the dogs collide somewhere in the middle of the pit in a frenzied blur of biting. Each dog attempts to gain an advantage over the other. They not only seek a hold on their opponent but also try to prevent the other dog from gaining a similar hold. Frequently, a dog has a preferred hold, such as the nose or a leg, and is described accordingly (nosebiter, leg dog, etc.). The handlers stay within their dogs’ field of vision and encourage them by voice, claps and whistles. They are not permitted to touch the dogs during the match except on the order of the referee to make a handle after a turn has been called or to unfang a dog. A turn occurs when a dog turns his or her head and shoulders away from an opponent without attempting to gain a new hold. The handlers and the referee are all permitted to call a turn, but the referee has the final say. If the referee agrees that a turn was committed, he will order the dogs to be handled as soon as both dogs are free of holds (the dogs are not separated with the use of breaking sticks at this time). 40 The Humane Society of the United States Once picked up, both dogs are carried to their respective corners where they are faced into the wall and each handler is given a set time limit (usually 25 seconds) in which to sponge the blood and saliva from his dog, examine wounds and check for a fanged lip. The sponges are supplied from the same water bucket and are provided to each handler by the referee. At 25 seconds, the referee calls, “get ready,” and the dogs are again faced. At 30 seconds, the referee calls out, “let go.” This time, however, only the dog who committed the turn is released. The handler must immediately release his grip and all leg pressure to the dog’s body. Depending on which set of rules is being used, the dog generally has from 10 to 20 seconds to scratch to its opponent, i.e. leave the corner, cross the pit and mouth the opposing dog, whereupon the handler of the opposing dog must also let go. If the dog fails to complete the scratch, the match is over, and the win is awarded to the other dog. The fighting continues until the dogs are out of holds and are handled again. It will then be the other dog’s Specialized cases
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