ME & MY KENNEL
From childhood, I have always been passionate about animals to the point of being looked at differently by family due to my inherent preference to watching snails over pampering plastic dolls. This natural passion of mine only grew stronger over the years, at 5 years of age I was watching The Whiskers on Animal planet every night like a religious ritual. I've become familiar with the beauty and balance of nature as well as the brutality and savagery of it very early in life, but I loved it for it's entirety. My passion for canines always stood out, though. Today, I am an avid lover of Animal Behavior and Biology, especially Evolutionary Biology, and i've come to view (good) breeding as evolution in a small scale, happening right before your eyes and I find that fascinating.
I have been interested in the Bull & Terrier breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire and Staffordshire bull Terrier, English Bull Terrier and their crosses) since the age of 13 when I came across a video of an AmStaff from Ukraine doing Parkour on youtube, needless to say that left it's mark on me. I have been involved in the breed since 2018 (age 19) when I got my first stafford and began my journey in stafford ownership and dog sports, I registered my kennel affix "Highfyre Staffords" in 2020, and had my first litter registered under my affix in 2022.
My kennel is a small and very personal breeding program located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. and is specialized in the incredible Staffordshire Bull Terrier. I, above all, focus on producing healthy dogs, with healthy minds inside healthy bodies, dogs that are durable and bred to last, rustic, adaptable, full of stamina and able to accompany their owners in everyday life, a true canine unit and a loving and dedicated companion for active and engaged owners who are willing to dedicate the time to grow alongside their dogs as partners.
When it comes to my breeding program, everything I do is true to my own, individual set of beliefs and philosophies. My views on the stafford go much deeper than a two pages of a very up-to-interpretation standard written on it, or opinions of so called specialist judges who never saw a dog performing anything in their entire careers. I look to the standard critically, rather than religiously, and judge the standard against the history and roots of the breed, and while I always seek to stay authentic and true to the breed's standard, my priority will always be functional conformation. I will never sacrifice the health, mobility or quality of life of the dogs to try and appeal to whatever's in fashion for shows or in the pet market at a given time. First and foremost I seek to preserve the stafford's functional structural and temperamental qualities, and this is why I use primarily sports as a means to evaluate the dogs I use in breeding, putting them to the test physically and mentally in a humane way in the hopes replicating nature's selection for the fittest to the best of my human abilities and in a way that is highly enjoyable and healthy for the dogs themselves.
Showing is to me a case of bad habits die hard, while I believe in good structure I do not believe that's what ends up selected in show rings in the way they are run today, not to say there's no good show dogs or show breeders, but they are unfortunately the exception and not the rule, there's too long a history of historic dog breeds loosing their traditional look and character for rosettes in the rings, by it's track record, it is a method I believe has proven ineffective in the preservation of dog breed's historic authenticity. I avoid hyper types like the plague and am not dictated by a thirst for show titles. It is at most a past-time, not at all my main pillar of selection.
Each one of my dogs is a member of my family. I only keep with me as many dogs as I am able to offer quality nutrition, exercise, training and companionship to, including them in the core of my daily life. I don't just love the written, abstract concept of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but also the living, breathing individuals that represent it in my life.
UPON PUPPY AQUISITION
THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU ?
ACROSS THE WORLD
• MICROCHIPPED - All my puppies are microchipped with the AnimallTAG microchip. You will also receive a Microchip Certificate with the pup's number and barcode that you can then complete by adding your name and your pup's name.
• VACCINATED & DEWORMED - My puppies only leave the kennel once the full vaccination protocol is complete, they will be ready to go out without fear of rabies, parvo and the likes. They are also dewormed frequently for the first 4 months.
• HEALTH CHECKED - At roughly 3 months, my pups go through an ultrasound to ensure their organs are fully formed and healthy, and later at 4 months old they will undergo a general checkup by my maternity vet to ensure they're in good physical health and condition before going home.
• GENETIC GUARANTEE - My entire breeding stock is genetically tested by two distinct laboratories, those being Embark and PawPrintGenetics. These tests help inform my breeding decisions and allows me to guarantee your puppy will be unaffected by the L2HGA and HC, the two main genetic diseases in the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
• FCI REGISTRATION - Every pup is registered with the CBKC (Confederação Brasileira de Cinofilia) which is the Brazilian Kennel Club in affiliation with the FCI. All puppies will come with a Limited Registration unless there's a co-ownership agreement on the particular puppy or puppies being sent abroad.
