Australian Shepherd Breeders
As Australian Shepherds gain in popularity and the breed becomes better known, breeders pop up all over the place. However, you need to ensure that you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder or you could end up with all sorts of problems. So how do you find a good breeder?
For a start, visit dog shows and talk to the owners of Australian Shepherds at the shows. Most people will be pleased to talk about their favourite breed and you are bound to receive excellent information on top breeders. You may also get good advice on which breeders to avoid. It’s possible that some of the competitors are breeders themselves, so make sure you get contact details and can follow up on any leads. Chances are that there won’t be a litter available right at the moment, but at least you can establish relationships with breeders and timelines for when to expect litters.
When you assess any breeder, you want to see that they are passionate and committed to the breed. If the breeder doesn’t appear that knowledgeable about Australian Shepherds, or pressures you to make a quick decision, then avoid him or her. Australian Shepherds are unfortunately susceptible to certain genetic illnesses such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Responsible breeders go through thorough genetic testing to avoid these kinds of conditions. Ask the breeder about this condition and how they’ve selected the parents to avoid this and it will give you a good idea as their knowledge.
A good breeder will be prepared to answer all your questions and should also have a few questions prepared for you. Good breeders are passionate about their breed of dog and want to ensure that their puppies are going to a good home which will provide the right environment for their Aussies. You needn’t be offended by the number or nature of questions he or she may ask. Good breeders only want what’s best for their dogs and understand what it takes to care for an Australian Shepherd properly. If they don’t ask you any questions, then you should worry. A good breeder will also not mind discussing the litter parents with you, and what sort of shows they have won. Before taking a puppy home, it is important that you visit the litter and spend time with the puppies and the bitch and dog. This allows you to get a feel for the personality traits that your puppy will inherit.
You know you’ve found a good breeder if their top priority is to find a good home for the puppies and they question you as to what environment the puppies will be raised in. Breeders should also be willing to take the puppy back without a reimbursement if, for some reason, you can no longer take care of your puppy. Australian Shepherds generally attract the types of people who really care about their dogs and understand the needs of an Aussie, so it’s likely the breeder will be one of those.
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