Find me a Breeder

Keechak · 10-18-2009, 08:23 PM

I was just searching google for different Aussie breeders. It's saddening that While my focus is on finding an Australian Shepherd breeder, more than half of the things that showup are Miniature Australian Shepherd things.

Yes I do like Hawkeye's breeder, But I am also interested to know what else is out there for me.

I'm wondering (if anyone is so bored) if people could help me search? I'm looking within the midwest (Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, ect.)
The breeding stock must have herding titles (HIC, HT, STDc, ect.)
CH's in the pedigree would be nice
OFA hips and eyes CERF required MDR1 would be nice aswell
A Bonus to the person that can find me a breeder that has versatile breeding stock.

txcollies · 10-18-2009, 10:11 PM

The mini aussie people are working REALLY REALLY hard to do right by their dogs. We have a lot of mini aussie breeders in my area, and they have specialty shows all of the time, working on the parent club - overall they are a great bunch. ;-)

I can't think of any breeders off the top of my head, but I can ask around and see. We have a ton of breeders in this part of the country, although not a lot of them do herding, but that wouldn't bother me terribly much, judging from the attitudes and soundness I've seen, they'd still make great performance dogs.

Let me see what I can find...

Keechak · 10-18-2009, 10:26 PM

I know there are people out there that are doing their part to make the Miniature Australian shepherd a good new breed I am just not fond of the thought of limiting gene pools in favor of a specific sized dog.

I still think working ability should take precident over any sort of size.

MoonStr80 · 10-18-2009, 10:42 PM

This is what I found ... I couldn't find anybody in Minnesota however you could contact the parent offical website of ask for a breeder referral ASCA lot of breeders avoid commically make website to aviod scammers IMO another site is USASA Australian Shepherd Keep on searching and I wish you luck
Illinois Area
If Ever Australian Shepherd

Michigan Area
Lake Michigan Aussies

Wisconsin Area
Ever Ready Aussie

Locke · 10-19-2009, 06:39 AM

I'm not sure about the states, but here are a few in Canada:

http://www.holesome.com/debern/ (located in BC, western Canada)

http://www.starwoodaussies.com/ (located in New Brunswick, eastern Canada)

http://www.ninebarkaussies.com/ (located in Ontario, eastern Canada)

Keechak · 10-19-2009, 10:10 AM

Thanks guys I'll take a look at these.

I Do have a few breeders a really like. but they live so far away I suppose when the time comes around that I will be getting another puppy I will have a job again and be able to afford gass for my car to travil.

Here are some that are far away that I really like.
http://www.lasrocosa.com/index.html (Their website doesn't list their dogs saddly)
http://www.legendsaussies.com/
http://www.tuckercreek.net/home.html

Michiyo-Fir · 10-19-2009, 01:36 PM

Are you looking for another Aussie pup Keechak?

This is a good breeder in BC Canada but I don't think they have any Ch conformation dogs...
http://www3.telus.net/rafterMT/

Keechak · 10-19-2009, 02:02 PM

Not for a few more years untill Jack is gone and I have some money.

Legacy · 10-19-2009, 02:19 PM

Hi Keechak!

Yes, I know exactly what you mean! I am having the same problem down here in Florida in trying to find "Standard" size Aussie puppies. It's actually getting kind of difficult as some breeders are deciding to get away from the standards in favor of the mini/toys because of the trend for smaller dogs. Between that and the economy, there seem to be fewer standard puppies. I am worried that they will eventually breed away from the true Aussies we know and love.

IMHO, some of these "little" Aussies don't really look like Aussies to me. Some seem to have terrier type heads and I have seen lots of "prick" ears...I just don't know. I'll keep looking... I hope you find the pup you are looking for!

