Tips for finding a quality breeder.

Since we at Western Hills limit our production of puppies, we often help people find their new puppy. So before you fall in love with the first adorable Australian Shepherd face you see, take the time in an initial phone call to ask the following questions. You may not find a breeder who fits 100% of these criteria but don't settle for anything less than one or two negative responses. At the end of the list you will find questions to ask yourself. You should be able to answer all of them affirmatively before you begin your search. Remember to look at puppies, but don't go uneducated and take the first one home that jumps in your lap. Also realize with most good breeders you might have to wait on a list for a puppy.

You are adding a new member to your family for the next 10 or more years. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BARGAIN HUNT!! Prepare to spend at least $600-$1500 for a well-bred puppy. You may have known someone who has, or you yourself have purchased a "backyard" bred dog or a pet store or puppy mill dog and had great success. They were lucky. Why take the chance? Don't avoid show lines because you don't want a show dog, in every litter there are pet puppies, but they all have the same genes. Responsible breeders will do all they can to avoid health and temperament problems by researching pedigrees and screening parents for certain inherited problems before breeding.

Tips for choosing a knowledge breeder.

1. Look for someone who has been in the breed for more than three years.

2. Select someone who offers information on problems in the breed, as well as the breed's good points.

3. Select a breeder who asks many questions about you, your family, your schedule, why you want a dog and the type of puppy personality you feel would be most suited to your home. Don't be surprised if you are expected to fill out a questionnaire.

4. Select some one who knows the pedigrees of the pups, and who can tell you details about grand parents and great grandparents.

5. Ask if they are members in good standing of any breed or training clubs. The correct answer should be "yes".

Tips for recognizing a profit focused breeder.

1. They make their living from selling dogs. They usually have a number of breeds, sometimes as many as 10-20 that they are breeding.

2. They don't ask you many questions, and they don't want to answer many, either.

3. They do not test their dogs for genetic problems.

4. Price comes up early in the conversation, usually first.

5. They will sell to anyone, for any reason.

6. They will not let you see the facility where the dogs are housed.

Questions to ask the breeder:

Keep this checklist by the phone when you make your calls and Good Luck!
1. Where did you find out about this breeder? Responsible breeders will breed only when they have a waiting list of puppy buyers. They usually don't find it necessary to advertise in newspapers or with a sign out in the front yard.

2. Do both parents (the sire and dam) have a hip clearance from the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) or PennHip? Ask to see the certificates. "My vet okayed the x-ray" is not a valid clearance. And NEVER go for, well the dog was too young! Also if the dog is over 2 years old and still has a pre-lim number from OFA ask why they never got the final x-ray done.

3. Do both parents have current eye clearances from CERF (Canine Eye Registry)? This must be re-done every year. Ask to see the certificates. Avoid answers like "my dog see fine to work, that's all that matters."

4. Are both parents at least 2 years old? Final hip clearances cannot be obtained before that age.

5. How often is the dam bred? If it is every heat cycle, THIS IS TOO OFTEN, and may indicate that profit is the primary motive for the breeding.

6. Do all four grandparents, siblings of the parents and any other puppies that they may have produced have these clearances? A responsible breeder will keep track of these statistics and honestly discuss any problems that have occurred in the lines and what has been done to prevent them from reoccurring.

7. Is the breeder willing to provide you with references and telephone numbers of other people who have purchased puppies from them?

8. Will the puppy have a limited registration with a mandatory spay/neuter contract? A breeder who cares enough about the breed to insist on these is likely to be a responsible breeder.

9. On what basis was the sire chosen? If the answer is "because he lives right down the street" or "because he is really sweet", it may be that sufficient thought was not put into the breeding.

10. WILL THE BREEDER TAKE THE DOG BACK AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, IF YOU CANNOT KEEP IT?! This is the hallmark of responsible breeding (and the quickest way to make rescue obsolete).

