Interview with Malgorzata Jurek
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Malgorzata Jurek Erenska. I was born in a typical dog family. I am a second generation. My father was an International Judge FCI /II and III group/ for almost 40 years and President of Rottweiler Club in Poland. We had at my family home: Boxers, Newfoundland’s, Wire Daschunds. I’m a visual artist by profession, I graduated Academy of Fine Art in city Poznan, Poland.
Do you still live in Poland?
I have been living in Sweden for 17 years. But in fact, I live in Poland and in Sweden. I also have 2 citizenship and two houses. But as a judge I am in the Kennel Club in Poland, here my kennel Florida is registered too.
Is your daughter Weronika still in Am Staffs and handling?
My daughter Weronika is in our family 3 generation interested in cynoloqy. She was a professional handler, and she started out like most of the children as a junior handler. She represented Poland twice in the Junior Handler competition at the Cruft show. And as a junior handler she started in the ring at the age of 10 with her beloved amstaff, Int.Ch. Woods EZ Black Dragon. Later already as a professional handler she showed large breeds, winning BISs and Groups with them. She also lectured and organized handling seminars. Unfortunately, a knee injury does not allow her to run quickly in the ring. Now Weronika mainly showing her mini bull Stefan and with him she does not have to run a lot in the ring. Of course, we have amstaffs at home, two beloved veterans – 9 years old Czech/Ch. PL Excalibur Dragon Red Florida and his mother 13 years old Brydzia / Ch. Batida De Coco Blue Florida.
Have you written a book about the breed?
I am the author of several books about pit bulls and amstaffs. My second book “American Staffordshire Terrier” I edited with L. Suhanova from Imperia kennel. My next book was “The true Friend American Staffordshire Terrier”. I was also the publisher and editor of the Club newsletter “Bull & Terrier“. I often write articles for the “Dog” published by the Kennel Club in Poland.
What is your kennel name and how did you come up with this name?
My kennel name is Florida. My first Amstaffs came from Florida, that''s why I called the kennel that way.
How did you become involved with the Am Staff?
When our boxer left after the rainbow bridge, I started looking for some new breed. I was in the Netherlands in 1985, and I saw in Amsterdam the first Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier. SBT seemed a bit too small to me and that''s why I decided to buy a pit. There was just a litter and I chose a beautiful bitch, Hamsbras Cindy. She had an ADBA pedigree. She was a fantastic bitch; she had a great time with 2 years old Weronika. It was a completely new breed in Europe, not everyone knew the difference between pit bull and amstaff, often these two breeds were mixed.
Because I wanted to know about Pit Bulls as much as possible, I subscribed few magazines from the USA, from ADBA, UKC and AKC. In one of them I found an article with photos from the Woodforest kennel. At this time, Marsha Wood was a breeder of pit bulls and amstaffs. I liked AST very much, besides it was possible to register them in the FCI. So, I made contact with the owner of Woodforest and this way began my life with the amazing American Staffordshire Terriers.
Was the Am Staff your first breed?
In my family home were few breeds. But when I moved to my home I had only Cindy pit bull, before my first amstaffs.
Do you also have other breeds at the moment?
Now I have only old grandmama Brydzia, but my daughter has amstaff and miniature bull terrier.
When did you started breeding Am Staffs?
My first amstaffs was imported from USA in 1990.
Where did your original stock come from?
My amstaffs came from Marsha Wood kennel, Woodforest. I imported from her 9 dogs, and I keep only woods line.
What was your goal when you started breeding Am Staffs?
The first Amstaffs appeared in Europe in the 90s, and they had a very bad opinion right away. They were confused with fighting pits. When my first blue pair of Amstaff come from Florida / Int. Ch Woods EZ Coral Seastar and Ch. Woods EZ EXCALIBUR HERO, television was a frequent guest at my home. We were recording a program showing AST as normal friendly family dog. I felt responsible for this breed and when I saw saw a huge interest in AST it had to be properly presented to eliminate the harmful opinion about this breed. It was my main goal.
That is why we founded in 1993 the AST Friends Club, and later in 1998 the Terriers of Bull Type Club. I was Chairman in this two Clubs until 2003, when I had to give up because I moved to Sweden. The Terriers of Bull Type Club in Poland is doing great. In 2019, I had the great pleasure of judging BIS at the Club''s 20th Jubilee Show.
Do the dogs you own at the moment go back to the original stock?
Yes, my veterans are pure woods line.
Describe your kennel facilities.
Currently, I do not have a typical kennel with many dogs. My amstaffs live with us at home.
Do You know how many Am Staffs have been registered in your country?
I don''t know exactly how many are registered. But they are not as popular as they were 15 years ago, when almost 50 to 100 AST were entered at each show.
How many members has the club in your country?
At Terriers of Bull Type Club in Poland in 2018 year there were 194 members, 2019 – 235 members and in 2020 -180.
How to become a member?
If you want to become a member of the club, you must belong to the Kennel Club in Poland and have a paid membership. Then you can fill out a declaration to the Terriers of Bull Type Club and pay the membership fee in the club. Last year it amounted to PLN 20 per year (EUR 5).
