0.1 Sean Nowicki, DVM - Cruisin’ Kennels (USA)

Introduction

My first exposure to the AmStaff was in the late 1980s. I bred actively from 1992 until 2004, but when I started veterinary school I had to stop breeding because I was limited to keeping only two dogs. I maintained a few breeding contracts for a while, but within four years I no longer had ties to breeding females of my own. During that period, I kept two AmStaffs as companions, both of which were spayed and neutered. When they eventually passed, I went a full year without an AmStaff—and I’ll do my best to make sure that never happens again. After a long hiatus, I decided to return to the breed. In 2022, I acquired a Tacoma-bred bitch I’m quite fond of: Card’s Tacoma Lil Bit of Chaos. She will be bred soon.

What initially drew you to the breed?

My best friend got an AmStaff from the Rooney’s (Rowdytown Kennels). Before that, he’d been impressed with his girlfriend’s parents’ dog—also a Rowdytown AmStaff. Once I spent time around them, I was hooked. Their physique and demeanor grabbed me, and from then on they were the standard by which I measured other breeds. Every breeding I’ve done—except for my very first—has been Ruffian, often described as “the purest Ruffian you can get.” Today, I own a Tacoma‑rich bitch who is quite different from the Ruffians I previously worked with. She carries several traits that are nearly extinct in the breed today.

Name and pedigree name of your first Amstaff – over the years, the most influential dog in your program?

My most influential dog was Ch. Cruisin For a Bluisin CDX “Blue”, out of Tonkawa’s Gray Fox and Rounder Miss Piggy CD. The first dog was Rowdytown’s Jazz‑a‑ma‑tazz, out of Rowdytown’s Wings of Chanz and Rowdytown Iron Mika Tyson. She was bred once to a Blue, but I never kept anything from that litter—not because they weren’t nice, but because their blood was considered “tainted” under Richard Gray’s purest of Ruffian program (Rounder’s Kennel). Richard was more diplomatic and left it positively: you may not have anything better than what you already have in this litter.

CH Cruisin' For A Bluisin CDX, CGC, ROH, OFA, OFEL, Cardiac

Interview Questions

1. Breed Philosophy & Purpose - How would you describe your personal philosophy or vision when it comes to breeding the American Staffordshire Terrier? Has this changed over time?

My goal is to breed physically sound, mentally stable, healthy dogs—while holding a strong respect for those surprisingly powerful, athletic “freaks of nature” that occasionally come along. Early on, my first titles were in obedience, but conformation impressed me most. Today, I still enjoy the show ring—it’s often the gateway into other sports—but what truly impresses me now is physical performance. I’m more focused on athletic sports, though I’d be excited to show another exceptional prospect.

2. Bloodlines and Breeding Decisions - You've likely seen many bloodlines come and go. Which ones have influenced your breeding program the most, and what traits or qualities were you seeking to preserve or refine?

The purest of Ruffians have had the most influence. The name “purest of Ruffian” is misleading; they are very much Expert/Ruffian crosses up close, with Archer and Tacoma way back. They’re great‑moving, long‑lived, and I had some very bold ones. My current dog is Tacoma‑rich with Ruffian flavors and has qualities that are almost lost in the breed. Like any line, Tacoma has its issues. I hope to preserve traits that are becoming rare: bite strength, endurance, work ethic, and the drive to exercise so hard they’re sore for a few days. Health is fundamental.

3. Health and Longevity - In your opinion, what are the most pressing health concerns in the breed today? How have you addressed these in your own breeding, and how has the conversation around health changed over the decades?

Without hesitation—allergies! On public AmStaff forums, posts about recurring skin and ear infections far outnumber questions about hips, elbows, or thyroid. Dogs scratch themselves raw, and owners struggle to find relief.

I learned the hard way. I bred for about 12 years before veterinary school. As a breeder I became aware of allergy problems and began selecting against them; allergies plague AmStaffs and Pitbulls alike. I placed a bitch on an arrangement for a few puppies back—out of Rowdytown’s Rainbow Warrior (whom I do not blame for the allergies) and my bitch Rounders Michelle Ma Belle. He bred his bitch to his own male. I eventually got two puppies from that breeding and placed one with a local college student—her first dog. Fast‑forward three years: I’m on my dermatology rotation. When “American Staffordshire Terrier” appeared on the board, I was excited—until I recognized the name. My stomach dropped. My colleague returned from the exam room and said the client had asked for me personally. Facing her was tough—this is a university hospital and nothing is cheap. She was still a student and not wealthy, and she broke down over testing costs exceeding $1,000. We performed intradermal skin testing—about 70 allergens—and roughly 50 lit up. That was just inhalants; the dog also had severe food allergies. My colleagues asked what I would do. I said I’d offer to refund her purchase price. I didn’t know what else to say at the time. It was embarrassing—an unforgettable lesson.

