History of the American Staffordshire Terrier
All of the "Bull and Terrier" combination of dogs originated in England and this type has provided the genesis behind the Staffordshire breeds, both English and American, the Bull Terrier and also the Boston Terrier. Their ancestors were the old type, bull-baiting Bulldog (straight, not flat, in the front and more similar to the AmStaff of present than the modern Bulldog) combined with the feisty and unflinching Terriers of the time.
The original American Staffordshire Terrier archetype was founded in the early 1800’s, in the Staffordshire area of England to be precise; hence the reference in his name and through the crossing of a Terrier and Bulldog the original Staffordshire Terrier, and other similar breeds, was caste. The desire was to combine the strength and courage of the Bulldog and the tenacity and agility of the Terrier, an objective successfully accomplished.
Though the early ancestors of this breed came from England, the development of the American Staffordshire Terrier is the story of a truly American dog. When these dogs, the grand parents of the present-day AmStaff, were first introduced into the United States in the 1870's, they accompanied pioneer families and served as their pets and as guardians of the family and their property. This type of dog was instrumental in the success of farmers and settlers who developed the vast uncharted areas of the United States. They were used for general farm work and additionally for hunting wild pigs, mountain lions, bears, and other large game. They also performed an admirable job of guarding the homestead, and providing companionship.
Unfortunately a number of the early lineage were also developed for the barbaric "sport" of dog fighting, which was outlawed in England in the late 1800’s but continued "underground" up to the late 1930’s, both in England and the USA. The extraordinary vitality of this breed is a direct result of breeding for successful fighting dogs. This now illegal activity is more often alluded to as the early purpose of the dogs rather than for the general farm work, which the vast majority performed.
Although some of the original AmStaffs were fighting dogs, the selective breeding since the 1930's has been away from the fighting heritage, and the split between the AmStaff and the Pit Bull has grown pronounced. The American Staffordshire Terrier of today is a companion and showdog, rather than a gladiator. Although more rarely used on the farm now, the talents that made him a good all-purpose dog are still to be found in the breed. If it were not for man’s general misconceptions of this "type" of dog maybe more would still be used for their true original purpose of companionship and protection.
It is true that the "bull and terrier breeds" have one basic origin, but they are now very much separate breeds. Prior to the 1930’s AmStaff types were referred to as the American Terrier, the Yankee Terrier and often Pit Bull. The breed and type description was diverse. In 1935 a breed standard was developed. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognised the Staffordshire Terrier in 1936. There was no differential between the American type and the British type until 1972. The AKC to this day does not, however, recognise the Pit Bull Terrier, though the United Kennel Club (UKC) does, creating much confusion.
History of the American Staffordshire Terrier In Australia
The American Staffordshire Terrier was officially recognised in Australia on the 1st January 1987. The very first American Staffordshire Terrier in Australia was imported from Hawaii, USA in November 1986, by Mr and Mrs Murdoch of Red Cliffs, Victoria, of the "AmStaff" prefix. This female, Rockislands O'Omua O Hawaii, was to become Murdoch's foundation bitch and the basis of their future breeding programme. The Murdoch's later imported a male dog in October 1988. This dog, Ka-Hanahou's Lei O Makana proceeded to become Australia's first American Staffordshire Terrier Champion. With this breeding pair, Mr & Mrs Murdoch produced Australia's first litter of American Staffordshire Terriers.
Additionally, in 1989 in Queensland, Dr Glucina of "Araganu" Kennels began to import AmStaffs into Australia. Over a period of time Dr Glucina imported an American Champion dog CH Steeltowns Diamond Boy another dog Ka-Hanahou's Seamist, and the two bitches Cock'N'Bulls PoppyCock, and Haw'N'Blue Knight Mist, whom all had cropped ears. In the ensuing year, American Staffordshire Terriers bearing the "Araganu" prefix were being introduced onto the scene, a result of Dr Glucina's breeding with his imported stock.
The Murdoch's once again imported a male dog, Ka-Hanahou's Rojo's Sam, a red dog 8 1/2 months old when released from quarantine on February 14th, 1991.
The Evans of "Evastaff Kennels" in Tasmania also proceeded to import from Hawaii a brindle bitch Kaloko's Lea and at a later date a black brindle male Hot Lava Indian At Evastaff.