Legacy

Keechak · 10-19-2009, 02:25 PM

Well you see the thing is this

Australian Shepherd (Allowed to be ANY size, preferred 18-23 inches, no disqualifying size)
Miniature Australian Shepherds (MUST be between 12-18 inches, any other size disqualified)
and Toy Australian Shepherds (MUST be 11 inches or under, any other size disqualified)

Thats were the "problem" lies. There is NO "Standard" sized Aussie The Miniature and Toy breeders want to limit their gene pools to dogs that of a certain height, while the Australian Shepherd breeders take into consideration structure and temperament first.

Michiyo-Fir · 10-19-2009, 03:31 PM

I have never ever seen a Toy Aussie before! That's so weird. What's the point of having a herding dog the size of a Papillon??

Just out of curiosity...if a standard aussie breeder somehow got a runt puppy of let's say 15" do they just sell it as normal or would they advocate it as a mini?

Just found this pic and I'm shocked! Such a tiny Aussie!

Nargle · 10-19-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keechak

Well you see the thing is this

Australian Shepherd (Allowed to be ANY size, preferred 18-23 inches, no disqualifying size)
Miniature Australian Shepherds (MUST be between 12-18 inches, any other size disqualified)
and Toy Australian Shepherds (MUST be 11 inches or under, any other size disqualified)

Thats were the "problem" lies. There is NO "Standard" sized Aussie The Miniature and Toy breeders want to limit their gene pools to dogs that of a certain height, while the Australian Shepherd breeders take into consideration structure and temperament first.

They're only limiting the gene pool as much as any other breed with a standard size limit. It's possible to breed for structure temperament AND size, isn't it? How else do all of the other breeds do it? There are several breeds with restrictions on size.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michiyo-Fir

I have never ever seen a Toy Aussie before! That's so weird. What's the point of having a herding dog the size of a Papillon??

Just out of curiosity...if a standard aussie breeder somehow got a runt puppy of let's say 15" do they just sell it as normal or would they advocate it as a mini?

I thought small herding dogs like Shelties, Corgis, and Pyranian Shepherds did fine, even though they're small, don't they?

Michiyo-Fir · 10-19-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nargle

I thought small herding dogs like Shelties, Corgis, and Pyranian Shepherds did fine, even though they're small, don't they?

I guess so but I don't like the idea that lots of the toy breeders don't do any kind of competition with their dogs. Like I just checked 5 or 6 breeders and out of those only 1 person did conformation. No one did agility/obedience/herding, etc. Which makes me suspect it's just a case of wanting small dogs to sell for more money like the tiny teacup chihuahuas or yorkies.

Heck, if there's a toy breeder that does conformation as well as another kind of competition like obedience or agility with their toy Aussies, I wouldn't mind getting one! As long as they're health tested as well.

txcollies · 10-19-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nargle

They're only limiting the gene pool as much as any other breed with a standard size limit. It's possible to breed for structure temperament AND size, isn't it? How else do all of the other breeds do it? There are several breeds with restrictions on size.

I agree with you.

It IS possible. Ask the people who have actually done it. ;-) (no offense to most of the DF people, but few here actually breed, show, or are involved in that dog world) They all do very well, with careful managing, just like any other breed.

Quote:

I thought small herding dogs like Shelties, Corgis, and Pyranian Shepherds did fine, even though they're small, don't they?

They DO do fine. Again, ask the breeders and the people who have done it. I have friends who breed both shelties and corgies - no problems there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michiyo-Fir

I guess so but I don't like the idea that lots of the toy breeders don't do any kind of competition with their dogs. Like I just checked 5 or 6 breeders and out of those only 1 person did conformation. No one did agility/obedience/herding, etc. Which makes me suspect it's just a case of wanting small dogs to sell for more money like the tiny teacup chihuahuas or yorkies.

Heck, if there's a toy breeder that does conformation as well as another kind of competition like obedience or agility with their toy Aussies, I wouldn't mind getting one! As long as they're health tested as well.

If you are talking about toy dogs in general, please remember they they were bred as mostly companion dogs - so if the breeders don't "do anything" performance wise with there dogs, it shouldn't scream "baaaddd breeder".

