what do you think?
- Thread starter zoe08
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It's never too early. Honestly, I prefer to contact breeders *far* in advance of the time I am going to purchase my puppy. It allows me to get to know the breeder, and it shows the breeder just how serious I am about obtaining a puppy from them. Case in point, although it will probably be *years* from now, I have been talking to an Akita breeder that I really admire since September of 2 years ago. We see each other at local shows whenever I get the chance, and I end up hanging out with her crew, helping with dogs ringside, and making a TON of new friends in a breed that I have yet to own. I have been to her home, offered a kennel-sitting position when she was attending Westminster (curse that little thing called college...always getting in the way, LOL), and met many of the most influential dogs in not only her breeding program, but the world of Akitas. Being around her dogs for extended periods of time further convinced me how much I would like a puppy from her.
Its not too early. Its good to have a relationship with your breeder.
I wish I knew the name of the lady who does OB classes close by me. She has some really nice Aussies. Very obediant and beautiful. WHat little charactors they are. She brings them to class as an example of what she is trying to teach.
I wish I knew the name of the lady who does OB classes close by me. She has some really nice Aussies. Very obediant and beautiful. WHat little charactors they are. She brings them to class as an example of what she is trying to teach.
They seem okay, though I echo the suggestion to visit them first.
Honestly my biggest problem is that their Aussies do seem to be show dogs and little more. I only saw two dogs out of their 10 or so with more than one title in obedience and agility. Aussies should be working dogs first and foremost, imo. The dogs do have lovely structure but I would be sure to meet them to make sure that they are not simply Golden Retrievers in Aussie suits.
Honestly my biggest problem is that their Aussies do seem to be show dogs and little more. I only saw two dogs out of their 10 or so with more than one title in obedience and agility. Aussies should be working dogs first and foremost, imo. The dogs do have lovely structure but I would be sure to meet them to make sure that they are not simply Golden Retrievers in Aussie suits.
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Im glad to see that they're working their dogs in performance events - I'm surprised not to see more mention of herding, though, since they are emphasizing that they want dogs that maintain their "working ability".
I'm a stickler for health testing (have seen so many bad things when I was a vet tech) and I'm glad to see that they have listed OFA's and eye testing on their males. But the females have no health testing listed, and I didn't see one mention of testing for elbow dysplasia. I would definitely question that.
They're sure doing more with their dogs than the typical breeder! That's good to see. I think they have eight adults listed, which is a lot to work with.
Melanie and the gang in Alaska
I'm a stickler for health testing (have seen so many bad things when I was a vet tech) and I'm glad to see that they have listed OFA's and eye testing on their males. But the females have no health testing listed, and I didn't see one mention of testing for elbow dysplasia. I would definitely question that.
They're sure doing more with their dogs than the typical breeder! That's good to see. I think they have eight adults listed, which is a lot to work with.
Melanie and the gang in Alaska
I have aussies as well as GSD's, and the site looks good to me, her dogs are versatile altho I didn't see any health testing, (maybe I missed that).
It never hurts to speak to breeders and do your homework. Good breeders love talking about their dogs, and would more than welcome a visitor. Ask if you can go meet her dogs.
Aussies are great, but can be high maintenance *vbg*
diane
It never hurts to speak to breeders and do your homework. Good breeders love talking about their dogs, and would more than welcome a visitor. Ask if you can go meet her dogs.
Aussies are great, but can be high maintenance *vbg*
diane
Ask her what her incidences of epilepsy are in her lines as well.
It's a fairly sparse website as far as information goes. Nice pictures, but not much to go on otherwise. Email, visit, talk to some of the other kennels they've gotten dogs from or sold dogs to.
Also, I love this index listing: http://www.blueearthnet.com/australianshepherds/location.html
It's a fairly sparse website as far as information goes. Nice pictures, but not much to go on otherwise. Email, visit, talk to some of the other kennels they've gotten dogs from or sold dogs to.
Also, I love this index listing: http://www.blueearthnet.com/australianshepherds/location.html
Thanks for the link zoom! But a lot of them don't say where the breeders are located, just that they are in TX and let me tell you TX is VERY big...lol
Now I know a lot of people have gotten puppies from far away, but is this a good idea? Would it be better for me to find a breeder as close as possible? If I have to go far away, what is the best way to go about that?
This is my first time to go through a responsible breeder, and I really want to do this right.
I have sent out a couple e-mails to breeders, the one I posted and http://www.rainydayaussies.com/ which I found on the link from Zoom, but I have no idea where in TX they are located.
Now I know a lot of people have gotten puppies from far away, but is this a good idea? Would it be better for me to find a breeder as close as possible? If I have to go far away, what is the best way to go about that?
This is my first time to go through a responsible breeder, and I really want to do this right.
I have sent out a couple e-mails to breeders, the one I posted and http://www.rainydayaussies.com/ which I found on the link from Zoom, but I have no idea where in TX they are located.
I dont think I have heard of the AS Texan Club.
This time I am definitely trying to do this right. EVen though I wouldnt trade Zoe for the world I know she came from a bad breeder and this time I am going to do it right. (Here she is laying by my feet with the ball between her legs waiting for me to throw it...lol...then she stops to look out the door before bringing it back...lol...sorry she is soo cute)
Anyways, so Im really hoping to do this right this time. Only it is going to be soo hard to wait til 2008!
