The Australian Shepherd is a hard-working, agile dog who is great with children and highly active individuals. With beautiful eyes that can charm even the most stoic of hearts, they have a disposition that makes them a delight to train. If you live in the Houston, TX area and are searching to welcome this incredible dog into your family, this article will detail the 5 best Australian Shepherd breeders in Houston, TX.
Not only have we compiled a list of some great Aussie breeders in Houston, we also gathered important information to help you select the breeder that is right for you.
Remember that taking care of a dog is a life-long commitment – one that will not always be easy even if it will always be rewarding. While we did our best to provide verified information, this is but a jumping off point so you can do your own research.
Read on to discover where to find Australian Shepherds for sale in Houston, TX.
How Do You Find a Responsible Breeder?
Today, whenever we want to know anything, we tend to go to Google. While this may feel like the natural first step, it may in fact lead you down a misleading path.
Google’s first page will contain tons of advertisements for breeders who paid to show up on the top results. While that does not necessarily mean they are irresponsible or unethical, it does mean that the list will contain breeders who are not there out of merit alone.
Furthermore, a lot of reputable breeders do not have websites. Their reputation and association with clubs helps them maintain their business, and as such, they might not appear in the search results at all.
Looking at the American Kennel Club and other breed specific clubs, such as The United States Australian Shepherd Association, are better starting point.
While some breeders will still pay to appear in those lists, these will be more curated, and the information will be easier to verify.
For our list, we focused on the AKC’s database and then checked the information we found.
Read Next: 10 Effective Ways to Bond with Your Australian Shepherd
What Makes a Responsible Australian Shepherd Breeder?
Now that you know some of the best places to start your search, it is time to know what exactly makes a responsible breeder.
Aussies are incredibly active, even in puppyhood, and a responsible breeder will ensure they are getting the exercise they need while providing them with plenty of opportunity for socialization.
They will also educate you on these needs so they can ensure their dogs will end up in the best home possible.
According to the United States Australian Shepherd Association, responsible breeders will also ensure puppies remain with their littermates during their first eight weeks. They will raise their dogs in a home environment and their mother will be at least two years old.
Breeders should also ensure their dogs have received their required vaccines and have been de-wormed. They will not only be knowledgeable about potential health problems and genetic conditions, but will also have screened all their dogs.
A responsible breeder keeps up with veterinary research, especially in the field of genetics. They’ll encourage you to either spay or neuter your dog, and will give you guidance as to how to best care for your pet.
Finally, a responsible breeder will also make sure to provide you with a contract, health records, and copies of the parent’s registration.
Read Next: 20 Effective Training Commands for Your Australian Shepherd
How Do You Choose an Australian Shepherd Breeder?
Now that you know how to verify if a breeder is responsible, you need what to expect from them, as well as any red flags that indicate you might not be dealing with a responsible, ethical Aussie breeder.
What Should I Expect From a Breeder?
Typically, you can expect a responsible breeder to provide you with the following:
- A signed pedigree with at least three generations
- Current health records
- Sales contract – Remember, that contracts will vary depending on the breeder, so read these carefully!
- Feeding schedule, instructions, and recommendations
- Copy of OFA of the sire and dam
Some breeders will also give AKC registration papers or an application.
You may ask the breeder if they allow you to visit, not only so you can see the dogs for yourself, but so you can see their living conditions.
You can ask them for reference of previous buyers. A responsible breeder should be happy to answer all your questions while providing you with tips for housebreaking, training, and socialization.
Just as you will have a lot of questions for your prospective breeder, the breeder will also have questions for you. Do not take this personally – it is a sign they want their dogs end up in the best home possible!
Some breeders might also request occasional updates on your dog’s health and temperament so they adjust their breeding program accordingly.
Read Next: 12 Mentally Stimulating Activities for Your Australian Shepherd
What Are Some Red Flags I Should Know When Searching for a Breeder?
When speaking to potential breeders, keep an eye on these potential red flags:
- Lack knowledge regarding the breed standard, as well as potential genetic conditions or diseases
- Hesitation in letting you see the puppies or adult dogs
- Lack of interest in you, your home, or your lifestyle
- The puppies are not properly socialized
- The breeder refuses to give any health records, do any health screenings or tests, and will not provide a pedigree
Don’t be fooled by claims that the puppies come from a “champion bloodline.” There have been many cases where puppy mills acquired dogs who won numerous AKC-accredited competitions just so they could claim that the puppies being sold were from a “champion bloodline.”
