(I hope this is in the right section - my first post!)

Hi! I'm brand new here, and I have at least one hundred questions on various things ;) but I'll start with the most basic.

I currently have three wonderful non-pedigree dogs - a typical crossbreed (most definitely part JRT, with more than a dash of Whippet and certainly something else), a rescue Border Collie cross, and a Working Sheepdog. They all do flyball very successfully, and my little Xbreed does very well at agility too (baby WSD boy is finally beginning to follow in her footsteps, at 3 1/2!).

I would like to add to my gang some time around late 2011/2012. Having only had a ragtag bunch up until now, next time I am going to take the plunge and get a pedigree puppy, providing everything goes to plan. Right now, the most likely suspect is an Australian Shepherd, but I'm still open to ideas! :)

My main concern right now is that, having never contacted a breeder before, I'm not sure where to start! For owners, how did you contact the breeder of your dog? What did you ask or introduce at the time, and what made you choose that breeder? And for breeders, how do you best prefer to be contacted? What do you want to know in that initial contact (and what should I save for later)?!

Hi There and welcome to Champdogs !!!! :-)
I do the puppy/rescue lists for the Australian Shepherd. We are a KC registered club and my job is to try and encourage people to find out about the breed and realise the importance of buying from someone who is a member of the breed club. This is to encourage people to buy from health tested dogs and from breeders who have breed knowledge.
The Aussie is a fantastic dog, but not for everyone.
If you want to PM me, I will give you my number and if you want to give me a call, I will answer any questions you may have about the breed.
I hope this helps ?
Gabrielle

I do the puppy/rescue lists for the Australian Shepherd

Oh what a shame Gabrielle, I didn't know you dealt with Aussies I would have had my friend contact you a few weeks back, I put her onto this site,http://www.ascuk.co.uk/homesplit.htm may be good for you to look at too kavanem to give the upshot of the breed and what it is all about and whether one is suitable for you, beautiful dogs, I was quite smitten myself.

Gabrielle is certainly the person to help you here.

With regards to what a breeder looks for firstly a good knowledge of the breed and to have the correct environment to suit it's traits and exercise. A good solid long term home, where good training will be implemented. Search out a good breeder and if you are serious give them a call rather than an e-mail as they may well have quite a waiting list a good 1-2 years in advance, so if you pass their criteria you'll need to get a move on.

Good luck! :-)

Hi Carrington, that is our site !!! I update it every week and try to put as much breed info on there as I can.
There are so many people breeding Aussies at the moment and I look at some litters and despair... that is why we try so hard to make sure people come through the club to buy... Health testing in the breed (as in all breeds), is so important, and a lot of the club members are long term aussie breeders with a wealth of experience.
If your friend is still looking, tell her to contact me. I had no computer access a few weeks ago while it was being fixed, so may not have gotten an e-mail from her if she sent one through.

Gabrielle

Hi Carrington, that is our site !!!

What do you know! :-D At least I sent her to the right place then. :-)

I'll see if I can catch up with her today. :-)

Thank you for your replies! It sounds like the best thing to do is to call, so once I've got my shortlists, I'll take the plunge!

It certainly sounds like you're the person to talk to about Aussies, Gabrielle - I will PM you later if that's ok! Co-incidentally, I've had my eye on your website for nearly a year now, it's been very helpful. :)

Have tried to make the website as informative as I could... if it stops people buying badly bred puppies, then I am doing something right !! :-)
Have replied to your PM Kayanem

Gabrielle x