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AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIERS (AM-STAFS) IN SOUTH AFRICA
Sezer, as a show kennel starting in a very humble way in 1965 with Keeshonden and then Bulldogs, our immediate aim was not only to secure the top Am-Staf bloodlines, but also to have the breed accepted by the Kennel Union of South Africa. This presented numerous problems as our KUSA, having been affiliated to the Kennel Club of Great Britain, where Am-Stafs are not welcome and confused with Pitbulls, objected to the registration of Am-Stafs. After many representations and lobbying, approximately 18 months later, KUSA finally relented and the Am-Staf breed standard is now proudly and freely circulated throughout Southern Africa.
Resulting therefrom, some fine specimens are now being exhibited countrywide. Our initial imports consisted of Danny, the son of a double world champion, and Elsie. After this, Jos Walstock made further calls to South Africa, when we introduced him to the Bulldog fraternity. He subsequently set up a network for importing these dogs into Europe and simultaneously sent more Am-Stafs to South Africa. We were told that Am-Stafs existed in South Africa prior to our original imports, but upon investigating, we have not located any documentation or certificates of pedigrees, to confirm such statements. We have bred a number of outstanding litters with Danie and Elsie as well as other imports to widen our bloodlines. We now have red and whites / tan / tan and whites / light and dark brindles as well as red and blue brindles, on our smallholding in the country, situated 40km from Johannesburg. We normally cater for approximately 25 adults as well as a number of puppies.
As companions and guard dogs, Am-Stafs are unsurpassed and are known for their good temperament and alertness. We, as well as professional trainers, have experienced the joy of training these highly intelligent dogs and find that with love, care and socialisation, they are affectionate, remembering they are terriers, however they do get on with other dogs. The pups play happily with our Bulldogs as well as our grandchildren.
Some point of interest regarding the standard: "Preference is given to uncropped ears, which should be 1/2 rose or prick." Unfortunately, in the world at large, it is mainly the dogs with cropped ears that win at shows. South Africa, being different, cropped ears are not permitted to be shown. We have been able to breed a number of pups with natural prick ears and intend to exhibit these shortly. It should be considered particularly by the exhibitors and judges, that the snout of the Am-Staff is different from the Staffordshire Terrier (English), whose head/skull is described as short and short foreface. Whereas the Am-Staf, the had and muzzle should be medium length, ie. skull and muzzle equal length. (Reference book: The American Staffordshire Terrier by Sarah Foster (11998).
We welcome your enquiries
via e-mail or fax and wish you many happy years of Am-Staffing.
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