• GUIDANCE & SUPPORT - I will always be available to chat with my clients for help, guidance or questions for the dog's whole life. As a matter of fact, keeping contact with my puppy's families is incredibly important to me. I love being informed and involved (if possible) in their lives. I'm here for anything from daily care tips and tricks to helping potential breeding decisions with the dog.
It is important to remember, I breed and select for typical Staffordshire Bull Terriers with the old essence of the breed, I have no aim to alter it or tamper it down for popularity in the pet market, that means my staffords are (on average) going to be more dog than your average representative that has been watered down for commercial purposes.
What this means is, my dogs have a lot of energy, mental and physical, that needs to be put to use, so it is important that they have some kind of "hobby" or past time, be it jogging with you in the morning, hiking, bikejoring, obedience, competitive sports or just a lot of flirtpole or fetch. Although a mature stafford will generally not bother you or be trouble in the home due to their desire to please their people, these activities are essential to keep them happy, and you can see the difference in their eyes when their needs are being met versus when they are bored and unsatisfied.
Staffords are Terriers, so they also have a high prey drive, that means any animal they're expected to coexist with needs to be carefully introduced to them under supervision or with a professional trainer and it is not recommended to leave them unsupervised with other pets; cats, birds, rodents or reptiles. Due to the breed's roots and history they are also highly predisposed to being intolerant of other dogs (to varying degrees depending on individuals) but even tolerant individuals are still expected to react aggressively if another dog barks, challenges or disrespects them, and similarly to other pets, it is ill-advised to leave a stafford unsupervised with other dogs, no matter how much they may get along when you are around. I am against leaving dogs of any breed alone together, but I must stress this especially about staffords (and other bull & terrier breeds.) Accidents can always happen and they are animals at the end of the day, that settle their differences with teeth and staffords are especially good at using theirs and are known for not leaving any business unfinished.
AQUIRING A HIGHFYRE PUPPY
• REACH OUT & ENTER THE WAITLIST - I have relatively few litters, roughly once or twice a year, when a litter is born there is usually homes lined up in advance waiting for their dog, so please, make sure you contact me well in advance to when you want your dog, or otherwise, be willing to wait your turn, as I don't have dogs readily available fresh out the oven upon demand (or at least, it is highly, highly unlikely). Priority will always be given to the top of the waiting list, although the waitlist is a bit flexible, as some pups may or may not suit the profile of a person. Entering the waitlist is a commitment on your part and requires an initial deposit of 3.000 BRL. You can reserve for a male, female or flexible, but I do not make reservations based on color.
• RESEARCH THE BREED - Make sure you understand the nature of the breed and it's history and are ready to embrace it for what it was made to be, you can start by checking out our page about "The Stafford." I cover multiple topics, from breed history, temperament, physical and mental development, health, and other quirks.
• COMMUNICATE OPENLY - It is also important that you communicate to me as clearly and honestly as you can, what your goals with the dog are, so I can then do my job as the breeder to pair you with the individual puppy that is the best fit for your lifestyle, expectations, and goals.
• THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS - Litters will stay with me at least until the age of 4 months old, and will be ready to go home after they complete their entire vaccination protocol, meaning, once they're in your hands, they're fully immunized and ready to safely take on the world.
• THE INVESTMENT - The total cost of the puppy itself can vary between 5.000 - 10.000 BRL, counting the initial waitlist entry deposit.
• THE CONTRACT - Buyers in Brazil must sign a contract with me (PDF available upon request) to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the dog. One of the main points made in the contract is as follows: No puppy can be resold, rehomed or surrendered at a shelter. Should there be any change of circumstances in your life that makes it impossible to continue caring and providing for your dog, it must return to me, we will look into a new home for them together if desired, until a new suitable home is found, every dog born to me will always have a home with me and should not be passed on to a third party.
