Responsible & Ethical Breeding
of Miniature American Shepherds
I would like to help others understand what a responsible breeder of Miniature American Shepherds (but really - ALL breeds) should be doing and what they should have in mind for each litter. These breeders are trying to improve and can offer you higher quality and healthier dogs.
Topics: Breeder's Goals, Health Testing, Breed Standard, Raising the Pups, Finding Homes, Contract with Breeder, Lifelong Support
Breeder's Goals:
What can the breeder tell you about their goals for their program? Each litter a breeder has should be done with goals in mind so a breeder can help preserve and improve their breed and their program. For example, I have many goals I would like to accomplish with my program. I would really like to be able to offer families versatile dogs! I would like my dogs to be successful in the show ring as well as in sport or performance events while also being great family pets. My goals more specifically would be to improve structure/movement, health, temperament, trainability, nice head type, and improve each generation. While breeding to "make nice pets" is important, in what specific ways is that being done and improved? Are they breeding the same pair of dogs multiple times because it is convenient for them? Are they focused on "rare" coat colors or small small size and charging more? Just some thoughts!
Health Testing:
Health testing is a huge huge deal! With technology and science today, we have such great tools accessible to us! This is one of the very first things I look for from a breeder. If they are not doing COMPLETE health testing, that is a big red flag as a buyer. If no testing (or it is not complete), then they are not breeding responsibly. Some breeders may not know what they should be doing. The benefit of health testing allows us to check genetic and physical issues that are known in the breed and be able to make educated decisions as to which dogs to pair together to avoid these diseases and reduce risks.
What should be tested for?
*Genetic Disease Panel*
For my breed, the most important tests are CEA, PRA, HC, DM, MDR1, HUU, CD etc. My preferred labs to test are Paw Print Genetics and Canine Health Check but there are many others available.
*OFA Tests*
For my breed, these should include the following: Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, and Patellar Luxation, and Eye CAER exam (this should be done yearly) at a minimum. I also complete Cardiac, and Dentition evaluations as well.
What should be tested for?
*Genetic Disease Panel*
For my breed, the most important tests are CEA, PRA, HC, DM, MDR1, HUU, CD etc. My preferred labs to test are Paw Print Genetics and Canine Health Check but there are many others available.
*OFA Tests*
For my breed, these should include the following: Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, and Patellar Luxation, and Eye CAER exam (this should be done yearly) at a minimum. I also complete Cardiac, and Dentition evaluations as well.
Breed Standard:
The "Breed Standard" for each breed is a document that describes the ideal traits and characteristics for that breed. It explains in further detail how the breed should look, how they should behave, what their structure should look like, how their movement should look, and other important aspects to the breed. A breeder should strive to only breed dogs that are of good quality and should always strive to meet the standard. Why is this so important?
For example, Mini Americans and other herding, working, and active dogs rely a lot on proper structure. If they do not have the correct structure to preform their skills, they are more prone to injuries and wearing down sooner than another dog. Structure directly impacts a dogs movement and longevity. Arthritis may also become a concern earlier on in the dog's life. Temperament is also very important to allow the dog to preform what it was bred to do and keep unique and predictable traits for the breed. How are the head, ears, and eyes supposed to look like? Each breeder may also interpret parts of the standard a little differently but should not stray far.
Here you can find the standard for my breed:
AKC Miniature American Shepherd Breed Standard
Here is the breed overview on AKC
AKC Miniature American Shepherd Overview
For example, Mini Americans and other herding, working, and active dogs rely a lot on proper structure. If they do not have the correct structure to preform their skills, they are more prone to injuries and wearing down sooner than another dog. Structure directly impacts a dogs movement and longevity. Arthritis may also become a concern earlier on in the dog's life. Temperament is also very important to allow the dog to preform what it was bred to do and keep unique and predictable traits for the breed. How are the head, ears, and eyes supposed to look like? Each breeder may also interpret parts of the standard a little differently but should not stray far.
Here you can find the standard for my breed:
AKC Miniature American Shepherd Breed Standard
Here is the breed overview on AKC
AKC Miniature American Shepherd Overview
Raising the Pups:
How the puppies are raised is very important to start them off on the right foot, or paw I suppose! Here are some basic questions. What are the puppies living conditions like? Are they raised inside or outside? How much interaction with people do they get? Here are some questions that you may not have though of but are very important. Have the puppies been raised with Early Neurological Stimulation? Have the puppies been exposed to many different sounds, textures, and objects? How did the puppies react to the new objects? Have they safely been exposed to other people and pets? Have they began any basic training such as using a litterbox or learning to have manners when they want something? Are they introduced to crates, or collars, or walking on a leash? Does the breeder evaluate temperament when they are older and use that information to help select homes that best fit their energy level, drive, etc? These are all great questions that a responsible breeder would be able to answer.
Finding Homes:
A great breeder puts in so much time, energy, and love into raising their puppies. They should want to find great homes that are suited for their breed. Does the breeder have a screening process in place that allows them to get to know potential families before taking home a puppy? This is often in the form of an application and/or phone call. What kind of questions do they ask? Are they concerned about families being responsible pet owners? Are they wondering what your expectations are and what qualities you are looking for in a dog? This will help the breeder determine if their pups are a good fit for the family. Even more so, they can utilize their temperament evaluations to match puppies to the most suitable homes and set both the puppy, family, and breeder up for success for those many years with the dog!
Contract with Breeder:
A reputable breeder requires puppies to be sold on a contract. This should be in place to protect the breeder, the buyer, but most importantly the puppy. A good breeder will have a health guarantee listed in the contract. They will often specify that the puppy is for showing/breeding or is sold as a pet/companion. If the puppy is sold as a pet/companion, it is very common for the contract to require the puppy to be spayed or neutered when they are older. This contract is also important to make sure that if anything happened in the future, the puppy must not be surrendered to a shelter or rescue or resold. The breeder will either take the puppy back or help in rehoming.
Lifelong Support:
A reputable breeder is always there for you for the lifetime of your puppy. They may be able to help answer questions or offer advice or support. This can be a very valuable resource for you, especially through puppy-hood and end of life care. We also love updates of our pups to see how they are doing and are well loved!