Health discussions have followed medical technology. It began with hip x‑rays, then elbows; ultrasounds once felt like science fiction. Historically, fighting dogs were naturally selected for top cardiac and respiratory function; as that pressure disappeared, heart conditions became more apparent—hence today’s proactive cardiac screening. Now the toolbox is broad: prophylactic echocardiograms and DNA panels are routine. We’re doing well on most diseases, but poorly on those that aren’t convenient to test: allergies and cystinuria—the pink elephants. Mathematically, if you eliminate every dog with any screenable condition (hips, elbows, thyroid, cardiac, NCL‑A, PRA), the odds of a fully “clear” dog are tiny—likely indicating excessive selection pressure. I’m a believer in testing—you need to know the cards you hold—while accepting that no hand is perfect.

4. Structure, Endurance, and Functionality - What physical or mental traits do you consider essential in an ideal Amstaff? How do you balance type, temperament, and working ability in your breeding program?

Surprisingly strong for size, athletic, hard‑biting, and a great breather for endurance. I prefer cold, bold, confident dogs over overly hot ones; that said, I wouldn’t pick an inferior dog just to avoid dog aggression.

In this breed, working ability and type usually go hand in hand—except for one key feature: the head. A dog can move beautifully, be extremely athletic, and excel in AKC sports—agility, lure coursing, FastCAT, obedience, dock diving—yet none preserve the hallmark headpiece. As a breeder, you have two plays: the stud you choose for your bitch, and the puppies you keep. Around seven weeks, I temperament‑test each puppy, then evaluate conformation on video (coming, going, side gait) to spot standouts and red flags.

5. Changes Over Time - How has the breed evolved during your time working with it? What would you say has been gained—and what might have been lost—along the way?

Most breeders today focus on conformation. Meanwhile, the biting apparatus has deteriorated—many dogs can’t work a flirt pole, lack desire, or gag with borderline brachycephalic tendencies. We should encourage sports that put the mouth to work—tug‑of‑war, flirt pole, Schutzhund, ring sport. You want words like “punishing,” “deep‑biting,” “vise‑grip” describing an AmStaff’s headpiece; it’s a good sign when seasoned Schutzhund decoys comment on the teeth marks on new bite sleeves.

6. Mentors and Influences - Who were your greatest mentors or influences when you started out, and what lasting lessons did they leave you with? Do you find yourself passing those lessons on to newer breeders today?

Richard & Francis Gray — life lessons beyond dogs; movement and shoulders for conformation; a master networker.
Brian Bohl, DVM — longtime friend of Hendrix Harper (Tonkawa); many talks on conformation, health, and risk assessment.Keith & Charlene Monske (Somerset Kennels) — partners with many good dogs; countless days evaluating, testing, and talking dogs. Howard & Beth Burgess (Howards) — local breeders with different blood; strong in performance; reality checks for me. Harold Card — continuous learning; with “Chaos,” he’s taught me Tacoma health issues and performance brag criteria.

7. Showing vs. Working vs. Companion - How do you view the roles of show dogs, working dogs, and companions within the breed? Do you think one focus has become too dominant in recent years?

There’s overlap: many show dogs are also companions; some dogs are all three, others excel in one. Companions are family dogs that offer positive daily interactions. Show dogs need the genetics; they can range from a cherished single pet and champion to a dog that spends much of life crated—the job is to look good for a few minutes in the ring. “Working dogs” is broad. They need the right owners and genetics. A dog might excel in weight pull (power) or obedience (more mind than brawn). Rather than one focus being too dominant, none of them carry the original selection pressure anymore. Once fighting ceased, the pressure that produced once‑in‑a‑lifetime athletes disappeared. The show circuit turns over roughly every five years. More people now try fun events like dock diving and timed speed races.

8. Breeder Responsibility - What responsibilities do you believe breeders have—both toward the dogs they produce and toward the breed as a whole?

