Frequently Asked Questions
Updated May 2021
Personal
Experience
Why Australian Shepherd’s, what made you own this breed?
I was looking for a dog to train in search and rescue, I considered a number of breeds and met them and their breeders. I fell for the Aussie because of their drive, willingness and want to work, their love for humans and ability to bond becoming lifelong companions and their goofiness, I love their sense of humour and feel they match my personality. I eventually found my breeder (almost a year before she planned a litter) and waited for the right dog. Willow (my first Aussie) was supposed to be a blue merle boy but with the guidance of a great breeder she nudged me in a red merle girl’s direction, she was perfect and just what I was looking for in temperament and drive.
How long have you been involved with Australian Shepherds?
Willow is my first Australian Shepherd and she is 5, I knew about the breed, followed breeders and was involved for around 3 years before getting my first.
What other experience or how else are you involved with the breed?
I am the creator and admin for the Australian Shepherd UK Facebook group. It is an impartial (not affiliated with either breed club) group for owners, breeders and people who are interested in the breed.
Personal
Breeding
What made you start breeding and why are you breeding?
Its Dexter’s fault! He is the embodiment of his father who I fell in love with many years ago, Dexter is the last in his lines and the only one likely to continue his great breeding and background. He was also from a very special litter; a litter containing only him and his sister (River), I wasn’t given a choice as I wanted a boy it was either him or wait for the next litter. I personally felt it was meant to be.I’ll cover more of the specifics about Dexter below.
How long have you been breeding?
This will be first litter from my own dogs, I have been involved in other litters including whelping for a number of years whilst waiting for my own dogs to become old enough to have their own litters. I also have the assistance and mentorship from a very experienced Australian Shepherd breeder.
Why have you chosen these specific parents for this paring?
As mentioned above Dexter was the reason I started breeding, his temperament, conformation and low white colouring are some of the many reasons he made me consider breeding. Azura I spend over a year looking for so that I could find the perfect match for Dexter not only temperament but also in health and genetics.
Choosing dogs for breeding is a very complicated process involving genetics, temperaments, health results, drive etc. In short both dogs are completely clear health wise, red factored (will produce all colours), and a genetic match regarding tail lengths, compatible temperaments and drive. If you would like me to explain further please let me know as I am happy to go into the technical detail regarding genetics and why I have matched these two.
The dogs amazing temperaments are best shown in person which is why I encourage people to visit, it’s very difficult to explain and I wouldn’t do them justice, you have to meet them to understand.
How often do you breed?
This will be my first litter using my own dogs, I intend to repeat the mating in approximately two years all being well.
About
My Adult Dogs
How old are your dogs?
Dexter is 3 and Azura is 2
Can we meet mum and dad?
Yes I own both parents
What are their Temperaments?
See above, I prefer people to meet my dogs in person to see their temperaments but I am happy to answer this question if asked.
Do they do any activities/sports?
Willow does Agilty, flyball and scentwork, Dexter does obedience and rally, Azura is very laid back so dabbles a little in everything but not to any level. I show (conformation) all my dogs.
How many litters have they had?
None this will be their first litter.
Do they live in your house or in kennels?
House, my dogs sleep on my bed, sit on the sofas and are with me all day.
About
Health
Are the parents health tested?
Yes
What are the results of the parent’s health tests?
Please see individual profiles on my dogs for the results.
What about Epilepsy and Cancer?
Dexter does has Epilepsy on his father’s side, a dog was line bred (bred to a related dog) which resulted in a high number of epileptic affected offspring. Every generation from this dog has reduced the risk of epilepsy and there have not been any cases since. For this reason I will not line breed Dexter and went completely out of the UK for Azura. Dexter has no history of Cancer and Azura has no history of either.
I have performed additional checks including a risk assessment for no testable conditions compiled by ASHGI (Australian Shepherds Health and Genetics Institute) which confirms a low risk for both parents.
What are the puppy’s possible health outcomes from the parent’s results?
All the puppies will be clear as the parents are clear.
What testing do the puppies receive?
The puppies don’t receive any dna testing unless requested (breeders can request red factor testing if they wish).
The puppies are eye screened by a specialist and vet checked before going to their new homes.
Is there anything else I need to know about Health?
Mdr1 is a gene defect that can affect clear dogs. Please research this condition further.
About
Puppies
When can we meet the puppies?
