Why do your dogs cost so much?

This is a frequent question I receive which is either formed in a polite and truly information only inquiry or in a mind blowing comparison of my program to another "backyard" type program. As an open and honest individual I feel the need to break down my program for each of you.

Before we even bred our dogs it takes me several months or years of looking for sires to complement our female(s). Many hours are spent not only comparing physical aspects of potential suitors, but also analyzing their temperament, behavior, and genetics to increase the likelihood of the best family member being produced for you that is also a compliment to the breed standard.

We analyze genetics to optimize a healthy, and happy puppy. We guarantee our puppy's health for a year, but we don't want to have to replace a puppy. We know how exited you are about taking your puppy home. After picking your puppy most of you have already become attached, so sending home an unhealthy puppy or one that has a serious genetic defect is NEVER something which would happen with our knowledge. We take every precaution and pride that we can to ensure you have a healthy puppy.

At this point I now have 2 years invested in one female and male, including testing, food, veterinary care, etc. to even begin to provide you with your healthy, and happy puppy.

Once a sire has been selected it is then nearly a month of time of ensuring my female(s) is only exposed to the sire, but is still exercised and given all the attention she needs to remain healthy and happy. Her health is monitored for approximately 63 days post exposure to ensure she is healthy, happy, and feels safe to whelp her litter of pups and precious babies in our home.

While pregnant our females are on a well balanced and nutritional puppy food and consuming larger amounts of food to account for the growing babies. She is placed on supplements to ensure she has adequate nutrients to support the growing litter and her body. A healthy mother eases the whelping and increases the liklihood she is able to provide adequate colostrum and milk for her newborns.

Now, we also have to invest in special whelping boxes so the puppies can be kept in a clean and safe environment in our home. Whelping the puppies in our homes and keeping them in an active a stimulating environment helps to ease these babies into accepting of the world around them, including our children. 

These puppies are handled daily, socialized with other dogs, cats, and given environmental stimuli. They are not kennel raised where they are fearful of the world around them once they hit the grass at 8 weeks.

Our program consists of TONS of love, compassion for our Aussies and the breed, our love for making our clients' dreams of owning a wonderful family member come true, TONS AND TONS of hard work, lots of sleepless nights (I don't know if you know how hard it is to sleep with a litter of puppies in your room?), lots of money and time spent at the vets office, a LOT of good food and supplements, toys, chewies, and many other stimulating things for our little ones!

All of our puppies also come with a LIFETIME of behavioral support from me. Someone who actually knows behavior and studied under a behaviorist for years! They are microchipped, vaccinated by a VETERINARIAN, receive a health certificate from a veterinarian, tails are docked, dewclaws are removed, they are dewormed and toenails are trimmed every 2 weeks beginning at 2 weeks of age, given their first heart worm preventative, and lastly they are given a bag FULL of goodies which gives you a great start on recommended toys and products for your puppy!

So, my question to you... the next time you think about the price of our puppies and if they are worth it to you... would you rather take your chances on getting the $300 merle puppy who was LIKELY bred and raised in the backyard with minimal handling, no health testing, no analysis of the parents or their behavior, horrible food, and even worse living conditions, and given a vaccination from a feed store? If so, you might wind up spending more than what you would have if you had purchased from a reputable breeder by the time you take him/her to the vet for intestinal parasite overload, parvo, pneumonia, or some other major issue...and in the long run, God FORBID, you may loose your new baby, and not have a gurantee for a replacement.

Just some food for thought from our Dogs to yours...God Bless!

1 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."