Dogs have been my lifelong passion for as long as I can remember. From training my dogs and those of my neighbors to eagerly watching the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show as a child, my love for canines has always been a central part of my life. My journey began with a remarkable Newfoundland named Finn, my first show dog, which sparked my interest in conformation and competitive performance sports. While I cherished Finn, his size posed challenges for many of the activities I had come to love. This led me to seek a smaller, versatile, and healthy breed that would complement the Newfoundland’s cheerful temperament.
During one dog show with Finn, I met a friendly American couple who introduced me to their 12-year-old blind Australian Shepherd named Penny. Penny’s silver muzzle, zest for life, and joyful spirit, even in her senior years, captivated me and ignited my passion for the breed. After a year and a half of thorough research, conversations with numerous breeders, and meeting more Australian Shepherds, I realized I couldn’t imagine my life without one.
Years later, I welcomed my first Aussie from Utah, a spirited little dynamo I named “Rocky.” His playful antics and mischievous nature not only deepened my love for the breed but also secured a permanent place in my heart. Although he may not have been the show dog I envisioned, we have shared countless adventures, excelling in Rally, obedience, agility, barn hunt, and scent detection—there’s nothing this little tri-colored companion can’t do. Rocky has taught me invaluable lessons about handling his spirited personality and the importance of sportsmanship, both in and out of the performance ring. Neutered at two years old, he may not be part of my breeding program, but he remains an integral part of it, reminding me always to embrace the humor in the quirks of this breed.
My ultimate goal as a breeder is to produce healthy Australian Shepherd puppies with beautiful conformation, gentle expressions, and solid temperaments, whether for the performance ring, show ring, or as beloved family pets. My commitment extends to every dog I breed for their entire lifetime. For me, Australian Shepherds are not just a business; they are the heart of my home. I expect every puppy I place in their forever home to receive the same level of care and love they would have with me—if not more.
As a Preservation Breeder, my long-term goal is to maintain the integrity of the breed we cherish. I aim to eliminate the guesswork regarding your future dog’s history, health, predicted size, temperament, and life expectancy. I am dedicated to each Australian Shepherd I bring into this world and will gladly take any of my dogs back for any reason at any time.
For those who share my passion for the breed, I am always available to serve as a mentor and guide throughout your journey as a dog owner. My commitment lies solely in preserving and protecting the original purpose and function of the breed by creating companions that are healthy, sound in body and mind, and predictable.
Discover Our Adorable Australian Shepherd Puppies Available for Adoption
The Australian Shepherd is typically a calm and composed dog, exuding quiet dignity while still being a joy to have around!
Puppy Name: Roxy
Status: Available
Sex: Female
Age: 10 Weeks Old
Breed: Australian Shepherd Puppy
Vaccinations: Up-to-Date
Registered: Yes
What’s included: Health guarantee and Travel crate
Price: $650
Puppy Name: Diesel
Status: Available
Sex: Male
Age: 10 Weeks Old
Breed: Australian Shepherd Puppy
Vaccinations: Up-to-Date
Registered: Yes
What’s included: Health guarantee and Travel crate
Price: $650
Puppy Name: Ivy
Status: Available
Sex: Female
Age: 10 Weeks Old
Breed: Australian Shepherd Puppy
Vaccinations: Up-to-Date
Registered: Yes
What’s included: Health guarantee and Travel crate
Price: $650
Puppy Name: Cleo
Status: Available
Sex: Female
Age: 10 Weeks Old
Breed: Australian Shepherd Puppy
Vaccinations: Up-to-Date
Registered: Yes
What’s included: Health guarantee and Travel crate
Price: $650
Kids and Their Furry Friends
Australian Shepherds are natural herders and often view children as part of their “flock.” Therefore, it’s essential to teach your Aussie that chasing or nipping at kids to herd them is not acceptable. Once they understand this boundary, Australian Shepherds can become loving and loyal companions, particularly for families with children.
It’s important to educate children on how to properly approach and interact with dogs. Always supervise interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any accidental biting or rough behavior, such as ear or tail pulling. Teach your child to never disturb a dog while it is eating or sleeping, or to try to take away its food. Even the friendliest dog should never be left unsupervised with a child.
Australian Shepherds can coexist with other pets as well, though they may initially try to herd them. This behavior might not be well-received, especially by cats. Keep a close watch on your Aussie when other pets are around until they learn that these animals are not part of their flock.