This time I am definitely trying to do this right. EVen though I wouldnt trade Zoe for the world I know she came from a bad breeder and this time I am going to do it right. (Here she is laying by my feet with the ball between her legs waiting for me to throw it...lol...then she stops to look out the door before bringing it back...lol...sorry she is soo cute)
Anyways, so Im really hoping to do this right this time. Only it is going to be soo hard to wait til 2008!
just do your homework, aussies can have alot of health problems, WEIRD ones , been there done that.
Also ask the breeder if she's had her dogs MDR1 gene tested. It's a sensitivity gene and IF they carry it, depending on the level, normal doses of certain drugs can literally kill them. IF she's unaware of this MDR1 thing, then Id say she isn't as informed about aussies as she should be.
Another kennel who's dogs I like, and I think are in TX, not sure tho, is Slydrock, I also just saw a posting for a kennel in louisiana, hammond to be exact, and I would "kill" for this puppy they have available is "Goldring" Australian Shepherds, I've gon thru this website (goldring) and she is definately someone I would buy a dog from. Her dogs are very versatile and she sounds like she knows her stuff.
Diane
Also ask the breeder if she's had her dogs MDR1 gene tested. It's a sensitivity gene and IF they carry it, depending on the level, normal doses of certain drugs can literally kill them. IF she's unaware of this MDR1 thing, then Id say she isn't as informed about aussies as she should be.
Another kennel who's dogs I like, and I think are in TX, not sure tho, is Slydrock, I also just saw a posting for a kennel in louisiana, hammond to be exact, and I would "kill" for this puppy they have available is "Goldring" Australian Shepherds, I've gon thru this website (goldring) and she is definately someone I would buy a dog from. Her dogs are very versatile and she sounds like she knows her stuff.
Diane
It is your choice, completely. Having the next 2 years to search and create friendships with breeders is awesome! 2 years will fly by =)
The only issue I always worry about with working breeders, is the question of whether or not they actually WORK their dogs. With Aussies, this means regularly herding livestock and/or trialing. IMO, their conformation/agility/rally/etc awards are useless if their dogs have not been proven on livestock. I know lots of Aussies from both working lines and show lines, and there is a big difference! I totally prefer working Aussies, they are more focused and less bouncing-off-the-walls and yapping. I was in search of a working Aussie breeder before I got my rescue pup. One of their breeding dogs does have a HIC (Herding Instinct Certificate), but that title takes a whole afternoon to achieve, so it does't mean that much. It basically says the dog is keen on livestock - not that they can actually work, and work well. My BC has a HIC, and he is far from ever being able to trial! It is your choice, just consider if you want a low-drive Aussie or an Aussie that can excel at what it was bred to do.
The only issue I always worry about with working breeders, is the question of whether or not they actually WORK their dogs. With Aussies, this means regularly herding livestock and/or trialing. IMO, their conformation/agility/rally/etc awards are useless if their dogs have not been proven on livestock. I know lots of Aussies from both working lines and show lines, and there is a big difference! I totally prefer working Aussies, they are more focused and less bouncing-off-the-walls and yapping. I was in search of a working Aussie breeder before I got my rescue pup
. One of their breeding dogs does have a HIC (Herding Instinct Certificate), but that title takes a whole afternoon to achieve, so it does't mean that much. It basically says the dog is keen on livestock - not that they can actually work, and work well. My BC has a HIC, and he is far from ever being able to trial! It is your choice, just consider if you want a low-drive Aussie or an Aussie that can excel at what it was bred to do.I think it's pretty easy to tell from a breeder if they work their dogs, then they should have the working titles to back them up. There tend to be alot of aussie breeders who themselves have their own "thing" but are producing dogs that are titled/proven on livestock.
There is a big difference between the show/working lines as with 90% of the other herding/working breeds. I prefer a breeder who's dogs do it all. I want a structurally sound dog that can work. So I tend to like titles at both ends.
I have two aussies, one out of los rocosa lines who is a quiet serious worker and the female I have is out HOF lines , so it's a mix of show/working. While she is far from serious, she is much more demanding and high maintenance than the working line male.
There is a wide variety in the aussie world, for me the most important things are good health, good temperament and structural soundness.
Diane
There is a big difference between the show/working lines as with 90% of the other herding/working breeds. I prefer a breeder who's dogs do it all. I want a structurally sound dog that can work. So I tend to like titles at both ends.
I have two aussies, one out of los rocosa lines who is a quiet serious worker and the female I have is out HOF lines , so it's a mix of show/working. While she is far from serious, she is much more demanding and high maintenance than the working line male.
There is a wide variety in the aussie world, for me the most important things are good health, good temperament and structural soundness.
Diane
First of all, good for you for doing things the right way! If everyone took the time to find a responsible breeder, than we wouldn't have so many problems with homeless pets and health issues . Anyways, the website looks good. The only thing I saw was that they are also breeding/showing corgis. That's a lot of dogs to take care of, and personally I prefer breeders who specialize in only one breed. But if they have the money and time to care for all those dogs, than go for it.
. Anyways, the website looks good. The only thing I saw was that they are also breeding/showing corgis. That's a lot of dogs to take care of, and personally I prefer breeders who specialize in only one breed. But if they have the money and time to care for all those dogs, than go for it.