The American Staffordshire Terrier in Australia

IMPORTING AN AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER

The importation of dogs into Australia is not an easy process.  A rigid set of guide-lines and regulations apply.
Dogs imported into Australia are required to be quarantined at an authorised quarantine station, within Australia.  The quarantine period is determined by the country of origin. Further details concerning the importation of dogs from overseas countries maybe obtained by contacting the Department of Agriculture/Primary Industry in any Capital City.
It is worthwhile to note that in American it is common practice to crop ears.  In all Commonwealth countries, which includes Australia, the practice of cropping ears in not permitted.  Although dogs imported into Australia with cropped ears are recognized by the National Kennel Control, and thus able to be used for breeding purposes, these dogs are unable to be exhibited in the show ring, and therefore are unable to compete to become Australian champions.

THE AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER'S ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA

The American Staffordshire Terrier was officially recognized in Australia on 1st January 1987.

The first American Staffordshire Terrier was imported from Hawaii, U.S.A. in November 1986, by Mr & Mrs Murdoch of Red Cliffs, Victoria, who embrace 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 subsequently 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 commenced to produce Australia's first litter of American Staffordshire Terriers.

Progeny, bearing the "Amstaff" prefix is now present in the show ring in various states throughout Australia.

Additionally, in 1989 in Queensland, Dr. Glucina of the "Araganu" prefix, began to import American Staffordshire Terriers into Australia.  Over a period of time Dr. Glucina imported an American Champion dog Steeltowns Diamond Boy another dog Ka-Hanahou's Seamist, a bitch Cock'N'Bulls PoppyCock, and a further bitch Haw'N'Blue Knight Mist, all having 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.
As at October 1990 there were 23 American Staffordshire Terriers in Australia.  Included in these were three imported males, 3 imported bitches (3 breeding pairs), and the subsequent progeny of the combined breeding of these dogs.  Now in 1999 Amstaff registrations are in the hundreds.

In November and December 1990 two additional dogs were imported into Australia.  The Murdoch's once again imported a male dog, Ka-Hanahou's Rojo's Sam,  a red dog 8½ months old when released from quarantine on February 14th, 1991.  This dog will provide a valuable addition to the Murdoch's breeding programme.

Mr. & Mrs. Evans, of "Evastaff Kennels" in Tasmania, also proceeded to import from Hawaii a brindle bitch "Kaloko's Lea".  More details concerning this dog are provided in the section "The American Staffordshire Terrier in Tasmania".

Interest in the American Staffordshire Terrier within Australia is steadily on the increase.  This versatile breed can be utilised as a family pet, a show specimen and as an obedience dog.  The breed is continually creating interest in and out of the show ring, and this combined with a responsible breeding programme will ensure a steady development of the American Staffordshire Terrier breed in Australia.

THE AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER IN TASMANIA

The first American Staffordhire Terrier in Tasmania arrived in 1990. This male dog, 12 weeks old at the time of arrival, was purchase by Wendy & Mark Evans of Evastaff Kennels. 

Mr & Mrs Evans have been owners/breeders of the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier since early 1980. Their involvement with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier sparked an interest in the American Staffordshire Terrier which came to fruition in June 1990 when they purchase their first American Staffordshire Terrier, " Amstaff Mi Yankee Boy" from Mr & Mrs Murdoch of Victoria.

This dog the progeny of Ch Ka-Hanahou's Lei I Makana (Import USA) and Rockisland Ho'Omua O Hawaii (Import USA), went on to become Australia's first home bred champion. After a successful show campaign he gained himself his Australian Championship at the age of 11 months in February 1991. Having proven himself as a supurb show dog, Yankee was put into semi retirement from the showring in late 1992, and will now only be shown on a very limited basis.

In October 1990, with the assistance of Mr & Mrs Murdoch, Evastaff Kennels advanced further into the American Staffordshire Terrier breed by purchasing a brindle bitch from Hawaii. This bitch "Kaloko's Lea" was imported into Australia in December 1990 and was released from quarantine on the 12th April 1991. Being just 13 months old at the time of purchase, she will provide an invaluable component in the progression of the breed in Australia. Leah commenced her show career on 3/8/91 and subsequently gained her Australian Championship title on the 7/12/91.

Evastaff Kennels aim to establish a firm and reputable breeding programme in Tasmania, using their own stock as well as interstate American Staffordshire Terrier Breeders.

In January 1992 Aust Champion Kaloko's Lea (Import USA) whelped a litter of 9 puppies (3 dogs and 6 bitches), sired by Aust Champion Amstaff Mi Yankee Boy. This is the first litter of AST's in Australia to have both parents Australian Championships. Pups from this litter have gone to both mainland Australia and elsewhere in Tasmania.

The following Evastaff pups commenced their show careers in 1992:

Evastaff Kentucky Girl - Red with white markings (Bitch)

Evastaff California Doll - Silver Blue Fawn with white markings (Bitch)

Evastaff Memphis Belle - Black Brindle with white markings (Bitch)

Evastaff Miss Missouri - Fawn with white markings (Bitch)

Evastaff Detroit Dodger - Black Brindle with white markings (Dog)

Evastaff Boston Boy - Black Brindle with White markings (Dog)

Evastaff Dakota - Black Brindle with white markings (Dog)

Since having commenced their show careers, these AST's are already winners of numerous in group awards, and on line for the title of Australian Champion.

After many moths of negotiation, In December 1992 Evastaff Kennels imported the most recent AST import into Australia. This dog "Hot Lava Indian at Evastaff" (Import USA) a striking Black Brindle dog with white markings, will provide an invaluable addition to the Evastaff breeding programme. He is due to leave quarantine in May 1993 and will commence his show career later in the same year.

Evastaff Kennels hope that the combination of responsible breeding and ownership, united with a proper promotion of the breed will bring forth added interest in the American Staffordshire Terrier breed in Australia.

In conlusion although I have only been associated with the breed for a short time, since having owned an American Staffordshire Terrier I can truley say that it is a unique breed. Trustworthy and honest with a character so loveable they are hard to resist.

Wendy Evans

EVASTAFF KENNELS

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