Mike, that'd be great! Do you have any breeder recommendations? I can imagine how it'd be annoying to have to answer that question about your girl.

Also, for any of the Aussie people out there, what is good to look for in a pedigree? Any specific lines?

From what I gather the health issues revovle around dogs with eye/ear (blind/deaf) problems, is there any thing else to look out for in that area? I know it's always good to have their hips OFA checked.

Or another general info that I should know when selecting an Aussie/breeder.

Thanks so much once again!

It's a crap shoot no matter where you go (look, I did my research and I have a "Mini" ).

The magazine I'll send you (PM me your address) has many ads for breeders.. including one that says, "Don't sacrifice size for quality"... which happens to be my standard response these days.

My breeder is in Perris, CA. I went to her because she had puppies when I was ready to buy, seemed like a knowledgeable breeder, was given a "thumbs up" by another local breeder and as a bonus, was within driving distance (not necessarily in that order).

She told me epilepsy is seeing a resurgence in Aussies. I'm hopeful Ginger won't suffer from it, since it would be so hard to witness, and the breeder was confident that her lines were clear of any issues, but it was definitely something she wanted me to know.

Mike, I sent you a PM.

As I've been doing my research and all that good stuff, I'm finding that I'm being super picky and only emailing a few breeders to ask about their dogs.

I'm sure glad I started this search early!

Megan,

my exp has been with the larger showline dogs, not WL dogs altho they are really cool but higher energy *typically*. if you head in the showline direction i can warn you off of a few lines that have eye or hip issues in there.
the breeder i sent you the link to that is in NM---look at her Females page. it lists height and weight. soem REALLY nice small ones and she DOES work her's on livestock. she is a super person to deal with and even if you werent going to buy frm her, she could steer you in a good direction. she is very honest and down to earth and a realist. she will not lie to you. be sure to tell you her you were referred by me & exactly what you are looking for and what you will do w/it. she knows a lot about all the diff lines.
goodluck

jen

Jen, I've seen her dogs on other websites and have emailed the breeders there. I can't find her email address, and haven't had time to call yet. If you know what it is could you shoot me another PM.

Her dogs are definitely gorgeous too!

Meg

I've decided to change in the direction of regular sized smaller Aussies. I really wasn't wanting to get a puppy so soon, but one of the breeders I've contacted has a litter right now with two females available.

The pup's parents are both OFA good with normal elbows; their eyes have been cleared; their thyroids are clear; have MDR-1 normal/normal (I'm not sure what that means but I think it has to do with the merle gene).

The father is tittled with: CH, CD, STDc, OTDds, and DNA-VP. He is 55lbs and 22". He is confirmation and stock.

The mother is titled with: DNA-VP, NAC, NCC, O-NJC, TN-O, O-TG-N, and O-HP-N. She is 19" and 33lbs. She is agility. The breeder also said that her and I think her sister were MACH-1 and MACH-2 dogs.

The pups had a lot of white on them (from my understanding this is a conformation disqualifaction in Aussies and dogs that are predominantly white are prone to more health issues). Because of this the breeder decided to sell them only under a spay/nueter contract.

The breeder also had them tempermant tested, where the litter showed little fear, high intelligence, and high drive.

The lady is selling all the pups for $600. I asked her what the price would be if they weren't under a spay/nueter contract and she said that she sells a performance dog for the same amount of a confirmation dog. This litter is being advertised as a versatility litter.

I really do not know what to do. Like I said in a previous post I'm being really picky about this, and I really like the looks of the parents of these pups and what they have done. I'm afraid of jumping in too soon, but I really like what I see. I'm also afraid making a bad choice by not waiting around a little while, and then I have the possibility of not getting one of the pups out of this litter. I also don't want to wait too long and not be able to find a pup until spring.

I'd love some feedback on this, as I'm in a dilemma and don't know what to do.

Ok correction to the post about the mother, I've been re-reading my emails with the breeder and my edit time expired. The pups father's sister has a MACH 2 and the mother's littermate has a MACH 1. The mother has also been started on livestock, and the father's father was HOF, VCH, WTCH.

I have been away for a few days- but am a regional rep for Mini Aussie Rescue- http://www.miniaussierescue.org. They are wonderful little dogs, and have all the characteristics of a full sized aussie. However, if you want an aussie, please consider rescue- http://www.aussierescue.org there are plenty that need homes as most people dont realize the time needed to train a herding dog.

Yet another breed being ruined because of breeding for nothing more then a particular physical trait.
White GSDs, Panda Shepherds, blue Pits, Parson Russell Terriers, more "terrier like" Border terriers, show Aussies that look like Bernese(sp) Mountain Dogs, show Goldens that look like yellow St. Bernards, show Labs that look like giant ticks, etc, etc, etc! JMHO! ;o)

Don't see your PM, Megan.

I just got the new Aussie Times and thought to check this thread. Let me know if you want this copy. I don't read them (been meaning to tell them to take me off the list. )

Mike

 Quote: MeganMcCallister

Mike, I sent you a PM.

As I've been doing my research and all that good stuff, I'm finding that I'm being super picky and only emailing a few breeders to ask about their dogs.

I'm sure glad I started this search early!