Dog were matched against bears, lions, horses and monkeys most popular of all though were dogfights. Fighting dogs were prized for their willingness to fight no matter what their condition. Dog fights were conducted according to a set of rules which varied depending on the location of the fight, one set of rules stated that dogs had to attack their opponents to win even if the other dog was dead. Dogs were matched at even weights so as to ensure an even contest and 'tasters' were employed to lick the coat of the opposing dog to ensure that no pugnacious substance had been added to the coat to discourage its opponent from attacking. Sometimes a communal bucket of milk was used to neutralize the effects of acidic substances.

Dog fighting and ratting were so popular it is said that events would be frequented by both nobility and low life rogues alike. The later would pray upon those sorry witnesses to this blood letting with gamblers and pickpockets plying their trade at notorious venues such as the famous Westminster Pit. J

A History of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Stafford like most dogs is a hybrid, developed in the eighteenth century to satisfy the so called 'sporting' pastime of dog fighting. Staffords were breed from Bulldogs and Terriers, many different crosses were made in an attempt to develop a game, tenacious and intelligent fighting dog.

Bulldogs had been used for baiting sports for hundreds of years but baiting sports were outlawed in 1877. Although baiting continued in some areas for many years eventually, what with the pressures bought to bear by animal rights campaigners such as the RSPCA, these bloody and gruesome pastimes died off.

Bulldogs and Terriers were used by 'Sportsman' of the time who looked to other forms of sport/entertainment and so it came that the Bull and Terrier, the Pit Dog, breed by black country steelworkers and miners specifically for the purpose of Dog fighting was born.

Those dogs were a mixture of Bulldog and game Terriers. The effect was to create a fighting dog which retained the tenacity and courage of the old Baiting Bulldogs whilst taking the speed and intelligence of the Terrier. The end result was a fighting machine of awesome power, speed and tenaciousness for its size. This 'new' dog was breed by men use to hard living. They appreciated the Bull and terrier for its courage and boasted about their exploits with their dogs.

Fighting dogs were used in a number of different contests that could be performed in confined, concealed spaces such as the cellars of the local drinking establishments. Badger drawing, where the dog or more likely a procession of dogs, set upon a badger, drawing the animal from a box located at the end of a wire run. Inevitably the game Badger would see off the first one or two dogs tearing the flesh with its sharp earth digging claws.

Eventually after being set on for a time by a number of foe the Badger would capitulate too tired to continue its defense. Fighting Dogs were tested against Rats and a number of you will recall the story of Billy who it is recorded killed 100 Rats in 6 minutes. The dog would be put in the Pit, a square area with boarded sides of about three foot in height. A sack of rats would be turned out into the pit and the dog set loose. His job was to kill all the Rats in the shortest possible time. Dogs that carried their victims around were ridiculed . The true fighting dog would simply snap the back of his victim with a crushing bite, toss him to one side and look for his next adversary.