dog
doing it, since his small size made men, this is unimportant. If they

Maska’s Georgia, a daughter of Triple S Champion Buster. Owner, Matt White.

136
 A MATTER OF SIZE

Heinzl’s D.B., a littermate to Hogan. Owner, Martin Street.

know in their heart that their little knew of at least two such fellows
Bulldogs can whip any number of when I was in the military. They
Great Danes or Mastiffs that may were not trained in either boxing or
bark at them, it matters little to them wrestling, but they could scrap.
if other people are blissfully Many a big fellow made the mistake
unaware of the situation. of running afoul of one of these two.
It might be of interest to ask if this They simply had a natural ability for
is a situation isolated with dogs, one fighting. Now, of course, all of these
in which a small one can whip the smaller fellows could have been
rest of the lot. Can it have a parallel whipped by bigger fighters in their
among humans? Yes, it can. And it same class. The “born fighters”
does in two ways. One is if the could have been whipped by bigger
human has become a really fine men who were also “born fighters.”
athlete in one of the combative The wrestlers and boxers could be
sports. A small but skilled wrestler bested by larger wrestlers and
or boxer or martial arts specialist boxers who have similar ability but
would have a decided advantage have the advantage of size. But that
over larger but untrained men. I is the way it is with the dogs, too. A
speak with more authority from the small Bulldog can look like a million
perspective of boxers and wrestlers, dollars whipping a big dog, but if he
as I have done both of these. I have goes up against a decent and larger
no experience with the martial arts, Bulldog, he is probably headed into
and I tend to be somewhat skeptical his last fight. But, if the small
of them. The other way is that Bulldog is a “real one,” we can rest
occasionally there are humans who assured that the big one will not
are just born fighters in the sense escape lightly.
that they have the knack for it I

137
 Above: Bo Dragon’s Tung, a 75-pound dog. Opposite: Hobo, by Heinzl’s Gringo ex
Chauvin’s Victory, owned by Sara Chapman.

138
 The Building Blocks of the
Legend

“The American Pit Bull

Terrier can do anything any
other dog can do and then
whip him as well.”
John P. Colby

Strictly speaking, the Bulldog voice), he is upon the prey without

can’t do everything that some breeds warning like a thunderbolt out of the
can do, but I know what old “J.P.” night.
meant. A Bulldog can’t run as fast as But let’s give the specialists their
a Greyhound or follow a trail like a due. The Bulldog is not normally
scent hound. But one can sure make going to outdo them in their
a good try at all these things, and particular field. But he is so doggone
some are better at it than others. I adaptable and full of energy and
have already made mention of the curiosity and fun that he’ll make a
American Pit Bull Terrier that won good try at just about anything.
the Coonhound national field trial. The American Pit Bull Terrier’s
And if you want a meat hunter fighting prowess and clownish
instead of sport hunter, the Bulldog nature give rise to situations and
will be more likely to get you your stories that stick in the memory. No
coon. Being a still trailer (not giving book of mine on Bulldogs would be

139
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Ty’s Cuervo, a son of Odom’s Bad Bandit and Peyote of Portales. Owner, Ty Rains.

complete without including some of to have dogs like Lion, Jocko, and
these stories. Some of the stories I Denver.
know of firsthand, and others were Lion was the big dog of the bunch,
told to me by men long dead, so I hence his name. It wasn’t just
can’t be certain of how true those because of his size either. He was
particular ones are. But they have colored like a lion, and his muscular
the ring of authenticity to anyone head had the appearance of a lion’s
who knows Bulldogs. head. Further, he had been a kennel
dog all his life and had only been
A LION IN THE STREETS used for fighting; and he was one of
Readers who have read my other those Bulldogs that would attack any
books on the American Pit Bull other animal: dog, cat, or dinosaur!
Terrier will remember “Lion” from So, although he would not be a
the stories told to me as a teenager danger to humans if he were loose
by two businessmen in my old (other than to induce a heart attack),
hometown in Colorado. I listened to he would, it was well understood,
the stories over and over again, certainly wreak havoc among the
never tiring of hearing them and animal population. For that reason,
always asking for details. Of course, full precautions were taken to make
I never dreamed that some day I sure the animal was secure.
would chronicle them. I just longed However, Lion’s owner, Ed, a man

140
 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
of property and considerable his formidable appearance.
influence, really liked dogs, and he Passersby soon came to know Lion
wanted Lion to have as much and greeted him, occasionally
freedom as good sense would allow. stopping to pet him.
The burden of guilt from confining a The problem was that the
dog was heavier in those days, as it handyman who put up the cable
was the general custom to allow all system was not as good at his job as
dogs to run free. (Bulldogs have Ed had been led to believe. Although
always been, generally speaking, an he had had it impressed upon him
exception to this rule. For that about the great strength of the
reason, they were known in animal and how important it was
Elizabethan times and earlier as that he not be allowed to get free,
“bandogs,” which loosely translated the man still did a slipshod job of
means bound dogs or chain dogs.) putting up the cable. The most
Ed had a cable system set up near serious error was that the cable
an alley behind one of his itself was not of sufficient strength;
businesses at which he was wont to and perhaps the cable clamps were
spend considerable time. He could not tight enough. Whatever the case,
see the dog more often in that way, it came to pass that one day Lion
and Lion would get a little more lunged at a passing cat, and
attention, as employees soon learned suddenly he was free!
that he was a friendly dog in spite of The first casualty was the cat As

Hall’s Champion Sugar is a four-time pit winner and a granddaughter of Hooten’s

Butcher Boy.

141
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
with other cats of the neighborhood, swum the creek and come over the
he had learned that Lion had limited fence, he was undoubtedly waiting
range. Thus, Lion was upon him there for him. He intended to send
before he even tried to run away. It him on the run as he had all other
is extremely doubtful that the cat dogs which dared to trespass on his
ever knew what happened to him. ably defended grounds. He may have
Lion shook the life out of him in an gotten his horns on Lion at least
instant and flung the body to the top once, but, if he did, he didn’t leave a
of the building. The dog indulged mark on the dog. When the men
himself in a couple more cats he found the two, Lion not only had the
flushed out in the alley. A large bull by the nose but had thrown him
Airedale, attracted by the to the ground.
commotion, seized one of the cats Ed had his men put ropes on the
himself, only too happy to join in the bull to hold him steady as he pried
killing orgy. What the Airedale Lion loose with a breaking stick.
didn’t count upon was that Lion Then he placed a harness on Lion
would drop the cat for larger prey in and walked him back to the
a second. Apparently, that is exactly premises. Ed said that, as he walked
what he did, for Ed’s employees soon Lion back, he noted with a
found the bodies of several cats and combination of anger and
one of a large Airedale outside their amusement that Lion had not one
boss’s shop. Seeing that Lion had mark on him and not one drop of
escaped but was no longer in sight, blood. He looked as though he had
they reported that fact to the merely been out for a walk in the
horrified Ed. park, and his tail wagged with
In telling the story, Ed, though he satisfaction. He had enjoyed himself
could laugh later on, said his mind immensely!
immediately was filled with visions
of Lion killing horses as he had the
cats—and with equal ease. For this BOZO AND THE MYSTERY OF
was back in the horse-and-buggy THE RINGWORM
days, and there were countless This story is of considerably more
carriages on the street, and even the recent vintage. It involves a dog,
milkman had a horse-drawn wagon. bred down from Hooten’s Butcher
Just how much ill-will and money Boy, who was the first dog of the
was this exploit of Lion’s going to young fellow who acquired him.
cost him? But, even with all those Thus he was raised as a house pet.
thoughts, Ed said his worst fear was He was what pit-dog men call a
that someone would shoot Lion. “hand-raised dog,” and pit-dog men
As luck would have it, though, know that those are quite often the
Lion didn’t get any of the horses. very best pit dogs. They have self-
After finishing off the Airedale, he assurance; they are extremely
ran down the alley and across some cooperative; and they are invariably
railroad tracks. On the other side of smart, something that seems to help
the tracks was a creek and beyond them in the pit.
that a cow pasture. In the cow This dog turned out to be a
pasture were cows, sure enough, but tremendous pit dog. After winning
there was also a large bull, one that two fights against other Bulldogs
insured that no one ever crossed that before he was two years old, he was
pasture. The bull probably saw Lion turned over to an experienced pit-
coming, and by the time the dog had I dog man for matching. It was agreed

142
Larry Bell with Bell’s Lady Stomp.

143
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND___________________________
that when the dog wasn’t in training in his eagerness to get to it. If he is
for a fight, the owner would get to loose, no command will stop him
keep him, and the owner would get from taking the springpole. To
him after his pit career was ended. Harry’s astonishment, Bozo, even
Well, our pit-dog man was though he became as enamored of
absolutely astounded by this dog the springpole as most Bulldogs,
called Bozo for a number of reasons. would not attack it until told to do
For one thing, he had seen his last so. Further, he would hop up on the
match, and he knew he was a treadmill on command, but he would
formidable pit dog. He was well wait for word from Harry to begin
beyond the ordinary in the pit-dog running it. And he would run it at
category, as our dog man, whom we’ll the speed Harry dictated, and he

Junior Jay Are.

Courtesy of
Humbolt Pit Bull
Club.

call Harry (not his real name, of would stop on Harry’s command.
course), was of the opinion that he To understand how remarkable
was a candidate for the best forty- this dog was, the reader must know
eight-pound pit dog in the country. that the majority of pit dogs are
Aside from that, the dog was trained kennel dogs. (In pit-dog parlance,
so well that he could be allowed to they might be more likely called
run loose and be trusted not to chain dogs or yard dogs.) In any case,
attack other dogs. (If they attacked these dogs have been raised for
him, that was their problem!) fighting, so they are only taken off
Further, he had not been trained to their chains to be worked or to be
work the springpole or treadmill, but rolled. In either case, the
he learned very quickly. enthusiasm of the dog is so great as
Now, most Bulldogs become quite to be maniacal. Even dogs raised as
enamored of the springpole, and pets that learn to use a springpole or
when they see one, they’ll attack it treadmill (or other such device) are
just as they would another dog. If hard to control in enthusiasm. Even
you have one on a lead and take him pets have to be taken off the
into a yard in which there is a springpole with a breaking stick, for
springpole, he’ll nearly pull you over example. So Bozo’s extreme

144
 Right: Two Pit
Bulls in
Holland. On the
left is Missy of
Bolio breeding
and on the right,
Onklin’s Schot
Jr. Below:
Martin’s
Rachael with
Dean Martin.

145
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Shebesta’s Justice, by Champion Sooner out of Weldon’s Miss Kitty, making Jus­
tice double-bred Jimmy Boots. Owner, Billy Stevens.

tractability was more than just a made him miss holds and gave him
matter of his having been raised as a nothing to bite but air most of the
pet. He was a very unusual dog. But time. Finally, after nearly half an
he worked so well and was such a hour, Bozo got his first real hold. In
pleasure to work with that when it just another fifteen minutes,
came time for the match, Harry felt Swamper’s handlers decided to pick
he had his dog in as good a condition the dog up to save him.
as any dog he ever worked. This was Once Bozo was all healed up, he
good, for Bozo would need every was returned to his owner, as
advantage in going up against his previously agreed upon. He went
opponent Swamper, a five-time back to his carefree life as a house
winner and a devastating Bulldog. dog. Although he stayed in the house
In the match, conditioning was the a good part of the time, he had a
main thing to decide the contest in doghouse outside at which he spent
Bozo’s favor, as the Swamper dog his nights. One day, Bozo’s owner
had more talent in the sense that he brought the dog back to Harry with a
held Bozo out and leaned on him, problem. The dog had lesions in his
making him do all the work. He skin and the owner wasn’t sure what

146
147
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND____________________________
they were. Harry recognized the only seven years old. (Since Bob is
problem immediately as ringworm, a over eighty-five years old, I feel
type of fungus infection given its reasonably safe in asserting that he
name because of the worm-like has had the longest experience with
lesion it leaves upon the skin. the dogs of anyone living!) A
Curing the ringworm was no problem was that Bob’s father raised
problem, but Harry was puzzled. The Coonhounds and bird dogs for his
dog had to contract the ringworm hunting activities. When Bob
from some contaminated source. received the puppy, neither he nor
Harry questioned Bozo’s owner. No, his father knew that this pup was of
the dog had not been around any a fighting breed. Nevertheless, the

Stormy and Turbo

playing together.

other dogs. He preferred the pup soon became a favorite of the

company of children, as he family. But when he grew old
absolutely loved being with them; enough, he nearly killed one of the
however, none of the children were hunting dogs that had tried to bully
likely to have given the dog the him, so he was very quickly
fungus. Finally, the problem was relegated to a kennel by Bob’s
solved. It turned out that Bozo was father.
letting the stray neighborhood cats The pup had lived up to his name
share his doghouse with him on the of Rowdy, and, yet, he wasn’t really
cold winter nights! rowdy, being, like most Pit Bulls,
rather mild of manner when not
ROWDY AND THE PAPER confronted by another canine.
Bob Wallace told me this story Although he had been raised as a
about one of his boyhood dogs. And house dog, he eventually accepted
perhaps the stage should be set. life in the kennel philosophically,
You see, Bob was first given a but his most treasured times were
Bulldog pup by his aunt when he was the evenings when he would bring in

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 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

A Bulldog
exported from
the United
States to
Germany.

the paper and, as a reward, he got to Rowdy didn’t get brought in at all
spend time in the house before being because no one was sure that he
put back out in the kennel. hadn’t joined in with the pup in such
There came a time that Bob’s unseemly and destructive play.
father had a new Setter pup, and he, This happened two more times. We
too, got to receive time on the porch, can only imagine the horror of
later to be let in with Rowdy, so that Rowdy, as he observed his ticket into
the pup could receive a little extra the house being destroyed nightly. It
attention, which Bob’s father is not in the nature of a typical Pit
believed (quite rightly) a pup Bull to harm a pup in any way. For
needed. But when the paper was that reason, Rowdy was, no doubt, in
delivered through the slot in the a quandary. But he finally solved the
closed-in porch, the pup attacked it problem!
with glee and tore it into countless On the fourth night, Bob’s father
pieces. That meant that Rowdy had came out to the porch, hoping to be
no paper to bring in. Worse yet, early enough to rescue the paper.

Brandt’s Josie
Wales pulling
for bait; Butch
Slater holding
the hide for
bait.

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THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Colby’s Bud was, as Louis Colby said, “a good-natured slob but with a big motor
inside.”

There was nothing there. No such as a cynologist or ethologist—

newspaper. No shreds of paper not just any dog trainer). A certain
carpeting the wooden floor, as had amount of reasoning had to go into
been the case the three previous the idea of grabbing the paper
nights. Rowdy, wagging his tail a before the pup could get it and then
mile a minute and obviously pleased placing it out of his reach in order to
with himself, trotted over to the protect it. And the behavior did not
porch swing, leaped upon it, and, go unrewarded, as Rowdy was not
with his paws on the back of the only brought in but received an
porch swing, reached high up into a extra treat and high praise for his
cubbyhole in the brick wall and ingenuity.
pulled out the paper. Later, however, he demonstrated
Now here was a case that would that dogs, even smart ones, are
impress even an expert on canine slaves to habit—even more so than
behavior (that is, a legitimate expert, we humans’ For after the pup was

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 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Right: St.
Benedict’s Cher
Cher La
Femme, a
grandson of
Boomerang.
Below:
Schiller’s
Queenie.

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THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
A SPOOK ON THE LOOSE
I have told elsewhere of my
boyhood dog, Spook. Although I had
other Bulldogs in my youth, he was
the one that I had the longest, and he
was a special companion that I took
so many places with me. Here he was
just an old kennel dog that had been
converted into a house dog of sorts.
(He spent the day on a chain and had
a doghouse outside, but he got to
come inside at night, and he slept in
my room, near my bed.)
Unfortunately, there came a time
when I was forced to part with him. I
was about to graduate from high
school, and I had plans of either
going to college or entering the
military. In either case, I wanted to
A Bulldog playing frisbee with his find Spook a good home with
master. someone who understood Bulldogs. I
had been corresponding for some
grown to the point that he was either time with I.D. Cole of Phoenix,
sold or put in the kennels, Rowdy Arizona, and I wrote him, asking if
continued to put the paper in a safe he would be interested in the dog.
place when it arrived, just as he had (The dog men in Denver, as usual,
been doing all those months were up to capacity with dogs.) In
preceding the pup’s absence. If view of the fact that Spook was a
Rowdy could have talked, perhaps Lightner dog and that that strain
he would have rationalized his commanded more than a modicum of
behavior. It was not habit at all. It respect, I felt Cole might be
was just that a dog could never be interested in having him and that he
too careful with a newspaper! would take good care of him.

Left: Douglas’s
Champion Dirty
Harry is owned by
Mary L. Schaeffer.

Opposite: Jeff
Burke and Mims’s
Mose. Carl Mims
called him the
gamest dog he’d
ever bred.

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THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
I well remember the day that I
shipped old Spook off. Dogs were
only shipped by train in those days,
and Spook was in for a two-day trip.
I recall my grandmother objecting to
my shipping off the dog because he
“worshipped” me so. But, what else
was I to do? I couldn’t take him to
either college or the military with
me, and my grandmother couldn’t
take him, as she had a dog of her own
and had grown rather fond of it and
knew what Spook would do to it.
Anyway, putting that old brindle dog
in that wooden crate was difficult for
me. I gave him a farewell hug and
slid down the wooden door. It never
occurred to me to nail down the
door. How would a dog ever raise a
smooth sliding door that had no
projections?
As I later learned from Cole,
Spook arrived in good shape. He put
the crate with the dog in it in his
station wagon and stopped off at his
office on the way home. Upon
arriving home, he opened the back
and was surprised at how lightly the
crate slid out. Then he discovered
the cause: the dog was no longer in
it. As Cole said later, he never could
figure out how Spook got the door
up, but once out, he would have had
no problem, as the windows had
been left down in the car to protect
the dog from heat build-up. Finally, his newspaper
Upon discovering the loss, Cole advertisement bore fruit. A man
contacted a judge-friend of his to called saying that before coming in
keep an ear to the ground in regard to read the paper, he had just given
to any dog incidents, and he placed a water to a dog answering that
lost-dog advertisement in the paper. description.
He knew that his insurance would Cole immediately jumped into his
cover whatever damages Spook did car and drove to the area. He drove
to other animals (actually, he was around aimlessly in the
only a threat to other dogs, as he neighborhood in which Spook had
didn’t bother with anything else); been spotted, but he saw nothing.
however, he was worried about Just as he was ready to give up, he
Spook being hit by a car or getting in spotted him. He was walking along
a fight and having a bunch of people the sidewalk, apparently trying to
beating on him with rocks, sticks, get his bearings to try to find home.
and clubs (as people are wont to do). Cole parked the car and approached

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 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
Spook, calling him by name. Spook
wagged his tail and approached, but
when Cole tried to take hold of him,
Spook moved off, keeping a couple of
arm lengths away. Now, Spook was
by no means a shy dog, but he
apparently was not about to let
anyone stop him in his search for
home. (Tears came to my eyes as I
read Cole’s account of all this later,
and even now it affects me to tell the
story.)
Spook moved on up the road, and
Cole followed him in his car,
stopping at various intervals to try to
get Spook in the car or to get a hand
on him, all to no avail. Finally, the
car overheated, and Cole was on foot
following the dog. He said later that
it wasn’t long before his tongue was
hanging out longer than Spook’s.
When a dog would come charging out
at Spook, he became a statue, with
head and tail up, staring holes
through the dog. Although Spook was
only a forty-three pound dog, there
wasn’t a dog large or small that
didn’t back off from that ominous
brindle dog.
Finally, Cole came to the
realization that the only way to catch
Spook would be to get a dog on him.
So the first pay phone he passed (for

Above: Jessica and John

Wayne, a merle-colored
Pit Bull, a very odd color
for a Bulldog.

Right: Rex was matched

with Mayfield’s General
in England.

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THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

A very solid, solid-black dog on a field.

they were now in the heart of Like a guided missile, Spike sped
Phoenix), he called a dog man, straight into Spook. The two dogs
explaining the problem. A posse of grappled for an instant. Then they
dog men was organized, and a dog were converged upon by a group of
named Spike was selected as a catch men who separated the animals with
dog for Spook. (This Spike, breaking sticks. Each dog was
incidentally, was destined to be an whisked into a separate car, and
ancestor of Dibo. Another Cole came running out of nowhere to
interesting tidbit was that Howard jump into one of them. The cars then
Heinzl, Wiz Hubbard, and Leo White proceeded to speed off in opposite
were among the men who made directions. All of this happened in
themselves available to help corral front of a large downtown crowd.
Spook.) Some of them today may still be
In the meantime, Spook was wondering just what it was that they
continuing into the heart of Phoenix saw that day!
with Cole about a half a block
behind. The first car to spot the dog
alerted the others, and they made THE BULLDOG TRAP
plans to converge at the next In all my years of Bulldogs, I have
intersection. Three cars came never stopped questioning if I have
screeching up to the intersection lost perspective. Could it be possible
just as Spook reached it, and Spike that I am wrong and everyone else is
was released from one of the cars. right? I am not entirely without

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 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
conscience, and I do love animals, dogs. I don’t want to end up
particularly dogs, and I would be bullheadedly sticking to opinions
heartsore to learn some day that I that not only are wrong but are
had a blind spot that kept me from harmful.
seeing that Bulldogs are an A phenomenon that I have seen
unworthy breed, as some of the occur again and again has helped
humaniacs assert, and it would be make me feel that I may not be so far
best for them and the world that they off base after all. I have known many
become extinct. Further, could it be a man who absolutely condemned
possible that cruelties abound in the the idea of matching dogs and ended
activity of pit fighting, an activity up an absolute fanatic at doing so
that I not only fail to condemn but himself. One such man was a Staf
have been known to defend? I do all fancier who called me up years ago
this soul searching, not just because denouncing my attitude about Stafs
I have my weak moments, but (whatever that is!). I was patient with
because I want to deliberately re­ the man, for I was impressed by his
evaluate all my ideas about these intelligence and knowledge (for a

This Bulldog
obviously feels
that a Mack truck
should have a real
Bulldog for a hood
ornament.

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THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Yang with Mary and Elton III.

show-dog person’). However, I he was one of the best sources to

certainly didn’t change his mind contact for a real credible and
about the cruelty and immorality of carefully researched opinion.
pit contests. But something did! For The above is just one of many
years later, he became an extremely examples, and I’m not quite sure
active matcher of dogs, and he was what sucks these people into the pit­
an absolute expert on the pedigrees dog game, other than the charm and
of all the pit dogs in the country. If I fascination of the dogs. For it is a
ever needed to know anything about fascination that is felt, to some
the real breeding of a particular dog, degree at least, by everyone. But

158
A brindle and white example of the breed waits patiently while his owner takes
a break from their walk.

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THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Austin’s Punky Face, courtesy of Humbolt Pit Bull Club.

there are many ways to get “Bulldog is little doubt that the Border Collie
fever” without even being aware that is probably the finest all-around
it is happening to you. The following stock dog in the world and is
example will suffice to illustrate the indubitably the finest sheep dog.
point. However, none of these dogs could
A man we’ll call Chuck (not his handle Chuck’s cattle. The same
real name) was a professor of turned out to be true with the
agriculture at a well-known college. Kelpie, the Queensland Heeler, and
He was also a breeder of exotic a number of lesser lights.
cattle, and he owned a vast ranch for It was not until Chuck had
the purpose of raising these animals. received a full understanding of just
In some of his experimental crosses, how difficult a problem he had that
he used pretty rough bulls. One of it was solved. He discovered the
the problems he was having was in American Pit Bull Terrier. Actually,
finding stock dogs that could stand the first dogs he discovered were
up to them. This problem led Chuck possibly crossbred dogs, but they led
to becoming a minor authority on him to the purebred Bulldogs, and
stock dogs, too, as he was he eventually decided that the
determined to find a breed of dog purebreds couldn’t be beat for stock
that could handle his cattle. He work. I well recall Chuck’s father
worked with different types of expressing his amazement about
Border Collies, all to no avail. There how one of those little forty-five-

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 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
pound dogs could completely subdue his own fighting line and to match
one of those behemoth steers, them himself. He had been taken
usually by seizing him by the nose unawares, and he was hooked.
and throwing him as he tried to run Not only was Chuck heavily
away. So it was that Chuck became infected with the fever, but his
interested in the breeding and comely wife became even more
genetics of catch dogs. One thing led fascinated by the dogs than Chuck, if
to another as he wondered about the such a thing was possible, and she
origins of such unbelievable ability became an authority in her own
and such awesome courage. He right.
began to study the lines of fighting I had the pleasure of visiting
dogs. Eventually he began to build Chuck’s farm (which we would have

A Dutch-bred
dog down from
Greenwood’s
Scarlet. Owner,
Bob Bock.

