Picking a Puppy/Questionnaire
You have done your research on Australian Shepherds, and you know, because of their smarts they require mental and physical exercise, training and companionship, and a lot of early socializing. A medium drive Aussie has more energy than many other breeds.
Next is to make that ‘match’ so both the new forever-family and the puppy's needs will be met.
You will be taking home a personality, the most important aspect of picking a puppy!
Will you have the time with all your job and family commitments to also make an every day commitment to a dog?
Please send us the following information via wilsonaussies@gmail.com :
Thankyou in advance! Ted and Sharon Wilson
Any additional info you would like to share about yourselves please add!
1. Are you ready for an Aussie in your life...time and commitment to socialization!
Arrangements made for time off work or a trusted friend to puppy sit?
No new stresses in your life like a move or job change or the stress of caring for an ill family member?
2. What personality fits with your family lifestyle? Outdoor activities? Looking for a working/agility dog (higher drive), jogging partner or companion pup?
3.Would this be your first puppy? first Aussie? Have you researched Australian Shepherds, know that even low drive Aussies need physical and mental stimulation, and aren't suitable for a sedate lifestyle .
4. Is your yard fenced, acreage? If you rent, do you have written permission from your landlord to own a medium sized dog, 17-19" at the shoulder, 30-45lbs?
5. What city/town/village do you live in?
6. Will the pup live with children (what are their ages?) or seniors, other family pets?
7. Have you ever had to rehome or surrender a pet, if so why?
8.Preferences to male/female, size and coat color, though these traits should be secondary to personality. We do not guarantee blue eyes.
Male or female: A female dog tends to reach maturity faster than the male dog, giving her an advantage when it comes to training, they also are coded by nature to be more protective than a male. This does not mean that the female dog is more intelligent than the male dog, nor aggressive. Genetics and how the puppy is raised is key... Your Vet should advise you, however we recommend you do not spay or neuter your Aussie until 12 months at the earliest, at which time their growth plates have closed. Puppies need hormones for proper growth. Given this timing, prior to the 'fix' your female will require your close attention through one season and a doggy diaper is helpful; your intact male 'may' begin to mark (belly band!), mount and roam.
When size matters : Mini 14-18" at the shoulders, 18"+ is a standard/full size female, 20"+ is a standard male. The majority of our pups will mature between 17" and 19", 30-45Lbs (large mini/small standard) with the odd pup a bit smaller or larger.
Color my world: the ever popular blue eyed merle pattern pups, or the rarity of the blue eyed bi (2 colors only)! Color is pretty unpredictable, good temperament is well managed breeding and rearing. Your preferences are important to us too, let us know if you are willing to wait for that perfect pup.
At 5-6 weeks we will have a guestimate on personality/temperament, mature size and eye color. We will let families know which pup(s) we think will be a good match for them (in the order deposits were received).
Occasionally we are able to guestimate temperament just by the mating, ex: low and medium drive pairs are unlikely to produce high energy pups. But 2 blue eyed parents can produce brown eyed dogs, and vice-versa!
*If you already have a pet, we recommend a second pet of the opposite sex.
Visits and Updates: We have a puppy open house at approximately 5-6 weeks. Reserve and on wait families are invited to a weekend of puppy love! It’s always a tough balancing act to welcome visits from families and to prevent disease and parasitic contagion (unknowingly) brought to our facilities.
We respectfully require that you visit our puppies only if it has been 7 days since visiting other kennels, SPCA, dog parks, vets office etc. Please also wear different shoes and clothing.
What should I get for my new puppy?
When you come to the puppy open house, we discuss grooming and care and give you a list of recommended tools and purchases!
I update our website every week, and post puppy photos on our Face Book page for families to follow and watch the furbabies grow. https://www.facebook.com/wilsonaussies/
