Pit Bulls and Tenacious Guard Dogs

Rating:
Summary: I question the author's breeding ethics heavily...
Review: Although the author seems fairly knowledgeable on quite a few breeds he writes about, it is impossible to be an expert on all of them. Just the same, in his review of Bullmastiffs, he reports that he bred his own male Bullmastiff at the tender age of 10 months when he knew that it had a genetic immune deficiency. Hips cannot be accurately X-ray'd for displasia until the age of two years, which any responsible breeder of a large dog knows. Then he goes on to complain about the poor health quality of these poor dogs (which, by the way, would have been created by similar unethical breeding practices.) The same kind of irresponsible breeding he practices is responsible for the problems he decries in the German Shepherd (although he does have some accurate criticisms). He seems a bit illogically biased towards the APBT. He states that a Bull Terrier's size is not sufficient for stopping power, yet never brings this up with the APBT. I love Pit Bulls too, but I really don't think it's accurate to judge them on different criteria than other breeds. Pit Bulls are, after all, a people lover, and in my opinion not of the guarding calibur of breeds that have been bred for centuries for guarding and protection. Altogether, "Pit Bulls and Tenacious Guard Dogs" lacks consistency and impartiality and raises some serious questions about the author's breeding ethics.

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

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

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

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

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book an all around source of info for rare breeds.
Review: The first thing one notices about this book is the large amount of quality color photos filling the book. This book was purchased by me to help me decide what type of dog to get. Not only did this book begin a domino efffect that would result in dogs being a hobby but I also became enamoured with the Pit Bull. This book was read by most of my friends who were looking for dogs and I think it helped everyone. The book is ordered very logically with breeds in alphabetical order and is very straightforward about physical and behavioural characteristics of each of the suitable guard breeds. When a dog is less suitable around children, the author lets you know. It is probably my favorite dog book and I now have quite a collection.

Rating:
Summary: Great book can't put it down.
Review: To start let me tell you I own two Pit bulls male and female and they are great natural guard dogs, don't believe the other people that tell you they are not because the dogs are people friendly, German Shephards are people friendly that this mean they are not good guard dogs of course not, they are one of the best. I agree with the author when he says Pit bulls only love their family and friends of its family and will oppose any enemy of its family with a ferocity that was unprecedented in the world of dogs. I dare anyone to break into my home or jump my back yard fence and that will prove my point. I also love all guard dog breeds and this book gives great information on them specially breeds that are rare. Since I purchased this book I can't put it down, it has good pictures of great dogs. This book is a great book to own, buy it!