Although A.K.C. recognition of this fine breed came to full fruition in June of 1936 the process saw it's beginning many years prior.

    By all early accounts the first person to become directly involved with* A.K.C. recognition was Wilfred Truman Brandon. Raised on a Texas farm, Brandon couldn't recall his introduction to his father's Pit Bulls, which hailed from Colby, Shipley, and Farmer dogs. Mr. brandon's father didn't fight his dogs, but instead recognized them for their working and companionship qualities, especially with children. In fact his first memories of a Pit Bull were those of a dog that helped teach him to walk.

    It wasn't until the 1920s that Mr. Brandon started attending dog shows and at that time there wasn't much said about A.K.C. recognition of Pit Bulls. Some mention was made of it, but was refuted by the club's distaste for a breed name that contained the word "pit" in reference to bloodsports.

    In the early 1930s, shortly after Dog World magazine published an article casting the breed in a favorable light some mention was made of A.K.C. recognition. Mr. Brandon, who was exhibiting White Bull Terriers at the time, made preparations for the time when the opportunity would arise.

    The first thing Mr. Brandon did was write a breed standard. As references Brandon used the standards of other breeds and corresponded with Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeders that were working toward the recognition of their own breed in native England. In 1935 the "Staffy Bull" was recognized by the Kennel Club of England and this set the stage for Brandon and the Amstaff.

    After several letters to other interested breed fanciers the Staffordshire Terrier Club of America held it's first meeting in May of 1936 at the Morris and Essex dog show in Madison New Jersey. Among those first members were J. Maurice Wheeler, Clifford Ormsby, and John F. Colby.

There will be more to come on this subject as well as pictures of our founding fathers in the breed.