Many fanciers like to rate match dogs the same way boxing fans categorize professional fighters. Dogs are often rated as being the best at their weight, hardest biter and best pound for pound fighter. I’d like to share some of my views in this area.

The hardest biters I have seen were both bitches and bred from similar bloodlines. Johnson'’ "GR.CH. MISS RAGE" and Meansville’s "CH. HOLLY" were destroyers that could end a match in a hurry. These exceptional bitches were both from Bullyson breeding which is noted for producing top-notch performance dogs.

The most exciting match I saw was Crenshaw’s "HURT" vs. Cable’s "RUSTY". "HURT" was a littermate to Stinson’s "ART" and "RUSTY" was a 2 time winning littermate to the great Cable’s "FANG". "RUSTY" had won over Irish Jerry’s "BLACK BARRON" (a dog I later owned) in 1:45 and I wanted to see him lose. "HURT" came out fast and had and won it in 18 minutes, but it was something to see. That was "HURT’S" first win and he went on to win two more for Crenshaw.

One of the best overall fighting dogs I have seen is not widely known. Mountain Man’s "FESTUS" was a littermate to his "CH. HOMER" dog and was as tough as they come at 38 pounds. "FESTUS" had a terrific bite, and preferred to work the head until he felt out his opponent. Then he would switch to offense and end it. "FESTUS" won over two good dogs in 30 minutes, but lost his life to his brother "CH. HOMER" in a kennel fight. I have yet to see a 38 pounder that could have whipped "FESTUS".

The best pound for pound match dog I have ever seen was "CH. HOLLY". She was the K-9 equivalent of Sugar Ray Robinson. "HOLLY" could go on offense, defense and do whatever it took to win. The difference between "HOLLY" and other destroyers like Johnson’s "GR. CH. RAGE", Mayfield’s "SNAKE" and Matt’s "PANTHER" is that she was such a smart fighter. "HOLLY" was always doing exactly what any handler would want her to do. In addition, "HOLLY" was a great worker so she could be put in top-notch condition. "HOLLY" was by Finley’s "BO" and "HONEYBUNCH" and was a littermate to "CH. JEEP".

There are many top bulldogs that I never saw in action that were probably every bit as good as those bulldogs I have already mentioned. This list would include "ZEBO", "ART", "MOLLY BEE", and "LUTHOR". However, I was not fortunate enough to see these bulldogs, so I could rate them.

Two recent dogs that were exceptional are Fat Bill’s "BOLERO" and Lee’s "GOTCHA". Both these dogs are 2x winners and should be well known in the near future. "GOTCHA" is without a doubt one of the best I have seen in ten years, and really looked good in his win over "CH. RED DOG".

Perhaps this article will get some other fanciers to write about some of the great bulldogs they have seen. Everyone seems to have different ideas about which bulldog was the best, but that is what makes things interesting.

Barney Fife

Note: The fraternity mourns the loss of a "Great" dogman. HE WILL BE MISSED, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.