About Our Miniature American Shepherd (Previously Mini Aussie) Puppies
74 Ranch was the first breeder of Mini Aussies in Wyoming on the Puppy Culture Breeder's map We have been breeding registered Mini American Shepherds for 3 years and previously raised Mini Aussies for over 14 years, before that we raised a few litters of standard Aussies and Border Collie/Aussie crosses for the ranch.
About our puppies
We offer select litters of Miniature American Shepherds every year. Some are raised at the ranch in Wyoming and some in guardian homes nearby. Our dogs are registered with AKC as Miniature American Shepherds. Previously they were registered with ASA (Australian Shepherd Association), IHDA (International Herding Dog Association) ASDR (American Stock Dog Registry) and/or MASCA (Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America). Our puppies are whelped and raised in our home until about 5 weeks old then they go in and out of our home and a heated/air conditioned building right next to the house through the doggy door. We raise our puppies using a variety of methods: Puppy Culture, AVID dog, Superdogs and more. Our puppies leave to their new homes up-to-date on their shots and worming, started on crate, leash and potty training. They will have been on many car rides (3 by 10 days, then 1 per week until they go home). One of those trips is normally a trip to the carwash. They are exposed to different surfaces, a grooming table, wobble boards, singing/dancing toys, lots of noises, a collar and leash. We can ship puppies through a nanny, but we prefer you meet you personally at the airport and you fly home with the pup in cabin. Puppies are structure evaluated using the Pat Hasting's Puppy Puzzle method and the help of our handler and personality/temperament evaluated at 8 weeks using the Avid Dog and Clothier methods and a professional evaluator as needed. There are no good or bad puppies, no good or bad scores in the personality evaluation but there are differences between puppies that enable them to fit better in one home over another-matching them to the right home is of utmost importance to us. We want you to 'fit' each other as you will have a 10-15 year relationship. Our prices start at $2750 and go up, depending on pet/show/breeding, etc. We rarely sell to breeders but when we do it must be a breeder who's whole purpose of breeding is to improve the breed and their own program, not just trade dogs. They must also do health/genetic testing prior to breeding.
74 Ranch is a MASCA Hall of Fame Breeder, AKC Breeder of Merit and Bred With Heart!
A MASCA Hall of Fame Breeder requires 3 conformation champions, 3 herding titles and 3 high level performance titles plus 3 more titles that come from any of those. We far exceeded the conformation requirements, had 1 more herding title than needed and had exactly what we needed for performance (The Miniature American dog's titles did not count with MASCA) with many more to come.
We are breeding for the 'whole package'. Our dogs do performance events - agility, rally, obedience, acrobatics (doggy dancing), disc dog, etc then walk in the conformation and WIN! We keep only those puppies for our program which will improve the breed in both structure and personality, especially looking at resilience to bounce back after something traumatic happens. We do not keep a pup from every litter or even many litters for that matter, it depends on how each litter evaluates, we are looking for puppies to keep from consistent litters so they will throw that in the future of our program. If mom is squirrley, reactive, inappropriate to things, sensitive to noise, puppies will learn it. It will be imprinted on them so temperament on our females is of utmost importance. Some litters we keep more than one in our program. Most of our puppies for show/breed prospects are placed in co-own/partner/guardian/pet homes. Ask for more info on this program. Only about 50% of those dogs will be bred in the future after we see how they mature as adults.
Other reasons why you should adopt your new family member from 74 Ranch:
What you need to do: The first 8 to 16 weeks in a puppy's life is the MOST important to shape the way the puppy will live and cope with life. It's highly recommended you take your puppy out and experience as many different things as possible. We supply a list in your puppy packet. You have about 4 weeks of the critical period left to help create the puppy you want to live with for the next 10-15 years. Be cautious but get out! Again, we recommend purchasing Puppy Culture DVD just before you pick up your puppy. Please also check out Avidog for courses you can take online to help you in your puppy rearing. You also should get in an obedience class, several actually, but be sure it's a POSITIVE trainer that knows Australian Shepherds.
