Amstaff History

“The American Staffordshire Terrier History in Australia.”

The first Amstaff introduced to Australia was imported from Hawaii in November 1986 by The Murdoch's of Red Cliffs Victoria. They were to become the first breeders/exhibitors of the breed, their kennel prefix being “Amstaff”. The basis of their future breeding program was to start with this import, “Rockislands O'Omua O Hawaii”. Their next import was a brindle dog “Ka Hanahou's Lei O Makana”. He was to become the first Australian Champion, and with the earlier imported bitch was to produce the first Australian bred litter. The Murdoch's also imported another male, a red dog “Ka Hanahou's Rojo's Sam”. He was 8.5 months old when released from quarantine on February 14th 1991.

In 1989, in Queensland, Dr Glucina of “Araganu” began to import Amstaffs into Australia. Over a period of time he imported the American Champion dog “AM Ch Steeltowns Diamond Boy”, another dog “Ka Hanahou's Seamist”, two bitches, “Cock N Bulls Poppycock” and “Haw N Blue Knight Mist”. They all had cropped ears, so unfortunately they were unable to be shown in Australia. From these imports Dr Glucina started his breeding program and produced his first litter in 1990.

In October 1990 Mark & Wendy Evans, of “Evastaff” in Tasmania, were to purchase a brindle bitch from Hawaii. This was “Kalokos Lea”, just 13 months old at time of purchase. She arrived in quarantine December 1990 and was released 12th April 1991. This bitch started her show career in August of the same year and went through to gain her Australian title. “Kalokos Lea” was the first bitch to produce a litter with both parents being Australian Champions. Evastaff imported their second Amstaff in December 1992, released from quarantine in May 1993. This was a black brindle dog “Hot Lava Indian at Evastaff”, who also gained his Australian title.

In the following years imported semen produced some worthy Amstaff litters. Lee Jenkins, of “Bluesteel” in Victoria, imported semen from two dogs, “Multi BISS International, Am, Mex Ch Willynwood Redneck” and “Am Ch Rowdytowns Hardrock Café”. In Queensland semen from “BISS Am, Can Ch Pacific Distant Thunder” was imported. also imported was a blue dog “Am Ch Pacific Hot Pursuit”.

In 1998 two Amstaffs were imported from New Zealand, (originally imported from Hawaii into NZ). A dog, “Aust & NZ Ch Kupa'a Tama of Triskara” and a bitch “Triskara Mea Kau Ake (AI) (Imp USA)”. The bitch arrived in whelp.

Over the years a number of breeders have imported dogs, bitches and frozen semen. Breeders are still importing dogs, bitches and frozen semen to help boost the Amstaffs genetic diversity in Australia.

Interest in the Amstaff within Australia is on the increase at a rapid rate, creating interest in and out of the show ring, knowledge and a responsible breeding program will ensure a steady development of quality American Staffordshire Terriers in Australia.