During the ensuing years imported frozen semen produced some worthy AmStaff litters. Lee Jenkins of "Bluesteel Kennels" in Victoria, imported semen from two dogs; INT CH Willynwood Redneck and AM CH Rowdy town's Hardrock Cafe. In Queensland Greg Gordon imported frozen semen from a dog named Pacific Distant Thunder.
The AmStaff is slowly gaining popularity in Australia, as more people become aware of their positive attributes and look past the enigma of the Pit Bull. Unfortunately when a breed gains popularity some people attempt to make money from it. Predominantly, unregistered breeders begin to breed litters with no thought as to the pedigree or physical and mental wholeness of the parents. This often results in less than physically and mentally sound puppies. These breeders do not take into consideration the prospective puppy buyer; their sole interest lies in the money to be made. Most moral breeders feel fortunate to break even with a litter.
Such an attitude results in disregard for the long-term welfare of a breed and it suffers greatly. These inferior quality AmStaffs are the typical "trading post specials." They are usually sold for substantially less than an AmStaff of refined breeding. A conscientious breeder carefully selects the parents, and also screens and selects puppy buyers, trying to match the puppy to the needs of the buyer, whether it be for pet, show or obedience.
We wish to continue the commendable bloodlines and responsible breeding that the pioneering AmStaff Breeders have developed in Australia. At Rythmnblu Kennels we deliberately have very few litters and feel that our responsibilities continue, not end, when the puppy goes to its new home.
The Pit Bull
As in any breed of dog, or race of people, there are good and bad individuals. It is unreasonable to make a generalisation that all within a breed, or race, are bad, based only on those few "bad individuals". Unfortunately, some irresponsible Pit Bull breeders have, for various reasons, chosen to breed aggressive animals and will cross any aggressive dog of any breed to achieve their end. Thereby causing a black mark on both the stable Pit Bull Terriers and the American Staffordshire Terrier, as the two share such a similar physical appearance.
If you are interested in an aggressive, tough looking canine, or you are seeking a vicious guard or hunting dog, a dog with the appearance and notoriety of a Pit Bull, then buy yourself a mongrel, a "trading post special" and never let it be referred to as an AmStaff. It will be much cheaper and its aggressiveness will not harm the reputation of the AmStaff. If you want an overly combative, vicious dog or a "junk yard" status symbol then read no further for, to manifest the truth, you have wasted your time in approaching Rythmnblu Kennels. You will not find that type of dog here. We don’t breed them. We do breed AmStaffs possessing both an excellent body structure and a sound, stable intellect.
For the past seventy years, AmStaff breeders have worked very hard to breed the aggressiveness out and have striven to create a gentle, loving companion. To do so, they have bred to a written show standard, which was established in 1935. Today, American Staffordshire Terrier Clubs have a strict code of ethics that members must adhere to in order to remain in good standing.
To the casual observer an AmStaff is a Pit Bull and Pit Bulls have a terrible reputation. In America the Pit Bull is not recognised by the AKC but it is recognised by the UKC. Politics aside it is of little relevance to us in Australia. The facts are they are not recognised by the Australian National Kennel Club (ANKC), they are banned from further importation and those in Australia must be neutered at a specific age.
This is all of little concern to us as people interested in the American Staffordshire Terrier as an AmStaff is not a Pit Bull. You will be buying a dog that to most people perfectly fits the description of a Pit Bull. It is distressing that this analogy still exists. As we know Pit Bulls have a formidable reputation. It will become your responsibility to inform people about AmStaffs. Explain that it is not a Pit Bull, but a dog that possesses the appearance of performing its original intended duty, dog fighting in pits, who now has a stable and friendly temperament through seventy years of selective breeding.
Though the AmStaff and the Pit Bull are now considered different types of it is important to remember that the patriarchs of these breeds were not mutually exclusive, at least until 1936 when the AmStaff was officially recognised by the AKC. In tracing our bloodlines back as far as we have we have converged beyond the breed standard to the days when they were commonly referred to as the Yankee Terrier, American Terrier, or simply Pit Bull.
Through their X-Pert lineage our dogs have transgressed official breed recognition to the famous, or infamous, Pit Bulls of Colby, Tudor, Carrington and Bennett to name just a few. Beyond, in fact, the very first AmStaff in the world-renowned X-pert line, Ormsby’s Madge. Madge's daughter X-Pert Black Lady is considered the foundation bitch of all X-Pert dogs. She appears just 12 generation’s back in the Rythmnblu Pedigree.
