We are a small kennel located in the Queen City - Charlotte, NC.  We produce quality dogs from the Old Family Red Nose Pitbull Terriers that are large and muscular with heavy bone structure. However; the best trait our dogs possess  is their great beauty. Our dogs arrive from the Hemphill – Wallace lines. These Pitbulls have the best bred of CH and GR CH UKC purple ribbon bloodlines. The best you will ever witness.

We are striving to produce the best Pitbull Terriers, with the best temperament, conformation and intelligence. First-Step  has tested  all dogs with children of all ages. Our dogs have great potential for being excellent family dogs, show dogs and guard dogs.   We take great pride in raising and training ours dogs at a very young age.  First-Step starts with obedience and socialization with humans and dogs. 

                                                                                                                                                     History

In trying to find the right temperament and conformation in an APBT took over 20 years to find. We looked for perfection and found that in “Paynes Mase in your face".

The owners of this marvelous specimen of dog are Mellissa and Felicia Payne. Mase is the east coast’s  top stud and possibility in the nation.

   Mellissa and Felicia Payne have taken the breed to a new level when they say their breeding is for the fancier who admires the breed. Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of a high intention, intelligent direction and skillful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives. The Payne’s would breed for temperament and conformation to better the breed, They could have bred for the financial benefit, but Mellissa and Felicia resisted the notion realizing that that would be a down fall for such a beautiful breed of animal. Mellissa and Felicia are truly Queens and we owe our yard to them.

 We would like to thank them for their knowledge and patience in this great endeavor        “Nothing but Love for you!!”

 We  would like to thank Larry Jr, for Mr. Trabue’s first APBT Busta Mase aka Buster. Special shout outs to Ronald Young, Candace Nichols and James “Cowboy”Jones. Many thanks to Ed Faron of Wild side Kennels for Flossie. Last but definitely least thank you De Sean Florney for our rising stars Taj and Coco.

 The person we looked to for help, that shared the same passions and dedication to the breed as we all do is a great friend of Mr. Trabue.  Jamel “Ghost” Brandon was a student of Mr. Trabue 10 years ago. As he grew so did his passion and qualities for the America Pitbull Terrier.  Jamel, you the man!!!

                              Our King, the one who has set the standard.                      Our Queen, which  sets the standard                        
                                                                   
                                                            The epitome of the ABPT, the immaculate and King of our yard                                                      Every King must have a Queen. The Queen of our yard is PR Paynes      
                                                        PR Paynes Mase in your Face. If one was to look in the dictionary                                   Spellbound Voodoo forever my Lady. She is the First Lady of First-step Kennel.
                                                                       there lying stead fast would be a picture of Mase.                                            


                                    Both Mase and Voodoo, have super temperament and great conformation, they are what every APBT should  embody.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                             
                                               Son of Mase. Mase Jr a.k.a Jr. The Real  deal                                 Coco is one of our shooting stars, only time will tell. She has some of
                              and Future Legend. The soon to be the  new King of the yard.          the qualities that Voodoo posseses. Introducing the next Queen of Firststep Kennel.
 

Breeders of quality Old Family Red Nose Pits.  All dogs are dual registered UKC/ADBA and DNA profiled.  These are the culmination of many generations of old family greats:  Dorr's CoCo Puff, Florilla's Bully Boy, Camarano's Buster Jo, Hazard Joe.  We strive to produce dogs with excellent temperament, conformation and intelligence to improve the APBT.

Some breeders are satisfied with what they have others demand more...

• Chocolate and Red/Rednoses 

• Dual registered ADBA/UKC "PR" 

• DNA Profiled - what you see is what you get (no false papers) 

• Pups are DNA-P (parentage verified)

www.firststep-apbt.com

No dogs bred or sold for any illegal purposes.

Please direct questions to First Step Kennel. 
Email the webmaster for any web page related questions or comments.

Breeder of Quality Old Family Rednose Pits

Payne's Mase in Your Face AKA Mase

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