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THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
called a “ranch” in the West), and I TUDOR’S CHERRY WASHES
had taken with me my oldest son, OUT AS A HOUSE DOG
who was a mere teenager at the time. This story is one that was told by
Chuck’s farm was so big that we went Bob Hennenberger in an old Your
to see the dogs by truck, as the dogs Friend and Mine magazine, and some
were staked out in different areas all readers may have seen the story. I
over the farm. Riding in back of the don’t have access to that particular
truck with my son was Casey Jones, issue now, so those old timers who
who had driven us up to Chuck’s do have the issue can check the
place (as we were strangers in a accuracy of my memory for details.
strange land, a thousand miles away (Please be kind and take into

Bell’s Baby Jones is a descendant of Bolio and Red Neck. Owner, Larry
Bell.

from home and easily becoming lost account that it has been over thirty
on main thoroughfares and certainly years since I’ve seen the story!)
in the backwoods of Chuck’s For those who don’t know, Mr.
territory). Casey was a successful Hennenberger (whose name I may be
attorney and a son of a state senator. misspelling) was a professional
I was feeling a little chagrined at cartoonist as well as a Bulldog
having so august a person taking devotee; and he drew many quite
turns with my son at jumping off the funny cartoons in regard to Bulldogs
back of the truck and opening gates for Pete Spark’s use when he put out
as we went from one area of the the magazine. Bob utilized drawings
spread to another. Chuck, apparently to illustrate his little story in this
sensing my feelings as Casey was instance, and as I recall, Tudor’s
opening a gate, commented, “When Cherry was a red, red-nosed bitch
Casey makes judge, we’ll let him ride that had been raised on a chain by
up front with us!” Earl Tudor. Hennenberger was

162
High Country Russ, a descendant of Going Light Barney. Owner, High Country
Bulldogs.

163
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

A son of Hoover
out of a
daughter of
Peterbilt.

impressed by the bitch’s possession of Cherry, and in view of

intelligence, as she would entertain her intelligence, he decided to try
herself on the chain by playing with her as a house dog. Now, let us stop
flowers and blades of grass. She for a minute and think what it must
seemed downright scholarly in the be like to be raised as a pure pit dog,
way she would take her paw and as such was the case with Cherry.
push a blade of tall grass down and First, you are restrained to a
then watch bemusedly as it would rather small world, either a kennel
begin to right itself. There were run or, more likely, a chain, and not
other things that she would do, too, much happens in this restricted
that impressed Bob with her world. You occasionally get petted,
intelligence. and the high point of the day is
In some way Bob gained feeding time. It is this aspect of

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 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
breeding dogs, any breed of dogs, intolerable to them. In the case of
that I consider to be the most cruel Bulldogs, though, they have a special
because of the intelligent, desire to fight that wells up in them
affectionate, and social animals that as they mature. Not being Bulldogs,
dogs are. However, it is probably not it is difficult for us to conceive of the
as bad as outsiders might think, as mentality that would take such joy in
the dogs know no other existence or, fighting. But then, it is also difficult
if they had, they soon become for us to understand fully just why a
adjusted to it. It is surprising how Coonhound finds such joy in
even humans can become adjusted following a trail or a Border Collie
to almost any type of existence and in herding sheep.
even find happiness in a way of life In any case, about the only time a
that previously may have seemed Bulldog is taken off the chain is

Accorti’s Vashtie.

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THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
when it is to be rolled. (If he is of brothers, Hoover and Isaac, who
match quality, there will later come have remained friends but will
a time when he will be put in a keep, occasionally playfight. But it looks
and he will be taken off the chain for like the real thing, and a human
various types of exercise activities observer would be fooled. And it
which the dogs almost invariably fools my other dogs too, as they raise
come to love.) Since being taken off all kinds of hell, and I have to tell
the chain is a treat in itself and the them to knock it off! Now the reader
dogs have been bred for fighting and may notice that I qualified what I
thus come to love it, it is not any said about Bulldogs becoming
wonder that as they get into the excited, as Howard Heinzl once had
routine, they become quite excited a Bulldog that could lie down
when they are taken off the chain outside the pit and take a nap while
and always think they are going to be two dogs were fighting. And he was a
rolled. The excitement they game dog, too. My Dillinger Dog, felt
demonstrate is enthusiastic and by many to have demonstrated
contagious. The other dogs, too, seem outstanding gameness in a two-hour
to know what is happening, and they match (before I got him), was of the
raise all kinds of Cain in their same mold. However, it is an
excitement (and perhaps resentment uncommon trait. More typical was
in being left out of the fun!). the dog that Heinzl had who, when
All this brings us to another point. they rolled the dogs in a pit that
Bulldogs are almost without wasn’t far from where he was
I exception extremely excited by chained, would leap several feet in
seeing other dogs fight. They the air to grab onto a tree branch
obviously know what is happening, from which he hung and worked over
and they seem to obtain a vicarious while the dogs were fighting. Howard
thrill out of it. However, they can be used to say that he got a better
fooled. I presently have two workout than the dogs in the pit!

Kitty the
Bulldog and
Barney taking
in the street
scene.

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 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Nick’s Admiral Kirk.

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THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Above: Iron Jaws Mabies Buddy, a champion pit dog who is also an obedience
competition winner. Above right: Doug Berben’s Whizzer. Right: A hardy young
Bulldog with demonstrated potential.

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 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
Anyway, here we have Bob their intelligence has been allowed
Hennenberger ready to make a pet to reach its full potential, and there
out of a bitch who has led the kind of is something about being a house
life I have just described, a lifestyle dog that gives a pit dog even more
that is most inclined to make a dog a confidence in himself than he would
“fight-crazy fool.” (Is it any wonder have otherwise. Experienced pit-dog
that many pit-dog men are unaware men would like to have all their
of just how intelligent these dogs are stock “hand raised.” Having
and what good pets they make when discussed all this, can we pretty
all they have experienced are the much guess the kind of experience
fight-crazy lunatics who know no Bob is going to have with Cherry?
other existence?) Now, of course, Bob takes Cherry off the chain,
this brings up a point: if the dogs are and she thinks she is going to get to
exposed to a life as a house pet, will fight. She is excited, but she controls
they still be fighters? Yes, they will. herself, to a degree at least. Bob puts
In fact, they will be even better than her in his car. That’s okay; Cherry
they would have been otherwise, for has been in a car before—when she

Pogo with his pal.

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 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Solis’s Champion Brynner is a four-time pit winner.

was taken some place else to fight. across the room.) Upon being
Arriving at his house, Bob puts released, Cherry scratched straight
Cherry on the lead and walks her into the easy chair, boring into its
into the house. Again, this is not soft underbelly, pushing it into a
completely outside Cherry’s corner. We can imagine Cherry’s
experience, as she has been taken to contempt for such an “easy”
indoor pits before. Once inside, opponent. Here she is getting no
things are still reasonably familiar, resistance at all, and she has her
but there is no pit, no plywood walls adversary already on its back,
about three feet high to make a stuffing is coming out, and when she
sixteen-foot enclosed area. And shakes out her hold, stuffing, wood
there is no other dog, not even the reinforcement, and springs fly all
smell of one. Cherry is plainly over the room!
puzzled, but she is in the fight mode Soon Bob had hold of Cherry,
from past habits. carrying her away from her ruined
Bob, observing that Cherry is by no opponent. It has been so little time
means cowed by the unfamiliar before he got to her and yet so much
surroundings and is outwardly calm, damage! Bob gave up easily. That
removes the leash from her collar. very day Cherry was back on her
(What Bob did not observe was that chain, content at another good day’s
Cherry was eyeing an easy chair work.

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HOOVER AND THE BALL other in the puppy pen. The other
Many years ago, I made a breeding pup we called Isaac (in my mind he
of a double-bred daughter of Barney was being named after Isaac Newton
to Champion Little Boots, a son of or Isaac Asimov, but my friend Jim
Grand Champion Hank. The Isaac thought that it was being
breeding was made for the purpose named after him and kept saying,
of obtaining females for my own use. “That dog had better not quit'”).
Instead, I got four males. Such are It became part of my routine to let
the frustrations of the breeder! In the puppies out and play ball with
view of the fact that I had wanted them. Hoover really took to the ball
females, I intended to sell the males, playing bit. Isaac loved to play, too,
and I did sell two of them. However, but, as one of my sons said, “Isaac
my wife, who has an eye for dogs, just does it because Hoover does.”
took a particular shine to Hoover, as Actually, I think that Isaac would
she felt he was unusually intelligent have been a ball dog even without
and everything that a Bulldog should Hoover, but his performance, good
be. Well, if I were going to keep one as it was, paled beside Hoover’s
pup, I decided why not keep the adroit ball handling and unreal
other too for the time being so that enthusiasm. Both dogs got so they
they would be company for each could track a ball extremely well in

The author throwing the bail for Hoover while Isaac waits his turn. Unlike most
other Bulldog males, Hoover and Isaac get along, and, contrary to common opin­
ion, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t game.

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 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Above: Riptide Hoover retrieving a ball which the author has thrown. Below:
Tank.

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THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
the air and catch it without letting it him down into the ground. There
bounce. Also, both dogs would swim were a number of mud puddles in
to the bottom of a swimming pool in the pen, and it seemed that Hoover
order to retrieve the ball. (I was had doused Isaac in each one! It was
using the heavy density balls with a real chore getting these two
extra bounce built in.) powerful animals apart as we
At the age of two years, Hoover slipped around on the slick mud.
and Isaac were in the same puppy This time Hoover went to a kennel
pen and were fed together without run of his own. The two dogs get
any growling, let alone outright along fine to this day under
fighting. Other dog men couldn’t supervision, but we don’t leave them
believe it. I simply told them that I together unsupervised any longer.
gave my Bulldogs a proper I’m taking my own advice.
upbringing and they only fought if I We, of course, had no idea what
gave them permission. No one said may have started the animals’
anything, but I’m sure that some fighting. I have a theory that,
questioned my judgment about the whatever it was, Isaac was the
kind of Bulldogs I kept. I was aggressor. Hoover’s barking on the
unworried. My experience had been previous occasion was partly out of
that the easygoing Bulldogs were bafflement that his good buddy
sometimes your best ones. would attack him.
One day my wife, Stephanie, came Stephanie’s instincts, as usual,
running to get me because Hoover were unfailing, as Hoover had
and Isaac were fighting. My son and matured into a remarkable Bulldog,
I separated the two dogs and, later, a good-looking dog and an extremely
when the dogs had cooled off, we intelligent one. I had to keep a bolt
were able to put them back together in his kennel latch, as he had figured
again, and they got along fine. We out how to open it. It is difficult to
had no idea what had touched them convey how intelligent this animal
off, and I was violating a cardinal is—almost as difficult to convey as
rule of my own: never let two grown his enthusiasm for playing ball.
Bulldogs stay together unsupervised. Once, at the beach, I threw his ball
Besides that, I was not a little farther out than I had intended. It
concerned about Hoover. You see, was murky water that day, and, of
Isaac didn’t have a mark on him, and course, Hoover couldn’t use his nose
when we came upon the dogs, Isaac under water. I was amazed how long
was holding Hoover out by the ear, he could hold his breath as he swam
and all Hoover was doing was head down, feeling for the ball, with
barking. The inability to get to Isaac only the tip of his tail sticking up out
didn’t bother me. The barking did. In of the water. Other swimmers began
my experience, the quiet fighting to panic. One girl waded toward him,
Bulldogs are the best. The saying, “That dog! That dog!” She
noisemakers are generally suspect. apparently felt that he was drowning
A few weeks later, though, John and from something, perhaps something
I had another occasion to separate had hold of him and was pulling him
the two dogs. It was in a blinding down head first. We explained he
rainstorm. Hoover had gotten to was just looking for his ball, and
Isaac this time, and both dogs were finally he came up with it. Everyone
fighting silently. Hoover had Isaac was dumbfounded. I think
by the shoulder, and he was lifting determination sparked by his great
him high in the air and slamming appreciation of the challenges of

174
Riptide Isaac, a brother to Hoover, is shown here making a beeline for a thrown
ball. Owner, Dick Stratton.

175
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Buck, an English dog, is down from Stubblefield’s Buddy.

finding the ball enabled him to stay had to continually push the fight, as
under so long. Hoover is unbelievably mellow, and
Readers of my book The World of he is especially reluctant to fight
the American Pit Bull Terrier may females. My family came home
recall the story about the ball before me to find Becky dead and
playing of my house dog Becky. Both Hoover and Isaac loose.
Hoover and I wound up in the I thought about trying to shift the
doghouse over her death. You see, blame from Hoover onto Isaac, but I
one of the ways that Hoover could see that such a tactic was
demonstrated his intelligence was hopeless. Blood was on Isaac’s
that he could open his kennel latch gatepost and latch, so Hoover had
and all the other dogs’, too. Although committed the foul deed and
I nearly always remembered to put afterwards let Isaac out to play with
the bolt in Hoover’s latch to his him—completely conscienceless
kennel run, I forgot to do it one day. about what he had done to Becky!
Hoover apparently discovered the Although I tell the story in a light­
latch was off some time during the hearted way and in a rather flippant
day while we were gone. In manner, we were devastated by the
recreating the incident based on the loss of Becky, as she had been our
evidence, I assert that Becky house dog for some time, and she
apparently found Hoover loose out was the last of our relatively pure
back and jumped him. I know she Wallace dogs. She was full of

176
 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Bell’s Pinky Jones. Owner, Larry Bell.

personality and was loved, not only

by the family but by many of our
friends, too—many of them non-dog
people. The main thing that kept Below: Boots McCoy. Owner, Pat
Stephanie and the rest of the family
from blaming Hoover was their Chilton.
knowing the dog; everyone knew that
Becky had to keep pushing the fight,
even unto her own death.
Hoover proved to be relatively
game later on in an accidental
kennel fight with an extremely rough
dog. I mention this only because it is
important to keep in mind as I tell
the next part of the story.
As I said before, Isaac and Hoover
were never together unsupervised
after their second fight. However,
they did have a third fight that took
place when they were running
together as part of my clean-up
routine. I always did, and still do, let
them run together while I clean the
kennel runs and the areas of the
other dogs. After cleaning up, I put
the equipment away, and spend
some time playing ball with the two

177
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
brothers. Only this time, something
had touched off a fight. I remember
only dimly what it was. I think I had
a new and aggressive female in the
yard, and she was challenging Isaac
through the fence. Isaac was
responding to some degree, Hoover
was ignoring the entire thing; but he
was in a playful mood and jumped
Isaac for one of their rounds of
roughhousing. Isaac was in the fight
mode and grabbed Hoover by the
ear, and, before long, they were
locked in combat.
I was alone at home at the time. I
had no help to part the two fighting
animals. One way to do it would be to
get a collar and leash on one of
them, tying him to a fence or a tree.
It would still be tricky, but I could
then eventually get the two dogs
apart with skillful use of the
breaking stick. But I had another
idea. Knowing how ball-happy
Hoover was and how he really didn’t
want to fight his old friend Isaac, I
tried something. Hoover had Isaac
down on the ground by the shoulder,
shaking him brutally. I got his ball
and rolled it right in front of him,
directly across the gaze of his eyes,
which were presently locked in
murderous concentration on Isaac.
No response the first time, but the
second time I did it, his eyes tracked
the ball for a second. The third time,
I rolled the ball so that it would stop
in his view, then I picked it up and
threw it Hoover dropped Isaac and
flew after the ball. I deftly laid hold
of Isaac, who was flying right back at
Hoover, and I closed the gate of the
pen in which they had ended up, as
luck would have it, when they were
fighting.
I had done it. I got two good dogs
apart all by myself without a didn’t think anything less of the dog
breaking stick. Only, I wasn’t sure if for it. For Hoover is different from
I should tell other dog men about it. other Bulldogs in one respect: there
I did though. And those who knew is one thing he likes better than
Hoover laughed themselves silly and fighting!

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 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

JOCKO IN THE SLAMMER from two businessmen who lived in

Readers of my other books on the my hometown. Both men are long
American Pit Bull Terrier will recall dead and for that very reason, I am
Jocko as one of the dogs that I had reluctant to give their full names.
heard about on numerous occasions You see, I don’t know their sons and

179
 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

St. Benedict’s Cher swinging from a rope. Owners, Mike and Terry Walsh.

daughters or how they would feel to decisions only, one of them a split
have their fathers revealed in a book decision. I personally saw old
as devotees of pit dogs. Let me just newspaper clippings in which
say this: the man I referred to as Howard was described as having the
“Howard the boxer” in my other greatest defensive skills of any boxer
books was no ordinary boxer. He the game had ever known. Howard
twice fought for world had also been a race car driver
championships, once for the before he settled down to a business
middleweight division and once for life as the owner of a restaurant He
the welterweight championship. was sort of an idol of mine when I
Those matches were the only ones he was a kid, and I got to know him
ever lost, and they were lost by because he sponsored a boxing club

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 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
for interested youngsters, of which I there may have been no specific
became a member. laws on the books against
There was a time, after his boxing dogfighting, local authorities raided
career, when Howard served as such activities regularly if they knew
business agent for active boxers and about them. Somehow, authorities
professional wrestlers. (The big found out about a clandestine
difference was that in those days meeting between Jocko and another
professional wrestling was a twenty-eight pound pit dog in a
legitimate sport, and the wrestlers warehouse in Denver. It was early on
were phenomenal warriors.) It was in the match, but Jocko was already
during this time that Howard ahead of his opponent when the
engaged in his hobby of matching alarm was sounded that the cops
dogs. He still had Jocko, or rather he were busting in. The handlers
had regained him to use as a match hurriedly got their charges parted
dog after his career as an active and took off running out another
fighter was over. (I have told exit. Howard had been handling
elsewhere how Jocko was a Jocko, and he was running down an
distraction to Howard’s professional alley, carrying Jocko under his
boxing career!) trenchcoat. This was no mean task,
Most people these days seem to as Jocko cared not one whit about
feel that matching dogs was legal at the police, and he still had business
one time. Such people are usually to take care of back at the
unaware that professional boxing warehouse. He was not a passive
and wrestling were themselves passenger. In his struggles to free
illegal not so long ago. And, while himself, he kicked loose the belt

Ibrahim Abdu sends his Chako’s King up for some exercise.

181
 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

182
 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND

Left: M and R’s

Butch, a very
game half­
brother to the
great Jeep. Below
left: Perry’s Ms.
Pacman, a great
pit bitch.

Above right:
STBs Dylan is a
two-time winner
and a son of
Champion
Peterbilt. Right:
Greenwood’s
Scarlet.
 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
from Howard’s coat. The belt which he found Jocko sniffing
became entangled with Howard’s around, looking for his obviously
legs, and down he went, head first craven opponent who had
into a pile of trash cans. Jocko was apparently fled. Howard picked up
free. Jocko, placed him once again under
To Howard’s horror, Jocko headed his coat, and tried to slip out of the
straight back the alley toward the darkened warehouse, but the police
warehouse. At the entrance to the showed up and had their lights on
alley were the police in hot pursuit; him. He was caught at last.
at the sight of the hardcharging Howard and his second for Jocko’s
Jocko, they scattered like Keystone match, an old friend from the fight
Cops, for they had no way of knowing game, were the only fish the police
that the intense little dog wasn’t managed to net that night, and they
after theml Howard circled around placed all three, Howard, his friend,
and returned to the warehouse, in and Jocko, in a cell together. In spite

A Bulldog dressed by her owners, George and Patte Owens, to look “cool.”

184
 THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE LEGEND
of the circumstances, they managed with himself and happy to see his
to get some sleep that night, even two friends. The captain was a
though they had no idea just how mixture of grudging admiration,
tough things might go for them. mild anger, and sincere concern.
Howard had the most difficulty “Take this hellion,” he commanded,
sleeping, as Jocko insisted on “Get out of here, and forget that you
sharing his bunk and most definitely were ever here. Tell no one about
wanted his fair share of the room. it.”
When morning came, Howard The two men were obviously
talked to the jailer about taking the delighted to be freed, but they
dog out for a walk to empty out. The couldn’t resist asking what in the
jailer contacted the precinct world had happened. “Well,” the
captain, who turned down the idea of captain explained ruefully, “the
Howard being allowed to take the mayor’s German Shepherd is an
dog out, but being a dog fancier awful bully. When he jumped this
himself, the captain offered to take little dog, I thought he was going to
Jocko for a walk. Howard gave the kill him. But it wasn’t him I should
leash and collar to the officer, and have worried about, even though he
Jocko led him down the hallway. was on the bottom. That little dog
Both Howard and his partner were killed that big dog from underneath.
amused at how the little dog And all the time I was worrying
surprised the captain with his about him! Not him I should have
strength and nearly pulled him off worried about. He’s the devil
his feet. After that, the policeman himself, isn’t he? Look at him
maintained a tight grip on the lead wagging his tail, happy as an idiot—
and tried to walk with whatever just pleased as punch with himself.
dignity was possible with a twenty­ Well, if you two gentlemen will
eight-pound dog nearly pulling him excuse me, I have to go dispose of a
over. body!”
An alarming time passed, and And so it was that Jocko led even a
when the captain returned, it was minion of the law into disgraceful
sans any pretense of dignity. He was circumstances. But, in spite of that,
in a rush. He had caked blood on his according to Howard, not only did he
uniform, and Jocko was caked with become good friends with the
blood, but he had his mouth open in captain, but the captain became a
a triumphant tongue-lolling grin, and devotee of pit dogs.
he wagged his tail furiously, happy

Booger and
Penny, the
parents of
Going Light
Barney.

185
 Above: Fonseca’s Jenny, a granddaughter of Fonseca’s Pincher. Owner, Martin
Street. Opposite: Su-Mesh and Boss. Su-Mesh is a descendant of Going Light Bar­
ney. Owner, Jesse Azure.