Educate yourself before planned breedings—you may look back and question decisions. Don’t choose inferior dogs because of a pedigree; learn how to evaluate puppies. Do your best; sometimes the puppy gods cooperate. Remember that breeding is humbling before criticizing other breeders and their dedication.

9. Breed Misconceptions - What are some common misconceptions about the American Staffordshire Terrier, either from the public or even within the dog community, that you would like to correct?

One of the biggest misconceptions is “It’s how you raise them.” Socialization matters, but it isn’t a magic fix. Excuses are often made for questionable temperaments: “The breeder messed them up… they were fine until the groomer… they don’t like men… they missed socialization because of COVID…” Some dogs are simply wired with psychiatric issues—anxiety is common and treated with the same meds as in humans (trazodone, fluoxetine, alprazolam). For our breed, history with dog aggression matters—it’s not unique to AmStaffs, but it was historically exploited. Most breeders now select against heavy dog aggression, but it can still appear even with two non‑dog‑aggressive parents. New breeders can get blindsided as they add dogs and litters; conflicts can escalate from minor “political discussions” to serious fights. That’s when people become exhausted and start rehoming with a bad taste. The long‑haulers are honest about what these dogs are, respect the history, and evaluate with both eyes open.

10. Legacy and the Future - Looking ahead, what do you hope to see more of—or less of—in the breed’s development? What kind of legacy do you hope your own work leaves behind?

The breed is in preservation mode. Preservation isn’t just pedigrees—it’s protecting the athleticism and strength, both physical and mental, that defined the breed. Plenty of dogs make great pets, but many no longer carry those unique qualities; some breeders even select away from them. Dog aggression, for example, was a defining trait that shaped history. Many newcomers now want dogs that “get along,” insisting it’s how you raise them. There’s nothing wrong with peaceful household dogs, but as selection moves that way, the traits that made these dogs famous—strength, resilience, athletic ability—slip away. Resilience today isn’t fighting; it’s durability, stamina, toughness—dogs rugged enough for demanding work and family life. I hope enough breeders commit to preserving these traits; once lost, they’re gone.

When I look back, I hope my legacy shows in the dogs I’ve produced—helping preserve the breed. Just as importantly, I hope it shows in how I’ve helped fellow breeders. If I’ve kept the breed healthy, true to type, and in the hands of people who care, that’s the mark I’d be proud to leave.

CH Bleauridges Lotsa Moxie

Sharing and Reflections

Picking Puppies with Keith and Richard!

You see a breeder’s preferences most clearly when it’s time to pick puppies—that moment shows what each person values. In one litter, I had first pick; Richard and Keith chose second and third. Unless there’s a true standout, it usually works itself out. There was a super‑bold, confident pup with imperfect conformation. Others were built better but not perfect. I chose the bold one, knowingly trading a structural fault for attitude. Richard typically leaned toward the best front assembly and preferred females—easier to place and co‑own, a smart strategy. Keith’s choice, if I recall, was influenced by an owner’s color preference. In the end, we each left with the puppy that felt right. Richard’s approach was clever: let the breeder take first pick; he’d take second or third. With different priorities, he almost always ended up with the bitch he wanted. It was win‑win and built camaraderie. That day shaped how I think about choices—everyone has “can’t live with” and “can’t live without.” When people play nice, everyone leaves satisfied and relationships strengthen.

Lastly, is there another breeder—past or present—who you believe has made a significant impact on the breed, and whom you would recommend for a future interview?

 - Recommendation: Carla Restivo, Sagebrush Kennels

CH Cruisin' For A Bluisin CDX, CGC, ROH, OFA, OFEL, Cardiac

Amstaff-Legacy — Curator’s Summary'

Sean Nowicki, DVM (Cruisin’ Kennels) has been involved with American Staffordshire Terriers since the late 1980s, bred 1992–2004, and returned in 2022 with Card’s Tacoma Lil Bit of Chaos. His program drew heavily on Ruffian blood, with Ch. Cruisin For a Bluisin CDX as a key influence. His philosophy centers on physically sound, mentally stable, healthy dogs, with renewed emphasis on athletic performance. He flags allergies as the most pressing health issue, supports testing, and cautions against “perfect-screen” over-selection. Looking ahead, he views today as a preservation era—keeping bite strength, endurance, and resilience—hoping his mark shows both in his dogs and in the help he’s given fellow breeders.

Amstaff-Legacy extends sincere thanks to Dr. Sean Nowicki for sharing his time, experiences, and perspective for this project.