Circle 5 Miniature & Toy Australian Shepherds
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW BIG IS A MINI AUSSIE? A TOY?
Mini Aussies are 14-18 inches measured from the top of their shoulder or withers to the floor. Toys are 10-14 inches. Size is not determined by weight. We try to predict size the best we can through our parent dogs and their pedigrees. Sometimes dogs stay smaller or get bigger than we intend. There is not exact science to determine size.
HOW DO MINI AUSSIES GET ALONG WITH CHILDREN AND OTHER PETS?
Minis and toys are great with children and are wonderful family pets. They are also accepting of other animals in the household. You could come home one day and find your Mini Aussie cuddled up with your kitty cat!
DO MINI AUSSIES NEED TRAINING?
Yes. All puppies in any breed need to be trained with consistency and love. Aussies love to be involved in family activities and do best with owners that provide obedience training, socialization, and exercise. Aussies are naturally reserved around strangers and need to be properly socialized early in their lives. They are also extremely loyal dogs and want to be with their human family members as much as possible. Aussies are extremely smart and thrive to please their owner by learning a training concept with very few repetitions. Socialization is a must with Aussies that means with other people and dogs.
ARE MINI -AUSSIES REGISTERED WITH THE AKC? WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
No, the AKC does not recognize Mini Aussies as a breed yet. The AKC has recently decided to accept the Miniature Australian Shepherds but only if you agree to change the name of your dogs to American Shepherds, my dogs are Australian Shepherds so I am not choosing to register my dogs as American Shepherds at this time. I register my dogs through the ASDR (American Stock Dog Registry) and/or NSDR (National Stock Dog Registry) Our miniatures are also registered with IMASC (International Miniature Australian Shepherd Club). Your puppy will eligible for registry with one or all of these registries. Circle 5 puppies may NOT be registered with AKC as Mini Americans. It is a violation of our contract and can result in a law suit.
WHY DO SOME AUSSIES EARS STAND UP AND OTHERS DON'T?
We strive to produce dogs that are breed standard. Some times dogs are born with smaller ears or ears that are not as heavy and they can stand up. We try to match dogs that compliment each other to produce the best we can but it still happens sometimes. When Aussies are teething their ears can do some crazy things. . Just remember ears do not make the dog. We do not glue our ears here at Circle 5 as we want to see what we are producing. Prick ears are a genetic trait so to "cover it up" does nothing for our program. As much as we would like we do not guarantee what the ears will look like as adults.
DO YOU SELL YOUR PUPPIES WITH PAPERS?
Yes, all of my puppies come with registration papers. They are sold on spay/neuter contracts unless other agreements have been made at the time of purchase . ( Registration papers will be sent when proof of spay or neuter is given. The vet performing the procedure may be contacted to verify the procedure was done.) Breeding rights will not be given at a later date. This is done help maintain the quality of the Miniature and Toy Australian Shepherd.
DO YOU SHIP YOUR PUPPIES?
We are no longer shipping our pet puppies site unseen. We want you to be totally pleased with what you are getting from Circle 5. You are more than welcome to fly in to pick up your pup and we will meet you at the airport. You are always welcome at Circle 5 to get your special family member. We will even consider flying with the pup to your location cost is the responsibility of the new owners.
I WANT TO PURCHASE A PUPPY FROM YOU - WHAT DO I DO NEXT? HOW DO I SEND A PAYMENT/DEPOSIT?
It's simple. Send me a deposit of $250 either by money order or PayPal (make sure to include their 3.5% fee) and we will hold a puppy. Please get the deposit to me within one week. Final payments must be in the form of Money Order, PayPal (please include the 3.5% fee) or cash before the pup can be released to the new owners.
IF I DECIDE THAT I DON'T WANT A PUPPY ANYMORE MAY I GET MY DEPOSIT BACK?
All money is non-refundable. I know that sounds really strict but your deposit is for us to HOLD your puppy. We mark it as sold so nobody else can purchase him/her. We have taken that puppy off the market FOR YOU. We are a small breeder and the benefit for you is that your puppy is born and handled daily in our home and comes to you very well socialized. We would be loosing several potential sales while your puppy was marked as sold.
DOES MY PUPPY COME WITH A HEALTH GUARANTEE?
Yes. A 48 hour health guarantee. Refer to my Contract Page eyes and hips are discussed there. We stand behind our dogs, but every situation is different and it's impossible to address every potential scenario in a contract. If there is ever a problem, it can and will be dealt with professionally where we both can be happy. Our goal here at Circle 5 Aussies is for everyone who gets a puppy from us to be totally excited with their new family member!
WHEN DOES MY PUPPY NEED TO BE PAID IN FULL?
Puppies must be paid in full before it will be turned over to you as the new owner and will not be delivered or shipped if not paid in full.
HOW EARLY CAN I PICK MY PUPPY UP?
Puppies can be picked up after they are 8 weeks old. It is against the Texas Breeder Licensing rules and regulations for a pup to leave before they are 8 weeks old. Our vaccine protocol is through 8 weeks to ensure that you are getting a pup that is as protected as we can.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED IN CASE I WANT TO PICK UP MY PUPPY?
Slaton, Texas. We are two hours South of Amarillo, Texas. Further away? Three hours from Abilene, Texas and five 1/2 hours from the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex.
ARE THERE THINGS I SHOULD NOT DO WHEN I PICK UP MY PUPPY?
The main thing to remember -- be very careful in public places until your puppy has received all their vaccinations! For example, don't leave here and go to a pet store. People of all walks of like take there animals there and you do not want your baby exposed to these places until there vaccines are complete. You don't want to expose your new little bundle of joy to getting sick by where other sick puppies have been. Wait until you can get somewhere your puppy can safely potty --preferably a place where dogs haven't been. The same is true when you are out on the high-way with your puppy. Rest stops have designated dog areas. That is fine when your dog is fully vaccinated but don't let your puppy potty there because of all the non-vaccinated and sick puppies. Please find an isolated spot on the side of the road for potty time ~ and always have the puppy on a leash! In an instant they can dart away from your protection simply because they are so curious and energetic. Make sure and bring a towel with you, your little one has been in a crate for some time and could have had an accident.
I THOUGHT MY PUPPY HAD SHOTS BEFORE IT WAS SHIPPED. WHY IS IT STILL SO DANGEROUS TO TAKE HIM OR HER TO PETS MART OR THE PARK?
Your puppy will be up to date on its shots according to his/her age when it is delivered to you. I will send a shot and worming record to you when the puppy is picked up. However, the Parvo virus is still very dangerous to your puppy and still can be contracted after several sets of shots. Most vaccination schedules don't have your puppy complete with their vaccinations until it is 15-16 weeks of age. So, the best policy to keep your puppy healthy is to wait until all the boosters and vaccinations have been administered.