About our puppies
We offer select litters of Miniature American Shepherds every year. Some are raised at the ranch in Wyoming and some in guardian homes nearby. Our dogs are registered with AKC as Miniature American Shepherds. Previously they were registered with ASA (Australian Shepherd Association), IHDA (International Herding Dog Association) ASDR (American Stock Dog Registry) and/or MASCA (Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America). Our puppies are whelped and raised in our home until about 5 weeks old then they go in and out of our home and a heated/air conditioned building right next to the house through the doggy door. We raise our puppies using a variety of methods: Puppy Culture, AVID dog, Superdogs and more. Our puppies leave to their new homes up-to-date on their shots and worming, started on crate, leash and potty training. They will have been on many car rides (3 by 10 days, then 1 per week until they go home). One of those trips is normally a trip to the carwash. They are exposed to different surfaces, a grooming table, wobble boards, singing/dancing toys, lots of noises, a collar and leash. We can ship puppies through a nanny, but we prefer you meet you personally at the airport and you fly home with the pup in cabin. Puppies are structure evaluated using the Pat Hasting's Puppy Puzzle method and the help of our handler and personality/temperament evaluated at 8 weeks using the Avid Dog and Clothier methods and a professional evaluator as needed. There are no good or bad puppies, no good or bad scores in the personality evaluation but there are differences between puppies that enable them to fit better in one home over another-matching them to the right home is of utmost importance to us. We want you to 'fit' each other as you will have a 10-15 year relationship. Our prices start at $2750 and go up, depending on pet/show/breeding, etc. We rarely sell to breeders but when we do it must be a breeder who's whole purpose of breeding is to improve the breed and their own program, not just trade dogs. They must also do health/genetic testing prior to breeding.
74 Ranch is a MASCA Hall of Fame Breeder, AKC Breeder of Merit and Bred With Heart!
A MASCA Hall of Fame Breeder requires 3 conformation champions, 3 herding titles and 3 high level performance titles plus 3 more titles that come from any of those. We far exceeded the conformation requirements, had 1 more herding title than needed and had exactly what we needed for performance (The Miniature American dog's titles did not count with MASCA) with many more to come.
We are breeding for the 'whole package'. Our dogs do performance events - agility, rally, obedience, acrobatics (doggy dancing), disc dog, etc then walk in the conformation and WIN! We keep only those puppies for our program which will improve the breed in both structure and personality, especially looking at resilience to bounce back after something traumatic happens. We do not keep a pup from every litter or even many litters for that matter, it depends on how each litter evaluates, we are looking for puppies to keep from consistent litters so they will throw that in the future of our program. If mom is squirrley, reactive, inappropriate to things, sensitive to noise, puppies will learn it. It will be imprinted on them so temperament on our females is of utmost importance. Some litters we keep more than one in our program. Most of our puppies for show/breed prospects are placed in co-own/partner/guardian/pet homes. Ask for more info on this program. Only about 50% of those dogs will be bred in the future after we see how they mature as adults.
Other reasons why you should adopt your new family member from 74 Ranch:
- At 74 Ranch, we do extensive genetic testing on both parents (OFA, CERF, PRA/PRCD, HC, MDR1, CDDY/IVVD, CEA, etc). We are very strict in keeping any breeding prospects back- to keep our standards high. We run numbers on the genetics - COI, epilepsy to avoid future problems (if possible). We are now allowing people to pick their top 3 choices while young but they understand a change can be made (meaning I might keep a pup back for my program or the pup/s they want just do NOT match their family) We would rather match our puppies according to their personality and their potential new home, than by looks, color or gender. We do structure (Puppy Puzzle) and personality evaluations (AvidDog method) at 8 weeks using a conformation judge and a professional dog trainer and evaluator in Indiana when needed. So if you want a particular sex/color puppy it could take a few litters to find one that matches you/your family. We will not place a puppy just because you like the look of the puppy. If it doesn't match it won't make either of you happy in the end.
- We do NOT make you feed a certain food or give a certain vitamin in order for our contract to be viable. We will give recommendations only!
- We raise our puppies in our home WE ARE NOT a kennel. We have 1 kennel setup on the place (with a yard attached, building/room attached with heat/air) that we RARELY use. We start crate training, manding and potty training at 5-6 weeks old, and play with puppies and train them individually at a very young age. We routinely separate them from litter mates, taking them for car rides, and exposing them to new things almost daily to build confident, well-socialized individuals who are adaptable in every environment.