Does the club publish a magazine?
Unfortunately, there has been no club magazine for several years. Before that, the Club published “Bull and Terrier” and later “ABS”.
Is there a National Specialty in your country?
When I was President of the club, together with my friends we came up with a name for the club show- Bulliada. Every year is National Specialty / Bulliada and a lot of dogs are entered. In 2019: AST- 81, SBT - 99, Bull Terrier Miniature - 74, and Bullterrier Standard - 74. The second day is Club Show called “Alec Walters Memorial”. The club is doing a great job and so there are 2 club shows every year.
How many litters have you bred?
For almost 30 years of breeding, we had 26 litters. The last one was in 2016 after Lola - Int. Ch Dracula Dragoness Red Florida and Swedestaffs Gigolo, son of our Harlin Ch. Woods EZ Dragon Tales. The litter was of course woods line.
What do you feed the puppies?
We feed puppies mostly with Royal Canine. First Royal Canin Babydog Milk, then puppy food. Puppies also got chicken breast mixed with vegetables.
How do you socialize your puppies?
The puppy box was always in the kitchen. From the first hours the puppies were in contact with humans. A little later, they began to play with the other dogs, uncles and aunts. We were often visited by friends, each puppy was taken on the knees and hugged. Puppies were also taken for a car ride and walks around the city. The best school was walking around the train station. Lots of people, new sounds, movements. The train station was a great place to prepare young amstaff for the first indoor show.
At what age do you evaluate your puppies for pet and show quality and what do you look for?
It is always a very difficult decision because puppies change a lot. But somehow, I was lucky and my choices turned out to be successful. In fact, if there are any disadvantages that eliminate the puppy from shows, you can see it already at the age of a few weeks. This includes a kinky tail, light or different colour of eyes, white puppy more than 80 %, a tail set too high, or a tiny bone. At the age of a few months, you can notice that the ears are too heavy or hanging down, the bite is not correct but with this I am waiting for about 8,9 months. Bite changes also when head grows.
When new owners come to get their puppy, I never tell them that they are buying the future ring star. On the contrary, if you want to be sure that your dog will be a champion, buy an adult dog.
Has anyone influenced your breeding program?
When I imported my first Amstaffs from the USA, I didn''t know much about this breed. It was a completely unknown breed in Europe, so I decided to gain knowledge in the homeland of AST. I flew to Florida to Marsha Wood. I spent over a month in Woodforest kennel. Marsha, a very warm and friendly person, and her husband David taught me a lot. I had access to all documents and pedigrees, old books and magazines. It was fantastic, but most of all I had a wonderful time with almost 40 Amstaffs and a few pits. We became good friends with Marsha but in fact we were more like a family. After her death David was no longer present in the breed.
Did you sell puppies to other countries in Europe or the USA? Do you still have contact with the owners?
Yes, we sent our puppies to many countries, it is difficult to count them. They are in the US, all over Europe, Africa and Australia. The hardest part was shipping the female to Australia. It cost me a lot of time and nerves, all the recipes, research. I said never again. Of course, we always have contact with the owners of our dogs. Last year we got pictures from our Will Smith, who lives in South Africa and just had his 15th Birthday party. The tear in the eye curled.
What kind of guarantees do you give with your puppies?
When selling puppies, we have a contract specified in accordance with the Kennel Club in Poland regulations.
Have you been to the USA Specialty? Is there a big difference in people and dogs in Europe or the U.S.A.?
Unfortunately, I wasn''t for the Specialty in the USA. I was at few shows in Florida. My daughter was also several times in the States and showed dogs from Wood Forest kennel in the ring.
I know you are a judge. Which breeds do you judge?
I am more than 20 years Int. Judge for Group III - all terriers and for Group II - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle dogs.
Have you ever judged in The Netherlands?
I have judged in almost all countries in Europe and Australia. I had the honour of judging AST at the Interra Show in Brussels and at the European Dog Show 2018. I am also invited to judge amstaffs at the World Dog Show in Madrid 2022. But in the Netherlands, I have never judged.
What about the difference in handling a dog in Europe or the USA?
Some 30 years ago there was a very big difference between dog shows in States and in Europe. Almost every dog was shown in USA by a professional handler, especially at big shows. I remember well how we all watched in the ring during the Show when John Mc Cartney was handling dog in WDS 2000 in Milan or Steven Cabral in Budapest in 1996. It was a completely different kind of handling. Now there is no difference, the United States, Australia or Europe. We have excellent professional handlers and a lot more; they are all traveling now. Handling seminars are very popular too.
Tell us something about temperament.
AST is a terrier, so he must have a good temperament. Unfortunately, I have recently noticed during the judging that most Amstaffs are standing in the ring like porcelain figures. There is no flash in the eye, the tail is not waving. In the breed standard is written: The American Staffordshire Terrier should give the impression of great strength and his courage is proverbial. Unfortunately, this is often missing in the ring. I prefer a merry, jumping even Amstaff than a sleeping king, and often with a tucked tail between his legs.
