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| Reader's Aussies |
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Thanks to Cherie
Lonas of Chase N It Farms from Rapid City, SD for
this wonderful photo of her red tri male "Reno".
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Pics of Your Aussie! |
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When Choosing a Breeder Take Your Time and Do Your Homework
First
Advise To Help You Choose the Right Breeder
Once the decision has been
made to get a puppy it is easy to get caught up in the
emotion and excitement. Taking the time to choose the right breeder
is of vital importance. You will be living with your choice for
10 to 15 years. The quality of your dog's life and your enjoyment
will be determined by the decisions you make now.
Before we get too far into a discussion of choosing a breeder
it's important to first confirm that you really want an Australian
Shepherd or Miniature Australian Shepherd and learn
about the difference between Aussies and Minis. Please take
a few minutes to read this article if you haven't already.
Read
This BEFORE You Buy An Australian Shepherd >
Back already! Okay, so you've read the article and you're convinced
that the Aussie is perfect for you and you are perfect for an
Aussie. Now what?
Before you go to a breeder and pick up a new puppy, have you
considered getting your new Aussie from a rescue organisation?
There are many wonderful dogs who are down on their luck and need
loving homes like yours. Please give serious consideration to
the possibility of adopting one of these Aussies.
Rescued
Aussie Sheps In Need Of Loving Homes Like Yours >
So by now you've decided that you really want an Australian Shepherd
and have considered the idea of adopting a rescued Aussie. Sometimes
adopting an older dog might not suit your needs. Dogs that have
been neglected can present unique challenges that you might not
feel able to contend with. For those of you who do adopt a homeless
Aussie please Contact Us and let us
know how you are doing - and send us pics!
Finding The Right Australian Shepherd Breeder For You
Taking the time to research
breeders is one of the best ways you can protect yourself and
your family from disappointment. But more than that you are helping
to protect the Australian Sheperd breed as a whole.
By deciding to buy your puppy only from a reputable breeder you
are supporting those who really care about the breed and are working
to eliminate debilitating genetic problems from their lines. This
will also help to ensure that your puppy develops into a healthy
adult. Poor health is not only a problem for your dog it is a
problem for your pocketbook, unless you have money to burn for
unnecessary vet bills that may last a lifetime.
Bargain hunting and deciding based on price will land you in
trouble. Now is not the time to try to scrimp and save a few bucks.
Besides, anything you save by buying from a disreputable breeder
or pet store will cost you in veterninary bills in the long run.
Quality Australian Shepherd breeders love their dogs and love
the breed. The best ones will often have waiting lists. So if
you really want an Aussie discuss your situation with the breeder
and get on their waiting list. You would be lucky to just walk
in and find a puppy waiting for you. This is not a spur of the
moment decision, it is something you plan for with the expert
advise and assistance of a good breeder.
Are They In It For The Money, Or Do They Love The Breed?
Disreputable breeders and
pet stores, however, are just in it for the money. They
could care less about the dogs themselves or the breed as a whole.
As a result they will always try to be sure to have pups on hand
or arriving soon, even if it means breeding more often than they
should for the dog's health.
With these breeders price will be of primary importance. Payment
will be brought up early in the the conversation and revisited
often. They are not so much concerned with who they sell to just
so long as they make the sale.
Another tell-tale sign will be that they aren't dedicated to
breeding only Australian Shepherds. Quality breeders generally
deal only with Australian Shepherds or perhaps one or two related
breeds.
Puppy mills won't be so selective because they will want to have
whatever the customer is looking for. Don't want an Aussie maybe
I can interest you in a Beagle or a Lab. No? How 'bout a Pug.
They will sell anything to anyone for any reason, so long as the
price is right.
A quality breeder on the other hand will likely ask you as many
questions as you are asking them. As I said, they have a waiting
list, they don't have to sell to you. They love their dogs and
their puppies and want to make sure they are going to homes where
they will be well taken care of by people who understand what
it means to own an Aussie and are willing to commit to them for
life.
Want A Healthy Aussie? Choose A Reputable Breeder
Good breeders can demonstrate
the pedigree of your puppy and show you medical clearances
in writing for both parents, the grandparents and even further
back in lineage. Puppies will be checked by a veterinarian to
ensure they are healthy.