186
 Breeding Better Bulldogs

“The greatest of faults, I

should say, is to be conscious
of none.”
Thomas Carlyle

The first advice I would give about The situation now is that the
breeding Bulldogs is: don’t do it! American Pit Bull Terrier breed is
After all, it is much cheaper to buy a under heavy siege, with some dim-
pup than to breed for that perfect bulb newspaper columnists and
dog. Keeping a number of dogs is a opportunistic politicians calling for
heavy responsibility. They must be it to be a felony to possess the breed.
taken care of, rain or shine and sick This is a hysteria, of course, but
or well. It takes the sort of outrageous things are done during
commitment that most people are hysterias. In Scotland, four hundred
not inclined to have—at least, no years ago, because of an attack on
sane person! Further, it is useful to one person by one Bulldog, by royal
keep in mind that selling dogs to the decree all mastiff-type dogs (the
general public is considered a vice terms “Mastiff’ and “Bulldog” seem
in the rather bizarre world of pit-dog to have been used somewhat
devotees. But, when you think about synonymously then, and they may
it, that particular attitude is not have referred to different sizes of
without foundation. the same breed, in some areas at

187
BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS
some times) were taken from their stock, and some just make too many
owners and put to death. No wonder compromises for the purposes of
the importations to this country were saving a few dollars. If you can’t
primarily from England and Ireland! afford a good bitch or the cost of a
We don’t have royal decrees now stud fee for an excellent dog, then
of course in this country, but let’s not save your money until you can afford
kid ourselves. Some of the it. You’ll be off to a much better
politicians we have had have been start, and you will not be digging
worse than any monarch. But the your breeding program out of a hole
main point is that there is no basis all the time because of the poor
for the hysteria that leads to original stock.
outrageous legislation if the dogs are The question is, then, what
kept out of the hands of those who constitutes a good Bulldog? In all my
don’t understand them and aren’t years with the dogs, I have found
committed to their welfare. Thus, it that the crummy dogs with
is best if these dogs are not sold to unreliable dispositions have come
the general public. They are too from non-pit stock. Nearly all the
good for most people anyway. So the great dogs, which were great pets
condemnation of “peddlers” is not and were useful for such things as
without warrant, and it has long hunting and stock work, came from
been a tradition in this breed. For pit stock. There is no doubt about
that reason, if you are going to breed it—the pit dogs are the class of the
Bulldogs, you need to know exactly Bulldog world. It makes no
where the pups will go—if you are a difference how one feels personally
true friend to the breed. And all the about the morality of pitting dogs in
homes must be suitable ones. With a contest; the reality is that game
all the work that goes into it, there is dogs don’t stay that way unless they
little profit in breeding dogs anyway, are selectively bred for that trait.
and with taking special precautions, That doesn’t mean, of course, that
as custom dictates with this breed, a person has to be involved with
the profit margin is, for all practical dogfighting to breed good dogs. Many
purposes, eliminated. of the pit-dog men sell their best
There are those poor souls among dogs when they are past their prime
us, however, who find the greatest for matching, and they are bought by
meaning in breeding their own dogs. people who put them up to public
In that way, when they come up with stud. These, then, are the dogs to use
an exemplary specimen, not only can as stud dogs. However, it will be
the breeders point with pride, but necessary for you to do your
they can also see many of their past homework to learn the history of the
favorites in the progeny, as those dog, who his ancestors are, and what
dogs will be in the bloodlines of the their history is. It is only really
newly bred animal.
Those who breed Bulldogs should
be knowledgeable before they begin.
It is better to study and learn ahead
of time than to learn the hard way by
picking it up as you go along—it is Opposite: Heinzl’s Hogan, a double­
better for the dogs too. A major fault bred Heinzl’s Blind Ben dog. Owner,
with breeders is in not being Martin Street.
sufficiently selective. Some are
blind to the faults of the breeding

188
 BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS
necessary, though, to do this for any people-mean Bulldogs that
three generations. didn’t eventually quit. Of course,
Before discussing breeding most pit-dog men would have culled
theory, let me briefly describe the out a people-mean dog the first time
ideal pit dog, since pit stock is it showed that trait. One of the
associated with the best dogs we selective pressures that has
need to know the characteristics of produced such reliable dispositions
the best dogs. What I am describing, in our dogs is that the dogs are often
it should be remembered, is in my picked up in the pit and handled,
opinion the ideal pit dog. To be sure, and a propensity for a dog to snap or

Dunn’s Clyde.
Owner, Tim Dunn.

there have been some great pit dogs bite in these circumstances would be
that varied in one respect or another most undesirable.
from my description. But, if the An ideal pit dog has a strong
reader can get an idea of the ideal desire to fight, and he enjoys fighting
pit dog, he can then envision the contact, but he keeps his head, even
breed characteristics that make a under the strong stimulus of a
good pet for a responsible owner. It strange aggressive dog being in his
will also help one to keep in mind presence. When I judge dog shows, I
just what it is that he is aiming for in always have the handlers show me
his breeding program. how the teeth mesh in the jaws of
First of all, a pit dog is of a rock­ their animals. One of the reasons for
steady disposition, cool under this is to determine whether the dog
pressure and not the least bit has a scissors bite or not, but the
snappy. Almost without fail, the good other important factor is to find out
pit dogs have been of a completely for myself whether the owner can
mellow disposition with people, safely put his hand in his dog’s
docile and friendly—even to mouth during a time that the dog is
strangers. The old-time dog men very excited because of other dogs’
used to always claim that a people­ being around. I have never yet had a
mean dog was a cur. I never accept handler get bitten, and these show
absolutes myself, but I can’t think of dogs are not highly bred pit dogs. I

190
Tucker with her owner Pat Wilson.

191
 BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS
have had one or two dogs snap at the from them?
handler or me, and I have dismissed A good pit dog goes straight to his
such dogs from the show, but that opponent and always moves forward.
has been one or two dogs among the He keeps the pressure on, and
many thousands that I have judged. snapping does not deter him. A good
And, I have noticed, the dogs that I dog doesn’t waste time sparring
have known to be honest-to-goodness around but bores straight in,
game pit dogs being shown were pressing for a good hold. But the
nearly invariably the calmest dogs of point is, he stays in hold. If he can’t
the lot They liked to fight, sure, but get a good one, he’ll take a bad one
they emanated self-confidence and until he can get a good one. A
friendliness toward humans and holding dog is always at an
scarcely seemed to notice the other advantage. Such a dog will
dogs—for what did they have to fear neutralize a barnstorming dog by

Stevens’s Pattie, by Charlie’s Hoss Fly out of Champion Bessie, a blend of all
three elements of the Stevens family of dogs.

192
 BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS

Champion BJ
from Bolio and
Tonka
bloodlines.

holding him out, making things more psychology of being behind the
awkward for him. If he has the entire time will cause the dog to lose
advantage, he works the hold to his enthusiasm for fighting contact.
obtain even greater advantage. I have spent this time painting a
A good pit dog has natural air and picture of the perfect pit dog, since
the intelligence to pace himself for a responsible breeders need an ideal
long fight. He is also tough to hurt to work toward. Although the perfect
and resistant to shock. dog is theoretically impossible to
A good pit dog—in fact, nearly all achieve, the majority of the
of them—fights silently, not wasting individuals in the breed can at least
precious breath on growling. Nor approximate the ideals—and
does he cry out; although the other produce worthwhile specimens. The
dog’s holds hurt, his enjoyment of enthusiasm for work carries over
the fighting contact overrides the into life activities, such as playing
pain. (Also, endorphins produced in ball or tug of war. Whatever activity
the dog’s brain help override pain.) you get your Bulldog involved in, he
The ideal pit dog has an will develop such enthusiasm that he
enthusiasm for working, whether it will often prevail even against
be running a treadmill, playing ball, specialists in that area. Thus, we
working a springpole, or swimming have a Bulldog “blowing away”
in a swim tank. The enthusiasm is Greyhounds, shooting right past
balanced by a nearly phlegmatic, them to get to the lure. (It has
easygoing attitude when he is in his happened, but even I would not
pen or on the chain. Hyperkinetic (or predict that a Bulldog will outrace a
“hyper”) dogs have the disadvantage racing Greyhound.) He will climb
of always keeping themselves worn right up a tree to get a ball or a hide
out and banged up. (or some other toy), and he will
I mention gameness last, but it is outswim, if he gets the chance to
the most important trait. It means practice, water dogs such as
that neither fatigue nor pain nor the retrievers and Newfoundlands. In

193
BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS

Above: Vashtie. Left:

Riptide Bandit on the
left and Riptide Rosie on
the right are now
residing in Malaysia.

Opposite: Moore and

Street’s Cosmo, a son of
Clayton’s Tadpole and a
littermate of Grand
Champion Art.

194
BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS
short, he will be a wonderful pet, quick overview of what is known
always eager to participate in new about the mechanics of heritability.
activities, but he is not a hyper dog Some of you, of course, already have
that will drive you crazy all the time. this knowledge, and some others may
However, he is not a pet for want to skip this section anyway!
everyone. But for those of us who are Through countless years of
not willing to settle for anything less, experimentation, scientists have
there should be a certain discovered that transmission of both
appreciation of the fact that the dog physical and mental traits are
is what he is because he has been passed from generation to
bred for countless years for hunting generation by genetic material
and fighting. (genes). Before that, it was widely
believed that the blood was the
vehicle for transmission of traits,
THE MECHANICS OF and our language still shows traces
HEREDITY of those beliefs. Thus, we speak of
Strangely enough, it is not “bloodlines,” “good blood,” and talk
necessary to know any of what I’m of how “blood will tell.” But actually
about to cover in this section in it is the genes that carry the traits,
order to become a successful and it is they which make up the long
breeder of Bulldogs. To be sure, the lines of chromosomes. Chromosomes
knowledge can be of some minimal occur in pairs in dogs and in
help, but breeding is more art than humans, but the dog has more
science. Still, I remain convinced chromosomes than we do. We have
that Bulldog people should be better forty-six chromosomes or twenty-
in every way than other dog people; three pairs, and the dog has seventy­
we need to strive to be worthy of the eight chromosomes or thirty-nine
dogs. For that reason, I am hoping to pairs.
send some of you off to learning Not all organisms have paired
more about genetics by giving a chromosomes; some fungi, for

Travillion’s Black
Jack.

196
Grand Champion Mammy.

197
BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS

Behne’s Clyde
keeping a watch
on things from
the window.

example, have only a single set. On body cells, thus, are diploid, while
the other hand, other organisms our germ (sex) cells are haploid.
have multiple sets, more than two. When the body cells divide, the
Such aberrations really were a chromosomes duplicate themselves,
problem for the pioneers in genetic remaining attached at a spot called
research. Our cells, and those of the the centromere. The membrane
dog, have paired chromosomes, but around the nucleus dissolves, and a
our cells that transmit our traits, fibrous spindle forms on which the
that is, our sex cells (and those of the chromosomes line up. The
dog) have only a single set. A cell centromeres divide as the spindle
with a single set of chromosomes is fibers tug the chromosome pairs
called a haploid cell; one with two apart. The chromosomes arrive at
sets is called diploid. Our general the opposite poles and the spindle

198
 BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS
disperses. The nuclear membrane spindle fibers form, and the
reforms, the chromosomes unwind chromosome “tetrads” line up, and
within, and the cell divides, each the pairs are separated. When they
containing the same original sets of reach the poles, the spindle
chromosomes and each a duplicate vanishes, and new spindles form the
of the other. This process is called other way (along another plane). The
mitosis. chromosomes then separate, as in
Sperm and egg cells are single mitosis. Meiosis results in four cells,
cells which are haploid (only half each with half the chromosomes of
the normal number of the original. Whichever copy
chromosomes). They are known as (“homolog”) of each chromosome
gametes, as each carries a half set of goes to which cell is completely
chromosomes. At fertilization, their random. Any combination is as likely
nuclei unite, giving the fertilized as the next. That is good for the
egg, or zygote, a full complement of process of evolution, for it provides
chromosomes. From this single cell the random variations from which
arise all the others by mitosis. There the most adapted organisms will be
is a special kind of cell division just favored. It is the basis for selective
for making gametes. This process, breeding, too. It is useful to know
called meiosis, is actually a double that there is going to be random
division. As in mitosis, the variation on each side of the trait for
chromosomes double; but then the which we are breeding.
chromosomes pair off. Again the

Show Champion Dugan is also a weight pull ace.

199
BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS
Many simple traits are expressed and some reds, with possible
by a single gene. However, we have buckskins or whites, over which red
pairs of genes just as we have pairs is dominant. The genotype of the
of chromosomes. Color is an example brindles could be either BB or Bb,
of a simple trait in dogs. The brindle but the genotype of the reds would
color is always dominant over red. be all bb (two genes recessive to
But we all know that brindle dogs brindle). It has to be that way,
bred to red ones don’t produce all because if any of the pups had a
brindles. The reason for that is that brindle gene, it would “mask” the
the brindle dog may have had a effects of the red gene, and the pup
genotype of Bb. That is, he had one would be brindle.
gene for the brindle coloration and Now this type of inheritance refers
one for red. If he passed a red gene to simple traits only, and it is
to a red female, a red pup will be the sometimes called simple Mendelian

“The Great
One.” Garrett’s
Champion Jeep,
one of the
greatest dogs of
all time,
pictured here at
ten years old.

result A brindle dog that has only inheritance, in honor of Mendel, the
brindle alleles (“traits”) will Catholic monk who discovered the
produce all brindle dogs when bred mechanism. However, the traits we
to a red female. In the shorthand of are breeding for in Bulldogs all
genetics, the dog would be BB; he involve countless genes. So it is
would be called homozygous senseless to talk about whether
because both genes are the same. gameness is recessive or dominant.
The pups from such a mating would It is polygenetic and, for that reason,
consist of all brindles, but their it can’t be characterized as either
genotype would be Bb. (Genotype dominant or recessive. If it were a
refers to the dog’s genetic simple trait, either dominant or
characteristics and phenotype refers recessive, it would be quite easy to
to his observable traits, such as “lock it in” and all dogs would be
appearance and behavior.) The pups game. The same applies to other
from such a mating if later bred traits such as hard bite or wrestling
together would produce some ability. They are complex traits
brindles (about 75% on the average) I involving many genes, and it is for

200
 BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS
that reason that breeding Bulldogs is advancing your breeding program. In
a real challenge. selective breeding, I envision
For this reason I think it is very working with a sieve every time we
important to use brood stock whose get an outstanding individual. We
breeding can be verified, and that don’t know what the companion
the ancestry of the stock is of top genes are, but we know that the dog
quality. It is not easy to find such has the genetic material to be the
animals, as too many people make great one that he is. For that reason,
compromises. There are few I would much prefer to breed to an
breeders who consistently produce a ace that is the son of an ace than to
high percentage of deeply game his sire. The more great dogs we can
dogs. Past breeders have done it get back to back in that manner (and
utilizing a variety of breeding among the females also), the better
techniques, but all the successful are our chances of getting good

A good kennel
set-up owned by
Tom Ludberg of
Dallas, Texas.

ones were absolute cranks about the progeny. We have improved our
quality of their breeding stock. percentages, because the average of
One of the myths about breeding the line is now better. A good rule of
good animals is that rather than thumb is that you are generally going
breed to an outstanding dog, you to get in the quality of your pups the
should go back to the dog that average of the quality of the ancestry
produced him. In my view, selective of the animals which are being bred.
breeding is a matter of playing the That is why aces are such
percentages; there is no doubt that it disappointing sires. An ace is a once-
is a percentage game; and in-a-life-time dog, but everyone
geneticists become quite expert at expects him to sire “chips off the old
statistical mathematics. But you are block.” Obviously, he is not going to
constantly striving for improvement do this unless he comes from an
of a line. If you go back to the dog ancestry that includes all aces—and
that produced the ace, you are, in I know of no dog that has such a
effect, standing still. You may get pedigree!
some good dogs, but you aren’t One thing that makes a dog a

201
 Above: Dollie’s Stained Glass, owned by Chris Harrod. Opposite: Red Dawson and
a pure Panama Red bitch. (Panama Red was a noted pit dog.)

202
BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS

203
BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS

Jane and Carly

Burke with
Burke’s Pepple.

prepotent sire, such as Dibo and THE ACTUAL BREEDING

Tombstone, is that the dog is The best way to start breeding a
homozygous in all the traits that game line of Bulldogs is to obtain the
make a good pit dog—or for at least very best bred bitch (and, better yet,
most of the traits. As I’ve said before, have her be of high quality, too, as
there must be an enormous amount she will become part of the pedigree
of genes which makes a good of the pups) and breed to the top sire
Bulldog, and those who talk about a to which you have access. Your sire
“gameness gene” are completely should be a candidate for the best
ignorant of the mechanics of dog in the country, both individually
inheritance. and from a breeding standpoint. For

204
 BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS
that reason, it is very unlikely that keep the bitch from getting around
he will be found in your own to the male. Even with this handy
kennels. Thus, your bitch will have device, it can be nearly impossible
to be taken to the stud dog. This can to make the breeding, even with an
present problems with a good bitch. experienced and cooperative male.
Most bitches, when in full heat, will It may be necessary to hold the
stand for males with which they are bitch’s hindquarters up by
familiar, but they will fight a Bulldog supporting her underneath the belly.
male who is a stranger to them. Someone else may be needed to
(Don’t count on their fighting off all keep her hindquarters steady from
the cur dogs that may come around, each side. I have seen as many as six
though, as they will sometimes be men trying to hold one little bitch,
more receptive to a cur, sensing and it was difficult to say who was
somehow that he would be no going to end up having the pups! The
competition anyway.) sacrifice of dignity is just one of
So there is the problem of the many compromises that must be
actual breeding of the bitch. A made in order to breed a good line of
muzzle should be handy. A man who Bulldogs.
owns a stud dog that is in demand I like to keep the breeding natural
will quite likely have a breeding box if possible. It may be worth the risk
at his place. This simply consists of a to allow the animals to be together
rectangular box that you can place unrestrained. If you keep the bitch
the bitch in, with her head sticking turned away from the male (in the
out through a hole in the end. It former method), all the time
contains a locking mechanism to restraining her, you can just about

Sam with his offspring—a father and son picture.

205
BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS
guarantee that she isn’t going to be Occasional bitches of all breeds
friendly to him. The natural way is will be unsuitable mothers. Most
worth a try (if the owner of the stud Bulldog bitches are good mothers, as
agrees to it), for it can make the good as any breed, but there is one
breeding much easier on everybody hazard with the fight-crazy bitches,
concerned. The best way to use the and it is that in the midst of a frenzy
natural method is to put the bitch in to get at another dog, they will grab
a kennel run. Then bring the stud up a pup and kill it. I have never had
dog up on leash to the run and let a bitch do this, but I have utilized
him approach naturally. He will be only game bitches, and they seem
very interested in the smell she is more calm and keep their heads
disseminating, so he will sniff even when excited.
around and urinate a lot in areas the All bitches of all breeds
female can smell. This is “foreplay” occasionally lie on their pups and
with dogs, as they are very olfactory- kill them. This usually happens with
oriented animals. Even a very first-time mothers. The bitches that
aggressive bitch can usually be have had several litters normally
“seduced” by this approach. Once become good at being careful with
she starts acting friendly and the pups. For that reason, I have
receptive, the stud dog can be let in abandoned the use of a whelping box
the kennel run off lead. Of course, for keeping the bitch with her pups.
you are taking a small chance that a A whelping box is a large
fight will erupt, but that is easily rectangular box with rails all around
terminated with two knowledgeable to keep the bitch from squeezing a
men and a pair of breaking sticks. pup against the sides. Personally, I
Some breeders, in frustration and feel the main success for the
desperation, have taken to breeding whelping box is that it is so large. So
by artificial insemination. That may I do try to have an extra large
be the easy way out, but I hate to see doghouse, nearly the size of a
the American Pit Bull Terrier breed whelping box, for the bitch in whelp.
become so artificial that it must In my opinion (and certainly many
always be bred in that way. people may disagree here), the rails
are an unnecessary complication.
It is common belief among humans
THE BITCH IN WHELP that other mammals don’t suffer
When a bitch is bred, one of the giving birth as do humans. It has
things that I first do is innoculate been my observation that such is not
her against viral diseases, such as necessarily true. Mammals have paid
parvovirus, because that will enable
her to pass on a limited immunity, at
least, to the pups.
Another necessity is to take the
bitch off the chain, whether on axle
or cable, and place her in a kennel
run. This is so the chain doesn’t
injure the pups. I have generally
found a chain-and-cable set-up to be Opposite: A Bulldog generally makes
superior to any other method of a good parent. Owner, Brenda
keeping kennel dogs; however, a McLendon.
kennel run is absolutely essential
for a bitch with pups.

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BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS

Pogo, when he first arrived at his new home.

a heavy price for such exquisite CARE OF THE PUPS

protection of their young. Not only While the bitch is actually giving
does a bitch suffer, but having too whelp is the time to give her the
many litters can shorten her life. For privacy she needs. She will work
that reason, I pick the breedings for much better without your being
my brood bitches very carefully and under foot. It is the nature of all
don’t breed them often. bitches to crave privacy with their
In any case, a bitch undergoing babies after the exhaustive labor
labor should be made as comfortable process.
as possible. If you are emotionally A change will normally come over
close with your bitch, as you should the bitch after she has her pups. She
be if you are any sort of dog man, you will still be glad to see you, but her
can stay with her during her labor, instinct is to protect her babies, and
talking to her, comforting her, and she will be very nervous about your
just letting her know that she isn’t handling the pups. She may even
going through this alone. A lot of place her body between you and the
Bulldog men will laugh at such pups. It is easy to get hurt feelings
advice, as will other dog people. about a bitch that you love and that
Long experience has led me to my you felt loved you acting as though
opinion, and I feel that even these she doesn’t trust you, but it must be
Bulldog bitches, tough as they are, remembered that it is her instinct.
are entitled to every—and a little We all know instincts are tough to
extra—consideration. deny. She knows you’re okay, but

208
 BREEDING BETTER BULLDOGS
something tells her to protect those been completely weaned from the
babies anyway. One consolation is bitch. In the meantime, you’ve
that I’ve never had a bitch go so far supplemented the bitch’s milk with
as to even growl, let alone bite. In warm milk mixed with a good grade
deference to the bitch’s feelings and of puppy food.
instincts, I don’t insist on handling During their weaning period,
the pups for several days. wolves feed their young by
I like to keep the pups nursing as regurgitating food. For that reason,
long as possible—from the mother’s the pups’ licking at the bitch’s mouth
milk they obtain immunity from will sometimes cause her to
ailments. Still, there is a natural age regurgitate, but this rarely happens
for weaning, and there will come a with Bulldogs, as they have been
time that the mother is less and less domesticated so long that this trait
inclined to nurse. When the bitch seems to be mainly lost.
shows this inclination, I separate the Scientific investigation has
pups from her, but I allow her in revealed that it is important for
with them at night. In that way, she puppies that are to be pets to receive
receives respite from the pups but their human socialization at the age
still provides nourishment and the of six to eight weeks. Pups that are to
invaluable immunity. be sold for this purpose should be
Make sure your puppy pen is not taken at this time. Remember, a
under a tree or any other place responsible breeder will be very
where birds might nest, as droppings selective about to whom he sells
from these animals can carry a Bulldog pups and will work closely
variety of diseases, primarily with them afterwards, too. The
coccidiosis. failure to do this is part of the
Your pups should receive their problem facing the breed today.
basic innoculations after they’ve

Christina and
Hansel
William with
Koty.

209
Above: Swinney’s Buster, a son of Sherwood’s Popeye. Owner, Matt White. Oppo­
site: Damien, a renowned pit dog to stud, is a son of Champion Crash and is down
from Wallace’s Bad Red on his mother’s side.

210
 A Good Boy Gone Bad

“The secret of happiness is

this: let your interests be as
wide as possible, and let your
reactions to the things and
persons that interest you be as
far as possible friendly rather
than hostile.”
Bertrand Russell

Several years ago I started a attributed to them and because of a

series of stories on my experiences number of hysterias about the
with dog men from the time that I Bulldog that have run rampant, but
first began with the dogs over forty they remain generally cheerful and
years ago. The series was entitled “A endure the pain of the situation by
Good Boy Gone Bad or How I joking about the absurdity of it all.
Became an American Pit Bull I had originally intended to
Terrier Fancier.” I didn’t really reprint the series of articles, but
mean that I had gone “bad.” I have they simply became too voluminous
used similar titles on articles about to reprint in a book of this type. For
some of my other interests, ones that that reason, I will simply summarize
have no taint of infamy to them. some of what I told about the old-
Bulldog people are long-suffering time dog men.
because of the unsavory nature In Arizona, where my father was

211
 A GOOD BOY GONE BAD

STB’s Rooster is
a grandson of
Grand
Champion Hope
and a son of
Patrick’s Rojo.

working as an immigration those days it did seem like a small

inspector, I originally became aware book for that much money. However,
of the fact that there existed such a it was like gold to me, and I read and
terrific breed. The head of the reread it voraciously.
I Border Patrol at that time kept I learned of William Lightner’s
gamecocks and a number of existence in Colorado Springs, and I
Bulldogs. However, I didn’t acquire believe I wrote him a note and then
a dog of my own until we were living traveled down by bus to see him.
in Colorado. The Lightners were delightful
My first dog was acquired from people, and they were both
Louis Colby, with money I had extremely interested in the dogs and
obtained working a paper route had been long-time breeders of
while attending school. them. I didn’t realize at the time just
In my almost fanatical interest in how good their dogs were or how
Bulldogs, I soon uncovered the fact esteemed were those people in the
that there was a magazine, Bloodlines dog game. The Lightners eventually
Journal, which was put out by the gave me a little female which I kept
United Kennel Club and contained for several years.
substantial articles about the Through Lightner, I met Winstead
American Pit Bull Terrier breed. of Denver and Ed Weldon of
Through that publication, I Wyoming. Through Winstead, I met
discovered the book Thirty-five Years Pete Cain and other dog men in the
with Fighting Dogs, which George Denver area. In those days, however,
Armitage had had printed privately the dogs were not so popular nor so
and was advertising in Bloodlines. I numerous, so dog men were pretty
well remember the book arriving in spread out. In those days, all people
the mail in its green cover, and my who kept Bulldogs were to a greater
father commented that it wasn’t or lesser degree involved in pit
much of a book for four dollars'. In contests. That is, if they didn’t match
 A GOOD BOY GONE BAD
dogs themselves, they obtained their During my boyhood years, I met a
dogs from those who did; and just number of dog men, and I also
the very fact that one kept a Bulldog developed a steady correspondence
was an indication of some degree of with many of them. One of these was
tacit approval of dogfighting. Yet Bert Clouse, who eventually visited
there were no mean dogs and no Denver, and I traveled down to meet
incidents of attacks on people. him and was included in the dog talk
It has become an extremely as though I were a grown man. Bert
widespread misconception that sent me pictures of his Big Boy and
dogfighting created people-mean Kito dogs, and I eventually used
dogs; however, the fact that the dogs’ them, some forty years later, in one
natures were absolutely sound in an of my books. But Bert was never one
era in which all of them were of pit for breeding dogs, as he was more
strains soundly refutes that idea. the kind who would refer to himself

Young’s Southern Bad.

