Kennel history.

The name "Old Hickory" was derived from the first infantry division that moved into the Netherlands, during the deliberation of our country in 1944. This took place in Eijsden, Limburg, where my civil-law notary’s office is now established . Because of my interest in the deliberation, but particularly in the deliberators of our country, I came out at the name "Old Hickory" as our second kennel name. A name that was particularly meant for the American Staffordshire Terriers, which we wanted to keep and breed.

Every five years the "Old Hickory" veterans come to the town of Maastricht. Our extraordinary interest in America was excited by the contact with these soldiers and we are therefore kindly disposed towards that country and the people living there. Due to their great age, it is getting more and more difficult for them to come over from America. This is the reason why they will be received in state in Maastricht in 1999 for the last time. We shall be part of that too.

Some of them will take a seat in two of our Jeeps which were completely restored and will partake in the Old-Hickory Parade. The Ford-GPJ, year of construction 1943, will be driven by me, Max, and our Willy-Jeep will be driven by Steffie. We are proud of having had the opportunity to experience this very emotional Old-Hickory happening for years. It goes without saying that one of our Am Staffs will drive along in each Jeep, for Old Hickory dogs belong to Old Hickory Jeeps being: reliable! Both our Am Staffs and the Jeeps, are inseparably connected with our kennel!

Purchasing Am Staffs just because they are American dogs? No! We have very consciously chosen for this breed, because:

• This breed is "close to nature" and it is a breed for which you don’t need any subscription at a vet.
• This breed is extraordinarily intelligent.
• This breed is very watchful. More strongly expressed: should really be taken seriously.
• This breed is extremely suitable for people who like challenges, but do not want to make any concessions to their environment if it concerns the question or remark, does this sort of dog match your status?
• The Am Staff will be pressed to our hearts even more and more, also because of the improper discrimination by the media and the Government, which is apparently allowed.

Our enthusiasm for this breed will be clear. And yet, we only refer to some items, because the enumeration would otherwise become too extensive.

Our kennel has completely been built up with American import dogs. This despite the fact that our first Am Staff was bought in the Netherlands. It was General Grand of Deôfol. You can see him by clicking him on this site.

As far as the dogs themselves are concerned, you are referred to the first part of the book "The American Staffordshire Terrier in the Netherlands", written by Wil de Veer, and to our Champions parade on this site. In the above-mentioned book you will find a description of our kennel and it clearly shows that we have chosen a totally different approach than the average kennel. The result? Just judge for yourself after studying this site.

It is self-evident for our kennel that:

• Line breeding is high on our list of priorities. This is no problem for us, as we have the best and greatest breeding and show potential of Europe.
• Our breeding program is not merely composed through the computer, but in the first instance together with the best American breeders.
• Each Am staff we breed with, is HD-free.
• Each Am Staff we breed with, has passed the aggression test successfully. In connection with this test we visit the town of Macon in France, where this test is taken, every year.
• No single bitch will procreate more than three nests.
• Each prospective buyer shall, in the first instance, have to show "responsible dogownership" to us at our home, at which references play a very important part to us.
• Every year, for minimally a week, we visit the Regional and National Speciality in America, to familiarize ourselves with and to acquaint ourselves with the development of the breed in the mother country. We are proud to inform you that we, as the only breeders from outside America, have never missed this unique event, as long as we are operating in this "world".

Shall we proceed our enumeration? We think that this will be superfluous, because we only intended to give you a first impression about our Old Hickory kennel.

One thing and another has resulted in an Am Staff of the Old Hickory-type and in a series of successes.

Being the only Am Staff kennel in Europe, we can therefore proudly announce:

The kennel that can boast a national and international reputation, which no other European kennel has been able to come up to so far!

Old Hickory is:

• The kennel with the most World-Winners in Europe.
• The kennel with the most European-Winners in Europe.
• The kennel with the most International Champions in Europe.
• The kennel with the most American Champions in Europe.
• The kennel with the most Belgian Champions in Europe.
• The kennel with the most Luxemburg Champions, bred ourselves, in Europe.
• The kennel with the most Dutch Champions, bred ourselves, in Europe.
• The only non-French kennel in Europe with the most French Champions bred ourselves.
• The only non-Swedish kennel in Europe with the most Swedish Champions bred ourselves.
• The only kennel in Europe with club champions of various European countries, among which France, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
• The only kennel in Europe with various Amsterdam-Winners, various Brussels-Winners, various Paris-Winners, etc.
• The kennel in Europe with the greatest number of titles awarded in the international field, such as Central Europe Winner, Scandinavian-Winner, American Cup-Winner, Trophy Show-Winner, K.E.T.S.-Winner, etc.
• The kennel in Europe with the most "Best of Breed", "Best in Group" and "Best in Show" seats.
• The kennel which on this site presents a champion parade with pictures, pedigrees, results, etc.

We hope that you will not leave our site yet, that you will first sign our visitor’s book and will return regularly in the future, to learn some news from us. News that will again and again be completed with new pictures.

Thank you very much for visiting our site.

Max and Steffie.