Backyard breeders may not be as knowledgable as they should be
about the genetics involved. Breeding incompatible dogs can result
in the development of genetic abnormalities some of which can
be devastating. For example, breeding two Austalian Shepherds
who both have merle markings can result in a genetic defect, referred
to as 'lethal white', that results in the puppies being born deaf
and/or blind.
(Note: the term 'lethal white' is technically inaccurate. Although
the puppies have a larger amount of white this syndrome is not
lethal in Aussies (unless you consider that this condition is
often the reason the pups are culled). The term is borrowed from
a genetic anomaly found in Paint Horses called Overo
Lethal White Syndrome >
(OLWS). These foals who are born all white are unable to pass
feces and usually die within 72 hours.)
To learn more about this condition read our in-depth article
"Homozygous Merle or Double Merle
Australian Shepherds Suffer Serious Health Problems".
Dealing with a reputable breeder will significantly reduce the
chances that your dog will develop hereditary
problems such as hip dysplasia, Collie Eye Anomaly, Progressive
Retinal Atrophy, autoimmune disorders or idiopathic epilepsy.
They will also offer, even insist that puppies that do not meet
your expectations or cannot be kept for whatever reason, be returned
to them.
Ask your prospective breeder what their policy is. Their guarantee
will outline whether they offer refund or replacement and under
what circumstances.
Bad breeders, however, will not likely want to see their dogs
again or refund your money no matter what. They operate on a cash-and-carry
basis. You bought it - it's your problem. Next!
Good Breeders Assure Health With Pedigrees and Proof
This is why going to a good
breeder is so important. They can show you pedigrees
for both parents usually for at least three generations of healthy
Aussies. Good breeders are always concerned with improving the
health of their dogs and the Australian Shepherd breed as a whole.
They will also have certifications from the Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals >
(OFA) demonstrating both sire and dam to be free of hip dysplasia.
If your breeder hasn't heard of OFA - run! Find another breeder.
This problem can only be determined by x-ray. If the breeder
tells you their dogs don't have hip dyspasia because they run
and jump without showing any signs, it's not good enough. Good
breeders will know this already though.
Even better are PennHIP
> and OVC
> (Ontario Veterinary College
in Canada) evaluations. They are actually more accurate than OFA.
PennHIP and OVC both rate the xrays on a sliding scale which gives
a true rating!
The same is true for eye exams. Quality breeders
will have their dogs tested by a veterinary opthamologist and
certified by the Canine
Eye Registration Foundation >
(CERF).
You might have to pay a little more with a good breeder, but
remember, a lot more has been invested in producing your dog.
A good breeder cares about their dogs and about improving the
Australian Shepherd breed. These breeders will want to keep in
touch with you to find out how there dogs are developing, to ensure
that their temperament and health are good. This helps them know
how to modify their breeding strategies as they strive for excellence.
It doesn't matter if you are looking for a show dog, working
dog or just a loyal companion, you will benefit from the years
of experience and expert advise of a reputable breeder. Don't
forget to send us pictures and tell us about your experience when
you find your perfect pup!
See Also:
What
To Look For In a Good
Australian Shepherd Breeder
By Ann Calmes, Gold Ring Australian Shepherds
Aussie vs. Mini Aussie Information
Australian
Shepherd Rescue
Breeder Directory
For more information on puppy names, puppy care and choosing
suitable puppies:
Favorite
Puppy Names
Do you own a new dog? Having trouble finding fun and interesting
puppy names? Sometimes you just need help when you're seeking
out an awesome name for a puppy, so I scoured the internet and
did the work for you, finding unique, cute and cool dog names
for you and your pup!
The
Puppy Dog Place
Puppycare 101 - A complete, user-friendly guide for puppy parents
everywhere. Tons of FREE information, tips and advice to help
you raise a happy, healthy puppy. Topics include choosing a puppy,
naming your puppy, housebreaking, basic training, crate training,
grooming, products, puppy kibble, organic dog food, useful products,
health issues, vaccinations and much more! Puppies are our passion
- and it shows!
Suitable
Puppies
Finding cute puppies to suit your lifestyle is very important.
Each puppy is different and requires suitable care, training and
a name that fits their unique personality.
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