How Much Do Registered Australian Shepherd Cost in Houston, Texas?
Registered Aussies can cost anywhere from $1,800 to $2,600.
Best Australian Shepherd Breeders Near Houston, TX – Australian Shepherds for Sale
Here are five Australian Shepherd breeders near Houston, Texas. They are not listed in any particular order, and to ensure that we only included breeders that, as far as we could tell, were responsible and ethical, we expanded our search to towns and cities beyond Houston. These are still within driving distance, and many breeders will be happy to arrange transportation if necessary.
Read Next: Are Australian Shepherds Good Family Dogs?
Poise Australian Shepherds and American Hairless Terriers
Poise Australian Shepherds and American Hairless Terriers is a small kennel run by Angie Claussen. She has a breeding history dating back to 2007.
They are a AKC Breeder of Merit and Club Member, and all of their Aussies are tested for OFA hips and elbows, MDR1, HSF4 cataracts, CEW, and PRA to ensure healthy puppies.
Their Aussies are raised at home, with living conditions shown on their website along with a detailed account on their diet, and real-time updates on Facebook. The dogs are also microchipped, and prospective buyers must fill a detailed application to ensure that are they a good match for the dogs.
Their kennel is associated with both the Australian Shepherd Club of America and the United States Australian Shepherd Association.
Upon purchase, Poise Australian Shepherds and American Hairless Terriers will provide the buyer with AKC registration application.
Location: Cleveland, TX 77327
Website: http://www.poiseaussies.com
Donna Doubler
Though Donna Doubler does not have a website, she has been a breeder of Aussies since 1969. The AKC considers her to be a Breeder of Merit.
She provides buyers with a health guarantee, a written bill of sale, and if you need to return an Aussie purchased from her, she’ll happily welcome the dog back.
Location: Plantersville, TX 77363
Phone: (281) 851-8131
Mountain Spring Kennels
Mountain Spring Kennels is located on a beautiful farm. It is owned and operated by Deborah Sayre, an Aussie breeder with experience dating back to 2007. They an AKC Club Member, a Breeder of Merit, and a Breeder with Heart.
Mountain Springs Kennel provides all buyers with a health guarantee, a written bill of sale, and an AKC registration application.
Furthermore, if you need to return an Aussie purchased from them, they’ll happily welcome the dog back.
Location: Paradise, TX 76073
Phone: (940) 395-3076
Website: https://www.mountainspringskennels.com/
Wild Wings Aussie
Wild Wings Aussie is a kennel located in a 10-acre farm. Run by a family with over 40 years of experience, their puppies are socialized from birth and raised at home. The AKC considers them to be a AKC Breeder of Merit.
Wild Wings Aussie will provide health guarantee for their puppies, and upon purchase will also give a written bill of sale and AKC registration application.
If you need to return an Aussie purchased from them, they’ll happily welcome the dog back to their farm.
Location: Red Oak, TX 75154
Phone: (214) 850-0226
Website: http://www.wildwingsaussies.com
The Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline
While not a breeder, we thought it would be important to include rescue organizations working hard to help Aussies.
The Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline is a nonprofit organization that works hard to rescue Aussies from abusive homes, neglectful owners, and other dangerous environments before placing them with loving families. They operate across the country with the help of amazing volunteers.
Texas Contact: Kim Griswold
Email: kimgriswold@att.net
Website: http://www.aussierescue.org/
Read Next: Miniature Australian Shepherds vs. Standard Australian Shepherds – What’s the difference?
Conclusion
The Australian Shepherd is a charming, energetic, and intelligent dog who is certain to make any house feel like a home. However, owning a pet is a life-long commitment, and one which must be taken seriously from the very beginning.
While we hope we were able to provide useful information so that your journey is a little less overwhelming, remember to do your own research and ensure that whatever breeder you choose is a responsible one that will provide you with a happy, healthy Aussie. Make sure to learn how to train your Aussie from the best, Dr. Ian Dunbar’s SIRIUS Dog Trainer Academy, who created the first off leash puppy socialization and training classes.