Buying a Watermark Puppy or Dog
Companion/performance
puppies | Show/Breeding puppies | Puppy
Selection and Reservations | Shipping
While we breed every
litter with the intent of enhancing our own breeding program, from nearly
every litter there are pups that we don't keep. These are sold as companions,
performance prospects, show prospects, and to supplement the breeding programs
or foundations of other enthusiasts.
Aussies as companions
are not for everyone - please review our introduction
to the breed if you are not experienced with Aussies in your own household
- but when they are a good fit, they tend to be exceptional. More and more
frequently they are the first choice of agility and obedience competitors,
as they tend to be not only athletic and swift, but intelligent and tractable.
Our companion puppies are NOT sold simply on a first-come, first-served
basis. By completing our puppy questionnaire, we can begin to get a feel
for your level of experience with the breed and with dogs in general, your
household makeup, goals, and we'll develop questions for you as they arise.
If and when you place a deposit on a litter, you will have the option of
selecting - in order of reservation - from any puppies suitable for your
particular environment. Whenever appropriate, we do try to accommodate color
and sex preferences, but since puppies can't be made to order, this isn't
always possible.
For those wanting more
than just a companion (and mind you, we do intend for our puppies to be
companions first and foremost), we do sell our show/breeding quality puppies
into appropriate homes. Typically these are homes where past performance
is proven, but we will occasionally assist newcomers in getting a sound
start in the Aussie world.
Puppy
Questionnaire
(required of all potential puppy buyers)
Show vs. Companion Quality
Companion (non-breeding) puppies are $1,800 with "not for breeding" registration in both AKC and
ASCA. This means simply that these pups can do everything entitled to a
fully registered Aussie except show in the breed ring (though ASCA does
now offer an Altered Champion conformation title for those wanting to get
their feet wet) and reproduce. These are puppies who simply should not be bred because
they will not improve the next generation - a goal of every reputable breeder.
They are sound mentally and physically, but for some reason - perhaps a
touch too much white, a front or rear not quite strong enough, or simply
not an exceptional individual physically - are not sound candidates as contributors
to the gene pool. We will occasionally sell show/breeding quality puppies
to companion homes who truly desire them, however their price will be determined
by their quality and pups going into pet homes will be sold with a spay/neuter
contract and limited registration. If, however, you feel that your Aussie
has developed into a stunning example of the breed AND you have proven your
commitment to the breed by becoming active in performance, conformation,
rescue, etc, you may present your puppy to us before altering. If we agree
with your assessment and goals, we have the option of lifting the limited
registration. At this time, your puppy would be governed by our policies
for show/breeding puppies.
All companion quality
puppies are guaranteed against debilitating defects caused by genetics (ie,
hip dysplasia, cataracts), and will be replaced upon proof
of altering and availability of a suitable puppy. We can not be held responsible
for those problems that are acquired via the trials and tribulations of
life, nor those that do not have a basis in breeding. While we place strong
emphasis on character and do our best to correctly match a puppy to it's
future household, occasionally a pup will mature to be a "bad fit"
or will have a temperament quirk that makes it unsuitable in it's current
environment. In this instance, the pup must be returned to us, and will
be replaced upon availability of a more suitable puppy. Pups that are the
victim of abuse, neglect, or lack of socialization will not be replaced
and may be seized for their own well being.
Show
and breeding quality puppies are sold to those who have previously proven
their desire to actively compete in some discipline with their dogs, and
who are knowledgeable regarding the standard, function, and history of the
breed. We do take every request for a show/breeding pup individually, however,
and will do our best to benefit the breed by helping to educate future breeders
and provide them with a sound foundation.
Puppies of this quality
begin at $2,000, and are co-owned until they have reached two years of age
and have passed hip and eye clearances and earned a title in either ASCA
or AKC. This assures that your pup is physically sound to breed, and that
you are following through on your commitment to fulfill your pup's potential
and prove it's worth as a sire or dam. In addition, we retain from all intact
male dogs the right to a maximum of two breedings per year to bitches owned
or leased by us. Should you change your mind about wanting to breed, you
are always welcome to alter your pup, and we will end the co-ownership.
Because we can't possibly
keep all the puppies we would like and still do them justice, we will sometimes
sell our pick girls at a discounted price with some reproductive rights
retained. This is typically the right to lease a bitch for breedng, co-breedings,
or puppies back, after which we will sign off on our co-ownership. In this
way we maintain the genetics that the litter was bred for an the pup is
allowed an outstanding individual home.
