Puppy Pen

Please read our contract before

contacting us.

What some of the terms we use mean:

Pending - there is a verbal agreement & we are waiting for a deposit

Placed - we have a deposit/payment with a signed contract

and placement is finalized

Reserved - the puppy will be evaluated at 8 weeks old for show potential

and may become available at that time

Photos posted 12/31/07, availability info updated 12/31/07

Flint (black tri boy) is AVAILABLE

Born 9/21/07

Kale (blue merle boy)is RESERVED

I'm frequently asked about what a puppymill is and what the differences are between a hobby breeder and a commercial or backyard breeder. I've posted some good definitions below that I hope will be helpful to everyone.

Hobby breeder: A breed fancier who usually has only one breed but may have more, follows a breeding plan in efforts to preserve and protect the breed, produces from none to five litters per year, breeds only when a litter will enhance the breed and the breeding program, raises the puppies with plenty of environmental and human contact, has a contract that protects breeder, dog, and buyer, runs a small, clean kennel, screens breeding stock to eliminate hereditary defects from the breed, works with a breed club or kennel club to promote and protect the breed, and cares that each and every puppy is placed in the best home possible.

Commercial breeder: One who usually has several breeds of dogs with profit as the primary motive for existence. The dogs may be healthy or not and the kennel may be clean or not. The dogs are probably not screened for genetic diseases, and the breeding stock is probably not selected for resemblance to the breed standard or for good temperament. Most commercial breeders sell their puppies to pet stores or to brokers who sell to pet stores.

Backyard breeder: A dog owner whose pet either gets bred by accident or who breeds on purpose for a variety of reasons. This breeder is usually ignorant of the breed standard, genetics, behavior, and good health practices. A backyard breeder can very easily become a commercial breeder or a puppy mill.

Puppy mill: A breeder who produces puppies as fast as possible with no breeding program, little attention to puppy placement, and poor health and socialization practices. A puppy mill may or may not be dirty but it is usually overcrowded and the dogs may be neglected or abused because the breeder can't properly handle as many dogs as he has. Puppy mill operators often denigrate hobby breeders and their dogs in attempts to make a sale.

Australian Shepherds

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are the sole property of Placitas Miniature Australian Shepherds.