- Training and Exposure: We use the Puppy-Culture method as well as AviDog, UltimatePuppy, Badass Breeders and Carmen Battaglia Superdogs in raising pups so your puppy can be raised with the most skills and potential to live the best live possible. We do ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) from 3-16 days old as well as introduction to scents. Puppy Culture pups have proven to have greater resistance to stress and disease and a stronger heart and adrenal system. The pups are more stable and they have an increased learning ability with better retention. They are also less fearful and better able to cope and recover from frightening experiences. “Puppy Culture” is based on the expertise of veterinary behaviorists, breeders ,and dog trainers. It is scientifically proven to greatly improve outcomes for puppies. We have followed many of the recommendations that you will see on Puppy Culture….now you can take over where we left off to socialize and train the most amazing puppy! Our dogs are raised in our house and a fenced area where they can run and play but be protected from outside elements (cars, coyotes, other dogs, etc.). They have a dog building that is heated and air conditioned they can go in and out of through a doggy door. The "smaller dog world" borders the house (and our patio) which they come in and out of continually throughout the day. They have all kinds of toys to stimulate their little minds. We have horses, cattle, chickens and cats so they are socialized with them when they get to go into the "big world" under watchful supervision. Our dogs and puppies all eat raw dog food along with kibble. They learn how to go through the doggy door and are usually going potty outside before they leave. They are exposed to several footings: rock, dirt, grass, weeds, foam, blankets, newspaper, tarps, concrete, tile, carpet, and wood flooring. We use dog bowls for feeding, as well as frisbees, cookie sheets, ceramic dishes and Kongs. They are exposed to many sounds at a young age: people, vaccuum, tv, blender, clapping, hitting pan for noise, soft music, loud music, etc. They are exposed to many toys: rope toys, squeeky toys, crinkly toys, cardboard boxes, nylabones, tennis balls, frisbees, yard/children toys like slides and tunnels, kongs, etc. We can keep your puppy a little longer if you have plans for vacation or something comes up as long as it is fully paid for. We handle the puppies daily, take pictures of them weekly and update the site regularly. We weigh them every day the first 10 days, then at 14 days then weekly to be sure they are growing at the right pace. They are weighed weekly thereafter. They run with the older dogs as soon as they are old enough (usually 5 to 6 weeks). They get 3 car rides by 10 days old then 1 to 2 times per week until they leave at 8 weeks old so car sickness is very rare in our puppies.
- Our puppies are microchipped before they leave. They come with a packet of information: health record, training/socializing info and a bag of goodies - treats, food, toys, blanket, collar/leash, bones, microchip, educational material, health record, etc.
- We also do NOT raise any other breeds, we specialize in Miniature Americans and we have just a few - no Puppy Mill here. We normally have 20 or less pups per year so all get individual attention. We place most of our dogs on a spay/neuter agreement as pets even if they are a nice pup that could be shown in the conformation ring. We do not sell our pups to pet stores, puppy mills, large breeders or put them up for auction nor allow our clients to nor do we sell same litter siblings. We view it our RESPONSIBILITY to improve the breed, not just breed to produce pets or make money. We provide a 30 month guarantee against genetic issues and will take back a pup adopted from us if a purchaser cannot keep it. We provide advice and guidance for the lifetime of the dog. Visitors are welcome at the ranch (for the most part). We do not wean our pups before 8 weeks old and don't breed our females until they are 2 years old or older and have their testing done.
- We were very involved in our breed club, MASCA, for over 10 years but due to the direction they are headed we have decided to become more active with AKC. We also took our first dog AKC Miniature American in Jan. 2019. We started the WayOutWest Mini Aussie club locally to promote the Miniature Australian Shepherd. Michele was the secretary of that club and was the show secretary for many shows including several Nationals. The club is not active at this time as none of the board members are pursuing MASCA programs/shows, we are all AKC now. Possibly in the near future we will become active again with AKC or UKC. 74 Ranch slowed down in showing our dogs in late 2019 due to having our first grandchild here on the ranch and reaching many of our breeding program goals.
