"A history of fighting dogs through the ages, which explains the ways in which they were used, from the war dogs of ancient Persia through to European dog fighting in the 19th century"
"Pitting man's best friend against man's best friend counts amongst the most heinous crimes our race has ever committed. Animal rights activists and many dog lovers cannot bear the thought of dog fighting as an acceptance "sport", yet the breeds once used in these bloody games remain among the world's most loved and popular companion dogs. The History of the Fighting Dogs traces the fascinating history of the dog pits, from staged battles with bulls and bears, to the queer pittings of dog against monkeys, opossums, and donkeys, to the gory contents with a thousand rats, to the ultimate fight: dog against dog.
We cannot ignore or deny the history of our dogs, or of our race. This important first volume by international dog expert Dr. Dieter Fleig delved deeply into the history of the fighting dog, its effects on our dogs today, and its reflection on the social character of the times.
Over a hundred prints, paintings, and sculptures - many in color - bring to life the woeful tales of the dog pit and the brave canine warriors that proved fearless and relentless time and time again. For advocates of the bull and terrier breeds, for all dog lovers, and for animal people everywhere, this book is a timeless, truthful testament to man's best friend and his all-giving - and forgiving-heart."
CONTENTS
Foreword
Introduction
The Development of the Dog into a Specialist
Classification by Carl Linnaeus
Classification by Stonehenge in British Rural Sports (1856)