I have recently received a few inquiries for ACD puppies with blue eyes.  There is no such thing.  The ACD should always have brown eyes.  If someone tries to sell you an Australian Cattle Dog with gorgeous blue eyes then this dog is not an ACD.

Puppies do not become good dogs by accident 

Good dogs are bred and raised to be good dogs. They come from healthy, attractive, good tempered parents who were bred together to produce even better offspring. The dam and the pups were correctly fed, had proper veterinary care, and received lots of handling and attention. The breeder carefully interviewed potential buyers to find the right homes, instructed the buyer on how to raise a wonderful family pet, and was always available to help. The dog buyer listened, asked questions, followed the instructions and put lots of time and work into the pup. The dog grew up to be a joy to his owners and the breeder was proud of the results!

You are starting a long term relationship with your dog

When selecting a puppy, you are beginning a relationship with a living animal that will be very dependent upon you for its entire life (12-18 years). Be sure that you, and the entire family, want this. Don't get a puppy as a gift or a pleasant surprise for your "kids" who may not want, be able, or be ready to make this long term commitment. When a puppy joins a family, the ENTIRE family must be ready to take on the responsibility. This is true for all breeds, but especially so for Australian Cattle Dogs who require enormous amounts of exercise in a safe environment.   If in any doubt, hold off on your decision to get a puppy.

An impulse decision is usually a bad decision

For some things in life, impulse buying can be fun. When it comes to selecting a puppy, however, impulse buying can lead to major problems for you, your family, and your dog.   Too many sad stories can be told of families that bought a puppy on impulse (such as from a pet shop window) only to have the entire household heartbroken when they found that the dog did not fit their lifestyle and had to be given up for adoption (or worse.)

Checklist for Choosing a Puppy

When buying a puppy, there are certain things that should be investigated by the purchaser before a final decision is made.

This list of questions, broken down into categories, is meant to help you remember all the things to check for.   Please feel free to print a copy of this list and bring it with you when looking at puppies to buy. A reputable breeder should be more than willing to review this list with you one question at a time.

Health

1. Are the puppies clean and do they appear healthy?

Puppies should be active, bright eyed, and have an outward appearance of good health (good skin and coat, no unusual odor, clean ears, etc.)

2. Have the puppies been checked for worms?

Be certain that the puppy has been examined for worms and that it will receive at least one vaccination before it goes home with you.

3. Have the parents been x-rayed for hip displasia?

This is just one of several genetic disorders that Australian Cattle Dogs can be prone to. The breeder should be aware of hereditary diseases that can affect Australian Cattle Dogs and should be actively trying to breed sound, healthy dogs with stable temperaments. 

Early Socialization

1. Are the puppies friendly and attracted to people?

Puppies should be outgoing, begging to be picked up, competing for attention, and love being held and played with. Beware of the very timid puppy.

2. Is the mother friendly?

By the time the pups are 6 weeks old, the mother should not be aggressive or overprotective of her young. If the father is present, is he willing to make friends with visitors? Do not buy puppies whose parents have poor temperaments. TEMPERAMENT CAN BE HEREDITARY!!!

3. Are the puppies old enough to leave the litter?

Puppies should never be taken away from their litters before 6 weeks of age.   They need to interact with their littermates for at least that long. 8 weeks is even better.  However, there is a limit. A puppy that is kept with its littermates past the age of 10-12 weeks may have become "dog dependent."   However, this will not be the case if the breeder has maintained proper socializing with the puppy.

4. Did the breeder start to socialize the puppies?

If the breeder has given each puppy the individual attention, care, and training that it needs during the first 6-8 weeks of its life, it will be quite obvious.

The Breeder

1. Is the breeder experienced with Australian Cattle Dogs?

The breeder should be able to answer your questions about the dogs and help you with any problems that arise. This is one of the reasons you are buying from a breeder and not a pet shop (or someone that raises puppies commercially) whose prime motive is profit, not the well being of the dog.

2. Were you told about both the good and bad characteristics of Australian Cattle dogs?

Every breed has its good points and bad. No one breed is perfect in every way. The breeder should be honest with you about the drawbacks that there are to owning an Australian Cattle Dog. Beware of the hard sell. If you are being pressured into buying the puppy WALK AWAY.

 Your Responsibilities

1. Are you willing to make a long term commitment to this dog?

Upon the purchase of this puppy, you are making a very serious, long term commitment to the health, care, training, and love of this dog. You should have this animal with you for a dozen years or more and it is your responsibility to do everything possible to keep it well, and happy for its entire life. A dog is not an object to be discarded when it no longer fits your life style.   If you have any doubts that you can make this commitment, you need to seriously reconsider your decision to get a dog at this time.

2. Do you feel like you are adopting a child?

You SHOULD be feeling this way!! Buying a puppy is a very serious act that involves great responsibility. You are adding a member to your family and this new member will be with you for quite some time.

 

Breeders and Puppy Mills

Good breeders do not sell their puppies to pet shops to be resold. Pet shops generally get their dogs from “puppy mills” who mass produce litters with profit being their only motive. These dogs are often less healthy and more prone to hereditary diseases than properly bred ones. The inferior quality of many of these "puppy mill/pet shop" animals will only lead to heartbreak and large Veterinary expenses for the families that buy them. Purchasing your puppy from a reputable breeder will insure that you are getting a dog that has been carefully bred in a loving home environment. For your sake, avoid "kennel raised" puppies and limit your search to "home raised" ones instead.