- We are here for you for the life of your dog. We will help inform you on everything from training to raw feeding to vaccination protocols. We will allow you to speak your voice on things such as vaccinations, allowing you to choose what we give your puppy at 8 weeks old. We now only give our pups (the pups we keep in our home) Parvo and Distemper shots and they are given 72 hours apart (if possible). We are willing to give the 5 way vaccinations to our client's puppies but we have chosen the 'less is more' approach, so will inform you and allow you to make your own decision before you even take your puppy home. We have a list of resources we will email you around the time you pick up your puppy which will help you raise it to be a great dog!
- HONESTY - We are honest with our pedigrees, testing, pictures, evaluations, comments, etc. and have proof to back any of it up! And you are welcome to come here and see for yourself!
- Our puppies come with a 30 month genetic health guarantee. We offer choices for vaccinations. We will vaccinate your pup before it leaves with your choice of 1) No vaccine if you choose or 2) Parvo, then 3 days later Distemper with either 1 or 2 with an Anti-Vaccinosis homeopathic treatment for 2 days (doesn't counteract vaccine, only the side effects from them). See contract for more details on our genetic health guarantee. WE do NOT use heartworm medications and can explain and show you why!
- We do NOT breed for color, eye color or haircoat, we breed the best specimens to better the breed! We are very concerned with temperaments so are careful to keep only parents who should pass great temperaments and personalities on to their progeny.
What you need to do: The first 8 to 16 weeks in a puppy's life is the MOST important to shape the way the puppy will live and cope with life. It's highly recommended you take your puppy out and experience as many different things as possible. We supply a list in your puppy packet. You have about 4 weeks of the critical period left to help create the puppy you want to live with for the next 10-15 years. Be cautious but get out! Again, we recommend purchasing Puppy Culture DVD just before you pick up your puppy. Please also check out Avidog for courses you can take online to help you in your puppy rearing. You also should get in an obedience class, several actually, but be sure it's a POSITIVE trainer that knows Australian Shepherds.
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What is the difference between a Mini Aussie and an AKC Mini American or a Toy Australian Shepherd?
AKC recently recognized Miniature Australian Shepherds as part of their Herding Group, but chose to rename the breed to Mini American. They have a size DQ for too big (17" on females, 18" on males) and are no longer allowed to breed to an Australian Shepherd.
Toy Australian shepherds are under 14". Minis run from 14-18".
How are our Minis registered?
Our puppies are registered with AKC, ASA (Australian Shepherd Association) and SDRS (Stock Dog Registry Services, which will get them in to AKC). Feel free to contact us for more information.
AKC recently recognized Miniature Australian Shepherds as part of their Herding Group, but chose to rename the breed to Mini American. They have a size DQ for too big (17" on females, 18" on males) and are no longer allowed to breed to an Australian Shepherd.
Toy Australian shepherds are under 14". Minis run from 14-18".
How are our Minis registered?
Our puppies are registered with AKC, ASA (Australian Shepherd Association) and SDRS (Stock Dog Registry Services, which will get them in to AKC). Feel free to contact us for more information.
We handle our puppies daily, and have horses, cattle, chickens, ducks and cats so puppies are very well-socialized
SALE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Deposits:
Our deposits are $300 non-refundable but can be transferred to another litter. You will be asked to fill out a holding agreement. If your choices of a puppy won't work for your family, in our opinion, you may have to wait a bit longer than the present litter (s). You are allowed to carry the deposit forward for up to 2 years for the same price agreed upon at time of deposit. If something happens to your puppy before pick-up, the deposit will be refunded or you can choose a replacement puppy of equal quality out of the same litter or next available litter. We may hold a puppy longer than 8 weeks for a client if agreed upon but the puppy must be paid for at 8 weeks or will be considered available and deposit will be forfeited. Deposits and balances can be paid through Square, Venmo, Gooddog or mailed to us. Balances must be paid in cash or cashier's check. We prefer to sell our puppies as pets, but on some occasions we may sell a puppy as a show, performance and/or breeding dog. Some litters we look for guardian home owners to keep the lines in our program and continue improving the breed. Puppy prices start at $2000 and go up.