A GOOD BOY GONE BAD
as an “action man.” He liked the Williams from the time he lived in
matches and didn’t have time for Denver. He was one of the more
raising pups. responsible dog men in Colorado,
When I entered the military in but he was not part of the general
1950, I sent my dog Spook down to group, as everyone else kept
I.D. Cole in Arizona, as I had been Lightner dogs. The fact that he kept
corresponding with him. When I left a different line of dogs tended to
basic training and was on my way to separate him from the others.
Fort Campbell in Kentucky, I Besides, in retrospect, I can see that
stopped off to see Cole for a couple he was the seasoned old timer,
of days; it was at that time that I met whereas my friends were the
Howard Heinzl, S.W. Hubbard, and youngsters of that day. However,

A Bulldog’s natural tendency is to pull hard on a leash, and some owners don’t
mind that, as both dog and dog walker get more exercise that way.

Earl Prentice. Actually, there was an Williams had been a special friend
incredible number of dogs and dog of mine and the source of
men in Phoenix as compared to information on many of the old-time
Colorado. In my opinion, it was no stories and traditions about the
accident that the famous Dibo and breed.
White Rock, to mention just two Jack Williams was close friends
famous dogs, came from that area. It with Howard M. Hadley, who became
is of interest that both those dogs prominent as a Staffordshire Terrier
came from Howard Heinzl. fancier. However, his heart always
My basic training had taken place remained with the old pit dogs; he
in Fort Ord, California, and while was both a scholar and a great
there, I traveled down to visit with source for information on the dogs.
Jack Williams, a man who had Hadley was the nephew of H.L.
dedicated himself to keeping the McClintock of Oklahoma, generally
Con Feeley strain pure. Dogs from considered one of the greatest
Williams were later to appear in the breeders of all time and a real
pedigree of Dibo. I had known Jack authority. I never met McClintock,

214
 A GOOD BOY GONE BAD

Rick Johnson with his Buddy dog.

but I saw many of his letters through It turned out that Howard Hadley
Hadley. In addition, I was able to was close friends with Bob Wallace
absorb some of McClintock’s ideas of Little Rock, Arkansas, and he
from Hadley and from McClintock’s occasionally visited with him there.
very rare, but valuable, articles in When I left California, I had a letter
Bloodlines. of introduction to Bob Wallace, one

215
A GOOD BOY GONE BAD

of Hadley’s closest friends in the mentioning here. I often traveled

breed, and a man whom Hadley with a friend with whom I had
considered a candidate for the entered the military. He was not
greatest of the modern breeders. really a dog man, but his curiosity
I was understandably eager to was aroused about the idea of
make the trip down to Wallace’s fighting dogs. For that reason, he
place; however, I met him first at a had made some of the visits to Louis
match in Tennessee. But later I Sylvestri’s home in San Francisco, to
made many visits to his beautiful Hadley’s place in Covina, and
home, and I became quite close to Wallace’s place in Little Rock.
him and his wife. In fact, theirs Sylvestri was a very successful
became my home away from home, businessman, and his home was
and they became nearly foster absolutely palatial. Hadley’s place
parents to me, as they were was quite impressive, too, and
childless, and we got along quite Wallace’s home, though basically
well. modest in comparison, was a
An interesting point is worth wonderful showcase for some fine

216
 A GOOD BOY GONE BAD
dogs. My friend was curious as to (with the waiters on roller skates!).
why these dog men were all so “well His home was situated beside a lake,
heeled,” I think was the way he put and he kept 250 Bulldogs there. He
it. I smiled to myself when he asked had two full-time employees taking
about that, as it was mere care of the dogs and the grounds.
circumstances that had allowed him The pit that he had built for the
only to see the more wealthy conventions was quite plush for
members of the fraternity. From my those days. This was before air-
observation, the dog game is one that conditioning, but huge fans were
belongs to the working class. built into the building’s walls to help
It may have been hard to convince keep the inside cool; the housing of
my friend of that, however, as he the fans was surrounded by wet
managed to meet me at some of the straw, so that there was cooling by
conventions that took place evaporation.
regularly at Leo Kinard’s place. I attended many conventions
Kinard was known primarily as a during my time in the service, as it
gambler, but he also had real estate turned out that my company
property and a drive-in restaurant commander was a Bulldog

Takithat with her dog Ebony.

217
 A GOOD BOY GONE BAD
aficionado, too. During all this time, verified, on nucleosynthesis,
I met many dog men, some of whom purported that new elements are
were famous at the time, and others, formed in stars. Another idea that he
such as Maurice Carver, who were to popularized was that of the Big Bang
become famous in later years. as a theory of the beginning of the
Although I was unable to keep universe.
dogs during the time I was in the In my opinion, the man was nearly
military, it was, for me, a time of of the same rank as Einstein, but I
study and learning in regard to the was not a physics graduate student,
dogs. I was able to meet so many so there was just no way I could
people and attend so many attend a class of his. So how did the
conventions that were in easy reach Bulldog arrange a meeting? Gamov
of where I was stationed. had a son who had a German
Later, when I was out of the Shepherd which happened to jump
military, I attended the University of my dog. My dog was on a chain, and
Colorado, but even then, I couldn’t the son (who was about my age) had
keep my mind completely off the his dog running loose. The German
dogs and managed to keep one or Shepherd was not really injured
two during the time that I attended badly, but he was bloody and his
school. One of them got me a owner was quite upset. When I
personal meeting with Dr. George visited later with the fellow, I was
Gamov, a man of massive intellect. astonished to see Gamov there. But I
Once he made a comment to Albert was gratified that he rebuked his son
Einstein that stopped him dead in gently, telling him that, after all, his
his tracks in the middle of a busy dog had initiated hostilities, and it
street. Einstein had immediately wasn’t the first time for him to do
seen the profound nature of the that. Gamov reminded me of Toe
comment, and it so absorbed him Corvino in build, and I think he was
that he forgot where he was! Gamov amused that a little dog would have
is an important figure in science cleaned house on a big German
today for several reasons. One of Shepherd like the one that belonged
these is for his theories, since to his son. Anyway, it allowed me to

Cracker won a
national weight­
pulling title.

218
 A GOOD BOY GONE BAD

Kona climbs a fence to see if the grass is greener on the other side.

spend some time talking to the great Later on in life, through my books,
one, and I received sort of a private the dogs introduced me to many
lesson on nucleosynthesis and fascinating people, some of them
quantum physics, as Gamov was famous, some of them not. But all of
delighted that I had read two of his them have been deeply valued.
books and treated me very well.

219
 A GOOD BOY GONE BAD

Kale Veronie with Agnes, a great-granddaughter of Plumber’s Champion Al­

ligator.

220
221
 Above: Heinzl’s Gypsy, by Heinzl’s Bummy out of Tempe Tesse. Opposite: Maska’s
Sadie.

222
 Worth Preserving

“Freedom of criticism cannot

be denied without
endangering the progress of
human society.”
Chapman Cohen

The following are essays that statements I made in former books. It

appealed to me for various reasons, was my thought that the points would
and I thought they would be of be of interest to the reader. The debate
interest to the readers of this book. continues at this time, so it is not as
Articles that appear in magazines though I got in the last word. The
are usually evanescent, and it is my writing originally appeared in the
hope that some of these articles will American Pit Bull Terrier Gazette.
be preserved for a longer period of
time by appearing in a reference McDonald states:
book of sorts on the American Pit Open letter to Mr. Stratton: In The
Bull Terrier. World of the American Pit Bull Terrier
(T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City,
DEBATE.. . NJ), Chapter 12, “The Face of
This first is a debate initiated by a Cruelty,” Richard F. Stratton states
person who likes Bulldogs, but wanted on page 241, “Sometimes I feel
to discuss the merits of some of the ashamed of myself for the way I

223
WORTH PRESERVING
berate humaniacs, chasing them up aggressive to their own species and
hill and down dale, challenging them deficient in the gene for surrender
to debates that they furtively side and flight. Human intervention by
step”. genetic manipulation has brought
A maniac has an eager desire for about loss of choice for these
something. I presume if that animals. Environmental
something is the humane treatment manipulation is constant. These dogs
of all living things, one is a spend their entire lives chained,
humaniac. I admit it, I am a their movement severely restricted,
humaniac and I will not side step a in close proximity to other
debate with anyone on the aggressive, equally frustrated
responsibility we, as supposedly animals. Their aggressive natures
intelligent human beings, have taken are constantly stimulated, then
on ourselves in domesticating the frustrated. The only activity possible
canine and manipulating its genes for these animals is lunging at the
for our purposes. end of their chains in frustration.
Pit-dog men argue that there is no Muscle and mental frustration
cruelty involved in dogfighting result, both positive attributes in the
because the dogs like to fight, want fighting dog. Dogfighting aside, I
to fight, choose to fight. The question the kindness in providing a
philosophical question of man’s free loving animal with this type of life­
choice, as opposed to being a simple long existence.
product of genetic and Mr. Stratton goes on to say, on page
environmental conditioning, has 242 of the same chapter, that “No
been debated long and hard by those doubt the humaniacs feel that the
more learned than myself. The pit-dog men are merely crying
question of free choice for the pit crocodile tears when their dogs are
bull is less complex. Man has destroyed by animal welfare groups,
selectively bred them to be highly but they really do care about their

Young’s
Geronimo.

224
 WORTH PRESERVING

Larry Bell
with Winn’s
Red Neck.

dogs, not only as individual dogs for an eager desire for humane
their own personality, but also treatment” and does not mean
because some of the destroyed dogs illogical “madness.” For illogical
were famous among pit-dog men and madness is the only way to describe
were universally venerated.” [italics the destruction of any living thing on
inserted by McDonald.] The sincere the grounds that it is possessed by a
loss felt is not in doubt, since not cruel master. I agree with each and
only are these dogs venerated for every word Mr. Stratton has written
their fighting prowess but, they are concerning the radical, publicity
also of great value, having had a lot hungry, money hungry, humane
of time and money invested in their organizations and their media
acquisition and keep. vendetta against a breed. On what
I hope “humaniac” means “having grounds are individual dogs killed

225
WORTH PRESERVING

Hammonds’s Willie Son is sired by Hammonds’s Willie Boy.

and an entire breed put in jeopardy you, Mr. Stratton, consider retracting
for the cruel acts of their masters? your statement that pit-dog men care
The word “humaniac” can simply not about their dogs?
be applied to these people as there As far as the individual dog is
is nothing humane about restrictive concerned, I have heard pit-dog men
laws inhibiting man’s constitutional argue that fighting their dogs to
freedom or the unjust destruction of retain gameness, which makes them
animals. Madness yes, humane, no. a distinctive breed and is
Since becoming familiar with the supposedly correlated with the
plight of the American Pit Bull wonderful qualities of the breed,
Terrier, I have given not one more necessitates the sacrifice of
penny to the Society for the individual dogs for the long term
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or overall good of the breed. The end
the Humane Society. justifies the means—another age old
I will however contest Mr. philosophical argument rears its
Stratton’s statement that the pit-dog head! Mr. Stratton referred to it on
men care about their dogs, page 109. Hitler believed that, and a
particularly as individuals. good portion of civilized society
Webster’s Dictionary offers the disagreed with him.
following definition of the word care: Animals, domestic and otherwise,
implying concern for safety. Safety is are exploited by humans for food,
defined as: exemption from injury. clothing, work, science, pleasure,
Having witnessed pit contests, would and gain, and have been throughout

228
 WORTH PRESERVING
history. But, in doing so, do we not, there is cruelty ... why is it that
as supposedly superior, intelligent people who know absolutely nothing
beings with supposedly god-given about it can see it so clearly?”
souls, have a moral and ethical Perhaps I should clarify why I feel
responsibility to see that care is I don’t fit the category of those who
taken, either because of know nothing about it. I live with Pit
humanitarian concern or in order to Bulls. I have met at least fifteen pit­
abide by humane animal welfare dog men and have been privileged to
acts, to prevent undue pain. I believe visit their yards. I have studied Pit
that to intentionally expose animals, Bull pedigrees, marvelling at the
for whom we are responsible, to genetic science applied in the
physical injury for entertainment, development of the breed and have
gambling gains, and the preservation sat in on many a discussion about
of gameness, having no scientific breeding, gameness, keeps, rolls and
proof that gameness has any other matches; I have seen the equipment
purpose is cruel. used for conditioning and admired
The definition of the word cruel is: good keeps. I have been instructed
disposed to give pain to others in in the proper use of the breaking
body, causing pain. One has to stick and helped break up yard
assume that the injuries suffered by fights. I read the Pit Bull Gazette,
Pit Bulls in pit contests must give other pit dog magazines, and Mr.
some pain. Since the pain is caused Stratton’s books and articles. I know
by exposure to the pit situation by and love many individual Pit Bulls
pit-dog men, does that not mean that and recognize the many wonderful
pit-dog men are cruel? qualities inherent in the breed,
Again in chapter twelve, on page although I don’t necessarily believe
245, Mr. Stratton says, “Perhaps that they can be correlated to

Misty is of
Neblett-Creed-
Colby
bloodlines.

229
WORTH PRESERVING
gameness. I fear: that were making the ridiculous
1. The stupid felony laws which statements about Bulldogs being
make dogfighting more of a crime mean, their “trainers” utilizing
than those perpetrated against man, electric prods to make them fight,
and fear, even more and kittens, together with pigeon
2. Discriminatory, restrictive blood, to bring out their “blood
legislation against one breed of dog lust”! Another favorite description
because of the activities of those was that, on the way to the pit, pit­
who choose to own them. But I do dog men kicked their dogs
think that pit-dog men are cruel. repeatedly, because “mean dogs win;

Bellisle’s Buddy.

If Mr. Stratton is willing to respond nice dogs don’t”! (Anyone who makes
to my rambling and your readers a statement like that doesn’t only not
find it of any interest to read the know anything about Bulldogs, but
humaniac’s side, I am willing and he is woefully ignorant in his
able, having herein looked only at knowledge of dogs generally.)
one chapter of his three books, to Anyway, it was people of this ilk who
further dissect the writings of Mr. I wanted to debate, and I preferred
Stratton, which I understand that it take place in their magazines,
represent the generally held beliefs where their own readers could get a
of the pit bull fraternity.—Grace L. chance to hear the other side (and,
McDonald, Redsky Kennels Reg’s perhaps, see what frauds their
Exclusively Yellow Labrador writers were). But, what do I get? I
Retrievers, Canada. get a smart humaniac who is
obviously educated and knows all
about the implication of such
Stratton replies: philosophical concepts as free will
When I was ranting and raving, and determinism and whether or not
trying to get humaniacs to debate me “the end justifying the means” is a
about some of the outrageous things tenable position. Still, I guess I’ve
they were saying, I meant the dumb stuck my head in the noose, so I must
ones! After all, they were the ones make some attempt, however feeble,

230
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Bud, owned by Phil Chaves.

231
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James Kelly with a granddaughter of the great Alvin dog.

232
233
WORTH PRESERVING

At a San Jose dog

show, we find an
example of the
more common
small Pit Bull.

to extricate myself. One of the things that, so she is not (alas!) a humaniac.
that makes this exchange a little She is just concerned about the
unfair is that Mrs. McDonald is not mistreatment of animals, as I am
really a humaniac at all. Since I also—believe it or not!
coined the word, I guess I can define Regarding the free choice issue, it
it, and by it I meant those people so happens that I am one of those
who were absolutely maniacal in who regards “free will”—even in
their defense of what they perceived humans—as an illusion, and I think
as humaneness. They were thus most research psychologists and
willing to euthanize Bulldogs “for psychiatrists would agree with me;
their good,” and they were however, it is not an important point.
absolutely eager to put pit-dog men But I do think that it takes a certain
in prison and throw away the key! amount of convoluted reasoning to
Mrs. McDonald has disavowed all say that we have taken free choice

234
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Champion
Gnasher is a
three-time
winner in
England.

away from the dogs by breeding flight or surrender is misreading the

them to enjoy fighting. I mean, did evidence. But let us digress for a
Mrs. McDonald’s retrievers “choose” moment. The animals with the best
to enjoy fetching so much and to developed flight response are those
have such an unusual interest in such as mice and minnows. The poor
birds? (And remember, Bulldogs things flee at every movement and
have been bred for this for at least are terrified of every shadow. Other
hundreds, and probably thousands, animals, such as the tiger, elephant,
of years. So the breed existed pretty and killer whale, however, have
much as it is now when we were almost no flight response, mainly
born, when our parents were born, because they don’t really need it.
when our grandparents were born But even these animals will run
and etc.) I think saying that Bulldogs away from something such as fire, so
were bred deficient in the gene for they are not completely without fear.

235
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Bulldogs, too, incidentally, will get people raise up a lot of them in
away from such obvious hazards, and order to be competitive and thus,
they show normal fears of things they end up with a lot of kennel dogs
such as height. Of course, most of that don’t get a lot of attention. But
them have more grit than most that is also true of show people and
breeds about nearly any activity, but sled-dog people, not to mention
the point is they are not without a retriever people. However, I must
self-preservation instinct, contrary admit that I don’t have the negative
to what many writers have declared. attitude toward chains that Mrs.
One thing that may cloud the issue McDonald does. Even though I have
here is that there are dogs that will kennel runs, I prefer a good chain
do such things as attack a power setup, because the dogs get more
mower or a locomotive! What is touching and attention. They also
going on here, in my opinion, is that usually have more square foot room.
the old hunting instinct is making I disagree that the dogs are
itself felt. After all, these dogs were constantly stimulated, then
used for wild boar and animals; frustrated, in their desire to fight by
hence, a certain percentage of them being chained next to each other.
are ready to tackle anything The dogs get used to each other, and
rambunctious that isn’t human. they don’t pay much attention to one
Anyway, it is simply human nature to another; in fact, they can even
exult in the “tiger burning bright” become friends with the dog next to
and to pity the mice. The Bulldog, them. That is why when a dog gets
then, is a tiger, and there are few loose, he often goes to a dog clear
people who don’t admire his down to the other line of the chain,
courage. It has taken countless much to the astonishment of an
years, many human generations in owner who doesn’t understand
fact, to develop, so it certainly was what’s going on. Of course, some dogs
not simply a matter of elimination of are more aggressive than others, and
a single gene. To the contrary, the don’t really make friends with any
Bulldog, I am certain, has been built other dogs; however, they do get
by breeding into him complex used to their neighbors and only rail
mechanisms that allow him to have at them when they are excited. With
such incredible stamina and such dogs, it doesn’t take much to get
strength and to be able to override them excited, and they can spend a
pain in the heat of battle. lot of their time in seeming
Mrs. McDonald speaks of how she frustration, trying to get at the next
has seen Bulldogs kept and she dog. After many years of observing
disagrees with what she has seen. I such things, I have dubbed this state
can only assure her that there is as as a sort of “delicious delirium.”
much variety in how Bulldog people They seem to enjoy it. I have a little
keep their dogs as in any breed. I bitch that waits all day long so she
have seen kennel runs so big that the can act like an idiot when I turn
dogs didn’t even wear down the some of my other dogs loose, and she
grass. And of course, I’ve said many may be a trifle frustrated, but she
times that I thought Bob Wallace’s certainly seems to enjoy fighting her
cable-and-chain method was dish, hitting the end of the chain,
perhaps the best method of all for and just generally acting crazy. And
keeping any kennel dogs. I’ve also that’s her daily workout, after which
said that one of the cruelest aspects she seems quite content. And I don’t
of keeping pit dogs is that most for one minute think that she is more

236
 Right: Dagos
Honey Suckle
Rose being
shown in a
California
ADBA-
sanctioned
conformation
show. Below:
Peltier’s Show
Champion
Pooper with her
conformation
show winnings.
WORTH PRESERVING
game than my other bitches. And I should mention that some pit­
As for my statement that most pit­ dog men have been fortunate enough
dog men really care about their dogs, to match dogs for years without
I meant that they have a love for losing one. It is not intended to be a
them and do care about their fight to the death. The deaths that do
welfare. It’s true that they do match occur are accidental and usually due
them in a contest that endangers to hypovolemic shock.
their lives, but everything is relative. Finally, I must admit that some pit­
Some humaniacs would rail at Mrs. dog men are more interested in
McDonald for allowing her dogs to hewing their own reputations than
swim (vicious currents and all that!). they are in the dogs, and some of
Good dog men match their dogs, care them are insensitive jerks. Still, I
for them afterwards, and if the worst can assure Mrs. McDonald that there
should happen, they mourn for them. are pit-dog men out there with far
(I’ve seen many a “hardened” pit-dog more compassion and far more
man administering to his dog with responsibility than your average pet
tears streaming down his face when owner. And my experience certainly
he was worried about losing him.) has been that gameness is directly

Buddy at 54 pounds.

238
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Shreve’s Cycle, a son of Captain Dick and Lucky Madam Red. Owner, Stephanie
Shreve.

correlated with a rock-steady In the case of Mrs. McDonald’s

disposition and all the other traits retrievers, an animal such as a
that endear the Bulldog to us all— pigeon or pheasant is shackled and
yes, even to the pit-dog men! Without thrown in the air to train the dogs.
gameness, Bulldogs become just The dogs may like all this, but the
another dog. And that brings us to pigeons and pheasants don’t—at
the end’s justifying the means. least, I would assume they do not.
Personally, I don’t think the And certainly the ducks must not
argument is an absolute. I don’t appreciate being shot down, as many
think any goal justifies any means are crippled and never found, even
necessary to achieve it. However, in by a retriever, and are left to die a
this case, we are talking about slow death—and they weren’t bred to
allowing dogs to do something they like any part of this. At least, with pit
like to do (albeit there may be a dogs, we have only willing
modicum of discomfort afterwards) participants, even if it was countless
and thereby revealing to their generations of breeding that made
owners which is the best of them and them the heroic and all-around
thus, which ones to breed. wonderful creatures they are.

239
WORTH PRESERVING

Left: Heinzl’s
Bull Dozer, a
three-time pit
winner. Below:
A Pit Bull
Terrier being
shown at a
recent dog show.

240
 WORTH PRESERVING

Roccas’s Cherry Brandy, a game daughter of Ozzie Stevens’s Solo and Rocca’s
Cherry Bomb.

241
 WORTH PRESERVING
A REASONED APPROACH TO
CONDITIONING
Part One
This next is an article on
conditioning that originally appeared
in Sporting Dog Journal. Many of the
ideas contained herein were quite
profound and new, too, to the pit-dog
game. I had to prevail upon my friend
Fred Maffie to be allowed to reprint the
article, as he is now a successful
freelance writer and author of books.
He once matched pit dogs, so he speaks
from experience. There is a lot to learn
from Fred, both from this article and
from his books.
Above: Fouse’s Rambo won a first Maffie writes:
place in a Louisiana weight pull. How does a dog man choose his
conditioning program?
I don’t know, let’s ask him.
He’ll tell you:
(a) It’s the method that works best
for him (practical, but one man’s
best is another man’s ho-hum);
(b) It’s the most used, most widely
recognized method (traditional,
everybody reminisce); or
Below: Rickie Contreras and his (c) So-and-so does it that way
girlfriend with Trouble. (worshipful, everybody genuflect at
mention of So-and-so’s name).
That pretty much covers the
spectrum, and it would seem, as they
say, that truly there is nothing new
under the sun, especially where it
comes to conditioning a dog.
Even so, the conditioning of a
match dog, if nothing new under the
sun, is certainly something unique
unto itself. Not even the fighting
dog’s human counterpart, the
prizefighter, conditions in the exact
same way, or even in a way that is
very similar.
Imagine a dog wearing little
mittens, rearing up and pawing a
speedbag to blurring, or for that
matter, a prizefighter tucking his
wrists and straining his neck to work
a hide!