Anytime after 3 weeks (give or take a week), there is a camera on the puppies so you can watch them anytime.
Where are the puppies raised?
Inside my home, I sleep in with them till around 3 weeks of age to give them the best start, they are moved from the whelping box to a larger pen at around 3 weeks when their eyes and ears are fully open.
What stimulants are the puppy’s exposed too?
I have a range of different people visit, I also play dress up (motorbike gear, hats, glasses, fluffy things etc), I use various household items (vacuum, hair drier, whisk, tumble drier, washing machine, dishwasher etc), we also have tv and radio on a lot.
I play sound effects for thunder, fireworks, gun shots etc. We have Eskmeads which is a military firing range so the odd boom from them.
This is actually the fun part because I try and expose them to as many crazy and wacky things I possibly can, I think I’m quite creative so am looking forward to this.
Is there anything you are unable to expose them too?
I don’t own children or any other animals, the only children they will meet are the ones visiting to see the puppies.
My house is generally quiet which is great for the first 3 weeks to keep mum calm, content and happy but I purposely have to go round crashing to get the puppies used to loud noises. I do my best by turning the tv up, playing the radio, slamming doors, dropping things etc. but it’s not natural for me.
What is the age puppies can leave for their new homes?
8 Weeks and over is the minimum by law, I like to keep puppies till 12 weeks to give them the best start in life.
Will you keep a puppy for longer if required (holidays, sickness etc)?
Yes I am happy to keep puppies for longer if the right home isn’t found, people have holidays or the timing isn’t right. Please note that any pup staying for longer than 4 weeks over the 8 weeks will need to be insured and we would need to agree a small boarding fee to cover any additional costs.
Are the Puppies Vaccinated?
Pups are fully vaccinated at 12 weeks, I recommend vaccinating at 10 and 12 weeks (with lepto 2). Some vets will not accept vaccinations from other vets and therefore restart the complete program. More information on this is provided in the puppy pack.
Are the Puppies Wormed?
Yes, they are wormed at 3, 5 and 7 weeks. The puppy pack contains a full record of worming which will need to be shown to the vets when you take your puppy home.
Are the Puppies Microchipped?
Yes
Are the Puppies Vet Checked?
Yes they are vet checked and eye screened by a specialist, you are welcome to join me on any of these visits if you wish to see what happens.
If there are any high excess whites then they will also be eye and hearing tested (BAER).
Are we able to choose our puppy?
Yes and no. You have access to a camera and also able to visit after 3 weeks, this enables you to assess the puppy’s temperaments and decide which you would like, I also nudge you towards a good match depending on your requirements. When the puppies are 5 weeks I ask for your top three choices and then I allocate you a puppy using all the information I have gathered.
I operate in this way because some people are unable to see the temperament of a puppy behind the colour and fixate on the ‘pretty’ puppy. If they are allowed to choose they may pick a completely unsuitable puppy, for example one that has too much or too little drive for what they require. This would cause issues in the future.
Other
Paperwork and registration
Are the puppies registered with the Kennel Club?
Yes, with the Kennel Club Pedigree register.
Are puppies sold with a contract?
Yes
Are there any restrictions within the contract?
Yes, the contract contains three restrictions, these are not permanent and can be lifted at any time:
The puppy or dog is returned to me at any age if the situation changes and the owner is unable to meet the needs of the puppy.
No breeding – this can be lifted if the necessary health checks are completed and a suitable mate is found.
No export pedigrees – it is very hard to return a puppy if the owner lives abroad, therefore the puppy/dog is to remain in the uk at a permanent address. (This doesn’t include holidays abroad.)
Are the puppies insured?
The puppies are sold with 4 weeks free insurance that will need to be activated.
Other
Miscellaneous
Do you have a waiting list?
Yes, my waiting list is more a list of people who I am happy to have a puppy from me. I do not go in list order but pick the best homes for the puppies I have. I am unable to provide an accurate assessment of my waiting list as people drop off, go elsewhere or the timing isn’t right and they wait for a future litter. I am unable to provide any guarantees to people regarding selling puppies.
Do you raw feed?
I wean the puppies onto half kibble and half raw food. I do not feed puppy’s raw poultry until they are over 8 weeks of age.
What is the average litter size?
6-7 but I have known litters up to 13.
What colours are genetically possible (and tails)?
Dexter and Azura are Red factored meaning they will produce all four colours, due to genetics they should also produce all tail lengths.