First Published: 1935

Published by Jack Jones, Washington D.C.

Various facsimiles & reprints produced

also available on amazon kindle - https://amzn.to/39jlJy6 

Book Description

Originally published 1935, USA. The original is very rare, expensive and much sought after by dogmen and collectors, both for its rarity and the information contained within. "Thirty Years With Fighting Dogs" is a look at the sport of dog fighting in the early 20th century through the eyes of George Armitage, an acknowledged master of the game. It contains 55 rare photographs including Galvin's Pup, John Noonan's Brandy, Tanner, Shipley's Pearlie, Saddler's Bozo, Dugan's Pat and many more. Many famous battles are related. The contents also include articles on Schooling a Young Dog, Selecting a Dog for Pit Purposes, Armitage's Rules, Sample Contract, Armitage's Keep, Feeding and Breeding. A fascinating look at a vanished era.

INTRODUCTION

In writing this book I have spent many an hour when I should have been in my bed sleeping, but I had promised the Fanciers that I would get this book out by December 1st, if possible. I had to make my word good, for a thing that I place on the list first is to be as good as your word. 

I wish to take this opportunity to thank all my personal friends and the many new acquaintances that I have made for their kindness in sending in the histories of their dogs, and for the many rare photos of famous dogs which appear in this volume.  Without their help, so enthusiastically given, this book could not have been made possible. 

I would like to hear from the readers, either by letter or through the various Journals, Bloodlines, Grit and Steel, or The Gamecock, whether the book comes up to their expectations. I especially hope that it will prove of benefit to the amateurs and beginners in the game. If my knowledge and ray experience help them over the rough spots in this rough game, I will be satisfied that it has been a good Job well done.

Yours for success,

George C. Armitage

TO THE OWNERS OF THIS BOOK 

When this book was announced to the public, it was out intention to include in it a list of the 50 most famous dogs of the Twentieth Century.

After compiling the records of over 700 dogs from 1905 up to the present time, we have arrived at the decision that such a list is both impossible and impracticable, and has no place in this book To publish same would give an unearned prestige to some dogs, and to eliminate others would case a reflection on them that they have not rightfully earned, as we frankly admit that we are not capable of the task of being judge and jury.

From the records in the Congressional Library in Washington of all dog magazines and books, we have gleaned the fact that claims were made for many dogs that would entitle them to this rating. From FACTS of actual fights, we find that some breeders have no regard for the truth, and in many cases listed kennel rolls, scrimmages between dogs varying in weight up to 22 pounds, and in some cases fights that never took place as actual "hard won battles". We find one man listing his dog as the "great undefeated Champion", and saying he won 5 battles, when called on for the facts, he gave only two fights, saying he could not "remember" the others. Another dog listed as the winner of many battles and the greatest dog that ever breathed at his weight was found to have been stopped once and held to a draw twice. One man claimed that his dog had actually killed 20 dogs, but we never found a single Instance where he had even had a fight. 

It began to look as if the man with the greatest vocabulary and the biggest liar would own most of these 50 dogs, and not wishing to give publicity to any parties that have not earned it, we have dispensed with the list. 

However, as a convenience and as a courtesy to the owners of this book we wish to say that our record of these 700 dogs are at your disposal and that we will be glad to furnish the record on any dog, or dogs, that we may have the record on, free of charge. In writing for any record we respectfully ask that you include in your request the name of the dog and number, if possible, list all owners of this dog-some names are changed when the dogs are sold - give the weight and the approximate dates of the fight that you wish to know about. Also, if possible, the names of opponent and owner. This will save both time and unnecessary correspondence.

When writing, please enclose self-addressed stamped envelope, as we are doing this out of courtesy to the buyers of the book.

Respectfully, 

GEORGE C. ARMITAGE 

Box 407,

New Kensington, Pennsylvania.

INDEX

Introduction 

To Owners of this Book

Early History

McDonald's Maud vs Schofield's Florodora

Parren's Pat vs Caire 's Rowdy

Noonan’s Brandy vs Wilcox's Demon

Patsy Brannigan vs Annstrong’s Paddy

Feeley's Bob F vs Don

Parren’s Pat vs Yellow Boy

Parren's Dolly vs MacDonald's Maud

Armitage’s Molly vs McKay's Queen

Armitage's Cue vs Blackwell's Jack

Armitage's Cue vs Baerlocker's Jack

Redican’s Major vs Cincinnati Paddy

Armitage's Jack vs Fitzwater's Billy

Armitage's Bucky vs Blackwell's Brownie

McCarthy's Jeff vs Bull

Redican's Kinker vs Degnan's Billy

Redican’s Frank vs Frischcorn's Duke

Armitage's Mike Jr. vs Boyle's Togo

Con Feeley’s Brindle and White dog vs Peace's Bounce

Dunable's Spot vs Boyle's Togo

Redican’s Sailor vs Frischcorn's Duke

Dugan’s Pat vs McDermott's Mack

Armitage’s Captain vs Curry's King

Armitage’s Mike vs Frischcorn's Duke

Famous Battles of Kager

Armitage's Brandy vs Conway's Storm

Armitage's Major vs Welch's Milo

Komosinki's Jeff vs McKenzie's Jiggs

Where Weight Did Not Count

Clark's Sandy vs Smith's Billy Sunday

Armitage's Bob vs Curry's Man-0-War

Armitage's Lena vs Bernero’s Joker

Lloyd's Pilot vs Krieger's Crib

Feeley's Jim vs Farmer's Turk

History of Clark's Sport

Con Feeley

Schooling a Young Pup and Trying Out a Dog for Gameness

Notes About Selecting a Dog for Pit Purposes

Care of Dog's Feet

Care or Dog After Battle

Handling a Dog Before He Enters the Pit

Rubbing a Dog Down

Armitage's Rules and Regulations to Govern

Dog Fighting

Notes on Rules

Articles of Agreement

Armitage's Conditioning Method

Armitage's Feeding Method

Breeding the Pit Dog

Dog Men are not Writers

Letter from Jim Boutelle

Jack ward's Article

Happenings of Famous Dogs

To the Readers of this Book

Answers to Questions

Scrap Book Section

Illustrations

Chuck Vogel and Old Sam 

Parren's Pat 

Galvin's Pup 

John Noonan and Brandy Armitage's Patsy Brannigan 

Duffy's Jack 

Parren’s Dolly 

Armitage's Cue 

John Burke's Tanner 

Armitage's Bucky

Jim Corcoran and Shipley 

Shipley’s Mutt 

Tom McGough's Tige 

William Shipley’s Pearlie 

Fred Hilliard and J. J. Gleeson 

Pat Shannon and Pat Conroy 

Armitage's Toney 

Dugan's Pat 

Armitage's Mike 

Bowser and Captain 

Armitage's Kager

Armitage's Brandy 

Armitage's Major 

Harvey Peace and Semmes' Tanner 

Armitage's Mike II 

Armitage's Bob 

Armitage's Lena 

Armitage's Alice

Cockney Charlie and Pilot 

Cockney Charlie and Paddy 

Feeley’s Jim

Farmer's Turk 

Clark's Sport 

Clark's Paddy 

Conway’s Duke 

Conway’s Pete

Jack Ward 

Schofield, Sullivan, Bowser 

Clark's Spike 

McDonald's Gashouse Dog 

Armitage's Muggsy 

Armitage's Ripper

Bing, The Catchweight Dog 

Muggsy and Straightaway wheel 

Armitage's Goldy 

Armitage's Ginger 

George Saddler's Bozo 

Mitchell's Spike 

Clark's Jim 

Clark's Peggy 

Williams' Brindle Jack 

Joe Peace's Boxer