242
 WORTH PRESERVING
You see how ridiculous it is. It’s no the lesser of two evils). Nowhere, not
good trying to compare the two, the ever, have I heard anyone outline for
two-legged prizefighter looking so me a plan of conditioning designed
spritely in his bright trunks, his four- specifically for the match dog, some
footed counterpart in the altogether. reasoned approach that truly
There simply is no comparison. To addresses all that is uniquely
call them the same is to rob the one inherent to the matching of dogs and
of his most prized possession—his to bringing the match dog to his full
bright flash of trunks—to leave him potential.
standing there mortified to death, Always it’s something borrowed,
shoulders hunched, knees together, tacked on—what our forebears did
cupping himself; or else we fancy up or what our modern-day heros do—
an equally mortified Fido in a little or, for something more up-to-date in
twin suit of the same stripe and the scientific mode, what a swimmer,
color, only of course we cut out a weightlifter, or track star does. And I
little hole for his tail. You see how suppose we’re fairly satisfied with
wrong it all is. Why, the very thing things as they are because ...
that the one is most proud of, the because ... well, I guess for the
other is most ashamed of! They are simple reason that there truly is
different, quite different, the match nothing new under the sun.
dog and the prizefighter. In the face So there you have it, the long and
of reason we concede the fact the short of it—there is nothing new
immediately. under the sun.
Absolutely unique, the Poor old sun! Fat lot of good it
conditioning of the match dog—let does him being the bright fellow he
no one deny it. And yet, appears, doomed to rise up again
conditioningwise, it seems to me that and again every twenty-four hours
dog men are fairly bogged down in throughout all eternity and never to
the ABCs of it—reminiscing, shine down upon anything new. A
worshiping, and being practical wonder the brightly bedecked little
(“practical” often meaning choosing gentleman doesn’t go cynical, so

Weight pulling
has been a
competition in
which Pit Bulls,
with their great
strength and
intensity, have
excelled, often
beating out dogs
bred for the
purpose.

243
WORTH PRESERVING

Frank Rocca
with Rocca’s
Dice.

much glum sameness in the world. immediately and thought I’d stay and
How does he keep his happy face chat for a while.
anyway, in the face of such gloom? Is All right.
he a mere idiot after all, a grinning Imagine for a moment that we are
idiot, gone senile after all these about to condition a dog. Only it’s
millenia of watching such never been done before! We don’t
culminating marvels of nature as you know the first thing about it. What
and I, dear reader, evolve? would we do then, with no one to
Or wait just a mintue. On the other quote?—no one to emulate?
hand, his just might be a never- Interesting premise—being the
ending, life-giving, alive-as-the- first ever to condition a dog for
moment wisdom that says: “Nothing matching. Farfetched? Not at all. We
new under the sun? What bosh! How have only to realize that just because
about each new day—for starters!” someone before us has held forth on
Somehow I like him much better conditioning, the mere fact of his
that way, don’t you? It feels right having held forth doesn’t necessarily
viewing him that way, I mean now make his findings correct. Realize
that we’re psychoanalyzing him. that and—voila!—we are back at
By now you’re probably impatient square one!
to tell me (as my wife just now has, And that’s just the sort of hard-
having read what I’ve written so far) nosed skeptics and die-hard
to stick to the point Well, I promise solipsists we want to be. We want to
that for the remainder of this article know first of all why we do as we
I shall keep my feet planted firmly do—and then to what effect. We are
and not go flying off to become the going to question; we are not going to
tail of some constellation, however accept even the most basic premise,
great the temptation might be. Thank not till we’ve put it to the test anew.
you, Hon, for bringing me back to And then, if we have enough
earth ... only the sun looked so jolly confidence in ourselves to have got
close up that I warmed to him this far without floundering, without

244
 WORTH PRESERVING
feeling in desperate need of having a Remember, decent man or miserable
life preserver flung our way, we are lump of a man, in those trusting
going to believe fully in our brown eyes we are each of us a god.
intelligence, originality, ingenuity, We, at the outset, had better know
and empathy with our dog to see us the weight of our responsibility.)
through. And now that we have our
(I might have mentioned empathy scenario, I’ll leave you to your own
first, for without it we are not worth efforts. I cannot know what you
our salt as dog men. What are they would do if you were the first ever to
saying to us, those eager brown eyes, condition a dog, but I do know what I
as they look up so trustingly at us? would do, and in fact have done.

Banjo, a two-time winner who defeated Grand Champion Henry, running the
treadmill. Owner, Jeff Fontenot.
 WORTH PRESERVING

Above:
Lavasseur’s
Smokey, a
U.K.C.-
registered
American
Pit Bull
Terrier.
Left: Hale’s
Oklahoma.

Above right:
Adam’s
Billie Jean.
Right: King
Limeys
Champion
Smuggler, a
three-time
winner in
England.

246
WORTH PRESERVING

247
WORTH PRESERVING___________
Before ever having matched a dog— efficacy, I believe wholeheartedly
before ever deciding that I actually that my program shapes a dog as
would—I did over three years of well or better than most methods
extensive trial-and-error you’re likely to run into, and in
experimenting at how best to comparison is safer, easier, and a
condition the match dog. And in that whole lot more enjoyable for both
time I came up with what seemed to man and dog.
me a perfectly viable marriage of Perhaps the best way to make my
reasoning and realization, my own conditioning program readily
personal conditioning program, a understandable is to show first of all
method which I was able to refine how it departs from the
more and more over the years that conventional.

Carl Griffirhi’s
Buck, sired by
Skipper out of
Beauty, is a 76-
pound dog, an
unusually large
size for the
breed.

followed, those years in which I was The usual way is to work your dog
active in matching dogs. five or six days a week (sometimes
Naturally, I kept my conditioning twice a day), resting him one or two
program almost exclusively to days. With my way, the exact reverse
myself—and if I freely give it out is true—I work my dog two days a
now, it is because I no longer have week and rest him at least two or
you, dear reader, to worry about. I three days in between.
am now law abiding. Not because I’m Immediately there is a vast
being a good little boy, you difference between the two. So great
understand. I simply have nothing a difference, perhaps, that some of
more there to prove, and therefore you are already decided that balmy
no longer the inclination. breezes play lightly in that space
I don’t know that my way qualified where my good sense ought to reside.
as something new under the sun, but Well, I won’t deny it for a minute.
it is certainly far removed from the Better a flight of fancy, I always say,
more conventional methods. As to its than some hoary old idea weighted

248
 WORTH PRESERVING

down by its very tonnage. To those of In order to answer properly we

you so bolted down as to have need to examine what it is we expect
already chosen up sides, I nod of our dog. That’s easy. We expect
curiously, give a quick little wink, him to be able to fight for two or
and cut another caper on the wind. even three hours straight We are
How much work and how often is working our dog so that one day he
best for our dogs? This is the heart of will be capable of three hours of
the matter. strenuously dishing and taking it.

249
WORTH PRESERVING

Austin’s Junior.

Let me stress that we have our sights Again, the goal for us and our
pinpointed on one day—one fight-ready dog is 25-30 miles in 2 ¥2-3
particular moment in time, thirty hours.
days from now—and it is a one-time How do we reach our goal using
shot! the conventional method of working
We must begin the conditioning. our dog every day? Well, the charts
Any sort of sparring being out of the I’ve seen drawn up add just a bit
question, we must settle upon some more work every day, so many more
sort of equivalent activity in order to miles, or, if mill work, so many more
prepare our dog. So let us arbitrarily minutes. Presumably, and in the
declare 25 to 30 miles of roadwork most simple terms, we might add one
(to use the most common form of mile’s distance to our dog’s
exercise) run in 2V2 to 3 hours to be roadwork every day and so achieve
the equivalent of a dogfight. When our goal of thirty miles at the end of
our dog can do this we will consider a thirty-day keep.
him conditioned and capable of Now let me point out what I
riding out a long hard match. consider to be the drawbacks to this

250
 WORTH PRESERVING
method: method of conditioning is the exact
We’ve already said that a dogfight one I would choose. But seeing as
is a one-time shot, takes place at one how our dog is not to pull a sled, but
particular moment in time and then rather to fight—and to fight for only
is finished. Yet it seems to me that one particular moment in time—and
the conventional method of daily seeing as how we have already
work is more in keeping with declared 30 miles in three hours to
working a dog toward some sort of be the dogfight equivalent—it is our
repeat performance—sled pulling, job to reach that goal as simply and
for example—in which a dog is painlessly as possible.
required to repeat the same grueling The conventional method does not
course day after day, perhaps three do this. It is grueling repetition—and
days in a row. If I were conditioning always there is the danger of
a dog to pull a sled, the conventional overworking our dog. Day after day

Arsuffis Yipper winning a dog show class at 28 pounds.

Nell’s ROM is a one-time loser but is valued for her gameness.

252
 WORTH PRESERVING

Right: This dog,

placing at a
conformation
show, is the
average sized
Pit Bull. Below:
Tucker, placing
in his class at a
conformation
show to the
delight of his
young handler.

253
WORTH PRESERVING
our dog is pushed and expected to Further, splitting the workouts
gain just enough strength and into twice daily is neither
endurance so that he can better, quantitatively nor qualitatively
however slightly, his performance of comparable to the actual workings of
the previous day. Till toward the end a dogfight. After all, there is no
of the conditioning period we would intermission in a dogfight. Except
have our dog repeating daily (if for the handles, the match continues.
possible) the physical equivalent of For this reason, I believe the
a feat he is expected to perform but workouts during the conditioning
once. period ought to be self-contained
Most times, and not surprisingly, and complete. Again, if your dog is
we find that it is not possible for our matched in the morning and runs out
dog to live up to these high of steam, you can’t call time, rest
expectations of ours. Nevertheless, him, and then come back that
we are insistent We’ll get around evening to finish the match. A
these ridiculous canine limitations workout—one workout—ought to
somehow or other. It’s no wonder, simulate a dogfight as closely as
then, the workouts would be so possible.
obviously too much, and so a second Now let me quickly outline for you
workout later in the evening is the method I prefer. I work my dog
required. twice a week, increasing the amount
This too seems to me risky at best, of roadwork on those days roughly as
the constant daily pushing a dog and follows:
then working him twice a day so that 1st day, 5 miles, 2nd day, 5 miles,
he might keep that precarious 3rd day, 10 miles, 4th day, 15 miles,
balance. For what it boils down to is 5th day, 20 miles,6th day, 20 miles, 7th
that we have placed him at the very day, 25 miles, 8th day, 25 or 30 miles.
edge of his own physical If I could think of any drawbacks
limitations—and there he balances! to this method, I would have

Frances
Travillion with
her Jeb Stuart
dog.

254
 WORTH PRESERVING

Frontenac’s Gator Baby with owner Karen Block.

eliminated them long ago. So instead then rest him two days, and on the
I’ll list the advantages as I see them: third day he will jump for joy at sight
The principal factor making it of the harness and give you ten miles
possible for a dog worked in this in joyous celebration!
manner to progress so easily to our Note that while the rested dog has,
goal of running 30 miles in under at this point, ten miles roadwork
three hours is, in a word, rest—the capability under his belt, the
generous amount of rest allowed schedule of the dog being worked
between workouts. daily has in the same amount of time
There is a great difference, both in only brought him to a capability of
performance level and level of eight miles. Here’s how it compares:
enthusiasm, in a dog that is worked Rested dog: 1st day, 5 miles; 2nd
every day and one that has been day, Rest; 3rd day, Rest; 4th day, 10
refreshed through two or three days’ miles.
rest in between. If a dog has to really Other dog: 1st day, 5 miles; 2nd day,
push in order to make five miles on 6 miles; 3rd day, 7 miles; 4th day, 8
one day, he is going to have hell miles.
making six the next, seven the next, This discrepancy between the two
etc. But let that same dog struggle is compounded steadily as the
through his five-mile workout, and conditioning wears on.

255
WORTH PRESERVING
And so it continues for the fully peak too early), my dog’s roadwork
rested dog, the same added strength amounting to roughly 110 miles total.
and lively enthusiasm through each By the conventional method,
session, each session progressing assuming we start our dog at one
(roughly) in five-mile increments, mile the first day and add a mile
and right on through to the final each day until the goal is reached,
workout of 25 or 30 miles. This is the we end up with 30 workouts and a
easiest, least painful, and safest way total of 480 miles roadwork. (Of
I can conceive of to bring a dog to course these are arbitrary figures,
the desired level of conditioning. my intention being to give a fair
A final comparison of the two representation of the rationale
methods: behind the conventional
My way of thoroughly resting a dog conditioning program.)
brings him to the desired goal of 30 Eight workouts and 110 miles total
miles in three hours. So does the or 30 workouts and 480 miles total—
conventional method—maybe\ assuming either way achieves the
However, my way reaches that goal desired effect, which would you
in eight workouts (or less if we prefer?
prefer, but it’s best if the dog doesn’t I’ve already called this an article

Colby’s Galtie II, bred and owned by Louis B. Colby.

256
in two parts, and now, as I near the when unconditioned, and they were
close of this quite lengthy part one, also aware of the dangers of
let me leave you with some food for overworking the pit dog. Many of us
thought. have seen what can happen—
On the question of how much work “conditioned” dogs that would have
is too much or too little, let me point done better off the chain!
out that any well-kept, healthy dog On the other hand, it’s certainly
ought to be able to go half an hour true that a dog can be put into fine
off the chain—and knowledgeable shape by working him hard nearly
dog men of the past have fully every day. It’s been done time and
conditioned their dogs with just a bit time again by good conditioners who
of walking, and with good results. know their dogs inside and out.
Such men were well aware of the In short, there are any number of
natural strengths of the bulldog even ways to shape a dog to pit readiness,

257
WORTH PRESERVING

Hammonds’s Brutus. Owner, Gary J. Hammonds.

and I don’t dispute this. But what I’m I’ve heard others say how difficult
saying is this: here is a way I it is to condition two dogs at the
consider to be safer and easier than same time. Well, using my “resting
any other conditioning program I method,” I could have conditioned
know of, and it just might be well three or even four dogs
worth your considering it. simultaneously. I did not find it
Again, as to the efficacy of my particularly difficult conditioning
program, I’ll state briefly that I used two dogs.
it my first time out, traveled 600 I did not win all my matches (a two-
miles and stopped the Fowlers’ bitch thirds win average), but I can
in an hour-forty-something-or-other. truthfully say that I never lost one
My bitch was solid on her feet and because I was outconditioned.
could have fought for another hour. (You must bear with me for
My second and third times out, I seeming to toot my own horn, but if
conditioned two simultaneously and I’m to quote known results of my
fought them on the same day, one method’s having been applied, I
right after the other—two wins. have only my own personal

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experiences to relate.) a chart, certainly never followed one
I’ve given you the basics of what religiously. I haven’t met the
seems to me a reasoned approach to equation yet that could tell me one
conditioning, and submitted them mini-fraction of what the look in a
for your review. I’ve made my dog’s eyes has told me, and no
presentation as simple and equation ever grew a blister on its
understandable as I could, even at feet!
times reducing the conditioning In other words, now that we’ve got
process down to an equation. All the bare equation out of the way, it’s
well and good. In some circles the time for us to elaborate on those
equation is held in high regard, aspects of conditioning that by far
reverence even. It has its place, transcend the purview of mere
certainly. But let us not become chartdom
idolaters. Personally, I’ve never used

Jack Kelly, editor of

Sporting Dog
Journal, with his
Champion Drummer.

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WORTH PRESERVING
Part Two It’s out on the road she’s wanting,
The contracts are signed. The going down the open road ahead of
forfeits are up. Now go to it! “C’mon, the two-legger slowpoke dragging
Dusty, you pretty little thing you! behind her. At this moment it’s all
The fun begins!” The fun, the work, she wants in all the world, it’s all her
the closeness, that excited sense of passion. Dusty all eagerness wagging
determination that builds and at the end of her chain, wagging to
builds—the conditioning! “Ready, ol’ beat the band, one wild self­
girl?” flagellating little bundle of pure joy.
I needn’t ask. One look at her and I Then her burst of barking rallying
know. The wide bright eyes, the me toward her, her sharp barks
chain sharply alive, Dusty twisting, quickening, overbrimming, the
leaping over it jump-rope fashion! nearer I get.
Oh, if just one time in my life I could And if at that most crucial moment
express my joy as freely, as I should pause, seem to give my
unreservedly as Dusty! attention elsewhere, immediately

Stevens’s Black Pearl, sister to Matlock’s Truck.

 WORTH PRESERVING

Click’s Josh.

she goes still and silent. Something Anyway, it’s roadwork we’ll be
in her eager little body just wilts. using, not a treadmill. Why not a
She looks longingly at me, hoping mill? Well, first of all, I don’t own
against hope that I haven’t changed one. Never have. But that’s not the
my mind, rendered the ultimate main reason. If I had wanted a mill,
disappointment—canceled I’d have a mill.
Christmas! That’s the look she levels Someone offered to lend me one
at me, fixes me with. And she stands once when I was working the Tater
stock-still, watching me, all her soul bitch Tuffy—and I did use it to good
in abeyance. advantage.
A cruel bit of mischief leaving ol’ The first time I put Tuffy on the
Dusty hanging like that, but if we’re mill, she loved it—went all out! I
to get into all this “how-to” stuff all took her off after 20 seconds! If I had
over again we need to have a real worked Tuffy solely on the mill, I
dog waiting in the wings for us, could have worked her hard. I would
reminding us, chiding us against have had to watch her closely,
wordiness, too much dawdling. contrived to settle her down some. I
Patience, Dusty, we haven’t imagine she’d have settled into it
forgotten you. properly in time—in the pit she was

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the best “pacer” I’ve ever seen, bar I do not know precisely at what
none. But she did love that milll If I point building up becomes tearing
had allowed it, she’d have run down. I don’t know and neither do
herself into the ground time and you, for this is something we cannot
again. know with total accuracy. This,
Which raises the question: at what however, I do know. If you believe in
point does building up become working your dog to near exhaustion,
tearing down? Do you know the you’ve passed that fine line light
answer? Don’t speak too quickly years ago and thrown good sense out
now; don’t quote—think! I submit to the window as well!
you that it is difficult enough for you The mill stood idle through most of
to know when you yourself in your Tuffy’s conditioning. Tuffy was, at
own exercise program are under or best, a fair worker out there on the
overworking yourself—and you are road trotting alongside my bicycle.
the one actually experiencing the one Seldom was she ahead of me and she
or the other! The line between the needed a glimpse of cat or squirrel
two is a fine one upon which not in order for me to get a wind sprint
even our best athletes can balance out of her—at which time this flying
perfectly. But you would presume to Bronco Billy had to watch his own
know and recognize it in the case of damn neck! So I’d trot Tuffy back to
your dog?! the house every now and again, put

Little Holly, a famous pit bitch.

262
Champion Pretty Boy Floyd (Champion Jack Hammer ex Mean Joleen).

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i Freeman’s Rusty Red Boy without his sunglasses.

her on the mill for 2- or 3-minute immediately! You know the heart
wind sprints interspersed 2 or 3 and the spirit of these dogs. A good
times within a workout. It worked dog might push until he’s on the
out quite well. verge of bursting heart and lung—
But generally I’m against mill work and yet to watch his smoke you’d
for the following reasons: think he was on top of the world! Can
First, if you have a Tuffy-type, you honestly say you can judge this
there is the obvious danger of situation to a safe degree of
overworking your dog. When your accuracy? I can’t. Lend me your
dog is overly excited and going all gauge! So with the mill there is a
out, how better to exercise your own certain loss of control, a sense of
good sense of judgment than to something being out of hand.
remove the dog from the mill Second, if our workout is to

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simulate as closely as possible a struggle up, boding ill or good, vague
dogfight, it means leaving our dog discomforts with what we are doing,
three hours on the mill (unless we assurances that bring confidence—
use another type of work as well, all this is ruled out with use of the
fitting the mill work in as we choose). mill. One of our precious senses, one
Three straight hours on a mill is too whole irreplaceable field of
long a time for any dog. personal input—our sense of touch—
Third, it seems to me the mill is denied us!
detracts from the personal We were saying how the
relationship established between mechanical detracts from the
man and dog, that closeness that can personal. Indeed, the longer a dog
be so important in the long haul. The stays on the mill, the more of an
mill is, after all, just a mechanical automaton he becomes. Did you ever
device. The more mechanical the see a dog left too long on a mill? His
method of conditioning, the less eyes appear almost sightless,
personal it is going to be. Where mesmerized. Lift him off the mill
before you had a sense of and his legs keep moving! So some of
connectedness with your dog, a true us dog men are entering the field of
sense of touch and feel—the taut end robotics, are we? “I say there, pass
of a leash in your hand—with the the oil can, will you? My dog has
mill you have lost this. You cannot developed a squeak!” Bah!
consistently feel the strength of your Finally, and this is a personal
dog, or compare his strength of today prejudice—I feel like a perfect
with what it was last time out. The numbnut standing about and letting
feel of the leash in the hand, this all the activity belong to my dog
subtle communication, the alone. We are partners in this effort,
impressions we receive, noted half are we not? I feel that any man who
subliminally perhaps, feelings that is able but unwilling to put a bit of

Toro, a one-time
winner and a
son of Malo’s
Clumpsy.

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Above: Hammonds's Knockit, by Hammonds's Vito, a two-time winner, ex Ham­

monds’s Chelsey. Below: Karyn Ketner and Riptide Stormy Boots, a granddaugh­
ter of Champion Little Boots. Opposite: Double D’s Dorsey, by Holiday’s Desper­
ado ex Ford’s Dancetown Dolly.

266
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267
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Locke’s Miss Rooster.

muscle into it himself is in the wrong we begin our outing—always protect

game after all. He ought to try the family jewels!
something else, something more his This is to be Dusty’s final workout
speed. Raising gerbils, perhaps. before matching. We’ve brought her
Actually, I could have elaborated a along in accordance with the method
good deal more on what I consider to described in Part One . . . I’m not
be the shortcomings of the treadmill. going to spend time mentioning
... But then we’d be forgetting good rudimentary “how-to” items such as
little Dusty waiting so patiently in pad tougheners, etc. In other words,
the wings. if you can get it from a hundred
“Okay, Dusty! At long last!” other sources, I’d rather not waste
I wonder do the dogs ever wonder your time and mine with a lot of
over that curious little dance step we boring repetition.
dog men have become so adept at Away we go, Dusty, and this time
over the years—that life-saving, last­ we have some folks invited along.
moment little sidestep we perform in Dusty is a good worker, the best. She
order that some ecstatic little makes my part of it a snap. She
whirlwind like Dusty doesn’t hit us doesn’t start out too fast or too slow.
with her forepaws right where it She realizes we’re going to be out a
hurts the most. good while and paces herself
That’s the first and foremost accordingly.
instruction I would give to a Would that they were all so easy to
beginner—and I give it even before work!

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Too slow at the beginning is not so Bail Me Out Daddy Please ’Cause My
bad. It’s warm-up time anyway and Mother’s Done Conked Out and the
we want those muscles stretched, the Wrecking Crew is Here!”
kinks worked out before we really go Obviously the barnstorming loony
at it. Too fast is no good at all. is not a match dog and we ought not
Consider. What is the dogfight be conditioning him anyway. Even
equivalent of a dog’s going all out at so, I can’t stress strongly enough the
the beginning of his workout and importance of settling down even a
then moping through the rest of it? good little dog that is perhaps too
The equivalent, fightwise, might well eager a worker. We don’t want him
be the barnstorming loony that exhausted before he’s had a chance
spends himself in twenty minutes, at his second wind. He must be made
quickly changing his tune from “The to pace himself—so that he can get
Wrath of God is Upon You!” to “Oh his second wind!

Sherwood’s Popeye, a
descendant of
Anderson’s
Champion Tonka.
Owner, Matt White.

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For, in an important sense, it is muscles suddenly loosen up, our
that curious phenomenon, the labored breathing eases and we
second wind, that makes possible the breathe freely. Our step lightens, we
incredible feats of endurance our are as light as air. It is as if there is
dogs are expected to perform, and do more oxygen in our blood, indeed as
perform. It is certainly a curious if the very composition of our blood
phenomenon, and really quite has changed, become charged with a
wonderful when you think about it— vitality that comes from—where?
the so-called second wind. That our I’m sure I don’t know. I’m neither a
dogs, or you or I for that matter, god nor a scientist, though some
might be making our marathon run— folks sometimes confuse the latter
and to our tired, striving bodies it for the former. It’s enough for me
seeming like forever before we can simply to glean the practical from
reach that desired point so far off in my experiences.
the distance. .. . And then, just when Not pacing, going all out to an
we’re wondering how in the world early exhaustion, cancels out the
we are ever going to make it, possibility of the second wind’s
something clicks in! Where before properly settling in!
we were tight and hurting, our No such problem with Dusty. She

Riptide Pogo is a son of Hoover out of Tar. He, thus, has as immediate ancestors
Grand Champion Hope, Grand Champion Barney and Grand Champion Hank.

