#gamedogs

CHAPTER ONE

 “Remember that the most beautiful things in the world

are the most useless; peacocks and lilies for instance.”                                                            Ruskin

 The Mongrel with the Mumps

             When Someone unfamiliar with the breed gets his first look at an assortment of American Pit Bull Terriers, he may be singularly unimpressed. These dogs, after all, lack the uniformity of show breeds. Some have large heads, while others, by comparison, have rather narrow heads. Some of the dogs are small, and even the big ones look like friendly smooth-coated retrievers. What these dogs have in common is not readily apparent to the casual observer. The trained eye, however, notes the whipcord bodies, the agile movement, and vise-like jaws possessed by even the narrow-headed dogs. All the dogs, from the smallest to the largest, have a tigerish aura. Even so, few people would no believe that these dogs are the very ultimate in canine formidability.            The supremacy of the American Pit Bull Terrier has been demonstrated time and again. When we consider that this breed has been bred for fighting for at least several hundred years, and more likely several thousand, years, it is not surprising that it would triumph, regardless of size, over other breeds that had not themselves been so bred. However, fifty and sixty-pound Pit Bulls have conquered 120-pound Tosas in Japan, and those dogs have been bred for fighting. Why does the American Pit Bull Terrier enjoy such an overwhelming advantage? The answer is not completely clear, but I think it has something to do with the length of time the breeds have been bred for the purpose. Obviously, the Pit Bull is a purer descendant of the ancient fighting dogs that the other breeds.            Of course, some people will be repulsed by the breed exactly because of its lusty enjoyment of fighting contact and its deadly efficiency therein. So be it. The breed is not for everyone. In fact, a Pit Bull owner should be a more responsible person than your average dog owner. One of the problems of the APBT breed is that while it requires responsible ownership, its appeal is all too often to the irresponsible types – but not always. Some truly eminent people have involved themselves with these dogs. “But why would anyone want such a dog?” is often asked – usually to the amusement of those of us who wonder anyone bothers with any other kind! Perhaps a more valid and more perplexing point is why anyone would take an interest in dogfighting. The point should be made that the most minute fraction of Pit Bull owners are involved, but even with these, how do we explain their interest?            To look at this from a more objective perspective, let’s consider horse racing. Now, we all know that the sport of horse racing is populated by a large number of shady characters; however, there is no denying that there are also lots of good people, too. Intelligent me (and women) are absolutely obsessed with the ownership and breeding of racing thoroughbreds. And many of these people are captains of industry of at the pinnacle of success in other fields; yet their greatest passion is for these horses, and their greatest joy is from whatever success they achieve with them. But why is it so fascinating, this “Sport of Kings”? After all, the slowest automobile travels faster with ease, and other animals, some smaller than the thoroughbred, can run faster, too. But it doesn’t matter. We all understand, to a greater or lesser degree, that fascination in such things is not irrational.            All right, then, let’s consider the seemingly irrational interest many have in pit dogs. First of all, fighting is a much more complex activity than simple running, with many variables and complications involved. Further, the American Pit Bull Terrier reigns absolutely supreme in this area. Other animals anywhere at all near his size have no chance. In addition, because of his great strength, agility, and courage, the APBT is good for other things besides fighting. As a bonus, the Pit Bull is intelligent, is affectionate, and has possibly the most stable disposition of all dogs.            There are many ways that the American Pit Bull Terrier is unique. Let’s just take one trait as an example. A disproportionately large number of Pit Bulls are able to climb trees. There seem to be two explanations for this fact. First, Pit Bulls are extremely strong-willed animals, and if there is something in that tree that they want, they’ll find a way to get up there! Second, Pit Bulls use their forelegs in battle for leverage, much as a wrestler uses his arms. This makes the forelegs, in some ways, more human-like and capable of grasping. All this, coupled with the characteristic strength of the breed, enables many individuals to climb trees.            In any case, I think anyone with a semblance of an open mind can see that there is plenty to be fascinated about in regard to these animals. They are much more complex than racehorses, and they are such a distinctive breed that it is difficult to be satisfied with anything else once you’ve owned one. This is all the more remarkable when we take into account that the breed is more trouble to keep than most (since they must be kept separated from other dogs) and that they are not particularly good-looking—in many people’s eyes, anyway! In fact, my friend Professor Lutz, who has kept a number of different breeds but is now absolutely sold on Pit Bulls, has dubbed this dog “the mongrel with the mumps” because of its often non-classic appearance. (Actually, I’ve always felt that the APBT took the prizes in both directions. While some are laughably homely or horrifyingly ugly, others have a distinctive grace and elegance.)            It is probably natural to jump to the conclusion that those drawn to the Pit Bull want an animal with fighting propensities; hence, they would be dissatisfied with any other breed. That premise would hold only for a very small percentage of APBT owners, as the vast majority are not at all interested in the fighting aspect of the dogs. However, even this great throng of “pacifists” would not be inclined to condemn dogfighting out of hand, as the general public does, for they have come to know their charges will enough to acknowledge the simple fact that letting them fight is about as cruel as allowing a bird to fly.            Regarding the small percentage of owners that are interested in the pit aspect of the APBT, the reader might think that even if the contests are remarkably complex and exciting, any interest generated would be dampened by the brutality involved. However, once you know what you’re looking at and seeing, a pit dog contest gives no more impression of brutality than a marathon race or, better yet, America’s favorite sport, pro football.            In any case, it is not my intent to proselytize the general public—or anyone!—to dogfighting. However, in view of the fact that I am obviously a big fan of Pit Bulls (the product of countless years of pit fighting), it would be an incongruity—not to mention an absolute hypocrisy—for me to condemn it. My main concern is that if pit fighting is made to seem worse than it actually is, the resulting public outcry will result in the passage of laws that will make it downright hazardous to own a Pit Bull. There are other pernicious effects of such legislation, and I’ll have more to say about that later on.            The point of this entire chapter is that the Pit Bull is a truly unique breed. Of course, all breed owners think that about their particular breed, but in the case of the American Pit Bull Terrier, it’s really true! That is why people, good people, demonstrate a steadfast loyalty to the breed in spite of everything. And there is surely no other breed with which such devotion—and yes, courage, too—is needed. In addition to unusual devotion and responsibility to his dogs, the Pit Bull owner must be strong-minded, for he will find the general public’s attitude toward his favorite breed to be completely negative and often hostile. It doesn’t help to know that these poor fools know not one whit what they’re talking about. And you don’t know whether to be amused or depressed by observing people conditioned by animal-welfare groups and the news media, in effect, jumping through hoops and insisting this attitude was their own idea! (The humane groups train the public through the news media to react to the Pit Bull in a negative way.) In any case, if you are going to own one of these “dogs of iron,” you had best have a little steel in your own makeup, too! Those that do will be repaid many times by their dog. As for the ignoramuses who can be such a nuisance, let us be patient and tolerant. Perhaps even a little pity might be in order. Not everyone is able to appreciate a good American Pit Bull Terrier and to enjoy the special thrill of owning one.

