After months spent researching we have finally decided on the right
breed for us: a Miniature Australian Shepherd. And, we have found a
breeder. Now the hard part: picking out the right puppy. The
breeder has two litters, one litter born on 9/30/03 (only one male
left to pick from) and one born 10/10/03 (four males to pick from).
Any suggestions or hints on how to choose the right puppy? The
breeder has selected two just based on what I've told her so far about
our needs. One is from the older litter (now 10 wks old) and the
other is from the younger litter (now 9 wks old). Should age of the
puppies have any bearing?
TIA
Sljack

"Sljack" wrote in message
m...
After months spent researching we have finally decided on the right
breed for us: a Miniature Australian Shepherd. And, we have found a
breeder. Now the hard part: picking out the right puppy. The
breeder has two litters, one litter born on 9/30/03 (only one male
left to pick from) and one born 10/10/03 (four males to pick from).
Any suggestions or hints on how to choose the right puppy? The
breeder has selected two just based on what I've told her so far about
our needs. One is from the older litter (now 10 wks old) and the
other is from the younger litter (now 9 wks old). Should age of the
puppies have any bearing?

i have no suggestions for picking puppies except to *be careful*! that this
breeder has two litters a week apart is a warning sign. that this breeder
has puppies ready just in time for xmas is a warning sign. some people even
consider the "breed" itself to be a warning sign.

check up on this breeder, ask for references, health testing, warranties,
and meet the parents and pups for yourself before buying one.

-kelly

In article ,
(Sljack) wrote:

After months spent researching we have finally decided on the right
breed for us: a Miniature Australian Shepherd. And, we have found a
breeder.

There is no such separate breed as a Miniature Australian Shepherd. This
is the standard; "Size--The preferred height for males is 20-23 inches,
females 18-21 inches. Quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size."
If someone is breeding dogs and selling them with a designer name is a
very bad sign.

Now the hard part: picking out the right puppy. The
breeder has two litters, one litter born on 9/30/03 (only one male
left to pick from) and one born 10/10/03 (four males to pick from).

Two litters at the same time is a very bad sign.

Any suggestions or hints on how to choose the right puppy? The
breeder has selected two just based on what I've told her so far about
our needs. One is from the older litter (now 10 wks old) and the
other is from the younger litter (now 9 wks old). Should age of the
puppies have any bearing?

Have the breeding stock ever been tested for any of the genetic problems
that go along with Australian Shepherds? How far back has the testing
gone?

Have you ever spent any time around Australian Shepherds? Their energy
levels are really high. As I've mentioned before, I have spoken with
several families who have had to rehome their Aussies due to the "hyper"
nature.

When we got our puppy, she had been chosen as a mellow puppy. That might
have been worms, because she hasn't had a mellow day in her life, with
the possible exception of her spay. Aussies are wonderful dogs, but they
can run all day, every day.

After months spent researching we have finally decided on the right
breed for us: a Miniature Australian Shepherd.

I too would be very cautious about a breeder with two litters. You've spent
time deciding on a breed that would suit you, so why not spend a little more
time researching breeders. There are several listed on the MASCA website to
start. http://www.mascaonline.org/index.html
Try going to some rare breed shows and meet the dogs and breeders. Not to
mention agility trials, that's where I've been exposed to them and have
talked to several owners as I too am considering one for my next companion
and agility partner. I'd also like to try herding.
There are also some books and online articles about picking out a puppy and
doing puppy temperament tests.
Dawn


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OTOH, I have 2 friends who are breeders who normally have 2 litters a
year. One consistantly chooses to have the litters in the spring. This
past year, the other decided to do likewise. In both cases, work
schedules allow them to give more time to puppies at that time of
year... even if it's two litters (which in number are about the same as
a single litter of a large breed).

The one doing this for the first time ended up having both bitches in
labor at the same time. A friend generously flew in and stayed to help
for 2 weeks..... grin

So it can also be wise to ask about the breeder's breeding schedule....

Jo Wolf
Martinez, Georgia

Jo Wolf wrote:
OTOH, I have 2 friends who are breeders who normally have 2 litters a
year. One consistantly chooses to have the litters in the spring. This
past year, the other decided to do likewise. In both cases, work
schedules allow them to give more time to puppies at that time of
year... even if it's two litters (which in number are about the same as
a single litter of a large breed).

The one doing this for the first time ended up having both bitches in
labor at the same time. A friend generously flew in and stayed to help
for 2 weeks..... grin

So it can also be wise to ask about the breeder's breeding schedule....

I know a very responsible breeder who for the last few years either has
two litters available, or, some years, none at all. Her breed - Norwich
terriers - has tiny litters (two or three pups) and her two finished
females cycle in perfect synch. She has found that it is more
convenient to breed them both at the same time (although not necessarily
to the same sire) rather than spacing out the incredible hassle of new
puppies over 6 months to a year.
The arrangement is also helpful in that should one or the other mothers
have complications there is a foster mother available on site.

Kathleen Hansen
Z-Control Skid Boots
Leg armor for gonzo dogs!
http://webpages.charter.net/dhfm/ZControl.html