The Australian Shepherd: A Remarkable Breed
Although their name suggests otherwise, the Australian Shepherd breed originated in the western United States during the 1840s Gold Rush—not in Australia. These dogs were initially bred for herding livestock and have retained their strong work ethic over time. Affectionately known as “Aussies,” they thrive when given a task and are at their best when kept active and engaged. With their intelligence and boundless energy, Aussies can make excellent family companions, especially when involved in dog sports or other activities that challenge them both physically and mentally.
Fur Care and Appearance.
The Australian Shepherd sports a medium-length, water-resistant coat designed to keep him comfortable in rain or snow. In colder climates, Aussies tend to develop a thicker undercoat compared to those living in warmer regions.
Their coat varies in texture, with straight or wavy hair covering most of the body, while shorter, smoother hair is found on the head, ears, front of the forelegs, and below the heels (also known as the hocks). There is moderate feathering along the back of the forelegs and “britches,” the pantaloon-like fur on the upper hind legs. The neck and chest boast a longer, more abundant coat, which is especially thick and full in males.
Aussies come in various colors, including blue merle, red merle, red, tri-color (a mix of white, black, and tan), and solid black. Merle coats are a striking patchwork of darker spots on a lighter base—blue merle, for example, features black patches on gray, while red merle shows red patches on beige. Interestingly, merle coats often deepen in color as the dog ages.
If you’re curious whether Australian Shepherds shed, the answer is yes—year-round. However, shedding intensifies in the spring as they shed their winter coat. Regular brushing, ideally weekly or more often during shedding season, helps prevent matting. Before brushing, lightly mist the coat with a dog-friendly hair conditioner diluted with water to help detangle. Then, using a slicker brush, gently stroke in the direction of hair growth, ensuring you reach down to the skin—not just the top layer. An undercoat rake is also useful for clearing out excess fur. Mats, particularly behind the ears, may require a stripping comb for removal. All these tools are easily found in pet supply stores.
With consistent brushing, your Aussie will likely only need a bath when they get dirty, which is typically just a few times a year. Use a shampoo specifically formulated for dogs to maintain healthy skin and a lustrous coat.
Grooming is also an excellent opportunity to check your dog’s overall health. Before brushing, inspect for sores, rashes, dry patches, or signs of infection like inflammation or tenderness. Check the eyes for any discharge and the ears for debris such as burrs or foxtails. The coat should appear shiny, not dull—a dull coat could indicate a need for a better diet or more frequent grooming. Regularly trim the nails to prevent painful splitting; if you hear them clicking on the floor, it’s time for a trim.
You might also want to keep your Aussie neat by trimming the hair around the ears, feet, between the toes, and around the tail area. If you’re unsure about anything beyond basic grooming, consider seeking the help of a professional groomer.
Nutritions.
Recommended daily intake: 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food, divided into two meals. The exact amount your adult dog needs depends on factors such as size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Just like people, dogs are unique individuals with varying dietary needs. Naturally, an active dog will require more food than a less active, sedentary one.
The quality of the food you choose plays a big role as well—higher-quality dog food provides better nutrition, meaning you’ll likely need to serve less to keep your dog well-nourished.
To help maintain your Aussie’s ideal weight, measure his meals and feed him twice daily, rather than leaving food out for free feeding. Unsure if he’s overweight? Try the visual and hands-on tests.
First, stand over him and look down; you should see a defined waistline. Next, place your hands on his back with your thumbs along the spine and fingers spread along the sides. You should be able to feel, but not visibly see, his ribs without applying too much pressure. If his ribs are hard to feel, it’s time to cut back on food and increase exercise.
Maintenance.
If you have a yard, ensure it’s secured with a sturdy fence that your Aussie can’t dig under or jump over. An underground electronic fence won’t be effective for this breed—their strong herding instincts will likely override any discomfort from a mild shock. For the same reason, always keep them on a leash unless you’ve thoroughly trained them to control these urges.
Your Aussie needs 30 minutes to an hour of daily exercise that challenges both their body and mind, such as running, playing Frisbee, or engaging in obedience and agility drills. When you’re not actively playing with them, puzzle toys like Buster Cubes are excellent for keeping their sharp minds entertained.
Puppies, however, don’t require as much intense activity as adults. Avoid letting them run on hard surfaces like concrete or do excessive jumping until they’re at least a year old, as this can put stress on their developing bones and joints, leading to potential problems later in life.
The natural herding behaviors of nipping and chasing are great for working with livestock but inappropriate when directed toward humans or other pets. Obedience classes can help manage these behaviors while also providing the mental stimulation your Aussie craves.
Aussies thrive with positive reinforcement techniques, responding well to rewards such as praise, playtime, and treats. They are eager to please and are happiest when they understand who’s in charge, allowing them to excel in following commands and fulfilling their role.