           Recently, at a Thanksgiving dinner, a favorite uncle of mine introduced me as someone who raised Pit Bulls. Knowing my uncle’s evil sense of humor and propensity for inflicting awkward situations on me to see how well I squirm out of them, I knew that I was being set up. My uncle’s friend was obviously intelligent and well educated and, above all, a gentle and kindly person. So, naturally, his response to my “exposure” as a devotee of the Pit Bulldogs was something of a shock to him. “Oh dear! Oh dear!” he said, shaking his head in a mild reproof. I regarded him bemusedly and answered, “Brainwashed by the news media, I see!” After making that pronouncement, I rebuked him gently for allowing an educated man like himself to be hoodwinked so easily. And because he was educated, intelligent, and open-minded, he listened to me as I explained what the Pit Bull was really like. He apparently gave some credence to what I had to say, for he left that night with a parting comment that he wanted to talk to me about acquiring a Pit Bull pup – much to the amusement of my uncle who knew very well (from experience with my dogs) that Pit Bulldogs, despite their reputation to the contrary, have possibly the best and most stable dispositions of all dogs.            Unfortunately, it must be assumed that anyone familiar with Pit Bulldogs who happens to pick up this book has been brainwashed by the news media, for certainly most of the public has been brainwashed, and where else would they have gotten their information? It is hoped, however, that the reader will be open-minded enough to consider this most deserving of dogs on his own merits and not on his reputation. It may seem that where there is all this smoke, there must be at least a little fire – and, sure enough, there is! These are dogs with awesome fighting ability; and since they enjoy fighting, they can be a danger to other dogs, regardless of size, and to other animals, too. Thus, the owner of a Pit Bulldogs must be a responsible person and not violate the leash laws as so many others do.            Since the Pit Bull is a unique breed of dog, special precautions are needed for keeping him. I have provided a chapter that details some of the systems for keeping more than one Pit Bull and, of course, they can be used even if you’re keeping only one. It’s easy once you know how, and it’s worth it, for these dogs are truly special.            Some may feel that I have been soft on dogfighters (or pit dog men, as they prefer to call themselves), but there are plenty of other writers who know little about pit dog men but condemn them roundly and regularly, so why should I add to that? I think my place is more to put things into perspective for readers that have been regularly spoon-fed stories of how kittens and small dogs are used for bait in the training of a pit dog. And, too, although of a scientific bent, I am a hopeless romantic when it comes to this breed, for I view them as the most courageous and heroic of dogs, and I’m not convinced they’d stay that way without the fiery sport that forged them.            Perhaps one reason I am so tolerant and understanding of pit dog men is that in my youth it was my good fortune to know some very fine men who happened to be pit dog men. Although they could stand to watch a pit dog take punishment in a match, they were more tender than most people when it came to animals, and they were bona fide dog lovers, too. They were far more responsible dog owners than the vast majority of people – including many of those who criticize pit dog men. My old mentor Bob Wallace, in particular, was highly critical of irresponsible behavior of the average dog owner. And I have never known anyone who had a better feeling for dogs of took better care of them.            This book is my third on the American Pit Bull Terrier. Ideally, the books should be read in order, starting with This Is the American Pit Bull Terrier, then the Book of the American Pit Bull Terrier, and finishing with this one. No harm is done, however, in reading the books out of sequence. Indeed, this book in some ways is more of a primer than the other two in that it gets down to basics about such elementary things as the feeding and housing of an APBT.            Some readers may be shocked that I provide a generalized “keep” in this book. But why not do it? The contesting of dogs is continuing unabated, so why not help relative novices provide their charges with the best possible conditioning and feeding methods? After all, my thesis has always been that matching dogs is not cruel if done properly. Besides, just exactly how all of this is done will be of interest to the regular Pit Bull owner and perhaps even to those poor toy dog devotees who have been horrified and sickened by stories of how pit dog men are constantly on the prowl for little dogs to use as “training bait”!