270
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Champion Spike is a son of Hammonds’s Rufus.

trots along nicely beside my bike tugging at and not her opponent’s
and is fairly loosened up when we ear. And she’s using jaw power, just
reach a small park about a mile as she will be in the hard-fought
away. It’s early morning and we have beginning of her match.
the park all to ourselves. It’s a good I keep it active—pulling, pushing,
safe place to let Dusty out of lifting Dusty’s front paws off the
harness, for the park is all fenced in ground, which simulates the other
and no other pooch is going to sneak dog’s rearing up. I do not send Dusty
up on us. flying through the air while she
As soon as she’s loose she’s hangs on. Not only is this
circling round me, trying to catch a unnecessary but foolish as well.
glimpse of the rolled-up bit of Very nice, her slipping off and
leather hide I have sticking out of my landing backward! A conditioned
back pocket. I pull it out, hold it dog is hard to hurt, but why risk it?
stretched between my hands, and “Say, pal, how come you had to
she nails it! forfeit?”
What have we done so far? We’ve “Oh well, see, I threw my dog
had the light trot up to the park, through the air...!”
which simulates the walk before the If it’s airborne that gives you a
match. And now immediately Dusty kick, get a canary!
is going through the same motions as As I hold the hide in one hand, I
I expect she will in her match— grab at Dusty’s front legs with the
except this time it’s the hide she’s other. She tucks her legs back so that

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I cannot reach them, which is just even deep into Dusty’s match, when
what I want her to do. “Atta girl, tuck I’ll want her to have enough juice to
those legs!” And when she shakes, I turn it on if I ask her to. I might ask
say “Shake! Dusty—shake it!” I say it her to shake out a hold, or I might
in a special voice, very excited, want to call her up if she’s been
growling it even—whatever excites down for a time.
herl (Originally, I had to let her cue We do five miles in this manner.
me when to say it. Later, after that Now with Dusty there is always the
sort of preparation, quite often she’d option of parking the bike in some
shake at my cue—when I told her to.) mesquite and walking her the next
After 20 minutes or so of this, I’ve five miles. She’s a puller and won’t
had enough even if Dusty hasn’t! So let up. If she were not a puller, I’d go
here we go down the road again, on with the bike. There is precious

Band, a 32-
pound son of
Grand
Champion
Charlie.
Owner,
Stephanie
Shreve.

down to the cattle guard, cross over little time or opportunity for
it, and onto the dirt road which “coasting” in a match, and so I don’t
measures 2V2 miles to the next cattle want Dusty letting up too much
guard, one round trip between the during her workout. A lively trot is
guards being 5 miles’ distance. permissible, but that’s coasting
It’s the occasional sight of a fleeing enough! An easy walk is as good as a
rabbit up ahead, or cattle in the dead stop! No good.
distance—and my voice There is one, and one only,
encouragement too—that sends important exception to this rule of
Dusty on her wind sprints. I’ll be keeping the work steady through to
wanting an occasional wind sprint the end of the workout and the
out of Dusty even after the 20-mile desired distance. And that exception
mark. These wind sprints are, to my is that the workout must be cut short
mind, the equivalent of those times, if you should determine that your

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WORTH PRESERVING
dog is “not right,” which nine times this spring in the step telling you
out of ten means either not rested that your dog has at least one more
enough or perhaps that your dog’s good wind spring in reserve, is still
menu needs to be re-thought out. strong enough and enthusiastic
The spring in the step, especially in enough. Naturally, your dog is not
the hindquarters, is the giveaway, going to remain fresh through 25
the indicator. There ought always to miles of roadwork, but even so, some
be a certain lightness of step, even trace of that lightness of step will
after 20 or more miles of roadwork. remain throughout, so long as your
Always, from the beginning to the dog is right. Your dog ought never—I
end of the workout, there ought to be repeat, never—be permitted to reach

Henry’s Ben. Owner, Gary Bouwkamp.

274
that point where listlessness sets in, endurance. Walking and pulling
onset of a heavy weariness, hard develops strength in a way that
hindquarters dragging. The best, the running cannot, as well as
only wise thing for you to do at this endurance.
point, is to turn around, walk your So now that we’re well into this
dog home, and give him five full days Part Two, you see that my way of
of rest. working a dog leaves far more
You’ve got a good worker if your leeway for improvisation than was
dog enjoys a variety of exercises. perhaps apparent in Part One. Part
Most any exercise is helpful in some One laid down the basic rule, the
way, but only you can decide which rationale I follow. But now you see
exercises are most appropriate, will that many variations on the theme
most benefit your dog matchwise. are possible. Our workouts can be
And only you can decide how these likened to an improvised solo in the
exercises are to be applied. As I’ve jazz vein, the “taking off’ which calls
stressed again and again, everything upon all the musician’s musical
that Dusty is doing in her workout creativity—and yet the same basic
somehow translates into some aspect chord structure is never totally lost
of what she is actually to experience sight of.
in her match. Again, variety is good, These workouts are long ones,
but the workout must continue on especially toward the end of the
and not slacken below an acceptable conditioning, and there is no time
point (barring exception mentioned for a break once the workout has
above). Alternating the trotting and begun. If I walk Dusty as well as run
the wind sprints develops her beside the bike, a workout might

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last between 4 to 6 hours. So many of any dog I’ve ever seen. She’d
hours on the road can be quite earned the nickname “Beefy” for all
tedious for a dog man. I own up to at the muscle there, and those big
times having become quite impatient beefed-up hindquarters could
with a dog, especially one that wasn’t launch her over any fence there ever
a good worker. I’d give a few harder was—especially if there was a cat on
tugs than I ought to have given, or I the other side! Hard to describe the
might string together the sort of workings of those hindquarters of
pyrotechnic strain of verbal abuse hers, for I’ve never, before or since,
only an East-Coast-born Italian can seen a dog put together in quite that
render. But these are things I would way. More than mere muscle
immediately regret. Even if it was a development, I believe there was
fool lump of a dog I was something rare, if not unique, in her

Walsh’s Black
Hole of
Calcutta.
Owners,
Mike and
Terry Walsh.

conditioning, it was my job to search very bone structure. And whatever it

out a way that worked. Firmness has was, it was good—and it was
its place in conditioning a dog. extremely good! I raised a litter of
Losing one’s temper does not! eleven out of her, and not one of
So while you’re out there, really be those pups inherited those
with your dog. Every individual dog wonderful hindquarters of hers. So
is a study. Watch the way those legs many years since I’ve seen old Tuffy
work. Why is the way one dog is put moving out, and yet I’ll never forget
together more efficient than the way the sight of her when she’d got her
some other dog is put together? stride. With most dogs’ hindquarters
When I was working Tuffy, I never you notice a slight favoring of one
ceased to be fascinated by the way side, a sort of “stepping off’ on one
her hindquarters worked when she side, the other less-favored side
was in a canter, that gait quicker accepting the “push,” a sort of give-
than a trot but still short of a full and-receive response, slightly
run. She had the best hindquarters uneven. With Tuffy, both sides

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Duchess, by Heinzl’s Gringo out of Patrick’s Miss Boomer. Owner, Sara Chapman.

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 WORTH PRESERVING

Above left: Champion Little Cleo out of one of the best bulldog litters ever pro­
duced (Plumber’s Soko ex Plumber’s Cleo). Owner, Garry Hammonds. Left: S.&W.
Champion Fox with Terry Williams and sons. Above: Brad McClure with
McClure’s Little Bonnie.

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worked evenly and in a straight much less efficient in what you are
rotary fashion, like two pistons going trying to accomplish, and perhaps, in
in turn, perfect symmetry, perfect a deeper sense, that much poorer for
synchronization. It was a sight to see. it.
And I don’t know if I’ll ever again (Oh, that about the movie starlet,
see that in another dog! Hon—I was single at the time,
I’ve gone on considerably about remember. You can put the lamp
Tuffy, but, you see, the point is to be down now, my own true love. I might
there with your dog. There is so be king of my castle, but I don’t
much to see, so much to study, and require crowning.)
hence so much to missl I mean if So we’ve done our 25 or 30 miles
rather than thinking about working with Dusty. We’ve let her follow her
my dog, I’d been thinking about nose down the open road and we’ve
nuzzling up to some movie starlet, I followed along with her, shared her
might not even have noticed that joy and excitement. And when, as
something special about Tuffy’s the hours wore on and tedium would
hindquarters. Every subtlety, every begin to set in, I serenaded us all by
nuance that you miss, you are that breaking into song. Several songs,

Champion Brock, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier in England.

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Doilie’s Brindle Tyrant.

actually, Sinatra tunes mostly, but why we finish up with the hide?
one or two of Mozart’s flute concert!, Think a moment, I’ll wait...
and Dusty loves a good bop vocal as Good for you, those of you who
well. (If you have really been along, have it!
dear reader, I wouldn’t have been The answer: We all know that in
nearly so uninhibited. Of course an the pit the dogs tend to lose their
occasional steer would turn his head bite as the match wears on. At this,
and give me the most curious look our simulated finish of Dusty’s
.. . pained. However, it is common “match,” we want her biting hard,
knowledge what poor musical critics finishing strong. It’s as simple as
steers make, so I didn’t let it bother that.
me any.) This time was for Dusty, our last
There is one last finishing touch time down that long road together—
we put on Dusty’s workout. It’s back mild, gentle-eyed, graceful, athletic,
to the park for 15 minutes more work pretty little thing that she was—and
on the hide. You know my rationale the best little ear fighter I ever saw!
by now. Is it fairly obvious to you For you, Dusty!

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Iron Jaws
Mabies Buddy, a
champion pit
dog who is also
an obedience
competition
winner. Owner,
W.E. Ritz.

PIT BULL HYSTERIA of us who are American Pit Bull

GENERATED BY Terrier devotees.
UNFAVORABLE PUBLICITY It may even be worse to me than
This is an article I did for the local with other owners, for I have written
San Diego evening paper, The three books about the breed, and
Tribune, during the height of the have written articles which assured
hysteria. (At least, I hope it was the people that the true nature of my
height!) Into this short column I tried favorite breed was extremely stable
to squeeze the essence of what this book with people. They could be trusted
is all about. beyond almost all other breeds not
These are times of misery to those to bite, let alone attack, a human

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This dog
displays the red
nose that was
the “badge” of
the Old Family
Red Nose strain,
but bona fide
descendants of
that strain are
rare.

being. square what I have said with all the

The extremely bad publicity has news events recently reported,
generated a Pit Bull hysteria that topped off with an Ann Landers
inspires political demagogues to call column vilifying the breed?
for the banning of the breed. First, I am not alone in my defense
The question is: Have I been of the breed. The head of the
misleading the public? Am I blinded Humane Society of the United States
by foolish devotion to an unworthy stated in a nationally televised
breed? If the answers are “no” to interview that the problem is a
these and other questions that might people problem and not a Pit Bull
properly be asked, then how do I problem. According to him, the

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annual number of canine-induced San Diego, I want him to know that it
fatalities has stayed about the same. was a Pit Bull that saved his life.
It is just that, in previous years, It is possible that more lives are
German Shepherds and Doberman saved each year by Pit Bulls than are
Pinschers were being blamed. Now taken by all dogs. The breed is used
it is Pit Bulls. Apparently, the types as a catch dog for rough stock on
of people that are causing such cattle ranches and pig farms.
mischief with Pit Bulls formerly had Ranchers have told me that they
other dogs with formidable estimate that untold numbers of
characteristics. human lives could well have been
Richard Avanzino, the head of an lost if they had to go down into the
animal-welfare division in San rough terrain, trying to get a rope on
Francisco, states that the only some recalcitrant steer.
problem with Pit Bulls is that they The Pit Bull has a disposition
are such fine dogs that they’ll do similar to the Labrador Retriever
anything to please their masters. with humans. As with the Labrador
Hence, if they have a criminal breed, there are occasional
master, they can be trained to do aberrations from the norm. Unlike
criminal things. He emphasizes that the Labrador, a people-mean Pit
is the only fault of the breed. Bull—rare as it may be—will get
Richard Koehler, the dean of dog nationwide publicity if it bites
trainers and author of several someone.
classic books about dog training, has Because of the breed’s history as a
sent a letter to Ann Landers, letting fighting dog, news stories regarding
her know that she is barking up the the misdeeds of a Pit Bull get more
wrong tree in regard to the inherent play and more reaction from the
viciousness of Pit Bulls toward public than those of other breeds.
humans. And I am not about to There persists the misconception
comment about a woman who was that a dog that would attack other
unable to hold her own marriage dogs is bound to be vicious.
together, presuming to give advice Some vicious-dog ordinances
on personal problems to letter define a dog as vicious if it attacks
writers, let alone on dogs about domestic animals. This is sheer folly,
which she obviously is ignorant. and many breed show standards—
I have owned American Pit Bull the Boxer’s, to name one—specify
Terriers for more than 40 years. In that aggression toward other canines
all that time, I never had one that is not to be considered viciousness.
would bite a person. That was The point is that the majority of
because they were not so inclined. I American Pit Bull Terriers have a
had few that ever attacked other strong urge to fight other dogs. But
dogs. That was because I kept them the individual dogs that will attack
confined and on leash when walking people are so rare that breeders
them, as is required by a San Diego have been known to obtain other
ordinance for all dogs. breeds to guard their kennels.
One of the times that a dog of mine Unfortunately, Pit Bulls have
attacked another dog was when I become popular—especially with the
unleashed my 45-pound Pit Bull on a macho groups, the very people who
Great Dane that was mauling a 10- are most likely to keep a vicious Pit
year-old boy in the Laguna Bull.
Mountains. That was more than 10 Besides the problem of the kooks
years ago. If that boy still lives in to which the breed has such

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 WORTH PRESERVING

Kitty and Dharma watch Dharma’s bodyguard jump for stick.

overwhelming appeal, there is the vicious Pit Bulls now than ever
problem of the name that is used so before. But they are still in the
much, Pit Bull. It is an imprecise distinct minority—an absolute
term, not really used by breed aberration of the breed. So despite
enthusiasts, as it applies to several what appears in the news, the
other breeds, including the Bull American Pit Bull Terrier breed is
Terrier and American Staffordshire still of stable temperament, and it is
Terrier, and is always used to refer a unique dog.
to any dog with an appearance along Present law holds dog owners
those lines. Thus, more attacks are strictly accountable for the actions
attributed to the American Pit Bull of their charges. A man in Florida is
Terrier breed than it actually serving time in custody for
commits. manslaughter because of the actions
Because of the fact that the breed of his Pit Bull. Two people in this
is so popular and the type of culling state face a similar fate. That fact
out of any people-mean dogs is not should demonstrate that no new law
taking place now in the breeding is needed and should give pause to
programs of many backyard those who would keep a people­
breeders, there are probably more mean Pit Bull.

285
 Above: Blue Eyed Lady. Owner, Jude Levasseur. Opposite: Champion Sodbuster,
also known as “Peanut,” is a very game pit dog. It was said to pack a lunch if he
was going up against a tough opponent, as you were going to be there for a while.

286
 The Pit and the Pendulum

“Hope, deceitful as it is, serves

at least to lead us to the end of
life along an agreeable road.”
La Rochefoucauld

As I write this final chapter, the Finally, there has been a recognition
American Pit Bull Terrier breed is that a predominant number of the
under even heavier fire than ever. fatal attacks in the last three years
There are three reasons for the have been committed by Pit Bulls.
intensification of the attacks against It is interesting to note that
the breed. One is that a two-year-old though the fatal attacks in the last
youngster was recently killed in few years have been primarily by Pit
northern California by an American Bulls, there are not more fatal
Pit Bull Terrier. Then, only a few attacks than there were ten or
days later, a television crew filmed fifteen years ago. It was just that
an attack of a Bulldog on an animal back then the attacks were made by
control officer. That attack made my a variety of different breeds. What
heart beat fast in horror, and yet, the that tells me is that the same types of
dog was not nearly as intense and people that once owned the other
deadly as a game dog would have dogs have all become convinced that
been. (Luckily, however, game dogs the APBT is the “toughest” dog, and
seem not to be people-mean.) they have all gravitated to it.

287
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM

Among such people, responsible years ago that a Bulldog was “a

dog ownership is not stressed or, thousand times less likely to attack
perhaps, even given momentary than another breed,” but if he did
thought. In my opinion, they are, “he would be a thousand times more
generally speaking, either the macho dangerous.” Thus, it has come to
group or the ghetto types that really pass that we have a certain number
don’t understand dogs in general, let of Bulldogs that will attack humans.
alone the Bulldog. Of course, the This has come about because of the
general population doesn’t really extreme popularity of the breed and
understand dogs either, but most of the non-selective breeding resulting
them make an effort to learn about a therefrom.
breed of dog when they purchase an Furthermore, there is the problem
individual of that particular breed. of the media’s fascination for the
The problem then is one of breed and a tendency for it to
overpopularity of the breed, which present any stories about it in a
results (in any breed) in non- sensationalized manner. The worse
selective breeding by ignorant the paper, the more irresponsible
breeders, who then put the pups up and undisciplined is the
for sale in the local paper for a sensationalism. However, even
relatively low price. Then, since the respected papers, magazines, and
breeder really knows nothing, the television shows have, to some
buyer either gets very little degree, followed the same path.
information, or worse yet, Since I am the author of several
misinformation about how to take books on the American Pit Bull
care of his dog and what to expect. Terrier, I receive calls from all the
Now, Pit Bulls are still way down major newspapers and magazines, as
in the bite statistics. The problem is well as offers to appear on various
that they figure prominently in the talk show forums. I have given rather
fatal attack statistics. I wrote many | freely of my time in the usually vain

288
 THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM
hope that I can add a semblance of Apparently, Hector Cazarez, the
perspective to the situation. Some head of the animal control center in
articles which appeared in print, San Diego, had been contacted by
rare as they may be, have turned out the magazine; at least, he was the
terrific. Most have been veritable first person who told me that Sports
hatchet jobs on the breed and its Illustrated was going to do a story on
owners, apparently pandering to the the breed. My wife made a facetious
public’s appetite for the sensational comment that at least now they had
and even the macabre. the right magazine; however, both of
As an illustration of how these us were unhappy to hear that a story
things work, let me pursue one was to be done, as bitter experience
publication only and how it had taught us that such stories were
approached the story. The magazine usually sensationalistic and
is Sports Illustrated, and it so completely misrepresentative of the
happens that story appeared American Pit Bull Terrier breed.
recently. Here is how I first heard A few days later, I received a call
about it and what happened from Ed Swift, the man who was
subsequently. writing the piece. As usual, I was

An English canine, double-bred Hagler bitch, being shown in a conformation

contest.

289
 THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM
cooperative, and I could only hope him if he covered the San Diego
for the best. He had read my first sports teams, too. Upon being told
book, he told me; however, nearly all that he did indeed, including the
writers tell me that they have read hapless Padres, I facetiously said,
one or more of my books. “Well, you know what I have had to
Unfortunately, subsequent put up with in the case of the Padres
conversation usually indicates that and the Chargers, so the Pit Bull
they have done no such thing. At the hysteria is really adding to the poor
most they have perused it, perhaps status of my mental health. So please
looking at the photographs and be kind in the article.”
drawings. Either that or they have Actually, the way the article was
very poor retention. To some degree, written was not too bad when
Swift seemed to me to have certainly compared with other articles done
not read the book carefully, but he by even respected magazines such as
had at least done more than look at Time and Newsweek. It was primarily
the pictures. the picture display that was used to
After a long interview by phone, fuel the hysteria. For example, on
Swift thanked me for my the cover was a snarling Pit Bull and
cooperation. At that point, I asked big headlines above it that exhorted

| Madders’ Tiger Jack is sired by Apache Red Ty and is of predominantly Old Fam-
ily Red Nose breeding.

290
 THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM

Riptide Bandit
reaching up for
the ball stuck in
the fence.

“Beware this Dog!” It would be many pictures of my dogs.

interesting to know how they got the They took pictures of Hoover
dog on the cover to bare his teeth as opening the gate. They took pictures
shown, for it is not the general of me with each of my dogs. They
nature of the breed to do so. took pictures of Hoover and Isaac
Ironically, I had given even more together. And they took pictures of
generously of my time for the photo Hoover and Isaac playing ball on the
display than for the interview. One hill in back of my place. Hundreds of
of the managers from Sports pictures were taken, and after the
Illustrated called and asked if they session, which lasted at least three
could send a photography team out hours, the two men were talking
to my place and take pictures of my together. One of them explained,
dogs. I acquiesced and a team of two “We were just saying that these dogs
men came out to my place and took are ten times as cooperative as most

291
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM
professional athletes and probably Some pictures were rerun from an
smarter, too!” article that appeared in Geo’s article
The only picture taken at my place on dogfighting which had appeared
that appeared in the article was one many years ago, and I had criticized
of Hoover jumping up at the gate of a it in the American Pit Bull Terrier
fenced yard. (Actually, he was Gazette as extremely misleading and
jumping up and down in excitement downright false. Yet, Swift referred
of my holding a ball. But the camera to the “classic” article by Geo, and he
froze him, so that it might seem as derived much of his erroneous
though he was coming over.) Anyway, information from that. He managed
that picture alone was run with the to get other misinformation from,
caption “A fenced yard can’t keep among others, a San Diego judge who
Stratton’s Hoover in.” The clear said, “A Pit Bull is the closest thing
inference was that Hoover was able to a wild animal as any domestic
to get out of a fenced area and would pet.” One has to know a little about
be dangerous if he were at large. wild animals and Pit Bulls to
You really have to know Hoover and appreciate just how asinine such a
the situation to understand just how statement is. It is a common
ludicrous that caption was. misconception that wild animals are

Below: Dixieland Diamond Girl as a pup. Owner, Sara Chapman. Opposite: Rip­
tide Bandit having reached the ball eight feet off the ground.

292
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM
vicious. Of course, many will bite in been ever thus. Those who make
self-defense, but then they disparaging comments about the
immediately try to escape. One of the breed are precisely those people
problems here is that the public is who have, to put it charitably, very
inclined to confuse predation with limited knowledge on the subject.
aggression. It is quite different in And yet everyone has an opinion
wild animals. With predation, the about the Pit Bull, and they seem to
predator selects the easiest prey be blissfully unaware that their
available and dispatches it as opinion is not really theirs at all. It
quickly as possible with no more has been conditioned in them,
malice toward the prey than we Pavlovian style, by the media.
would have toward a cherry pie! In The main problem with the breed

Left: Pups down

from Snooty,
owned by Matt
White.

Opposite: Jeff
Burke with
Brewer’s Outlaw,
also a son of
Snooty.

aggressive behavior, the animals is that it has become popular, and

usually rely on threat display and aberrational individuals are in the
only actually fight if the threat hands of irresponsible people.
display is not sufficient—and such However, the media, while not
cases are rare. There is good reason creating the core of the problem, has
for such a state of affairs, as an certainly made it worse by their
injured wild animal is one that is at almost invariable sensationalistic
great disadvantage in competing and coverage of it. The sad thing is that
surviving in the wild. the absolutely insane publicity has
The point is that one of the resulted in many people being afraid
weaknesses of the article was that of their own dogs. And these are
people who were by no means expert people with dogs that have been
in their knowledge of the Pit Bull models of good behavior for many
were quoted on the same level as years. Yet the people fear that the
those who had some idea of what dogs will turn on them, as that is
they were talking about. what they have been led to believe
Unfortunately, the ignorant ones by quotes in the news. For example,
were the source of the deprecatory frequently the statement is made
comments. To my perception, it has that a Pit Bull is a time bomb waiting

294
 THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM
to go off. The only way such a for over a decade now in regard to
statement has any validity is in the various alleged pit-dog atrocities,
case of a Bulldog’s behavior with such as “blooding” pit dogs with
other dogs. Any time over a year of pigeon blood, training the dogs with
age, a Bulldog can develop a strong the use of kittens, and amputating
urge to fight other dogs (and the dogs’ front legs so that they are
sometimes other animals as well). able to get under the opponent and
Usually, this is with strange dogs, reach his belly! Such constant
though, and I have known many a son publicity about these inane
of a line of champion pit dogs that practices has given young street
lived in harmony with a prior family toughs ideas that they may never
pet. Two Bulldogs together is a little have had otherwise. In effect,
more tricky situation, and I always humane organizations, because of
recommend that such dogs not be the publicity they put out, have
left unsupervised together. caused inhumane acts.
One of the authorities that the Perhaps it should be pointed out
news writers turn to are the various that a common fiction is that tasting
animal welfare heads in various blood makes a Bulldog more savage.
cities. Now the humane groups are Here again, we have the confusion of
in a tricky situation. For they have aggression (or fighting) with
always been able to solicit many predation. Pouring blood over a
financial contributions by taking the Bulldog is not likely to make him
offensive against dogfighting. As a more inclined to fight than applying
group, they have parroted each other catsup or water, for that matter. The

Tucker and Kitty the Bulldog.