Shipping: SORRY, WE ARE NOT SHIPPING PUPS ON AIRLINES AS CARGO (BUT THEY CAN BE IN-CABIN) AT THIS TIME! You will need to fly in to Denver, meet the puppy then fly home with it or we can try to find a nanny who can fly with the puppy. Puppies can be shipped at or after 8 weeks old. Fees must be paid in full and contracts signed before the puppy is shipped.
We almost always deliver once per litter to Cheyenne, Casper and/or northern Denver. Visitors and ranch pick ups are welcome too!
Guarantee: We do not guarantee size. We will tell you as close as we can to the finish size however. All adults are tested in an attempt to avoid genetic conditions but they are animals so never a guarantee something won't show up. We do, however, offer a 30 month guarantee for any genetic hip or eye problems. All guarantees are outlined in the written contract.
Matching a puppy to you: We would like you to fill out our buyer's application and visit with us on the phone so we can best match a puppy to you/your family and lifestyle. (For instance we aren't going to place a high energy pup with a couch potato family) We are now selling breeding rights to approved breeders but we prefer work with pet homes as partners/guardians/show/breed homes. Read more about partnerships. All pet/companion puppies are sold with limited registration and are to be spayed or neutered unless we have decided to partner with you. There is no perfect puppy, only the puppy that's perfect for you!
Health: Our pups are de-wormed at 2 and 4 weeks using ParaGize (an essential oil from Young Living - safer for small puppies in our opinion) AT 5 weeks and just before 8 weeks old with Nemex Pyrantel. They get vaccinations at 8 weeks old, should you choose to get them (see above). Parents have CERF exams on their eyes, OFA prelims and/or permanent (hips), PRA-PRCD, DM, CEA, HC and MDR1 tests done and are reported on the site and proof can be sent with the puppy if you desire. Many are now CHIC certified.
74 Ranch Puppy Packet: Your puppy comes with a bag of food (kibble and/or dehydrated raw), different bones, toys, leash and collar, Microchip, up-to-date vaccinations (should you chose them), wormed, health record and information that can help you with your new family member. Pups are eligible for registration or will be registered - you may transfer them if you so desire - with AKC. We may retain registration papers until you spay/neuter your pet. We feed RAW - Steve's, OC Raw or Small Batch. We use frozen and dehydrated (if traveling). We do feed the puppies some Wellness Core Complete Heath Puppy with a few supplements. We also send a 7-8 day supply of Vital Pet Transfer Factor to help your puppy keep him immune system up (highly recommended).
Breeding Rights: We are now selling breeding rights on our dogs to approved breeders. WE also do guardian homes (co-own/partner) so you would be able to have our lines in the near future for your breeding program. Our contracts are flexible, as long as we both agree, it will work! We take the females to the males, reserve a motel room and head home after breeding is over. Please inquire more about this. You will get the absolute best of the best dogs we have if you decide to partner with us!
Pricing: Price includes all the training above. Each puppy comes with a packet of goodies - leash, collar, teething aids, bones, toys, food, treats, immune builder, Kong/Toppl and a blanket from the weaning pen and mom. We are available to support you for the future of your pup. As of Jan. 1 2023 our Tri pet puppies are $2750 - 3000; Merles $3000 - 3500. Breeding rights are $3500-5000 to approved breeders. DISCOUNTS may be considered to proven performance and show homes as well as previous clients.
HOLDING AGREEMENT/DEPOSIT FORM
Deposits:
Our deposits are $300 non-refundable but can be transferred to another litter. You will be asked to fill out a holding agreement. If your choices of a puppy won't work for your family, in our opinion, you may have to wait a bit longer than the present litter (s). You are allowed to carry the deposit forward for up to 2 years for the same price agreed upon at time of deposit. If something happens to your puppy before pick-up, the deposit will be refunded or you can choose a replacement puppy of equal quality out of the same litter or next available litter. We may hold a puppy longer than 8 weeks for a client if agreed upon but the puppy must be paid for at 8 weeks or will be considered available and deposit will be forfeited. Deposits and balances can be paid through Square, Venmo, Gooddog or mailed to us. Balances must be paid in cash or cashier's check. We prefer to sell our puppies as pets, but on some occasions we may sell a puppy as a show, performance and/or breeding dog. Some litters we look for guardian home owners to keep the lines in our program and continue improving the breed. Puppy prices start at $2000 and go up.