• IN CASES OF EXPORTATION - I am asked often if I am open to sending pups abroad, the answer is yes! I am. I'll go to any length to ensure the right pup goes to the right home, even if that home is across the seas. But, it comes with a catch; exportation regulations usually mean the dog cannot travel prior to 6 months, sometimes they will only be able to travel home at the age of 9 months. That is because it is common that most countries require a "proof of immunization" against rabies from all dogs leaving Brazil, this procedure means the pup must be vaccinated and 20 days later undergo a blood test that will prove the dog has been immunized, after which a certificate will be produced, which may take up to 2 months, although it is usually a much shorter wait of 20 days.
Importing is a serious commitment for both parties. My end involves most of the paperwork and logistics, as well as caring for the puppy until it is able to go home and compensating for some of your lost time by giving the dog a bit of a startup in preparation and exposition to the lifestyle you intend to give them in your home. All of this demands a lot of my time and resources, so I only ask that potential buyers abroad are very considerate and only start this journey with me if they are 100% serious and intend to see it through.
The combined total cost of puppy + import documentation, taxes, & logistics, can be quite the investment, and it will vary per country and it's regulations at the time.
• CO - OWNERSHIP - For certain individual puppies. I offer a co-ownership agreement. This allows the dog to live with a dedicated family or owner, while allowing this dog to still contribute to our breeding program. I know the term co-ownership may sound intimidating, click here to learn more about co-ownership.
I offer two types of co-ownership:
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Full Co-Ownership: The co-owner does not pay for the dog, and we retain the right to two litters from females, and up to 10 litters from males.
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Partial Co-Ownership: The co-owner pays half the purchase price of 10.000 BRL, and we retain the right to one litter from females, or 5 litters from males.
Once the agreed number of litters is reached, or when the dog turns 8 years old, full ownership will be transferred to the co-owner. If I decide not to use the dog for breeding, the co-owner keeps the dog with no further obligations.
I always seek good, active homes within my state and neighboring states for co-ownership. Co-owners should be even more closely engaged with me, and ideally participate in some sport or activity, particularly Stafford Athletics as that's one of my main means of accessing dogs for breeding.
Should you have interest in Co-Owning a dog with me, contact me for more details.
An overview on
What you can expect
Is a Highfyre stafford
The family
Traditionally of
indomitable courage and tenacity.
Bold, fearless, and totally reliable
Well balanced
of great strength for his size.
Muscular, active and agile
• 9 DOGS IN BRAZIL - 7 Dogs in São Paulo, 1 Dog in Rio De Janeiro, 1 Dog in Ceará
• 1 DOG IN IRELAND - 1 Dog in Galway
A COUPLE CONSIDERATIONS
Remember that I value my dogs very dearly and I am screening you as a client as much or more than you may be screening me as a breeder. My priority is not commercial gain, I invest a lot in my dogs, from importing dogs from abroad to imported quality vaccinations, multiple health testing costs, high quality food, weekly trainer, pregnancy ultrasounds, event fees, to name a few.
Getting a puppy from me is not as simple as asking me "Do you sell puppies?" or "Price?" after doing minimal research on me, the breed, or my dogs. I'm hoping for some passion from you as a client as well, and you can do better than that! These are dogs that will ideally live to 12-18 years, have a whole individual personality on top of breed traits, it is not a shoe or a purse and should not be bought with that mentality.
Lets have a conversation about your potential puppy, what you're looking for, ask me about the parents... Yes, you are paying for my work behind the puppy itself, but at the end of the day you are acquiring a living being, it's a big decision that goes far beyond the initial purchase costs. To be a responsible buyer you must put a couple other factors before that, do your research, get to know me a little and let me get to know you a bit as well. If you're looking for a cheap, easy purchase that requires little research or effort from you, I am not the right breeder for you!
Before we proceed
• 1 DOG IN USA - 1 Dog in North Carolina
• 1 DOG IN CANADA - 1 Dog in British Columbia
TAKE A LOOK AROUND
Thank you for visiting,
You should find a lot more in the website, but I always happy to talk about the breed and the dogs, so should you have any questions not answered in the site, you're welcome to contact me directly and I will get back to you as soon as possible!
Make sure to follow us on instagram to stay up to date on the lives of the dogs and kennel updates!
• EMAIL - highfyrestaffords@gmail.com
• INSTAGRAM - @highfyre.staffords
• WHATSAPP - +55 (11) 961816406
BY - RAFAELLA P. ABREU