What to look for in a breeder
You are adding a new member to your family for the next 12 to 15 years. Now is not the time to bargain hunt. Prepare to spend at least $1800-$2500 for a well bred Aussie. We have all heard the term “backyard breeder” and you may have known someone who has had good luck buying from one. Key word “luck”. You just do not know what you are getting. Where you might think you are saving money going with a cheaper puppy, may likely end up with a great deal more spent in the future on vet bills and heartache. Why take the chance? If you are looking at puppies that are $1,200 or cheaper, I would seriously research that breeder. It costs far more to breed a quality dog to ask so little. Choosing a breeder is more important that choosing a puppy.
Do not avoid show lines because you do not want a show dog or you think they are more expensive. They are typically not more expensive. Show breeders put far more research, time, and consideration into the quality a dog they are breeding, because they breed for themselves. Also their reputation is on the line if they breed poorly. In every show litter there are usually more pet puppies than show puppies, but they all have the same genes. We are just looking for specifics in a show puppy or breeding puppy. A reputable breeder will look like this:
Things to look in a breeder.
A breeder that does ALL the genetic test for our breed (and can prove it), not just a couple so they can say we do genetic testing. Make sure they do all 7 tests mentioned in my website minimally. They can also be cleared by parentage, which means they can prove the mother and father has a clear genetic panel, which means the offspring are clear. Be sure to see those tests, do not just take their word for it.
Make sure they have had the OFA (orthopedic foundation of animals) or PennHip X-rays are done to ensure the parents are not dysplastic. This is a must!
Will be forthright with information on problems in the breed, as well as the breed's good points.
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.
Has a potential buyers questionnaire with many of those questions.
Is someone who knows the pedigrees of the pups, and who can tell you details about grandparents and great grandparents.
They know a great deal about testing and genetic problems in the breed.
Things to avoid in a breeder.
To us, if you are not doing something with your Aussies, sport, show, scent work, obedience, etc, you are not preserving the breed.
They do not register their dogs with AKC and/or ASCA kennel clubs.
I would avoid ASDR registered dogs, because they don’t have to prove it is a purebred Aussie with DNA. It’s a catch-all for those who cannot get their dog registered with AKC or ASCA. The tend to be farm type dogs that are high energy and not as easy to live with. We call them herding lines or working lines. They tend to be a very high energy dog.
When you ask to see the testing and pedigree, they hesitate or do not have them.
They do not do OFA (Orthopedic Foundation of Animals) xrays of hips and elbow to certify that the parents do not have dysplasia. Do not let them tell you that Aussies are not affected with dysplasia.
They ask for Amazon gift cards for their deposit.
There is no phone number, location, or name on their website.
They don’t have an open door policy for you to ask questions and get help with your puppy anytime for the life of the dog.
They do not test their dogs for genetic problems.
They will sell to anyone, for any reason.
They will not let you see the facility or home where the dogs are housed or do a meet and greet so you can come and see how their own dogs are living.
Puppies are kept in a barn, garage, or building away from the house. This is huge for Aussies, they need a lot of socialization.
Questions to ask the breeder.
Do you have a waitlist? Responsible breeders will breed only when they have a waiting list of puppy buyers. They usually do not find it necessary to advertise on Facebook, craigslist, newspapers or with a sign out in the front yard.
Do they do OFA X-rays at age 2. This is to make sure they are not breeding a dog with dysplasia. Ask to see the certificates. Under no circumstance, do not buy from a breeder who's dog have not been OFA x-ray for dysplasia. Also if the dog is over 2 years old and still has a preliminary number from OFA ask why they never got the final x-ray done. Don’t let them tell you the dysplasia isn’t in aussies. Dysplasia is a lifetime of heartache.
Do both parents have yearly eye clearances from certifications by a licensed ophthalmologist. Be sure to see the certificate. This is so they do not breed dogs with cataracts.
Do all four grandparents, siblings of the parents and any other puppies that they may have produced have these clearances? A responsible breeder of their pedigree and problems that have occurred in the lines and what has been done to prevent them from reoccurring.
Is the breeder willing to provide you with references and telephone numbers of other people who have purchased puppies from them?
Will the puppy have a limited registration with a mandatory spay/neuter contract? A breeder who cares enough about the breed and their name insist on spay and neuter.
Will the breeder take the dog back at any time, for any reason, if you can't keep it. This is the hallmark of responsible breeding and the quickest way to make rescue obsolete. A good breeder cares what happens to all their dogs their entire life.
Does your puppy come with a health guarantee? Stands behind the quality of their breeding program and stands behind their puppies.
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.
Has the puppies been raised in the home - not in a barn or the back yard? Aussies need socialization and a lot of interaction. They are no a breed that does well in isolation in the formative months.
Do the puppies seem healthy, with no discharge from eyes or nose, no loose stools, a good weight, no foul smelling ears? Are their coats soft, full and clean? Do they have plenty of energy when awake?
Do the puppies come with their first set of shots, certified eyes, and wellness check by a vet?
Do you feel comfortable with this person? After all you are entering into a decade-long plus relationship. Are you feeling intimidated or pressured? If so, keep looking!
If they have a “buy-now” button to buy a buy. I would run. This isn’t Amazon.
If they say the have never had a health problem. That is impossible in breeding. This is genetics, things pop up in the best of breeders.
Avoid internet scammers. The way to cut to the chase with these people is to ask for a pedigree and genetic testing on the mother and father. They don’t have it. Ask to come by and visit parents.
These are just some of the main questions to ask your Breeder in order to determine if they are reputable or not.