THE AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIERS
ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA

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

The first Amstaff was imported from Hawaii in November 1986 by Mr & Mrs Murdoch 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 programme was to start with this import, "Rockislands O’Omua O Hawaii".
Bob & Ruths next import was the lovely 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.

In 1989, in Queensland, Dr Glucina of the "Araganu" prefix began to import Amstaffs into Australia. Over a period of time he imported the American Champion dog "Steeltowns Diamond Boy", another dog "Ka Hanahou’s Seamist", a bitch "Cock N Bulls Poppycock" and another bitch Haw N Blue Knight Mist. All having cropped ears, so unfortunately were unable to be shown in Australia.
From these imports Dr Glucina was to start his breeding programme and produced his first litter in 1990.

The Murdochs next import was another male "Ka Hanahou’s Rojo’s Sam", a red dog. He was 8 ½ months old when released from quarantine on February 14th 1991.

In October 1990 Mark & Wendy Evans, of Evastaff Kennels 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 the same year and went through to 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 May 1993. This was the striking black brindle dog "Hot Lava Indian at Evastaff". Jasper, as he is known to his friends, was to quickly gain his Australian title also.

In the following years imported semen produced some worthy Amstaff litters.
Lee Jenkins, of Bluesteel Kennel in Victoria, imported semen from two dogs. International Ch Willynwood Redneck and American Ch Rowdytowns Hardrock Café.
In Queensland Greg Gordon imported frozen semen from Am Ch  Pacific Distant Thunder. And later, in partnership with Lynda Craw (Lyntiki), the lovely blue dog "Am Ch Pacific Hot Pursuit", who was co-owned by Greg and Lynda.

Lynda Craw also imported two Amstaffs from New Zealand in 1998, (originally imported from Hawaii into NZ). The dog, "Aust/NZ Ch Kupa’a Tama of Triskara" and the bitch "Triskara Mea Kau Ake (AI USA)". The bitch arrived in whelp.
Other breeders are investigating importing worthy dogs and bitches as well as further importation of frozen semen from good American bred dogs.

Interest in the Amstaff within Australia is steadily on the increase.  This versatile breed can be utilised as a family companion, a show dog 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 enure a steady development of the America Staffordshire Terrier in Australia.
 
 

South Australia

Mr & Mrs Murdoch, although from Red Cliffs, Victoria, would come to Adelaide each year for the Adelaide Royal Show with their Amstaff.
This was where Yvonne Mitchell, "Stafface Kennel", was to meet her first Amstaff and fall in love with it.

In 1996 Yvonne was to bring the first bitch to Adelaide’s show scene on a regular basis.  This was Lyntiki Sweet Georgia, who was campaigned to her title and is now owned by son Steven who is still campaigning her.
This was to be the first of many Amstaffs to enter the South Australian show scene, as she was followed fairly quickly with the brother and sister Dindima Lady Di and Dindima Big Blue Bear. Owned respectively by Joanne McLeod and David Clark.
More were to follow as Yvonne and Joanne brought in more Amstaffs and Sandi and Gary Schneider bought their first show bitch.
Stephanie Godfrey was to add to these when she went co-ownership, with Greg Gordon, with the dog "Ch Amtex Pacific Pioneer". (The result of some of Greg’s imported semen).

Sandi Gary must not be forgotten as one of the early Amstaff people of SA with the purchase of their first in 1991 .  A pet dog by the name of "Araganu Blitz".  Who unfortunately was to not survive and was replaced by his brother "Araganu Congo".

" A truly unique breed. Trustworthy and honest with a character so loveable they are hard to resist."

( I thank Wendy Evans {Evastaff} for allowing me the use of her input on the early history of the importation of the American Staffordshire Terrier to Australia)