Interview with Dimitri Wagemaekers
Introduction
Dimitri Wagemaekers is the owner of the “Nine To Five” kennel in Belgium. He has been active with Am Staffs since 2011. For many club members Dimitri may still be a new name, but this interview changes that.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
We are Dimitri Wagemaekers and Jill Peeters, and together with our daughter Hailey we live in a rural village in the Belgian Kempen. At the age of 19 I left most of this behind and moved to Spain. I lived and worked there for twelve years in the city of Vilanova I La Geltru, twenty minutes south of Barcelona.
During that period I started with American Staffordshire Terriers, visiting shows and getting to know people and breeders.
At the age of 31 I decided to return to Belgium, mainly for the opportunity to join my father in the family business. After a year I found it difficult to adapt again and had almost certainly decided to return to Spain.
I had already spoken with my former employer, but through Facebook and of course through Am Staffs I met Jill. We quickly arranged to meet and a few weeks later we were already living together. That changed my plans completely and I chose my love for Jill and to remain in Belgium.
Five years later we are still very happy together and for the past three years we have also had a daughter who is just as crazy about Am Staffs as we are.
What is your kennel name and why this name?
I have bred under the name Nine To Five since 2011. I thought for a long time about a kennel name but never found anything that really appealed to me until one day, on my way to work, I heard the song “working 9 to 5” on the radio. I liked the sound of it and decided to breed under that name.
Where is the kennel located?
We live together with our dogs in Ramsel, a village in the Belgian Kempen close to Flemish Brabant. It is a home in the middle of the fields where our dogs can enjoy 8000 square meters of land and peace.
Where was your first brood bitch bought and where did your first male come from?
After attending shows regularly, not so much to show but mainly to observe and build contacts in order to learn which line I wanted to breed with, I decided to continue mainly with Fraja – Sindelar.
When I started looking for my first bitch, Fraja NE Gold Ticket aka “Brody” in Spain was a male that really impressed me, so I contacted Luisma Benitez of Rebel and Proud kennel to ask whether he might be expecting a litter.
Shortly afterwards I received a message that Sheena (Rebel and Proud Sheena Is A Punck Rocker) had been bred to Brody. In the end I got second pick from the litter and she became the foundation of my breeding program.
With the male it happened very differently. I received a video from Hana Brezinova of Tipit Z Hanky kennel showing a male puppy. The moment I saw the video I felt I had to have him. A few weeks later Panther Tipit Z Hanky aka “Rome” arrived in Barcelona.
Without doubt he was the most loyal and affectionate dog I have ever owned. Sadly Rome was bitten by a sand fly at quite a young age, contracted Leishmania and eventually had to be put to sleep at only four years old.
Did you later buy other brood bitches?
Yes, among others Casanova’s Party Girl (co-owned with Danny Casanova). I had two litters with her. Later I also had a bitch from Tipit Z Hanky and recently a new puppy from the USA: Fraja EC For Your Eyes Only.
How many dogs are currently in the kennel?
At the moment there are five dogs at home and one male has been placed elsewhere.
Do you always have your own stud dog in the kennel?
For a long time I had AKC Ch. Staff O’Class High Power Pack (“Red”). He had enormous presence and was a fantastic family dog. Unfortunately he passed away at the age of 8.5 years.
How do you see your breeding program?
My breeding program remains based on the Fraja-Sindelar line with future-oriented additions of Roadhouse lines through frozen semen.
Do you use frozen semen?
I have stored semen from “Red” myself and recently also imported semen from Roadhouse’s Life of the Party, RU Popeye and RU Jumpin Joe.
Do you work together with other breeders?
Only to a limited extent, to avoid misunderstandings. I do work with Danny Casanova and Cyril Le Floch.
How many litters have you bred?
Five litters under my kennel name.
How many champions?
Four champions.
How do you socialize the puppies?
The puppies grow up among other dogs and children, both indoors and outdoors.
At what age do the puppies leave?
Between 8 and 9 weeks.
Is there a sales contract and guarantee?
Yes, with a one-year guarantee on genetic defects and support afterwards.
What do you feed?
Brit or Carnilove True Fresh kibble, without standard supplements.
Most memorable success?
Specialty Orleans 2014 with Eros de Cans Juansa (BOB and Group win).
Do you see problems in the breed?
Health is generally good. Temperament in the ring could sometimes be better.
What is most important?
Type and temperament.
Preference?
Red or brindle, with a preference for bitches.
Tips for beginners?
Visit shows, learn bloodlines, be open to criticism and do not become kennel blind.
Future of the breed?
Positive, provided breeding remains responsible and cooperative.