All of the "Bull and Terrier" combination of dogs originated in England and this type has provided the genesis behind the Staffordshire breeds, both English and American, the Bull Terrier and also the Boston Terrier. Their ancestors were the old type, bull-baiting Bulldog (straight, not flat, in the front and more similar to the AmStaff of present than the modern Bulldog) combined with the feisty and unflinching Terriers of the time.
The original American Staffordshire Terrier archetype was founded in the early 1800’s, in the Staffordshire area of England to be precise; hence the reference in his name and through the crossing of a Terrier and Bulldog the original Staffordshire Terrier, and other similar breeds, was caste. The desire was to combine the strength and courage of the Bulldog and the tenacity and agility of the Terrier, an objective successfully accomplished.
Though the early ancestors of this breed came from England, the development of the American Staffordshire Terrier is the story of a truly American dog. When these dogs, the grand parents of the present-day AmStaff, were first introduced into the United States in the 1870's, they accompanied pioneer families and served as their pets and as guardians of the family and their property. This type of dog was instrumental in the success of farmers and settlers who developed the vast uncharted areas of the United States. They were used for general farm work and additionally for hunting wild pigs, mountain lions, bears, and other large game. They also performed an admirable job of guarding the homestead, and providing companionship.
Unfortunately a number of the early lineage were also developed for the barbaric "sport" of dog fighting, which was outlawed in England in the late 1800’s but continued "underground" up to the late 1930’s, both in England and the USA. The extraordinary vitality of this breed is a direct result of breeding for successful fighting dogs. This now illegal activity is more often alluded to as the early purpose of the dogs rather than for the general farm work, which the vast majority performed.
Although some of the original AmStaffs were fighting dogs, the selective breeding since the 1930's has been away from the fighting heritage, and the split between the AmStaff and the Pit Bull has grown pronounced. The American Staffordshire Terrier of today is a companion and showdog, rather than a gladiator. Although more rarely used on the farm now, the talents that made him a good all-purpose dog are still to be found in the breed. If it were not for man’s general misconceptions of this "type" of dog maybe more would still be used for their true original purpose of companionship and protection.
It is true that the "bull and terrier breeds" have one basic origin, but they are now very much separate breeds. Prior to the 1930’s AmStaff types were referred to as the American Terrier, the Yankee Terrier and often Pit Bull. The breed and type description was diverse. In 1935 a breed standard was developed. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognised the Staffordshire Terrier in 1936. There was no differential between the American type and the British type until 1972. The AKC to this day does not, however, recognise the Pit Bull Terrier, though the United Kennel Club (UKC) does, creating much confusion.
History of the American Staffordshire Terrier In Australia
The American Staffordshire Terrier was officially recognised in Australia on the 1st January 1987. The very first American Staffordshire Terrier in Australia was imported from Hawaii, USA in November 1986, by Mr and Mrs Murdoch of Red Cliffs, Victoria, of the "AmStaff" prefix. This female, Rockislands O'Omua O Hawaii, was to become Murdoch's foundation bitch and the basis of their future breeding programme. The Murdoch's later imported a male dog in October 1988. This dog, Ka-Hanahou's Lei O Makana proceeded to become Australia's first American Staffordshire Terrier Champion. With this breeding pair, Mr & Mrs Murdoch produced Australia's first litter of American Staffordshire Terriers.
Additionally, in 1989 in Queensland, Dr Glucina of "Araganu" Kennels began to import AmStaffs into Australia. Over a period of time Dr Glucina imported an American Champion dog CH Steeltowns Diamond Boy another dog Ka-Hanahou's Seamist, and the two bitches Cock'N'Bulls PoppyCock, and Haw'N'Blue Knight Mist, whom all had cropped ears. In the ensuing year, American Staffordshire Terriers bearing the "Araganu" prefix were being introduced onto the scene, a result of Dr Glucina's breeding with his imported stock.
The Murdoch's once again imported a male dog, Ka-Hanahou's Rojo's Sam, a red dog 8 1/2 months old when released from quarantine on February 14th, 1991.
The Evans of "Evastaff Kennels" in Tasmania also proceeded to import from Hawaii a brindle bitch Kaloko's Lea and at a later date a black brindle male Hot Lava Indian At Evastaff.