296
 THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM

Ironman’s Pee
Wee, a
descendant of
Peterbilt and
Grand
Champion Hank.
Owner, Jeff
Fontenot.

kitten story is an outgrowth of the aggressive. Such is not the case, and
common misconception that a many extremely game pit dogs have
fighting dog is by nature vicious or no inclination to kill kittens anyway.
must be made that way. Presumably, I told the Sports Illustrated about all
teasing him with kittens and this, but he chose to follow the
allowing him to kill them is ravings of those who have
supposed to make him a more promulgated all these ridiculous
effective fighting dog or, at the very stories.
least, make him more vicious or

297
298
 THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM

Pat Graham with her dog Rhino in England.

299
Riff-Raff, a son of Little Boots, places at a show.

When it comes right down to it, the why should there be cause for doubt.
humane groups don’t really know A favorite quotation of mine (and I
much about pit dogs. But they always can’t remember who said it) is
suspect the very worst and any “Skepticism is the chastity of the
evidence they might receive is intellect.” To me that is a profound
always interpreted in that mind-set. statement and one that human
Whatever they put out to reporters agents would do well to heed when
or in their own publications is receiving stories of pit dogs.
always sensationalized and, of I, myself, am not without regard
course, is in no way objective. Thus for humane agents, as I care about
any story, no matter how farfetched, animals, and I don’t want to see them
is reported as fact, usually with no mistreated. Besides, some humane
apparent attempt at confirmation. It persons have had the good sense to
is easy to see why they are so willing think that maybe I had something to
to believe anything they hear, as teach them. And they have submitted
they conceive of dogfighting as the proposed laws for my perusal and
ultimate in premeditated cruelty. suggestions. Further, many have
People capable of such acts are, in demonstrated that they like the
their mind, capable of anything, so

300
 THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM
breed. These are usually people who surely the next hysteria will target
have had a chance to experience the another breed.
good nature and intelligence of I have railed against the idea of
these dogs. the Pit Bull being a vicious dog
Other humane agents seem to have because I know what a prevarication
an obvious hatred for the breed, and that is. And I am all too aware of just
I think that is primarily because they what a mockery of justice it would be
have not come to know it and, to have this most stable of breeds
secondarily, a dog that is a danger to outlawed. Irony of ironies, at the
other dogs is more odious to maudlin very time that there is such a hue
dog lovers than one that is a danger and cry against the Pit Bull as
to humans. Still, though, some though he was some sort of
humane agents (notice how I’m being Frankenstein monster, with villagers
good and not employing my term, out after him with torches in their
“humaniac”!) may beat the drums for hands, other countries are importing

Riptide Beauty is a
good weight
puller.

the abolition of dogfighting and even American dogs. What we have

berate the dogs, they dare not denounced in America is being
suggest that there should be laws hailed abroad.
banning the breed. Such suggestions Although I don’t like people-mean
are usually on the part of other dogs, I challenge anyone’s attempt to
zealots who have been caught up in take away protection dogs. In this
the hysteria. The reason humaniacs age of unbridled crime, people have
(oops!) who might want the breed a right to feel secure in their homes
banned would never suggest it is that by being allowed a personal
the contributors to their protection dog. But please, let’s not
organizations are largely purebred have it be a Bulldog. First of all,
dog breeders. Such people have the even in these days, most Bulldogs
sagacity to realize that once one are not good watch dogs. They don’t
breed is banned, the door is open to bark much, and they like people.
ban others. If the Pit Bull is banned, However, if you do get a people-

301
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM

Shebest’s Rosie
making her
presence known.

mean Bulldog, one that attacks a incident. No doubt the dog was not
stranger as it would another dog, you well bred, but he was probably
have a truly dangerous animal on encouraged to be protective.
your hands. Because of his intensity There are certain themes that run
and formidability, he would be through all this publicity that are
entirely capable of killing a full- mildly irritating to me because they
grown man. After all, these were are just plain wrong. One is the habit
dogs that battled lions at one time of constantly referring to the Pit Bull
and are still used for taming wild as a “species.” Well, no breed of dog
boar and recalcitrant steers. Most of is a species. They are varieties of a
the attacks that have occurred have species. It is for that reason that I
been by Pit-Bull mixes, part Staf or capitalize the names of dog breeds—
part German Shepherd or some contrary to the habit of journalists.
other breed. Those that have been The names are proper nouns
purebred were far removed from pit because they are the names of
stock. And I think most of the attacks varieties. Another misstatement is
were half-hearted. As I mentioned that the viciousness that has
earlier, we did not see the full brunt surfaced in some Pit Bulls is due to
of what a Pit Bull is capable of doing inbreeding. That is just not so.
in those telecasts of the attack on the Inbreeding is a valuable tool that is
animal control officer. No serious used in all selective breeding of all
Pit Bull could be beaten off by a varieties of species. It is not
little white pole, as happened in that desirable in wild animals, or

302
 U and S’s Tater,
photographed a day
before he won a pit
contest.

humans, because diversity of the A tactic that is often used both in

gene pool is desirable so that there articles and various television
will be adaptability to the programs is to call upon people who
environment. Simply put, what have been attacked by Pit Bulls or
inbreeding does is reduce the have witnessed such an attack. It is
variation within a gene pool, and difficult to talk to such people, as
doesn’t in itself produce unstable anyone with human feelings is going
temperament or other undesirable to have extreme sympathy and
effects. An example of extreme compassion for anyone who has
inbreeding in dogs is in guide dogs suffered such a tragedy. However, it
for the blind! should be pointed out that the
position of such people would be
that of an individual who was
Emmerts’s Tugger participating in a injured or had a family member
weight-pull contest. killed by an automobile—and that is
their only experience with the
vehicles. The analogy is not entirely
well taken (but I can’t think of a
better one), for while all
automobiles are potentially
dangerous, most Pit Bulls are not.
Nevertheless, being hit by an auto
doesn’t make one an authority on
those vehicles, and having Pit Bull
victims on television shows or
consulted is sheer sensationalism.
At this time, new laws are being
proposed in countless
municipalities. Some have already

303
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM
taken effect. When just one such a law.
municipality, Hollywood, Florida, Personally, I see no reason for new
passed a law that singled out the Pit laws at all. There is no new problem.
Bull for special treatment, a national There have always been about
campaign was mounted to get the twelve fatalities a year from dogs.
ordinance removed. It was declared And they have been dogs of all
to be unconstitutional. The cynical breeds including once, long ago,
intent of today’s demagogues is to three Pekingese mauling a youth.
inundate the country with laws or What do we do? Outlaw all dogs?
ordinances so that there will not be Owners are now strictly accountable
the funds for a successful challenge. for the actions of their dogs. People
But, even if that strategy works, the whose dogs have attacked and killed

Joshua Douglas
with his pal Sweet
William.

ordinances will be unsuccessful and are not infrequently prosecuted for

unenforceable. Such laws merely manslaughter. A man in Georgia was
tend to make the citizenry sentenced to five years in custody for
contemptuous of laws in general. the actions of his dogs. Nor is this a
So desperate are Pit Bull devotees new phenomenon. I recall some forty
that they are willing to embrace any years ago when a Florida man was
law as long as it is not breed sentenced to even a longer time in
specific, as long as it doesn’t single prison because a pack of his dogs
out Pit Bulls for special treatment— killed a woman.
from an outright ban to requiring Of course, it doesn’t matter all that
special quarters and insurance. I, much what I think. Most of us are
however, am unwilling to accept any going to be living under new vicious
law that describes a vicious dog as dog legislation anyway. We already
one that shows a propensity for do in San Diego, but it is a quite
attacking domestic animals. Since reasonable ordinance when
most Pit Bulls will attack other dogs, compared with the laws passed in
they are automatically singled out in other municipalities. If we have to

304
 THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM
have new laws, I would just as soon maintained that not just anyone
it be the death penalty if your dog should own a Bulldog. Those of us
kills someone not in the act of who have the perseverance to stick
committing a crime. I wouldn’t by the dogs will keep them. Others,
worry. People with guard dogs hopefully, will drop them. I can
should take precautions to make hardly wait for a time that the
sure innocent persons are not Bulldog is no longer so popular. It
injured. As for me, I haven’t ever may be a long time coming, but there
had a Bulldog that would hurt is a pendulum effect in the
anyone intentionally. I have never popularity of all breeds. There is
had a dog bite anyone, and I could that same effect with hysterias, too.
live with the possibility that I would They may seem to last forever, but
be in deep trouble if one of them did they will inevitably die down. In the
attack a person. Because it just isn’t end, we will prevail.
going to happen. Already there have been some
These are uncertain times for the sign that cooler heads are providing
Bulldog devotee, times of frustration a little perspective to the situation.
and downright misery. But it is a Newspapers have run editorials
time of challenge, too. I have always pointing out that there is no need for

Perry’s Champion Big Mac, a son of Champion Little Boots out of a daughter of
Grand Champion Hank.

305
 THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM

Left: Double D’s

Harley D., 44
pounds
chainweight.
Below: Duran’s
Bomber, a pit
winner. Owner,
Carl Clark.

306
 THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM
new laws, and that the Pit Bull wrong tree. For the real animal
situation is being blown out of cruelty in the world is that we are
proportion. Andy Rooney, known crowding out all the other species at
mainly for his rather silly the alarming rate of over one a day.
commentary addendum to the “Sixty For now, enjoy your Bulldogs. Let
Minutes” television program is the hysteria run its course. Remain
actually a skillful and profound calm. Don’t act like some nut in
syndicated writer. And he has defense of your dogs. Remember, we
recently written a column defending are the reasonable ones. Look to
the Pit Bull, artfully putting the your Bulldog. There is much that
whole media mess into perspective. humankind can learn from this most
Then, too, comedian David Steinberg remarkable animal. He is very likely
talked on the Carson show about how the only example of true courage in
the whole Pit Bull scare is a media the entire world. We humans can’t
event. I always suspected that even approximate his trait which
comics were smarter than even his enemies have difficulty
politicians—but, unfortunately, demeaning. But we can take
politicians are often funnier than inspiration from such a noble
comedians! animal. He has persevered in the
In the meantime, let’s try to be the most difficult of situations and
most responsible and educated of somehow still maintains a certain
dog owners. Learn all you can about charisma and dignity. His courage,
your breed. Learn about other gameness, and stark warrior spirit
breeds, too—it will make you have seen him through difficult
appreciate Bulldogs all the more. times before. Is it too much to ask
Study about wolves and learn that his human companions, who so
something about ethology (the study admire him, show at least a little of
of animal behavior). If you become those same traits? If we do, we will
interested in biology, as I am, you once again allow the American Pit
will become aware that the humane Bull Terrier not only to continue, but
agents are really barking up the to prevail.

Colby’s Lotus,
bred and
owned by
Louis Colby,
is the dam of
many good
dogs
throughout
the United
States.

30?
 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Annotated Bibliography
I am including books here that I Colby, Joseph L. The American Pit
think will be of interest to the Bull Terrier. Sacramento,
serious dog fancier, as well as California: Privately published,
periodicals of interest to the student 1936.
of the breed. I have taken the liberty Written by one of John P. Colby’s
to include under organizations a sons, this little book contains many
couple of outfits that readers who old photographs of dogs from the
are as concerned as I am about the Colby line and gives accounts of
extinction of animals may wish to
I join.* matches of several dogs. It contains
articles by other dog men too,
including an article by the founder
BOOKS of the United Kennel Club.
Armitage, George C. Thirty Years Davis, Henry P., editor. The New
with Fighting Dogs. Washington, Dog Encyclopedia. New York:
D.C.: Privately published, 1936. Galahad Books, 1970.
This book is mainly of historical This book gives information on the
interest, but it provides a look into American Kennel Club show breeds
the rather hoody element of and their show standards; but,
dogfighting that existed in unlike other so-called “complete”
Armitage’s time and locality. dog books, it does not pretend that
Barrie, Anmarie, Esq. Dogs and there are no other breeds outside
that body’s recognition. In fact, it
the Law. 211 West Sylvania, gives information on such things as
Neptune City, New Jersey: tree hounds and Border Collies. It
T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1989. also gives a history of the United
An easy-to-read reference handbook Kennel Club and the American Field
on canines and the American legal registry. It also has sections on field
system. This animal-author/attorney trials of various types (i.e., pointing
presents the pit bull case and other dogs, retrievers, hounds, water
current owner concerns. races, and herding dog trials),
Brown, Wayne D. History of the Pit sections on diseases and parasites,
Bull Terrier. Dallas, Texas: and information on training.
Privately published, 1979. Denlinger, Milo G. The Complete
Brown has made a serious attempt to Pit Bull or Staffordshire Terrier.
trace the different strains of Washington, D.C.: Denlingers,
Bulldogs back to their origins in 1948.
England and Ireland, apparently This book consists of a compilation
using various periodicals for of articles derived from old
sources. The book contains pictures Bloodlines magazines, from old books
and a vast quantity of pedigrees. on the Staffordshire Bull Terrier,

308
 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
and from works on the American people to read it
Staffordshire Terrier, as well as Fox, Richard K. The Dog Pit. New
other sources. It can be confusing to
beginners, but it contains many old York: Police Gazette
photographs, articles on matches Publishers, circa 1910.
(especially the old classic ones), and This book was written by the editor
historically significant old woodcuts of the Police Gazette magazine. To
and paintings. Despite its faults, it is view this book in perspective, it is
a quality book, excellently bound important for the reader to know
with good paper and high-quality that the Police Gazette was a
photographs. It is now a collector’s combination National Enquirer-
item, and the last price list I saw Playboy-Sports Illustrated of its
carried it at a couple hundred times. Actually, I can’t think of a
dollars for a single copy! (now it’s comparable publication now. It
probably much more). covered many illegal sports of that
De Frisco, Andrew and James B. time, including boxing, wrestling,
Johnson. The Mini-Atlas of Dog cockfighting, and dogfighting. This
book should by no means be
Breeds. 211 West Sylvania, considered an authoritative breed
Neptune City, New Jersey: book—it is full of much hogwash.
T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1990. The stories about fights between
Authors present over 400 breeds of Bulldogs and bobcats and monkeys
dog in an entertaining but and so on are probably all
straightforward way. Each breed is fabrications. Nonetheless, it is an
illustrated and described according interesting book and contains
to its origin, body type, character drawings of such famous old dogs as
and registry. A handbook to be “Cincinnati Paddy” and “Crib.” It
reckoned with and a must-have for also contains the Police Gazette rules
all dog lovers. for a pit contest.
Eberhard, Ernest. The New Glass, Eugene. The Sporting Bull
Complete Bull Terrier. New Terrier. Battle Creek, Michigan:
York: Howell Book House, Inc., Privately published, 1910.
1971. Mr. Glass was the editor of a pit dog
This is a typical breed book, but it is magazine of the time called the Dog
of good quality, especially for those Fancier. His book contains rules, a
who want to learn about a breed that keep, instructions for building a
is often confused with ours. kennel, and information on the use
Ehrlich, Paul and Anne. of training devices. Amazing is the
tremendous amount of
Extinction: The Causes and misinformation that is contained in
Consequences of the the book. Two examples will suffice.
Disappearance of Species. New For the springpole, it is suggested
York: Random House, 1981. that a coonskin be used as the part
This is not directly about Bulldogs, for the dog to grasp and hang from.
but it deals with the alarming Now, any dog man who has ever tried
extinction of other species of which a coon hide for this purpose knows
I’ve written in this work. The book that it very quickly disintegrates.
spells out for the reader in detail the The author also talks about the
cause and consequences of these white show Bull Terrier as though it
extinctions, and I urge all intelligent were just a fancy show version of the

309
 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pit Bulldog and “just as game.” command a high price.
Ridiculous on both counts’ Red Tina (A Fighting Dog).
Gonick, Larry and Mark Wheelis. Winona, Minnesota: Apollo
The Cartoon Guide to Genetics. Books, 1985.
New York: Barnes and Noble Again, a fiction book, but one by a
Books, 1983. master writer and a real authority on
This is an excellent manner for the the dogs. In spite of its subject, it is
layman to learn the history of some quite likely to end up in anthologies
of our genetic knowledge. The book of best dog stories.
is extremely informative and Matz, K.S. The Pit Bull, Fact and
incredibly funny—without distorting Fable. Sacramento, California:
the information a bit! It may take
someone who already has a DeMortmain Books, 1984.
knowledge of the history of genetic The author of this book has gone to
research to appreciate just how old public writings and reprinted
funny this book is. many old pictures and references
which should be extremely valuable
Hall, Bobby. Bullyson and His to the student of the breed.
Sons. Houston, Texas:
Walsworth Press Company, Meeks, Jack. Memoirs of the Pit.
1986. Starke, Florida: Privately
This work is like a modern-day
published by Pete Sparks, 1974.
Armitage book, but it is probably of Although this book was published in
more interest to readers because it 1974, the manuscript was actually
deals with more modern dogs. It is a compiled in the mid-1980s, so it is of
book that will be mainly of interest interest historically.
to fanciers who are quite Nicholas, Anna Katherine. The
knowledgeable about the dogs Staffordshire Terriers: The
already. American Staffordshire Terrier
Jones, Mitchell. The Dogs of and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Capitalism. Austin, Texas: 21st 211 West Sylvania, Neptune
Century Logic, 1988. City, New Jersey: T.F.H.
Although not a typical dog book in Publications, Inc., 1990.
any sense, this book has to be Presents the Staffordshire breeds in
recognized as a serious contribution terms of performances in AKC
to American Pit Bull Terrier lore conformation and obedience trials.
and history. The bizarre title is from Many such “champions” illustrated.
the author’s interpretation of history Not my kind of book, but well done
and current events in the light of the for what it is.
philosophy of objectivism.
Maffie, Fredric. The Life of Onstott, Kyle. The New Art of
Humbug. New York: Manor Breeding Better Dogs. New York:
Books, Inc., 1979. Howell Book House, Inc., 1973.
This is a fiction book, but it is This is a very thorough treatise on
written by a knowledgeable dog man the subject. It puts the bugaboos of
and contains much information on inbreeding to rest.
pit dogs. It is presently out of print, Pfaffenberger, Clarence. The New
so copies that are found will likely Knowledge of Dog Behavior. New

310
 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
York: Howell Book House, Inc., Pit Bulls and Other Man-
1963. Stopping Guard Dogs. 211 West
This easy-to-read book gives fairly Sylvania, Neptune City, New
technical knowledge about dogs in a Jersey: T.F.H. Publications,
very palatable manner. It dispels Inc.
much nonsense about dog behavior A colorful and expert survey of over
and inbreeding. It deals with the 20 tough and able canines—of course
training of dogs for various tasks but Pit Bulls top the list (and make the
primarily for the training and title!). This book introduces and
selective breeding of guide dogs for evaluates many exciting, up-and-
the blind. coming protectors, including the
Tosa, Dogue de Bordeaux, Canary
Pierce, Rev. Thomas. The Dog. Dog, and Fila Brasileiro, for starters.
London: Cassel and Co., 1872. Smith, Lt. Col. Charles Hamilton.
Pierce wrote under the name of Dogs. Edinburgh: np, 1840.
Idestone, as it was the style of the One of the first and one of the best
day to use a nom de plume, and he treatises on dogs in the English
perpetuated many wild tales about language, this book should be of
dog activities. There is no way to interest to the historian and
check them now, of course, and no cynologist. This is a book that the
one bothered to check them during legitimate dog expert should read.
his era. He was a controversial and
promotion-minded figure of his Walsh, Dr. J.H. Dogs of the British
times. Any would-be cynologist Islands. London: Horace Cox,
should be familiar with these types 1867.
of writings, for they influenced those Walsh wrote under the nom de plume
who came later. Stonehenge. This was probably the
Scott, John Paul and John L. most influential dog book of its time.
Fuller. The Genetic Basis of Dog Again, this is a book that the
Behavior. Chicago: University of legitimate dog expert must read.
Chicago Press, 1965. Whitney, Dr. Leon F. Dog
This is one of the classic studies of Psychology, The Basis of Dog
inheritance of behavioral traits. The Training. New York: Howell
writing is scientific but readable and Book House, Inc., 1972.
an absolute must for the amateur I always recommend this book for
cynologist. those who are interested in training
Semencic, Dr. Carl, The World of their dogs for any purpose
Fighting Dogs. 211 West whatsoever. This is a method of
Sylvania, Neptune City, New training that is based on the firm
Jersey: T.F.H. Publications, bedrock of scientific research,
rather than on the intransigent
Inc., 1984. opinions of some dog trainer. It is
Dr. Semencic has put together a good also recommended for those who
overview of the various fighting would be better to understand their
breeds utilized throughout the dogs.
world. He lets it be known that the
American Pit Bull Terrier is the best Feeding Our Dogs. New
of the lot, but he spends a lot of time York: D. Van Nostrand, 1949.
on the other breeds, too. Dr. Whitney was a veterinarian who

311
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
pioneered research in dog nutrition learn about our domestic dogs by
and many other areas, too, including studying the wild ones, especially
distemper. If I were limited to the wolf—but the coyote is extremely
suggesting just one author for close to our dogs, too.
reading, it would be Whitney. His
writing style is direct, and the *Editor’s note: Even Mr. Stratton is
information he dispenses is too modest to recommend books of
immense. his own authorship. His first three
volumes on the Pit Bull Terrier are
Wilcox, Dr. Bonnie and Chris indispensable and have been
Walkowicz. The Atlas of Dog unanimously hailed and well
Breeds of the World. 211 West received by critics and readers
Sylvania, Neptune City, New alike. They are all available from the
Jersey: T.F.H. Publications, publisher.
Inc., 1989. This is the American Pit Bull
Veterinarian Wilcox and well-known Terrier, 1976.
writer Walkowicz present intelligent
and readable information on over The Book of the American Pit Bull
420 breeds of dog, essentially Terrier, 1981.
covering every breed recognized in The World of the American Pit Bull
the world today. It is fully illustrated Terrier, 1983.
and will remain a permanent source
of reference for the dog world. Truly
no book like it!
Youatt, William and E.J. Lewis.
The Dog. New York: Levitt and PERIODICALS
Allen, 1846. American Pit Bull Terrier Gazette.
This is an American edition of a American Dog Breeders’
book that was originally published Association, Box 1771, Salt
in London by Youatt in 1845. All Lake City, Utah 84110.
editions of this work are rare and
hard to find, so the reader may have This periodical contains articles on
to resort to a library search service all aspects of the American Pit Bull
and obtain it on either photocopies Terrier, and advertisements feature
or microfilm. all the needs of the APBT devotee,
including breaking sticks,
Young, Stanley Paul. The Clever treadmills, and harnesses. Featuring
Coyote. Caldwell, Idaho: Caxton many fine articles, this magazine is
Printers, 1946. pretty much the flagship of the breed
now.
------The Wolf in North American
History. Caldwell, Idaho: Animal Behavior. Bailliere
Caxton Printers, 1946. Tendall, 7 & 8 Henrietta Street,
Covent Garden, London WC2E-
The Wolves of North America. 8QE.
Caldwell, Idaho: Caxton This is a highly respected journal
Printers, 1950. with technical articles on behavior
Stanley Paul Young was a real of all animal species for those who
authority on wolves and coyotes, and want to become truly knowledgeable
he writes in a palatable manner. We about dogs and species in general.

