I have had dogs all my life, except for 3 days in 1990 when we had to let our little terrier go. 3 days later we learned about a cousins sister-in-law who had a litter and we brought home our firs border collie that evening. I started raising puppies a few years later with our 2nd border collie, Heidi. Over the years I have enjoyed many breeds and was introduced to mini Australian Shepherds by a friend. I am now a full time dog mom with the kids all grown and gone, and enjoy sharing my puppy love with so many others.

My first breeding dogs were back yard bred with no health testing, it really wasn’t easily available back then. I have learned much since that time. Bandit was born in a hog barn, and Heidi a horse trailer. Little socialization or handling was done with either litter. Both had severe hip dysplasia and other health issues in old age, that can now be tested for and prevent!!

I have specific standards for the dogs I choose to breed. First I look at heath (through DNA health testing) and temperament. My dogs are selected to be smart and willing, and most importantly not aggressive or over protective. That temperament does not work in our social family oriented lives. I raise them with daily handling, ENS, ESI, and specific curriculum to develop strong, healthy, smart and social puppies. (see my how I raise my puppies page).

Miniature Australian Shepherd

Also known as mini ‘Aussies’, this is a smart, happy and loyal breed. They are always in your business and rarely lose track of you throughout your day. They are very smart, playful, and enthusiastic about whatever you’re doing. They love sports like agility and Frisbee. The breed was developed to be a herding dog and of course that drive is still there. They are amazing family dogs, just be prepared to teach them not to herd the kids while they are young.

Aussies come in a variety of colors and are most well-known for the merle coat. Merle is caused by a specific and complicated gene. It causes random patches of diluted coat and eye coloring. Merle is a pattern rather than a ‘color’.

Aussies develop a thick and protective undercoat. Yes, they do shed, mostly spring and fall when they blow that undercoat. Be prepared to brush and bathe often during shedding season. But to most of us devoted Aussie owners, it’s totally worth it.

Our mini Aussies come in a range of sizes from 13” - 12 lbs up to 17” -30 lbs. It can sometimes be difficult to predict the exact size a puppy with reach, but I have a pretty good idea through experience and knowing my bloodlines.

Mini Aussiedoodles

Aussiedoodles are a deliberate cross of Australian Shepherd and Poodle.

Poodles are well known for a coat that does not shed but rather continues to grow. They will require frequent trimming/grooming to keep up with the coat and prevent matting.

The Aussiedoodle cross is desired for their intelligence (two very smart breeds here) and a coat that sheds much less than the purebred Aussie.

F1 refers to a first generation cross, half Aussie and half Poodle. F1 dogs will generally have a slight wave to their coat, many are low shedding, most shed far less than a pure Aussie. They require less trimming than F1b or later combinations. My F1 girls, Suzie and Sydni, are trimmed twice per year. I brush weekly or less and most shed hair is collected in my brush.

F1b refers to a cross of F1 and poodle (or Aussie, b means back cross to one of the parent breeds.) This back cross is almost always a poodle to create the desired low shedding coat. F1b will generally shed even less and be less prone to causing human allergy issues, but may require more frequent trimmings. The coat can be wavy to curly. Brushing requires extra care to get all the way down to the skin to prevent matting.

F2 would be a cross between two F1 Aussiedoodles or other combinations.

Aussiedoodles are fun little dogs, very attentive like the Aussie, smart like both breeds, playful and willing like the poodle. The Aussie herding drive and shedding are both diminished in this combination. They are amazing little family dogs. They adapt well to most any lifestyle from home-body to high adventure. Great with families old or young. They do best when given daily stimulation, exercise that brain and body both.

My Aussiedoodles range in size like my Aussies, 13-17” and 12-30 lbs. depending on the parents bloodlines. Colors vary greatly and come in merle, solid and party. Brown, blacks, tri too

Cockapoos

When I was growing up our neighbors had a sweet little dog names “Curly”. She was little Jonny’s shadow and best friend. Curly was a cockapoo in the 70’s. Long before the ‘doodle’ craze was a thing.

The cockapoo is a F1 cross of cocker spaniel and poodle. Cockapoos are great family dogs that shed less and learn quickly. They are super adorable as well with large hanging ears covered in curls and big sad cocker spaniel eyes. Cocker spaniels are a hunting breed and love to use their nose. They also love food!! Cockapoo pups will enjoy games and puzzles to engage the hunt and treat finding drive they inherit from mom.

My cockapoo colors will be a brown, black or gold/apricot, merle, party and tri. Size range will be 14-16’ and 20-30 lbs

Cotralian

Cotralian? An F1 cross of a cocker spaniel and Australian Shepherd.

This cross is for super cuteness. I have not yet produced a litter in this combination, but if interest develops I will consider a duel sired (and dna tested) litter. Expected size range similar to my mini aussies and aussidoodles, with all colors possible. Wavy to curly coats and of course less shedding than cockers.