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Rating: 
Summary: New Information on a very old subject yet again.
Review: In my opinion, one can offer nothing but a five star review to any book that is based solely upon totally independent research and which offers valid information that has never been offered in writing anywhere before. This is especially true when the subject in question is one of the oldest and most commonly discussed subjects in the world. For the past two decades, Semencic has been this area of interest's greatest pioneer. If he has, in fact, made the decision to write no more books about dogs (as he suggests is the case in Gladiator Dogs), dog fanciers world-wide have certainly lost something important. It's a pity that any of us are so blind (read "jealous") as to be unable to see what he has contributed. "Gladiator Dogs" is written in typical Semencic-style, as if he were "talking dogs" with an old friend. Like his other books, information is offered about breeds that have never, ever been mentioned in print. All of the information is first hand. It is based upon what he has learned from his worldwide network of friends and acquaintances who are involved with these rare breeds and upon the extensive travel he has done in order to come to know these breeds himself. There are a few editorial errors in this book but it is plain to see that these errors are the fault of the publisher and not the author. All that I could find are restricted to photo captions. Maybe this author could have use another publisher? Also, I am a little bothered by the fact that I bought this book when it was first released at $60.00. Now it is available for much less. But this isn't Semencic's doing either. All in all, if you are seriously interested in the gladiator breeds of dogs, there is no question that you should own this book. If you own none of his books, buy them all and keep them in good shape because they will be collector's items one day, should they ever go out of print. His first book, "Fighting Dogs", in its original cover is a collectors item already. Congratulations "Doc". Thanks for the great contribution to the world of dogs and thanks for including us in your hobby.
Rating: 
Summary: An opinionated but informative look at a rare subject
Review: Dr. Sememcic gives us a look into the world of canines that are unfortunately common place in todays headlines He is also able to deliver a breif overture of some obscure and rather unheard of breeds. Some of his references are one sided and opinionated. But to his credit he does do more research on the subject of fighting dogs than some of the other better known authors. I felt that the book was very informative and I did enjoy it despite the author's sometimes boring text book style of narative. The pictures in this book are some of the best that I have ever seen in any dog book. I would definately recodmend this book.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for true Working Dog fans
Review: Excellent book packed with unbiased information on many of the worlds most exotic working breeds. Both pictures and information are top notch and hard to find else were. For those of you living in a closet, the Dr is THE authority on working dogs and he has done magnificent job on this book.
Rating:
Summary: Gladiator Dogs
Review: Excellent Book. The Author has done an extraordinary job compiling indepth facts and truths about these interesting and great breeds. This is a book that you can't put down. If there is one detail I must point out, I feel the author left out one important breed, The Argentine Dogo. Examining the other breeds and their intended purposes, as outline in this great reference book, I personally feel that this one breed was left out. This book is a must have.
Rating:
Summary: It's about time big dogs got a good review
Review: I have an American Bulldog named Gator X. He has the potential to bring down a big man, and it was not hard to make this choice of dog with the help of the man, Dr. Carl.
If you are in the market for a good mastiff doggue, please read this book. These dogs may be big and scary, but they have also been bred for 2 thousand years to stick to their humans. This book shows this in all honesty. Yes, there are fighting pics, but I see small dogs do the same thing owned by bad owners.
Dr. Semencic is the penultimate expert on what a dog can do, and where they came from, and that THEY ARE GREAT DOGS TO LOVE, NOT ONLY FEAR.
Please read this book if you are a big dog enthusiast. If you want a book that delivers great insight as to why so many of these breeds are misunderstood, buy it. If you want amazing pictures, buy it.
I can not imagine taking anyone else's word as to the dog world considering the mastiff breeds than Dr. Semencic's.
History should ensure mistakes are not made again. Here is a book that shows you why these dogs are here, and why you should respect them or go small. I have a military life, and my hubby may be gone, but because of this book, and his preceeding, and because of Laurakennels, I am safe, secure, and enriched.
May you all read this and realize that dogs are big investments with great history and great rewards. This book is the decisive measure for those on the line.
Go bullies go.
Rating:
Summary: One You Shouldn't Miss Out On
Review: I have over 65 dog books and this is by far one of my best. This book is well written, full of information, and a joy to read. Get it!
Rating:
Summary: And in the beginning the was only this author.
Review: I paid quite a bit of money for this book, and got the usual stuff. Color pictures of dogs standing around, and breed standards. Oh yeah, and lots of Carl's personal comments on everything from who he knows to what he likes to eat. Don't make the same mistake I made. Just borrow the book from a friend or the library - don't pay the price.
Rating:
Summary: Well detailed and researched
Review: This is very similar to The World of Fighting Dogs. While there's more information about each breed, there aren't many new breeds. I count the Jindo, the Canary Dog, and the South African Boerboel. I'm not sure that this necessitated a new book, but when I'm looking for information I turn to this book instead of The World of Fighting Dogs since, as I noted, it does contain more information.
Once again, the photographs are excellent, and I'm glad that Dr. Semencic went to the trouble of pulling so many photos together. These dogs are truly beautiful examples of their breed.
Rating: 
Summary: Casual and opinionated- but a rare book on the topic.
Review: Yes this is a simple book. Yes it reads like a grandpa telling you his wartime stories in the backyard. Yes the photos looks like those taken off of a traveler's album. No this is not a major academic work on the subject. BUT ... Yes, this is also the only book I've seen on rare breeds such as the Boerboel. Yes, this is the only book that I've seen to dare show pictures of fighting dogs in action. Yes, the author made an attempt on his free vacation time to visit places that no other have shown before as it relates to the subject of fighting dogs. No, the book is not a waste of money for those inclined to have a "bulldoggy" book on their shelf. After all, it's about supply and demand........and the supply on this subject is still few. Until more comprehensive books are published, Dr. Semencic is still the leading authority in terms of relaying this information to the public outside of cyberspace.
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