Interview Kim Rudzik (FRAJA EC)

Can you introduce yourself to the members of our club?
My name is Kim Rudzik, of Fraja Ec American Staffordshire Terriers. I am married, husband, Rick, and mother of three, Rick Jr., Julia, 15, and Alex, 13.

On the cover you see one of your dogs, why did you choose this picture?
“Maddy (Castle Rocks Sbbystaff Mad About You) and I, winning the group at the legendary Morris and Essex K.C. A show that’s history is incomparable. The Morris and Essex K.C. is a show that is only put on every 5 years. We won the Terrier group here in 2010 under the respected judge Mr. James Reynolds. That same year, Maddy won Montgomery County K.C., 2010. A record breaking year!”

Fraja kennel, having a long history, can you tell us how it all started? When did it start, who was involved and which dogs were the foundation?
The Fraja prefix started originally with Fraser (now O’Neil) in the mid 70’s. Fraja then became partners with John McCartney. Mr. King had a professional handler showing his dogs and making decisions in his breeding program, his name was John McCartney. Don Haggerton decided to get into showing dogs and was introduced to Mr. McCartney. In 1986, just prior to the start of the Fraja EC kennel, John McCartney and Don Haggerton bred Ch. Sindelar’s Sonny Boy of Tara x Ch. Fraja’s Thunder Battery. The litter that produced Winning Ticket. The rest is history as they say! Both John and I still continue to breed under the name Fraja EC, and as of late, have litter that we co-bred out of Ch. Vaca Valley’s Bold Ruler for Fraja EC x Ch. Champagne Wishes.

Are there some characteristics which are typical for “Fraja” dogs? Is there a big difference between those dogs and other bloodlines?
“I would say typical characteristics of Fraja dogs is that they have consistent conformation and type. You can spot a true Fraja dog typically just on type. They have a tendency good front assembly and nice angles.

We have a few exceptions, they generally do not veer out of a standard type and refer to this. They are generally of a moderate type and not too terrier or too bully. Staffordshire terrier, ideal for the companion home, yet with brains and ability to perform as a working dog.

Fraja dogs are also usually very sound and clean moving, with proper topline carriage.”

One of the characteristics of a Fraja dog in which I would like to improve upon would be the tail carriage.
It is important to understand the flaws in your breeding program so you can improve upon them. A Fraja dog, and other bloodlines, why, I think there is a difference. I believe that we as breeders, breed for what we like individually. Not all other breeders have, or even like the Fraja style of dog, but do we why, we have the following.”

What do you think about the fact that “Fraja” is nowadays still so important in our breed?
“I think any breeding program which can produce a consistent type will always be relative in the current and future breeding stock. When breeders are looking for something to add to their own program or to utilize in a future breeding stock. When breeders are looking for consistency, Fraja is known for its consistency.”

You also are a very successful – all breed handler, can you give our members some advice what to do and what not to do when handling an Amstaff?
“Wow, what not to do, I would say, in handling this breed, I’ve noticed all over the world that owners/handlers are not always aware of their dog’s tension. As in allowing them to make any contact with other dogs, knowing that there could potentially be an issue. Also, you going into a new environment, I would say you have to read your dog trained for the exam. Practice at home on the dog standing still while you show the bite and teeth.”

How do you prepare a dog to show?
“I prepare for any show pretty much the same as any other show. Make sure your dog is clean, and trimmed. Meaning whiskers, and nails… also on the dogs feet. Also it does impair their movement somewhat as well. So that, is how I prepare my dog.”

What is the biggest achievement you made in the dog show world?
“The biggest achievement, well its hard to narrow it down, but I would say there were 2 highlights. My first dog to win best of breed at the National Specialty was Ch. Fraja’s Winning Ticket. Spot, and Fraja EC. (Handled by myself), and to show a consistent record.”

If you have to choose between handling or breeding what will you choose?
“I could not choose between handling or breeding, unless of course, I couldn’t physically handle again! For me, its all one in the same. I love to show my own breeding program, of course, but professionally handling other dogs is what I do. I thoroughly enjoy that and making the owners of those dogs happy and seeing them smile when their dogs successful is what my job is all about.”

You have travelled the world with your dogs, seen a lot of shows and participated at a lot of shows, what is the most impressive show you have ever been?
“The most impressive show I’ve ever been to has to be the World Show in Budapest… I will say, it was my first WDS, but to see all of those Am Staffs and so much support for the breed was wonderful. Here in the US, you just don’t see that many all in one place.”

If you have to give a difference between Amstaffs in Europe and the USA, what would that be?
“I think the biggest difference between Am staffs in Europe and the USA are first, the number of them, how many dogs, many more dogs to choose from as far as breeding goes. Second, size and substance, it seems to be a bit more in Europe. Also the color Red seems to be very dominant compared to the USA, which has more brindle.”

In the Netherlands our Amstaffs must pass a temperament test before they are able to breed. What do you think about this test?
“I think its great that you have to have a temperament test. That is one of the important things that gets overlooked when breeding this breed… Probably the MOST important one.”

What’s your opinion about Ataxia? And using carriers in breeding programs?
“Ataxia is life-threatening disease. It is the responsibility of the breeder to make sure they are not creating or continuing ataxia carriers. I’ve been technology available to us makes that pretty simplistic. I see no reason to ever create animal from a breeding program unless the test results are available.”

The world without an Amstaff, is a world without unconditional love?
“The world without an Am staff, is a world without the MOST loyal, unconditional loving companion…”

How do you see our breed in the future? What is your wish for the future?
“I believe we have good American lines and flows and variations in type. As new breeders become involved in the sport of owning and breeding, there can be some division of the standard. Currently we have two pretty extreme types being exhibited in this breed. Some extremely refined dogs and then some very bully type and the more moderate type in the middle. That is where I see our breed. The moderate type is something that needs to be preserved.”

We would like to thank Kim Rudzik for taking the time to give us this interview, we wish her all the best in the future with our breed.