Australian Shepherd. Charlotte Schwartz

       PUPPY APPEARANCE

      Your pup’s appearance tells much about his overall health and soundness. Your puppy should look well-fed but not have a distended abdomen, which may indicate worms or incorrect feeding, or both. The body should be firm, with a solid feel. The skin of the abdomen should be pale pink and clean, without signs of scratching or rash. The breeder should have removed dewclaws from the hindquarters, and possible the forequarters, as mentioned in the breed standard.

      Part of your research into Australian Shepherds should consist of practical information, which you can use in choosing and living with your new puppy. Any special characteristics of either males or females are worth investigating. In the case of Aussies, there is little, if any, difference in personality between the sexes. Females tend to be rather more gentle, males more assertive. Both, however, are extremely intelligent, active, attentive and loving.

      Aussies mature between 18 and 22 months of age and have an average lifespan of 11 to 15 years. Litters average between five and eight puppies. If you don’t plan to show, they make ideal companions when the females are spayed and males are neutered.

      Once you’ve completed the preliminary investigation of the breed, perhaps even gone to a dog show or two, it’s time to visit some breeders. You’ll meet the parents of the puppies and observe the litter as well.

      First, the breeder should be willing and eager to discuss the general health of the parents of the litter. Ask questions about specific health problems such as hip dysplasia and eye health. Ask if the parents and puppies have tested free of genetic health problems. Does the breeder have Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) certification to substantiate the results of those tests?

      If you encounter a breeder who is unwilling to discuss the health of the puppies and adult dogs, find yourself another breeder. This is not a person with whom you should be doing business because a reputable breeder is very concerned about the health of his dogs and their genetic contribution to future generations.

      Next, ask to see a pedigree of the puppies. A pedigree is the history of the dog’s family tree. It lists the registered names of parents, grandparents and great-grandparents on both the puppy’s mother’s and father’s sides. It also gives information about degrees and titles that those relatives have earned. That information can provide you with a better understanding of the physical conformation and behavioral accomplishments of the puppy’s family. From that, you can draw more realistic goals for the puppy you will eventually choose.

       ARE YOU PREPARED?

      Unfortunately, when a puppy is bought by someone who does not take into consideration the time and attention that dog ownership requires, it is the puppy who suffers when he is either abandoned or placed in a shelter by a frustrated owner. So all of the “homework” you do in preparation for your pup’s arrival will benefit you both. The more informed you are, the more you will know what to expect and the better equipped you will be to handle the ups and downs of raising a puppy. Hopefully, everyone in the household is willing to do his part in raising and caring for the pup. The anticipation of owning a dog often brings a lot of promises from excited family members: “I will walk him every day,” “I will feed him,” “I will house-train him,” etc., but these things take time and effort, and promises can easily be forgotten once the novelty of the new pet has worn off.