AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS

BEFORE YOU BUY, ASK….

DO YOU GUARANTEE YOUR PUPPIES?

HOW MANY LITTERS DO YOU HAVE A YEAR?

DO YOU RAISE OTHER BREEDS?

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN ACTIVE IN THE BREED?

DO YOU BREED MERLE TO MERLE?

HAVE YOU EVER PRODUCED A DOG WITH EPILEPSY?

HAVE YOU EVER PRODUCED DOGS WITH MISSING TEETH?

HAVE YOU EVER PRODUCED A DOG WITH PRA OR CEA?

HOW IS YOUR RECORD FOR HIP DYSPLASIA?

DO YOU BREED FOR PERFORMANCE OR CONFORMATION?

If you are considering buying an Australian Shepherd, there are several things you need to know.  The Aussie is a very active dog that requires socialization and patience.  He can become territorial if not handled correctly.  He does require someone to direct his energy into positive outlets.  Walking, jogging, playing fetch or Frisbee are activities people who live in town can do to burn some of his extra energy.  If you are in the country please do not think you can just turn an Aussie loose on your acreage and he will take care of himself.  Aussies are highly intelligent and will find ways to entertain themselves.  Chasing the neighbor’s livestock or chewing up your property is not going to make you very happy.  This is where training comes in to socialize and control your dog.  The better trained he is the more you and your neighbors will enjoy him.  The better behaved the dog, the easier it is to keep him in the house and allow him to be part of the family.  These things are all up to you and yes it is work, but you will be returned ten fold with a special bond that only training can give.  Aussies are very smart and willing. They make excellent obedience and agility dogs, so please give them the chance to shine.  Take them to school!!!

The breeder you choose should be willing to discuss Aussies at length with you and guarantee the puppy to be free of health defects.  Be aware that just because dog’s parents are screened for defects does not mean the puppy will be free of defects.  Many genetic defects are recessive and manifest themselves only when carried in a homozygous form.  In other words, a breeder can screen his dog for PRA, CEA, and hip dysplasia and still produce pups that have these defects.  This is why it is important to know the families that carry these defects and know aunts, uncles, cousins, and other siblings and what they have produced. Be aware of merle-to-merle breedings as they can result in 25% lethal white puppies.  These puppies can be deaf, blind, and have heart defects. The worst thing about these breedings is some of the pups can be marked normal and still be affected. There is also another form of excessive white known as a piebald white.  These dogs are perfectly normal. Other problems showing up in the breed are epilepsy, missing teeth, and autoimmune disorders. A breeder can be a wealth of information and most breeders will offer a puppy replacement guarantee and some breeders will even take the puppy back if something arises in your life that you cannot care for the puppy.  So with a breeder please be patient when they are interviewing you, a good breeder should always ask what other dogs you have owned?  What happened to these dogs? Do you have children? Is your yard fenced?  What are you looking for performance, pet etc.?  These questions help a breeder match you with the proper puppy personality.

If you wish to discuss the Australian Shepherd further you may contact:

Cristal Russell 918-241-2477

HC 67 Box 600

Skiatook OK 74070

e-mail RageoftheOsage@aol.com