312
 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Coonhound Bloodlines. United This is a registry of the American Pit
Kennel Club, 100 East Kilgore Bull Terrier and publisher of the
Road, Kalamazoo, Michigan American Pit Bull Terrier Gazette. It
49001-5597 also sponsors weight pulls and dog
shows for the breed.
The coonhounds are the bulwark of
the UKC now, with many field trials American Dog Owners’
and conformation shows being much Association, 1920 Route 9,
larger than the AKC dog shows or Castleton, New York 12033
field trials.
This is a coalition of dog owners of
Bloodlines Journal. United Kennel all breeds, and it has been in the
Club, 100 East Kilgore Road, forefront of the fight against breed­
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001- specific laws.
5597 Endangered Breed Association
This magazine carries a section on This organization has been involved
American Pit Bull Terriers. in helping supply funds to
Dog World. Judy-Berner individuals or groups who are being
Publishing Co., 469 Ohio Street, harassed simply because of their
Chicago, Illinois. Bulldogs.
Mainly concerned with show dogs, it Negative Population Growth, 16
occasionally publishes articles on East 42nd Street, New York,
show breeds with histories (dating New York 10164-9990
back to the pharaohs!) that smack For those who share my alarm about
more of a lively imagination than the extermination of species, I am
scientific research. It usually supplying the name and address of
contains some articles of general this organization which is giving its
interest. best efforts to address the cause of
Pit Dog Report. P.O. Box 33509, the extinctions.
Houston, Texas. United Kennel Club, 100 East
American periodical on Bulldogs. Kilgore Road, Kalamazoo,
Sporting Dog Journal. P.O. Box Michigan 49001-5597
476, Jefferson, Georgia. This is another registry for the
Although not the oldest, this has American Pit Bull Terrier and is
been a very steady publication, publisher of Bloodlines Journals. It
always coming out just like also sponsors conformation shows
clockwork. While intended for the for the breed.
pit dog man, non-sponsored
inquiries will be considered. Zero Population Growth, 1601
Connecticut Avenue, Washington,
DC 20009
ORGANIZATIONS The purpose for including this
American Dog Breeders’ organization is the same as that for
Association, Box 1771, Salt including NPG above.
Lake City, Utah 84110

313
 INDEX

Index
Abdu, Ibrahim, 181 Bellisle’s Buddy, 82, 230
Accorti, Nicolas, 134 Bellisle’s Chuck, 82
Accorti’s Vashtie, 165 Bell, Larry, 143, 162, 177, 225
Adam’s Billie Jean, 246-247 Bell’s Baby Jones, 162
Agnes, 220 Bell’s Dundee Jones, 78
Airedale Terrier, 74 Bell’s Lady Stomp, 143
AKC, 58, 59, 62 Bell’s Pinky Jones, 177
Akita, 69-70 Benson, Nancy, 40
Alvin, 232 Berben, Doug, 168
Amber, 17 Berben’s Whizzer, 168-169
American Bulldog, 67-68 Bessie, 117
American Dog Breeders’ Big Boy, 213
Association, 75, 95, 103 Bill Sykes, 93
American Dog Owners’ Bitch in whelp, 206
Association, 45 Biting, 36, 60, 288
American Pit Bull Terrier, 16 BJ,193
“American Pit Bull Terrier”, 103 Black Beauty, 233
American Pit Bull Terrier Gazette, Blaze, 18
223, 229, 292 Blind Ben, 135
American Staffordshire Terrier, Block, Karen, 255
54, 59, 60, 61 Blood,111
Anderson’s Tonka, 269 Blooding, 296
Andy L, 12-13 Bloodlines, 196
Animals, 26 Bloodlines Journal, 88, 212
Apache Red Ty, 290 Bloody Sunday, 127
APBT, 16 Blue Eyed Lady, 286
Armitage, George, 100, 103, 117, 212 Boarbaiting, 32
Arsuffis Mink, 126 Bobby McGee, 40
Arsuffis Yipper, 251 Bock, Bob, 161
Art, 194 Bo Dragon’s Tung, 138
Austin’s Junior, 44, 250 Bolio, 130, 145, 162, 193
Austin’s Punky Face, 160 Booger, 185
Australia, 257 Boomer, 298
Australian Kelpie, 160 Boomerang, 106, 151
Avanzino, Richard, 284 Boots, Jimmy, 26
Azure, Jesse, 186 Boots McCoy, 177
Babies, 48-50 Boozer, 20, 21, 23, 25-26
Bad Billy, 81 Border Collie, 15, 160, 165
Badger baiting, 61 Boss, 186-187
Band, 272 Boudreaux, 45
“Bandog”, 141 Bouwkamp, Gary, 274
Bandogge, 68-69, 74, 131 Boxer, 52, 64, 284
Banjo, 245 Bozo, 142-148
Barking, 37 Brachecephalic, 64
Barney, 99, 120, 124, 128-129, 166, Brandt’s Josie Wales, 149
172, 270, 128-129 Breeders vs. fighters, 94-96
Barnum, P.T., 31 Breeding, 187
Beauty, 248 Breed name, 302
Becky, 176 Breen, 18-19
Behne’s Clyde, 35, 198 Brewer’s Outlaw, 294-295
Behne’s Red Dawn, 9 Broadway Shanty, 111
Belker, 298 Brock, 280

314
 INDEX

Bruiser, 32 Clark, Carl, 306

Bruiser Smith, 257 Clayton’s Tadpole, 194
Buck, 128, 176 Clemen’s Midnight, 52
Bud, 231 Cleo, 56-57
Buddy, 215, 238 Clouse, Bert, 97, 129, 213
Bull and Terrier, 62 Coccidiosis, 209
Bullbaiting, 32 Cohen, Chapman, 223
“Bulldog”, 7, 16, 102, 187 Colby, 229
Bullmastiff, 64 Colby, John P., 59, 88-96, 139
Bull Terrier, 62-64, 83 Colby, J.R., 86
“Bull Terrier”, 102, 103 Colby, Louis B., 150, 212, 256
Bullyson, 24 Colby, Mike, 90
Burke, Jane and Carly, 204 Colby’s Bud, 150
Burke, Jeff, 98, 152, 294 Colby’s Galtie, 91
Burke’s Pepple, 204 Colby’s Galtie II, 256
Burton, 20 Colby’s Lotus, 307
Burton’s Hank, 130 Colby’s Merle, 92
Butch, 29 Colby’s Pinscher, 130
Byron, Tom, 88 Colby’s Primo, 92
California, 55 Colby’s Primo, Jr., 94
“Canario Presas”, 131 Colby’s Spoke, 93
Canary, 271 Cole, I.D., 152, 214
Canary Dog, 131 Collie, 50, 84
Canines, 104 Colonel K, 128
Captain Crunch, 10 Colorado, 140
Captain Dick, 239 Colorado Springs, 212
Care of puppies, 208 Conditioning, 100, 193
Carlyle, Thomas, 187 —Maffie’s method for, 242-281
Carnivora, 77 Contreras, Rickie, 242
Carroll, 18 Cooligan, Henry, 88
Carroll, Lewis, 57 Coonhound breeds, 88
Carroll’s Breen, 216 Coonhound national field trial, 139
Carson, Johnny, 307 Coonhound trial, 84
Carter’s Sunday, 112 Corcoran, Jim, 89
Cartoons, 43-44 Corvino, Joe, 93, 218
Carver, Maurice, 94, 100, 218 Cosmo, 194-195
Castelli, 56 Cracker, 218
Cats, 25, 116 Crash, 79, 210
Cazarez, Hector, 289 Creed, 229
Centromere, 198 Cruelty, 224, 229
Chako’s King, 181 Cur, 74
Champion Bessie, 192 Cutters, 103
Chance Dancing Goldie, 26 Dachshund, 59, 62
Chapman, Sara, 277, 292 Dacolias Tuco, 81
Charlie, 272 Dagos Honey Suckle Rose, 237
Charlie’s Hoss Fly, 192 Dalmatian, 62
Chaves, Phil, 231 Damien, 210-211
Chevez, 10 Dawson, Red, 202
Chicago, Illinois, 92 Delta Dawn, 20
Chico, 17 Denver, Colorado, 181
Chigger, 20 Dharma, 16, 116, 285
Chili, 135 Dibo, 156, 204, 214
Chilton, Pat, 177 Dillinger, 20
China, 58 Dina-Mite, 128
Chinaman, 18 Diploid, 198
Chinese Fighting Dog, 70 Dirty Harry’s Hector, 110
Chinese Shar-Pei, 70-71 Disposition in breeding, 188
Chino, 147 Dixieland Diamond Girl, 292
Chromosomes, 196 Doberman Pinscher, 112, 284
City ordinances, 44-45 Dog Fancy Magazine, 108

315
 INDEX

Dogfighting, 34 Genetics, 196

Dog-fighting laws, 55 Gerbils, 268
Dog World Magazine, 52, 108 German Shepherd, 50, 52, 185, 218,
Dollie’s Brindle Tyrant, 281 284, 302
Dollie’s Stained Glass, 202 Germany, 305
Dolly Danger, 75 Gideon, 42, 121
Double D’s Dorsey, 266-267 Gina, 24
Double D’s Harley D, 306 Giroux’s Rocky, 106
Douglas’s Dirty Harry, 152 Glendora, California, 61
Drummer, 111, 259 Gnasher, 235, 298
Duchess, 277 Going Light Barney, 163, 185, 186
Dugan, 199 Good blood, 196
Dunn, Charles, 97 Gotch, Frank, 132
Dunn’s Clyde, 190 Graham, Joe, 48-49
Dunn, Tim, 190 Graham, Pat, 299
Duran’s Bomber, 306 Graham’s Buck, 50-51
Dusty, 260 Great Britain, 67
Ebony, 217 Great Dane, 137, 284
Egan, Pierce, 77-78 Greenwood, Mr., 75, 95
Egg cells, 199 Greenwood’s Scarlet, 161, 183
Einstein, Albert, 218 Greyhound, 63, 82, 139, 193
Elephants, 131 Griffirhi, Carl, 248
Elton III, 158 Griffirhi’s Buck, 248
Emmerts, Gary and Linda, 28 Hadley, Howard M., 61, 84, 214-215
Emmerts’s Tugger, 24-25, 303 Hagler, 289
England, 188 Hale’s Oklahoma, 246
English Bulldog, 32, 64-67 Half-and-Halfs, 64
“English Bull Terrier”, 103 Hall, Bobby, 94
English Shepherd, 88 Hall’s Sugar, 34, 141
Erasmus, 129 Hammonds, Gary J., 40, 258, 279
Ethology, 75 Hammonds’s Brutus, 258
Family dogs, 89 Hammonds’s Chelsey, 266
Fancy, 87, 105 Hammonds’s Knockit, 266
Fanged, 121 Hammonds’s Little Selma Two, 46-
Feeley, Con, 214 47
Ferris, Frank A., 95 Hammonds’s Rufus, 271
Ferris’s Mac, 95 Hammonds’s Vito, 266
Fertilization, 199 Hammonds’s Willie Boy, 228
Fitzsommons, Bob, 129 Hammonds’s Willie Son, 228
Fonseca’s Jenny, 186 Hank, 172, 270, 297
Fonseca’s Pinscher, 186 Haploid, 198
Fontenot, Jeff, 45, 245, 297 Harlem, 52
Ford’s Dancetown Dolly, 266 Harrod, Chris, 202
Foreplay, 206 “Headline mentality”, 39
Fouse’s Rambo, 242 Heinzl, Howard, 92, 129, 166, 214,
Fowler, 258 233, 275
Fox, Dr. Michael, 54 Heinzl’s Badger, 135
Freeman, Carlene, 233 Heinzl’s Blind Ben, 188
Freeman’s Rusty Red Boy, 72, 264 Heinzl’s Bozo, 48
Free will, 234 Heinzl’s Bull Dozer, 240
“Friend”, 100 Heinzl’s Bummy, 222
Frontenac’s Gator Baby, 255 Heinzl’s Chile, 48
Gaddy’s Buckshot Red, 221 Heinzl’s Cowboy Bob, 6
Gameness, 73, 82,193, 229-230 Heinzl’s D.B., 137
“Gameness gene”, 204 Heinzl’s Gringo, 277
Gamov, Dr. George, 218-219 Heinzl’s Gypsy, 222
Garfield, James A., 73 Heinzl’s Hogan, 188-189
Garner’s Tom, 89 Heinzl’s Raquel, 273
Garrett’s Jeep, 200 Heinzl’s Sadie, 275
Genes, 200 Heinzl’s Timex, 127

316
 INDEX

Heinzl’s Trudy, 102 Kelly, James, 232

Hemphill, 92 Kelpie, 160
Hennenberger, Bob, 162, 170 Kennel Club of Great Britain, 61
Henry, 245 Ketner, Karyn, 266
Henry’s Ben, 131, 274 Killer whale, 131
Heredity, 196 Kinard, Leo, 217
High Country Russ, 163 King Charles Spaniel, 64
Hilliard/Mim’s Ruby Red, 98 King Limey’s Smuggler, 246-247
Hinks, James, 62-64 Kito, 213
Hitler, Adolphe, 228 Kitty, 35, 83, 114, 166, 285, 296
Hogan, 137 Koehler, Richard, 284
Holiday’s Desperado, 266 Kolohe, 30
Hollywood, Florida, 44 Kona, 219
Homolog, 199 Koty, 209
Honey, 35, 114 Kung Fu King, 46
Hooten’s Butcher Boy, 141, 142 Labrador Retriever, 50, 59,112, 284
Hoover, 7-8, 16, 164, 166, 172-178, Laddomada, Ed, 22
270, 291, 292 Lance’s Little Gobbler, 85
Hope, 21, 212, 270 Landers, Ann, 284
Horus, 99 La Rochefoucauld, 287
Hubbard, S.W., 214 Lar-San’s Gypsy Rose, 80
Humane Society of the United Lawn mower, 48-50
States, 283 Lay back, 66
Humaniac, 10, 224-225, 228-230, Leash laws, 31
301 Lehman’s Star, 37
Humbolt Pit Bull Club, 143, 160 Levasseur, Jude, 286
Hunting, 34 Levasseur’s Smokey, 246
Hyde’s Satch, 127 Levy, Lance J., 85
Ideal pit dog, 190 Lightner, William R., 92, 129, 152,
Idle Times T.J., 86 212, 214
Innoculations for bitch, 206 Lion, 77, 131
Insurance, 31 “Lion”, 140-142
Ireland, 188 Little Boots, 172, 266
Irish potato famine, 91 Little Cleo, 278-279
Iron Jaws Mabie Buddy, 168, 282 Little Holly, 262
Ironman’s Blue, 54 Little Rascals, The, 59
Ironman’s Pee Wee, 297 Little Rock, Arkansas, 215
Ironman’s Snookie, 106 Locke’s Miss Rooster, 268
Isaac, 166, 172, 291 Lowell, James Russell, 87
Isaac, Jim, 172 Lucky Madam Red, 239
Jack Hammer, 263 Lundberg’s Penny, 76
Jake, 17, 20 Lundberg, Tom, 201
Japanese Akita, 69-70 McClintock, Dan, 92, 96
Japanese Tosa, 71 McClintock, H.L., 214-215
Jeb Stuart, 80, 254 McClure, Brad, 279
Jeep, 22, 109, 183, 200 McClure’s Little Bonnie, 279
Jessica, 154-155 McCord, Guy, 95
Jimmy Boots, 146 McCurdy, Gary, 72
Jocko,140, 179-185 McDonald, Grace L., 223, 230
Johnson, Rick, 215 McLendon, Brenda, 206
Johnson’s Bandit, 29 Maffie, Fred, 242
Johnson’s Zebo, 56 Malaysia, 194, 300
John Wayne, 155 Malo’s Clumpsy, 265
Jones, Ed, 132 Mammy, 197
Juli, 16 Manchester Terrier, 84
Junior Jay Are, 143 M and R’s Butch, 182-183
Kato, 118 Mangrum’s Shorty, 95
Keep, 117 Maranghi, John, 16
Keller, Sandy, 96 Martin, Dean, 145
Kelly, Jack, 259 Martin’s Rachael, 145 |

317
 INDEX ____________

Mary, 158 Peltier’s Pooper, 236

Maska’s Georgia, 136 Penny, 185
Maska’s Sadie, 222-223 People-mean dogs, 34, 213, 230, 287
Mastiff, 137 Perry’s Big Mac, 305
“Mastiff”, 187 Perry’s Ms. Pacman, 182-183
Matlock’s Truck, 260 Peterbilt, 42, 54, 164, 297
Mayfield’s General, 155 “Pete the Pup”, 59
Mean Joleen, 263 Petronellis’s Fox, 54
Medder’s Tiger Jack, 290 Peyote of Portales, 140
Media, 294 Phoenix, Arizonia, 152
Meiosis, 199 Pick-up match, 74
Mencken, H.L., 105 Pisano, Nick, 106
Mendel, Gregor, 200 Pit Bull, 16, 54, 102, 285
Menefee, Bob, 96 Pit bull laws, 31
Merle color, 155 “Pit Bull Terrier”, 103
Mike, 104 Pito, 118
Milk, mother’s, 208 “Pit Terrier”, 102
Mims, Carl, 152 Plumber’s Alligator, 130, 220
Mims, Judy, 130 Plumber’s Cleo, 279
Mims’s Barney, 132 Plumber’s Soko, 279
Mims’s Carolina Betsy, 130 Pogo, 170, 208
Mims’s Cora, 132 Pointer, 63
Mims’s Femme Boots Koty, 10-11 Pollard’s Mike, 55
Mims’s Hard Jack, 52-53 Pollard’s Satan, 104
Mims’s Mose, 152-153 Poncho, 109
Mims’s Pilot, 52 Powell’s Little Boots, 130
Missy, 145 Prentice, Earl, 214
Misty, 229 Pretty Boy Floyd, 263
Mitosis, 199 Primo, 86
Morris, Ham, 129 Pug, 64
Mozart, W.A., 281 Puppies
Musgrove, Sandy, 6-7 —care of, 208
Muzzle laws, 31 Quality of offspring, 201
My Dillinger Dog, 166 Queensland Heeler, 160
Neapolitan Mastiff, 68, 75 Rains, Ty, 140
Neblett, 229 Rascal, 18
Nell’s ROM, 252 Ratting, 63
Newburyport, Massachusetts, 91 Reardon, Patsy, 88
Newfoundland, 193 Redbone Coonhound, 34
Newsweek, 290 Red Boy, 10
New York, 74 Reddick’s Chigger, 20
Nick’s Admiral Kirk, 167 Red Doodle, 12
Nick’s Bianca, 119 Red John, 22
Nick’s Brewzer, 52, 147 Red Neck, 162
Nick’s Commanche, 115 Reid’s Billy, 50
Nightman’s Diesel, 22 Relyon Jake the Rake, 93
Odom’s Bad Bandit, 140 Retrievers, 34, 125, 193, 235, 239
Oklahoma, 92 Rex, 155
Old family, 89 Rhino, 128, 299
Old Family Red Nose, 123, 221, Richard’s General Fremont, 80
283, 290 Richard’s General Stuart, 80
Owens, George and Patte, 123, 184 Rick, 97
Panama Red, 202 Riddle, Maxwell, 108
Patrick’s Miss Boomer, 277 Riff-Raff, 300
Patrick’s Rojo, 212 Riptide Bandit, 194, 291-293
Peanut, 286 Riptide Beauty, 301
Peddlers, 93 Riptide Brendy, 80
Pedigrees, 96 Riptide Hoover, 173
Pekingese, 64 Riptide Isaac, 175
—mauling child, 304 Riptide Pogo, 134, 270

318
 INDEX

Riptide Rosie, 194

Socialization of pups, 209
Riptide Stormy Boots, 266 Society for the Prevention of
Riptide Sweetie Pie, 21 Cruelty to Animals, 223
RRz, W.E., 282 Sodbuster, 286-287
Robert Newtown, 93 Solis's Brynner. 171
Roberto, 12 Sooner. 146
Rocca, Frank, 244 Sorrells, Bert, 129
Rocca’s Cherry Bomb, 241 Sorrells's Hurt 99
Rocca’s Cherry Brandy, 241 Spark, Pete, 162
Rocca’s Dice, 244 Spartacus Tufty. 132-133
Romero, Julie, 24 S.P.C.A.. 228
Rooney, Andy, 311 Species, 302
Rose’s Red Cole, 27 Sperm cells, 199
Rosso’s Joe D, 179 Spike. 156, 271
Rowdy, 148-152 Spindle, 198
Rub, 118 Spook. 152-156. 214
Rufin, 12 Sporting Dog JounicL 242, 259
Rufus, 40-41 Sports mustrated, 289. 291.297
Rush Tango, 56 Squeezer. 24
Russell, Bertrand, 211 Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 60.61.
Saddler, George, 92, 100 280
Sagan, Carl, 31 Staffordshire Terrier. 59. 61. S6
Saleem’s Boom Boom, 106 St Benedict's Cher. ISO
Saloon, 29 St Benedict's Cher Cher La
Sam, 72-73, 122, 205 Femme, 151
San Diego Tribune, 36, 282 STB’s Dylan, 183. 4243
Scanlan, Thomas, 14 STB’s Frankie, 38
Schaeffer, Mary L., 152 STB’s Rooster. 212
Schiller’s Queenie, 151 STB’s Sugar. 34
Scissors bite, 190 Steinberg, David. 307
Scotland, 187 Stevens, Billy. 146
Scratching, 121-123 Stevens’s Black Pearl. 260
Selective breeding, 124, 188, 199 Stevens’s Murphy. 117
Semencic, Carl, 69 Stevens, Ozzie. 241
Sensationalism, 306 Stevens’s Pattie. 192
Sex cells, 198 Stevens’s Solo. 241
Shaft, 147 Stone, Al, 48
Shar-Pei, 70-71 Stormy, 148
Shaw, George Bernard, 15 Stratton, Dick. 20-21. 172. 175
Shebesta’s Justice, 146 Stratton, Stephanie, 174
Shebest’s Rosie, 302 Street, Martin, 102. 137. 186.188
Sherwood’s Popeye, 210, 269 Street, Randy and Cathy. 102
Shetland Sheepdog, 59 Stubblefield’s Buddy. 176
Submission display. 76
Shosty, 109 Sullivan. John L.. 89
Show Bulldog, 32, 64-67
Shreve's Cycle, 239 Su-Mesh, 186-187
Shreve, Stephanie, 239, 272 Susie, 6-7
Swamper, 146
Siberian tiger, 77, 132
Sweet William. 307
Simon, 20 S.&W. Fox. 278-279
Sir Winston, 32-33, 125
Swift, Ed, 289
Size, 129 Swinford Bandogge. 68-69
Skipper, 248 Swinney’s Buster, 210
Slater, Hutch, 10, 38 Sylvestri, Louis. 216
Slutc-r's Bad Baby, 110 Taiwan, 75
Sinter’s Samson Lee, 3U Takithat, 217
Sled dogs, 77, 124 Tank, 173
Swol‘li<'h.<ll)e'’"lc' 10 Tar, 16, 270
Tempe Tesse. 222
Tetrads, 199
 INDEX __________________

Thirty-five Years of Fighting Dogs, Walsh, Mike and Terry, 180, 276
103, 212 Walsh’s Black Hole of Calcutta,
Thoreau, Henry David, 107 276
Threat display, 76 Weaning, 209
Tia, 122 Weasil, 20
Tibetan Mastiff, 58 Webb, Danny, 8
Tiger, 48-49, 131 Webb’s Brus Balboa, 8
Timber wolf, 77 Weldon, Amber, 20
Time, 290 Weldon, Ed, 212
Tombstone, 79, 204 Weldon, Kelly, 17
Tonka, 193 Weldon’s Miss Kitty, 146
Toro, 265 Welshman Angel, 288
Tosa, 71, 74, 75, 131 Whelping box, 206
Training period, 117-118 White, Matt, 132, 136, 210, 269, 294
Tramp, 10 White Rock, 95, 214
Transmission of genes, 196 Wild animals, 292
Travillion, Frances, 254 Wilkerson’s Little Boots, 130
Travillion’s Blackjack, 196 William, Christian and Hansel, 209
Treadmill, 264 Williams, Jack, 214
Triple S Buster, 136 William’s Reuben, 127
Trouble, 18, 242 Williams, Terry, 279
Troy’s Terror, 298 Wilson, Pat, 191
Tucker, 35, 191, 253, 296 Winn’s Red Neck, 78, 88-87, 225
Tudor, Earl, 92, 97, 162 Winstead, 212
Tudor’s Cherry, 162-171 Wise, Bob, 119
Tuffy, 261 Wolverine, 77
Tugger, 28, 306 Wood’s Snooty, 34
Turbo, 148 World of Fighting Dogs, The, 69
Tusks, 103-104 World of the American Pit Bull
Ty’s Cuervo, 140 Terrier, The, 176, 223
United Kennel Club, 60, 88, 103 Yankee Boy’s Bean, 109
University of Colorado, 218 Young’s Geronimo, 224
U. & S.’s Tater, 303 Young’s Southern Bad, 213
Vashtie, 134, 194 Your Friend and Mine, 162
Veronie, Kale, 220 Zebo, 249
Voltaire, 43 Zeus, 106-107
Vose’s Merle, 92 Zipper, 249
Wallace, Bob, 92, 96, 148, 215-216, Zonklin’s Schot Jr., 145
236 Zygote, 199
Wallace’s Bad Red, 210

320