How would you rate type, temperament, and soundness in order of importance?
In the same order as you entered.
Do you think there are any health problems in the breed?
There are some health problems in each breed, Amstaffs are quite healthy dogs. A few years ago, the problem of ataxia emerged in the breed. Most of the responsible breeders have started to do tests. This helped to do not use for breeding affected females, or males and dogs with carrier results breeding only with clear ones. So calmed down the problem with ataxia.
What are your thoughts about breeding? Do you prefer inbreeding, linebreeding or outcrossing?
I do in my Florida kennel linebreeding.
Who is your all-time favourite?
Am and Mex Ch. Woods EZ Forest PENN DRAGON. During my stay with Marsha, PENN was 9 months old. Already as a youth he made a huge impression on me. I wanted to take him with me to Europe. But Marsha knew it would be a top dog and wouldn''t sell it to me. And indeed, he turned out to be a fantastic dog, he won many shows but he was also a great stud dog. In Europe I was most impressed by the Don King of Rings. Full of temperament, when I watched him as he won the veteran class and later BOB in WDS in Hungary. I had goose bumps.
Who is your biggest winner?
My biggest winner was Int Ch. Woods EZ BLACK DRAGON / Son of PENN DRAGON/. He was an amazing dog with more than 40 Cacib’s, 70 Cac’s, Clubs Winner, Top Dog in Poland for several years and Veteran World Winner from Amsterdam WDS. But most of all he was a great friend of Weronika. Weronika started handling him in the ring when she was 10 and also BLACK DRAGON worked great with children in a junior handling competition. He was the father of many champions and litters all over Europe.
How many champions have you bred?
With Florida prefix we bred 4 International champions and about 30 Champions in few countries.
How many champions do you own, bred by someone else?
We had Woods 4 International champions and 14 Champions in few countries. And our dogs get BIS, Groups, Club winners titles. etc...
Is the Am Staff standard a good one?
The Amstaff standard has not been changed for many years. But it basically describes everything that is important in this breed. There are certainly points that could be changed, e.g., regarding colour, but it is not a bad standard. And it is up to us judges how we interpret it when judging the breed in the ring. I observe that in recent years Amstaffs are dominated by very elegant and noble ones, but we cannot forget about the head. I often have a beautiful male in the ring, but with femine head. The problem also appeared with a very weak lower jaw, and narrowly set canines.
How important is grooming?
Grooming in other terrier breeds is essential. In bull type terriers it is not necessary. Of course, we can whiten the chalk certain parts, cut the moustache, polish the nails and shorten the protruding hair at the end of the tail or on the hind limbs. But in more and more countries, naturalness is emphasized and in Scandinavia additional embellishments are not allowed. But AST clean, with shiny coat and short nails is always welcome in the ring when judging.
What are your interests outside of dogs?
I graduated in Poland the Art Secondary School and then the Academy of Fine Art, so I''m always in some way connected with art. I like to spend my time in museums. I also travel a lot, not only to spend 2 weeks in beautiful Dominican on beach. I am interested in monuments. Therefore, for me Egypt is not Hurghada but a journey from Sudan to Mount Moses in Sinai through the miracles of ancient builders. I am in love with Italy, Venice, Sardinia. Places where I always like to come back.
What advice would you give to new persons getting into your breed?
Above all, to be the proud owner of this wonderful breed. AST are amazing and smart dogs, gentle, affectionate, cheerful, but they can also be relentless defenders. Everything is in our hands; it depends on us what kind of dog we will have. If we want to learn more about the breed, let''s turn to long-term breeders. First of all, we have to remember that we have a dog at home 24 hours with us and shows are only occasional. So, let''s love our four-legged friends and whether they come back from the show with or without a cup is less important.
Is there anything we did not discuss what you would like to tell our readers?
I don''t think there is anything else like that. Anyway, I worry that I will bore the readers. but about dogs, especially my beloved Amstaffs, I can always talk for a long time. This is a river theme. ...with great pleasure that I answer your questions Wil.
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview Maggie. I have enjoyed it.
Judge KCM 2022: Malgorzata Jurek Erenska
In 2022 Malgorzata Jurek had the pleasure of judging the ASTCH Dutch Specialty. She described her visit to the Netherlands as a warm and memorable experience: after landing in Amsterdam she was welcomed by club president Olaf Verhorevoort of kennel Carmichaels, who even surprised her with a canal cruise through the city.
The specialty in Tiel impressed her with its spacious hall, careful ring setup and the clear attention given to exhibitors. In her report she noted an entry of 53 American Staffordshire Terriers from 7 countries. She considered the overall level rather average, although some classes contained very good dogs. Her Best of Breed and CAC winner was Multi Ch Parastone’s Not For Sale, while veteran Multi Ch Parastone’s Designed With Love earned special praise and finished the day as Best Veteran.
Malgorzata looked back on the event as a great honour and experience, and thanked ASTCH, club president Olaf Verhorevoort, the full team and Sabrina Hoks for the hospitality, excellent organization and friendly atmosphere throughout the show.