Guidance when looking to add an Australian Shepherd puppy to your family:
Tips for choosing a knowledgable breeder:
1. Look for someone who has been in the breed for more than three years.
2. Select someone who offers information on the problems in the breed, as well as the breed's good points.
3. Select a breeder who asks questions about you, your family, your schedule, and your home, why you want a dog and the type of puppy personality you feel would be most suited to your home.
4. Select someone who knows the pedigrees of the pups, and who can tell you details about their history.
5. Select someone who can explain their dogs health test results and what the results mean.
6. Ask if they are members of any Breed or Training clubs. (The correct answer should be "YES")
Tips for Recognising Profit - Focused Breeders
1. They make their living from selling dogs, they usually have a number of breeds but not always.
2. They don't ask you many questions, and they don't want to answer many either.
3. They do not normally test their dogs for genetic problems i.e.: - HSF4, MDR1, CEA/PRA, Clinical eye test, BVA Hips & Elbows
4. They will sell to anyone, for any reason.
5. They will not let you see the facility where the dogs are housed.
6. They will not let you see their dogs
Questions to ask the breeder
1. How long have you been in the breed?
2. Do both parents have hip clearance from the B.V.A. (British Veterinary Association). Ask if you can see the certificates? "My Vet said that they are ok" Is not good enough.
3. Do both parents have current eye clearances (Certification of Eye Examination), examined by a specialised vet authorised by the B.V.A. (British Veterinary Association). Ask if you can see it, this dog has never had any problems is not sufficient. Has the litter been eye tested at 7 weeks? Are the parents genetically tested for CEA/PRA? Ask to see the certificates of clearances.
4. Are both parents at least two years old?
5. How often is the dam bred?
6. Ask if the breeder is willing to provide you with references and telephone numbers of other people who have purchased puppies from them.
6. Will the puppy have Kennel Club Endorsements in place (stating they are not to be bred from or exported) for a pet puppy? A breeder who cares enough about the breed to insist on these is likely to be a responsible breeder.
8. On what basis was the sire chosen? If the answer is "because he lives right down the road" or "because we were owed a stud" it may be that sufficient thought was not put into the breeding.
9. Will the breeder take the dog back at any time for any reason, if you cannot keep it? This is the hallmark of a responsible breeder and should be part of the contract.
10. Is there a written guarantee against undeclared congenital health problems, promising another puppy or your money back? Ask the breeder to see a copy of their contract as all reputable breeders should have a legally binding contract that covers both Buyer and Breeder.
11. Is the breeder knowledgeable about the breed? Is (s)he involved in competition with their dogs (herding, obedience, agility, or conformation)?
12. Are the puppy's Sire or Dam available for you to meet? Normally the sire will not be available as he will probably live at other premise’s but you can ask for a photo.
13. Is the breeder knowledgeable about raising puppies, critical neonatal periods, and proper socialisation techniques? Puppies that are raised without high exposure to gentle handling, human contact and a wide variety of noises and experiences or removed from their dam or littermates before 7 weeks, may exhibit a wide variety of behavioral problems!
14. Does the breeder provide you with a 4 - 5 generation pedigree, a contract to sign, copies of all clearances and guarantee, health records and material to help you with feeding, training and housebreaking?
15. Have the puppy's temperaments been evaluated and can the breeder guide you to the puppy that will best suite your lifestyle?
16. Do the puppies seem healthy, with no discharge from eyes or nose, no loose stools, no foul smelling ears? Are their coats soft, full and clean? Do they have plenty of energy when awake?
17. Have they been wormed?
18. How old if over eight weeks have they had their first vaccinations?
19. Does the Breeder belong to any Australian Shepherd Club that is registered with the Kennel Club?
20. Does the breeder have a breeder’s licence issued by the local authority (if they have multiple breeding stock)?
21. Has the litter been vet checked before puppies leave to their new home?
22. Does the puppy come with 4 weeks free insurance?
23. Do you feel comfortable with the breeder as you are entering into a long-term relationship? Are you under pressure? If so keep looking.
Questions to ask yourself:
Are you prepared to: -
1. Take full responsibility for this dog and all its needs for the next 10 - 15 years? This is your responsibility and yours alone (not the kids or another person).
2. Invest a large amount of time, money and patience it takes time to train a dog to be a good companion? (This just does not happen by itself)
3. Always keep the dog safe.
4. Make sure the dog gets enough attention and exercise? (Aussies need at least two hours per day every day)
5. Live with shedding hair and high activity and mental stimulation needs for the next 10 - 15 years
6. Spend the money it takes to provide proper veterinary care, care is not limited to vaccines, spaying or neutering and annual boosters.
7. Become educated about the proper care of the breed, correct training methods and how to groom.
8. Keep the breeder informed and up to date on the dog’s progress
9. Take your questions to the breeder or any other problems before it becomes out of hand.
10. Have patience to accept and enjoy the trials and tribulations of puppy hood; this can last up to 5 years.
11. Continue to accept responsibility for the dog despite inevitable life changes - such as new babies, kids going to school, moving home, returning to work the list is endless.
12. Resist impulse buying; instead have patience to make a responsible decision?
13. Take into consideration all aspects of caring for a puppy as he will not always be that little bundle of fluff that you see at first. He will grow into a fully developed dog and things that are cute when a puppy are not so cute as an adult but you are the person responsible. You can have a well-trained dog, or a lunatic and who is to blame?? (You) !