I love standard aussies, and I love the minis. I don't like the toys, as I'm seeing a lot who I suspect aren't pure aussie. ;-)

Michiyo-Fir · 10-19-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txcollies

If you are talking about toy dogs in general, please remember they they were bred as mostly companion dogs - so if the breeders don't "do anything" performance wise with there dogs, it shouldn't scream "baaaddd breeder".

I love standard aussies, and I love the minis. I don't like the toys, as I'm seeing a lot who I suspect aren't pure aussie. ;-)

Well many Pap breeders do agility obedience and conformation. I don't see why such a high energy intelligent breed like the Aussie would just be a companion. But I do agree Minis seem like smaller Aussies. I've seen a few weird toy breeders with Aussies that look like Chihuahua mixes...

txcollies · 10-19-2009, 03:54 PM

I meant the toy dogs. Not toy aussies. Sorry. ;-)

Nargle · 10-19-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michiyo-Fir

I guess so but I don't like the idea that lots of the toy breeders don't do any kind of competition with their dogs. Like I just checked 5 or 6 breeders and out of those only 1 person did conformation. No one did agility/obedience/herding, etc. Which makes me suspect it's just a case of wanting small dogs to sell for more money like the tiny teacup chihuahuas or yorkies.

Heck, if there's a toy breeder that does conformation as well as another kind of competition like obedience or agility with their toy Aussies, I wouldn't mind getting one! As long as they're health tested as well.

At one point I was curious about mini aussies, so I looked up some breeders. And I heard that surprisingly a lot of the minis tend to have much higher drive and are way higher energy, so they're very desirable as herding dogs. I've also seen a lot of breeders that participate in agility, too, and I'm pretty sure the Miniature Australian Shepherd parent club holds conformation shows.

ETA: I agree that there's something up with a lot of Toy Aussie breeders. Way too many of them look like Papillon mixes or Pomeranian mixes. I also feel as though it's another marketing scheme like teacup chihuahuas. Honestly I think such a small high energy "companion" dog doesn't seem like such a good idea...

Keechak · 10-19-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nargle

They're only limiting the gene pool as much as any other breed with a standard size limit. It's possible to breed for structure temperament AND size, isn't it? How else do all of the other breeds do it? There are several breeds with restrictions on size.

Yes there are some breeds who are managing, but there are others who have limited their breeding stock so much that the breed is starting to suffer from "inbred depression" (smaller litters) and they can't outcross because they didn't breed wisely.

Why do it if the breed standard doesn't require it? Breeders just would be making things harder on themselves if health and working ability was really their main focus.

I do wonder if the "North American Shepherd" will ever be accepted by the AKC, they are the only branch of the Mini Aussie breeders that have separated themselves from the Australian Shepherd and want to be considered a separate breed.

The Miniature Australian Shepherd breeders want Australian Shepherd owners to vote on a standard size classification so that they can call their dogs a "Variety" of Australian Shepherd.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michiyo-Fir

Just out of curiosity...if a standard aussie breeder somehow got a runt puppy of let's say 15" do they just sell it as normal or would they advocate it as a mini?

Why would 15" have to be a runt? what if the whole litter was between 14-18 inches as adults. we'll say Dam was 16 inches and Dog was 19 inches.

No they would advocate it as an Australian Shepherd and if it had good conformation they would show it.(If they are a conformation kennel or working kennel)

I think it would probably be best for a breed to have many different bloodlines and types all linebred on themselves, so as in the case something bad happens in one linebred pedigree there are other unrelated dogs of the same breed that can be outcrossed with.

Spicy1_VV · 10-19-2009, 08:01 PM

Sounds about as annoying as finding 1000 AmBully breeders to every 10 APBT breeders (and not saying that 10 will be a responsible ones either).

Keechak · 10-19-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spicy1_VV

Sounds about as annoying as finding 1000 AmBully breeders to every 10 APBT breeders (and not saying that 10 will be a responsible ones either).

....exactly! And you know there are some good people out their trying to make the Am bully a new breed, but don't you just wish they would drop the association with the APBT that they try and hold on to?