During the ensuing years imported frozen semen produced some worthy AmStaff litters. Lee Jenkins of "Bluesteel Kennels" in Victoria, imported semen from two dogs; INT CH Willynwood Redneck and AM CH Rowdy town's Hardrock Cafe. In Queensland Greg Gordon imported frozen semen from a dog named Pacific Distant Thunder.
The AmStaff is slowly gaining popularity in Australia, as more people become aware of their positive attributes and look past the enigma of the Pit Bull. Unfortunately when a breed gains popularity some people attempt to make money from it. Predominantly, unregistered breeders begin to breed litters with no thought as to the pedigree or physical and mental wholeness of the parents. This often results in less than physically and mentally sound puppies. These breeders do not take into consideration the prospective puppy buyer; their sole interest lies in the money to be made. Most moral breeders feel fortunate to break even with a litter.
Such an attitude results in disregard for the long-term welfare of a breed and it suffers greatly. These inferior quality AmStaffs are the typical "trading post specials." They are usually sold for substantially less than an AmStaff of refined breeding. A conscientious breeder carefully selects the parents, and also screens and selects puppy buyers, trying to match the puppy to the needs of the buyer, whether it be for pet, show or obedience.
We wish to continue the commendable bloodlines and responsible breeding that the pioneering AmStaff Breeders have developed in Australia. At Rythmnblu Kennels we deliberately have very few litters and feel that our responsibilities continue, not end, when the puppy goes to its new home.
The Pit Bull
As in any breed of dog, or race of people, there are good and bad individuals. It is unreasonable to make a generalisation that all within a breed, or race, are bad, based only on those few "bad individuals". Unfortunately, some irresponsible Pit Bull breeders have, for various reasons, chosen to breed aggressive animals and will cross any aggressive dog of any breed to achieve their end. Thereby causing a black mark on both the stable Pit Bull Terriers and the American Staffordshire Terrier, as the two share such a similar physical appearance.
If you are interested in an aggressive, tough looking canine, or you are seeking a vicious guard or hunting dog, a dog with the appearance and notoriety of a Pit Bull, then buy yourself a mongrel, a "trading post special" and never let it be referred to as an AmStaff. It will be much cheaper and its aggressiveness will not harm the reputation of the AmStaff. If you want an overly combative, vicious dog or a "junk yard" status symbol then read no further for, to manifest the truth, you have wasted your time in approaching Rythmnblu Kennels. You will not find that type of dog here. We don’t breed them. We do breed AmStaffs possessing both an excellent body structure and a sound, stable intellect.
For the past seventy years, AmStaff breeders have worked very hard to breed the aggressiveness out and have striven to create a gentle, loving companion. To do so, they have bred to a written show standard, which was established in 1935. Today, American Staffordshire Terrier Clubs have a strict code of ethics that members must adhere to in order to remain in good standing.
To the casual observer an AmStaff is a Pit Bull and Pit Bulls have a terrible reputation. In America the Pit Bull is not recognised by the AKC but it is recognised by the UKC. Politics aside it is of little relevance to us in Australia. The facts are they are not recognised by the Australian National Kennel Club (ANKC), they are banned from further importation and those in Australia must be neutered at a specific age.
This is all of little concern to us as people interested in the American Staffordshire Terrier as an AmStaff is not a Pit Bull. You will be buying a dog that to most people perfectly fits the description of a Pit Bull. It is distressing that this analogy still exists. As we know Pit Bulls have a formidable reputation. It will become your responsibility to inform people about AmStaffs. Explain that it is not a Pit Bull, but a dog that possesses the appearance of performing its original intended duty, dog fighting in pits, who now has a stable and friendly temperament through seventy years of selective breeding.
Though the AmStaff and the Pit Bull are now considered different types of it is important to remember that the patriarchs of these breeds were not mutually exclusive, at least until 1936 when the AmStaff was officially recognised by the AKC. In tracing our bloodlines back as far as we have we have converged beyond the breed standard to the days when they were commonly referred to as the Yankee Terrier, American Terrier, or simply Pit Bull.
Through their X-Pert lineage our dogs have transgressed official breed recognition to the famous, or infamous, Pit Bulls of Colby, Tudor, Carrington and Bennett to name just a few. Beyond, in fact, the very first AmStaff in the world-renowned X-pert line, Ormsby’s Madge. Madge's daughter X-Pert Black Lady is considered the foundation bitch of all X-Pert dogs. She appears just 12 generation’s back in the Rythmnblu Pedigree.