11. Is there a written guarantee against congenital health or temperament problems, promising another puppy or your money back? Not require you to return your puppy or euthanize it? Many unscrupulous breeders will honor a guarantee only after you have destroyed the original puppy, this insures that they will never have to replace sick puppies.

12. Will the breeder be available to answer any question you might have for the life of the dog? Is this someone you would feel comfortable asking any type of question?

13. Is the breeder knowledgeable about the breed? Is he or she involved in competition with their dogs (herding, obedience,agility, or conformation)? 14. Are there a majority of titled dogs (the initials: CH, OTCH, CD, STD, OTD, WTCH, RN-S, CDX... before or after the names) in the first two generations? The term champion lines means nothing if those titles are back three or more generations or there is only one or two in the whole pedigree.

15. Are the puppy's sire and dam available for you to meet? If the sire is unavailable can you call his owners or people who have his puppies to ask about temperament or health problems? You should also be provided with pictures or videos.

16. Have the puppies been raised in the home - not in a barn or the back yard?

17. Is the breeder knowledgeable about raising puppies, critical neonatal periods, proper socialization techniques? Puppies that are raised without high exposure to gentle handling, human contact and a wide variety of noises and experiences OR are removed from their dam or litter mates before at least 7 weeks, may exhibit a wide variety of behavioral problems!

18. Does the breeder provide you with a 3-5 generation pedigree, a contract to sign, copies of all clearances and guarantee, health records and material to help you with feeding, training and housebreaking?

19. Have the puppies temperaments been evaluated and can the breeder guide you to the puppy that will best suite your lifestyle? A very shy puppy will not do well in a noisy household with small children, just as a very dominant puppy won't flourish in a sedate, senior citizen household. A caring breeder will know the puppies and be able to show you how to test them so that good matches can be made.

20. 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? 21. Do the puppies have their first shots and have they been wormed if needed- vet checked?

22. Does the breeder have only 1 or at most 2 breeds of dogs and only 1 litter at a time? If there are several breeds of dogs chances are the breeder cannot devote the time it takes to become really knowledgeable about the breed and if there is more than one litter at a time it is very difficult to give the puppies the attention they need and may indicate that the primary purpose for breeding is profit, rather than a sincere desire to improve the breed.

23. Does the breeder belong to the Australian Shepherd Club of America and/or a local Australian Shepherd Club. Have they signed a breeders "Code of Ethics"?

24. Do you feel comfortable with this person, after all you are entering into a decade-long relationship? Are you feeling intimidated or pressured? If so, keep looking!

25. Does the breeder know the genetic problems within their lines? There are no clean lines at this point. A good breeder will find out the problems and breed away from problems.

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 NOT a task that can be left to children!

2. Invest the considerable time, money and patience it takes to train the dog to be a good companion? (This does not happen by itself!!!!)

3. Always keep the dog safe; no running loose, riding in the back of an open pick up truck or being chained outside?

4. Make sure the dog gets enough attention and exercise? (Aussies need several hours of both, every day!!)

5. Live with shedding, herding, and high activity for the next 10-15 years?

6. Spend the money it takes to provide proper veterinary care including but certainly not limited to: vaccines, heartworm testing and preventative, spaying or neutering and annual check ups?

7. Become educated about the proper care of the breed, correct training methods and how to groom? (There are many good books available, invest the time to read a few.)

8. Keep the breeder informed and up to date on the dogs accomplishments and problems?

9. Take your questions to the breeder or other appropriate professional before they become problems that are out of hand?

10. Have the patience to accept (and enjoy) the trials of puppyhood, which can last for five years, and each stage afterward?

11. Continue to accept responsibility for the dog despite inevitable life changes such as new babies, kids going off to school, moving or returning to work?

12. Resist impulse buying, instead have the patience to make a responsible choice?

13. If you answered yes to ALL of the above you are ready to start contacting breeders. Start early because most responsible breeders have a waiting list ranging from a few of months to a couple of years. Remember, the right puppy or adult dog IS worth waiting for!!