           One of the problems with a third book is to avoid repeating what was already covered some place in the other two. However, some things are worth repeating, and other items needed embellishing. Generally, though, the material in this book consists of what I still had to say about what I consider to be the most remarkable and unique breed of dog that has ever existed.

Richard F. Stratton

AN IMPORTANT NOTE TO READERS OF THIS BOOK

           You are going to find as you read this book that my feelings about dogfighting are much different from the feelings about dogfighting that you’ve had thrust at you from the print and electronic news media. Unlike the media, I’m not against dogfighting; I like game dogs, and I like most of the pit dog men I’ve come across. So naturally any book I write about the world’s premier fighting dog is going to be partial to pit contests and pit dog people, and it will put the knock on their enemies. I’m biased, obviously.            You might conclude while reading the book that I’ve been strong in expressing both my likes and my dislikes; you might even feel that I’ve been too strong. That’s okay -- at least you know where I stand. But the one thing you should not conclude from what I’ve said in this book is that I’d like to see you get involved with dogfighting. I don’t think that you should. I think that you should keep away from dogfighting in any form, and the reason I think so is based on one very important consideration: dogfighting is illegal in most of the places this book will be read. Now I can sit down at a typewriter every day and knock out a new manuscript saying why I think dogfighting is a humane and sensible activity and why I think the people against dogfighting are mindless and gutless humaniacs – but that doesn’t change the fact that the laws I rail against have sharp teeth, and I wouldn’t want you to run afoul of them. The laws are mostly counterproductive and egregious, but you can’t use the laws’ idiocy as a defense is you’re charged with breaking them. I hate to say it, but the best way to avoid having dogfighting charges lodged against you is to be completely blameless. (One way, for example, to make sure that you never get arrested at a dogfight is never to go to a dogfight where dogfighting is illegal.)            Just in case you’re not aware of some the very stiff laws against dogfighting in the United States, I’m going to reproduce here a portion of the text of the section dealing with “animal fighting ventures” from a 1976 federal law; many state laws are even worse. Take my advice: don’t: get caught breaking any of the laws against dogfighting. Use any legal means you want to educate the public and change the laws, but steer clear of breaking them. The humaniacs who’ve gotten the laws passed would like nothing better than to see you locked up and fined heavily for having anything to do with the pit – don’t give them the satisfaction.

§2156. Animal fighting venture prohibition—Sponsoring or exhibiting animal in any fighting venture    (a)It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly sponsor of exhibit an animal in any animal fighting venture to which any animal was moved in interstate or foreign commerce. Buying, selling, delivering, or transporting animals for animal fighting venture    (b)It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly sell, buy, transport, or deliver to another person of receive from another person for purposes of transportation, in interstate or foreign commerce, any dog or other animal for purposes of having the dog or other animal participate in an animal fighting venture. Use of Postal Service of other interstate instrumentality for promoting or furthering animal fighting venture    (c)It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly use the mail service of the United States Postal Service or any interstate instrumentality for purposes of promoting or in any other manner furthering an animal fighting venture except as performed outside the limits of the States of the United States. Violation of state law    (d)Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a), (b), or (c) of this sections, the activities prohibited by such subsections shall be unlawful with respect to fighting ventures involving live birds only if the fight is to take place in a state where it would be in violation of the laws thereof. Penalties (e)Any person who violates subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both, for each violation.