About Us

We are Olaf and Monique Verhorevoort, the owners of Carmichael's Kennel in the south of the Netherlands.
We lost our hearts to the beautiful American Staffordshire Terrier breed years ago, and have been devoted to the breed exclusively.

Carmichael's is a small kennel that strives for happy, healthy dogs full of quality and with excellent social behavior.
At Carmichael's we breed on a limited basis only, striving for a few well-chosen matings per year. Our goal is always quality over quantity. In addition, our dogs are officially tested and certified for healthy hearts, hips and elbows, and genetic ataxia.

They also need to pass the Kennel Club´s official MAG test (temperament) before we even consider using them in our breeding program.
We have dedicated ourselves to building the best foundation for our breed, now and for the future.
At Carmichael's we feel every serious breeder should have a mission statement that guides their breeding program.
Every breeder strives to breed dogs that fit the standard; onto this we add our personal dedication to priorities of form, function, silhouette, movement, temperament, health, and unique breed character.

Over time a breeder should be able to put his “stamp” on the breed, a style that identifies any dog from their kennel.
As breeders we have established our priorities in order to try and breed better dogs, and to educate ourselves for the improvement of our breeding program and offspring. I, (Olaf) have personally invested a lot of time and energy in education, studying in order to expand my cynological and canine knowledge.
I have passed all available officially sanctioned courses and exams required to become a judge, and have been awarded my license to judge by the Dutch Kennel Club / FCI.

Courses completed:
∫ Cynological Knowledge Course 1
∫ Cynological Knowledge Course 2
∫ Exterior & Movement Course

I have also volunteered as a ring steward at many shows in order to watch and learn about different breeds.
This gives me a broader knowledge and appreciation for purebred dogs which in turn helps us implement our goal to improve our breed.
Monique and I consider ourselves very privileged to have been able to cooperate with so many breed specialists from the USA and Europe.
Through the years we have built solid friendships which we cherish, and which we renew every time we travel to National Specialties in other countries.

Besides our numerous National and International Champions, World winner titles, BIS, BISS and Club Winners and Group placements we are extremely proud of the fact that we are the owners and/or breeders of the Number 1 top-winning Dutch Amstaf in every one of the past nine years (2012-2022)! .