In addition to the guarantees
that pertain to companion quality pups, show/breeding pups are guaranteed
against disqualifying faults. We will not guarantee that any dog will attain
a Champion of Record title as there are too many factors involved in this,
not the least of which is conditioning, training, and handling. Sometimes,
despite our best efforts in breeding and selection, show/breeding pups will
not mature to meet our standards. In this situation, we ask that these pups
not be used to represent our highest quality, but that they either be returned
to us for placement in pet homes and replaced with a higher quality dog,
or that they be altered and kept as companions. Should the pup be altered
and kept, the difference between the price paid for the pup and companion
price will be credited toward a future pup.
Puppy
Selection:
The most commonly asked
question we get is "how will our puppy be selected?" We do this
based upon suitability, first and foremost, priority one. Because really,
if the personality doesn't fit the family, do looks actually matter? Making
sure that each pup ends up in the right home is the hardest part of the
entire process for us, and one that causes endless sleepless, anxiety-ridden
nights! We want all of our placements to be for a lifetime, and for them
to be loved by you as much as they are by us.
Once you decide that
you do indeed want to add one of our pups to your family and we feel that
you'd be a good match, we'll send you a reservation request for you to
fill out and mail back with your deposit. If the litter is not yet whelped,
then just sit back and relax. It would help to make sure you're on our announcement
list so that you know when the babies arrive. Once they come, people tend
to make instantaneous selection, but beware: at birth, and for several weeks
thereafter, the ONLY thing that can be determined is the color, markings,
and gender of the pups! Get attached to them all, collect all their pictures,
and wait to see how they mature.
Lets take a moment now
to discuss the male versus female issue, because the odds
are that nearly every litter will be weighted in favor of males (an average of
two males for every female is quite common among many breeds), and everyone
will want girls (specifically blue merle girls) because they feel they will
make better pets. THIS IS A MYTH. When altered at a young age, before hitting
puberty, there is little if any difference between the genders. Traits such
as aggression and marking in males are secondary characteristics that develop
with age and increasing levels of testosterone. Altered at about 6 months
of age (before hitting puberty), most males fail to even lift their leg
to pee, much less mark. If we had to note any difference at all between
the genders, it would be a tendency for the females to be a little bit more
"sharp" (reactive) than the males, having a harder edge. While
the boys tend to behave more as smitten schoolboys with their people, always
with that "I would die for you!!!" attitude,
the girls typically want to know what's in it for them before committing
to anything. (Remember, there's a reason the technical term "bitch"
has snuck into our English slang!) Also, in multiple dog households, fights
among altered males are far fewer and less intense on average than those
among the girls. Mixed households are even better - most males will simply
bow to the wishes of the queen bee. Again, this is just a generalization!
We know of many, many females who would lay down their lives for their people
and make endlessly loyal, silly companions and family dogs, but the preference
for girls over boys is generally one based upon intact males versus altered
males.
In completing your reservation
request, you are given the option of limiting what you will accept based
upon color and/or gender. Please note: this will GREATLY reduce the chances
that the perfect puppy will be available for you, but it is your right to
do so. We can't recommend strongly enough making personality fit the top
priority for you, especially if your needs are higher (such as if you have
young children, are new to dogs, looking for a specific performance prospect,
etc). You may also state preferences for these physical qualities in order
(first choice, second choice, etc). When it comes time to match up pups
with people, we do our very best to make as many people happy as possible,
and honor these preferences in the order that your deposit was received.
In making our evaluations, we utilize a number of methods, including structural
evaluations by other breeders and ongoing temperament evaluations.
Also be aware that there
are always two lists. Our reason for breeding any litter is always
for something to build on in the next generation, and as a result, WE are always first on the list. Our pick pups may go into appropriate show/breeding
co-own homes or remain here with us, but it is our right to select the pup
or pups that will meet our needs first. After ourselves, the balance of
pups will be divided according to quality. Those who don't show promise
as exceptional examples of the breed (which is most of them if we're being
really, critically honest) will be available to those waiting for companion
and/or performance pups. If we have homes lined up for show pups, suitable
pups may be placed in those homes. Sometimes a pup will be of definite show
quality, but our own needs will have been met in other pups. These pups
may be available to companion homes wanting a show quality pet, but will be sold with limited registration
regardless of their quality and associated price.
Shipping
& related expenses:
We are located
in central New York. Puppy buyers are now required to pick up their pups in person due to APHIS regulations.
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