Shipping: SORRY, WE ARE NOT SHIPPING PUPS ON AIRLINES AS CARGO (BUT THEY CAN BE IN-CABIN) AT THIS TIME! You will need to fly in to Denver, meet the puppy then fly home with it or we can try to find a nanny who can fly with the puppy. Puppies can be shipped at or after 8 weeks old. Fees must be paid in full and contracts signed before the puppy is shipped.
We almost always deliver once per litter to Cheyenne, Casper and/or northern Denver. Visitors and ranch pick ups are welcome too!
Guarantee: We do not guarantee size. We will tell you as close as we can to the finish size however. All adults are tested in an attempt to avoid genetic conditions but they are animals so never a guarantee something won't show up. We do, however, offer a 30 month guarantee for any genetic hip or eye problems. All guarantees are outlined in the written contract.
Matching a puppy to you: We would like you to fill out our buyer's application and visit with us on the phone so we can best match a puppy to you/your family and lifestyle. (For instance we aren't going to place a high energy pup with a couch potato family) We are now selling breeding rights to approved breeders but we prefer work with pet homes as partners/guardians/show/breed homes. Read more about partnerships. All pet/companion puppies are sold with limited registration and are to be spayed or neutered unless we have decided to partner with you. There is no perfect puppy, only the puppy that's perfect for you!
Health: Our pups are de-wormed at 2 and 4 weeks using ParaGize (an essential oil from Young Living - safer for small puppies in our opinion) AT 5 weeks and just before 8 weeks old with Nemex Pyrantel. They get vaccinations at 8 weeks old, should you choose to get them (see above). Parents have CERF exams on their eyes, OFA prelims and/or permanent (hips), PRA-PRCD, DM, CEA, HC and MDR1 tests done and are reported on the site and proof can be sent with the puppy if you desire. Many are now CHIC certified.
74 Ranch Puppy Packet: Your puppy comes with a bag of food (kibble and/or dehydrated raw), different bones, toys, leash and collar, Microchip, up-to-date vaccinations (should you chose them), wormed, health record and information that can help you with your new family member. Pups are eligible for registration or will be registered - you may transfer them if you so desire - with AKC. We may retain registration papers until you spay/neuter your pet. We feed RAW - Steve's, OC Raw or Small Batch. We use frozen and dehydrated (if traveling). We do feed the puppies some Wellness Core Complete Heath Puppy with a few supplements. We also send a 7-8 day supply of Vital Pet Transfer Factor to help your puppy keep him immune system up (highly recommended).
Breeding Rights: We are now selling breeding rights on our dogs to approved breeders. WE also do guardian homes (co-own/partner) so you would be able to have our lines in the near future for your breeding program. Our contracts are flexible, as long as we both agree, it will work! We take the females to the males, reserve a motel room and head home after breeding is over. Please inquire more about this. You will get the absolute best of the best dogs we have if you decide to partner with us!
Pricing: Price includes all the training above. Each puppy comes with a packet of goodies - leash, collar, teething aids, bones, toys, food, treats, immune builder, Kong/Toppl and a blanket from the weaning pen and mom. We are available to support you for the future of your pup. As of Jan. 1 2023 our Tri pet puppies are $2750 - 3000; Merles $3000 - 3500. Breeding rights are $3500-5000 to approved breeders. DISCOUNTS may be considered to proven performance and show homes as well as previous clients.
HOLDING AGREEMENT/DEPOSIT FORM
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ASDR, American Stock Dog Registry, MASCA, Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America, IHDA, International Herding Dog Association, Toy Australian Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Agility, Rally, Obedience, Herding Dog, Doggy Dancing, Disc Dog, Conformation, AKC, Miniature American Shepherds, ASA, Australian Shepherd Association, Top 10, Grand Champion, Champion, Versatility Dogs, Nose work, Scent work, Tracking, Fast Cat, Hiking, Companion, Pet, Breeding, Show/Breed, Quarter horses, Cow Horses, Black Angus, AQHA, , Puppy Culture