Interview with Linda and Rudi Verbeek
A conversation with Belgium’s oldest active Am Staff kennel: Blueberry Rebels.
Introduction
Linda and Rudi Verbeek, owners of the “Blueberry Rebels” kennel in Belgium, have been active with Am Staffs for many years. They are long-time members of the breed club and familiar faces at dog shows.
Background
The kennel was founded in 1994, with their first litter in 1995. Their foundation dogs, Rowdy and Ruby, originated from the Amstock kennel.
The origin of Blueberry Rebels
The kennel name grew from their first dogs. The male Ch. Skram’s Chasqui Mountain Lion, call name “Blue”, made such an impression that his name became part of the kennel name. The comic character “Lieutenant Blueberry” also played a role, leading to the final name Blueberry Rebels.
The start with the Am Staff
In 1993 they first came into contact with the breed through kennel “Amstock”. Their first bitches, Rowdy and Ruby, became the foundation of their kennel. Before that, they were active with Dobermanns and dog sports.
Breeding philosophy
Their goal is to breed balanced American Staffordshire Terriers, combining good temperament with correct structure. All dogs are raised in a home environment with strong focus on socialization.
Daily life and socialization
All dogs live in the house and receive intensive guidance. Socialization starts at an early age, with frequent contact with people and a wide range of stimuli.
Linda works as a hairdresser from home, which means the dogs are rarely alone. Rudi works professionally with dogs and combines work and passion every day.
Achievements
The kennel has produced 7 champions, including a junior world winner and multiple international titles. One of their most memorable moments came in 1998, when Blueberry Rebels Umpire won Best of Breed, best in Group 3 and ultimately Reserve Best in Show.
Health and character
According to Linda and Rudi, the breed has become more social over the years. Hip dysplasia is monitored carefully, while skin and coat issues sometimes appear during the younger stages.
Vision
For them, type comes first, followed by temperament, construction and balance. Colour matters the least. Respect between breeders and cooperation remain essential in the relatively small world of the breed.
The future of the breed
Although they are concerned about uncontrolled breeding and imported dogs without background information, they remain committed to a positive image of the breed by breeding healthy dogs and guiding owners carefully.
Closing words
With more than 25 years of experience and a clear vision, Linda and Rudi Verbeek continue to play an important role in the Belgian Am Staff world.