We do a puppy evaluation between 8 and 9 weeks of age on all pups so that we can be sure that each puppy can be a good match for its new home. The evaluation consists of Temperament, Conformation, and Movement. No pups are allowed to leave before the evaluation takes place. Every pup will be microchipped. All will have the usual puppy vaccinations.

Both parents are OFA and Cerf certified. You will receive a copy of this certification in the puppy packet with your new pup when you take it home. If you would like to see a copy beforehand, we can either e-mail a copy to you or send it through the mail. The puppies will be litter registered with AKC; your copy of the registration application will be given to you with the puppy as well as a copy of the pedigree, medical record, and information that is helpful to begin your life with your new puppy.

How will the pup come to you: by shipping or will you drive to pick up your pup? We will ship puppies when weather permits (airlines won't transport pets when the temperature is over 90). We need to know what airport near you receives big planes (smaller planes are not properly equipped to transport pets) -- also whether you have any preferences regarding shipping. You are responsible for the crate, health certificate and shipping fees through the airlines. If you have a crate that you would like to send for the puppy ahead of time, we will be happy to send the puppy in your crate to you. We normally try to ship the shortest route available from Mobile, AL; Gulfport, MS; or Pensacola, FL. Upon occasion we drive to New Orleans for better shipping conditions. We prefer Continental Air Lines which seems the most reliable in shipping dogs.

The Utopian ideal behind the breeding/non-breeding contracts is to have a nation without homeless dogs. Our neighbor up the street works hard with ARF, but even full-blooded dogs end up in shelters. Most breed associations maintain a breed rescue association.

One breeder we know sells any dog both as a breeding dog and a non-breeding ($600 vs $1000) dog -- the point here is to emphasize the seriousness of bringing a bunch of puppies into the world. Most differentiate those who might be expected -- at 8 or 9 weeks -- to have a reasonably good chance in the ring. This is what we are doing. The Utopian ideal here would be to make all Aussies conform to a show-ring standard. Impossible dreams? No doubt, but any effort to get there is better than doing nothing.

We have in our home one spayed rescued female (a Rhodesian Ridgeback); females are less likely to develop mammary cancer if spayed before the first heat. We also have one neutered rescued male (a Brittany); he's less inclined now to want to investigate the neighborhood - after getting out by digging under the fence. (We now have chicken wire nailed to the bottom of the fence and stretched for a short distance into the yard. Sod placed on top of the wire will grow and the wire won't get tangled with the lawn mower.)

And, yes, dogs do seem to have human emotions, but worrying about the future is not one of them. They don't worry about offspring to "carry on the name," and -- even though they develop dog "pals" -- I've never seen one inspired by what I would regard as "romantic love."