Puppies/Litters
Please read below about our breeding philosophy and reservation process, and if you think a Stonehaven puppy is right for you, please reach out to us to inquire about current puppy availability and future litter plans!
Our Breeding Philosophy
With over 25 years of involvement with the Australian Shepherd, along with our work in animal foster and rescue, we take the placing of our puppies and dogs in new homes quite seriously. Since we breed only occasionally, we feel our most important responsibility is our dogs and their potential owners is to take thorough steps to ensure a lifelong match.
Our litters are planned well in advance and involve extensive research to ensure that we are adhering to the priorities we deem important in a strong, successful breeding program...physical health, appropriate temperament, type, movement, and aesthetics.
All our puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA), unless otherwise noted. Puppies are from parents who have had extensive health and genetics testing, including hip and eyes (OFA), and a panel of hereditary diseases through PawPrint Genetics to ensure we give our puppies the very best shot at a long, happy, and healthy life. In addition, all puppies have their eyes checked by a Certified Canine Ophthalmologist at 8 weeks of age. When our puppies leave us, they have had their first rounds of shots (DHLPP and Bordetella), worming, and are microchipped.
We often receive questions about the difference between a Companion puppy and a Show/Breeding Quality puppy.
Companion Puppies: These are puppies perfectly suited as family members, best friends, and outstanding companions. They can be shown in all AKC performance and companion events such as agility, obedience, herding, nosework, dock diving, and more. They have simply been determined by us not to be used for breeding or shown in the conformation ring. An example might be a puppy with non-standard markings such as too much white.
Very few puppies meet our strict requirements when selecting potential show/breeding prospects so the majority of our puppies are sold as companions. We generally make our final evaluations on puppies by eight (8) weeks of age.
Companion puppies are available for $2,000 with the guarantees and health clearances noted.
Show/Breeding Prospects: These puppies have been determined by us at eight (8) weeks to be prospects for the conformation ring and breeding programs, and are sold with full breeding and registration privileges. Please note that due to our own strict evaluation process, very few puppies are sold as Show/Breeding prospects and will only be sold to serious show homes. Please contact us for pricing on Show/Breeding prospect puppies.
Puppy Socialization: We are very proud of the lengths we go to produce healthy, happy puppies, and we believe early socialization is key to a well-rounded companion. Our puppies are born and raised in our home, and from the time they are born are exposed to a wide variety of everyday sights and sounds they will encounter throughout life.
Based on research about puppy developmental stages, we follow a strict protocol developed for both mental and physical stimulation at critical age markers. In addition, we developed an audio stimulation program that employs a variety of noises that adult dogs often find startling, including thunder, fireworks, loud applause, etc., and the puppies hear this from the time they are born for desensitization. When appropriate, our puppies interact with our adult dogs and cats so they will easily assimilate into homes with a variety of furry friends.
At a very early age, our puppies are acquainted with the crate-training process and house-training routine. It amazes me how often we get comments from puppy owners such as "not one accident in the house!" To be clear, we do not guarantee a house-trained puppy, but you can trust that your new companion will be well on his/her way to understanding the basics when they leave us.
Our litters are planned well in advance and involve extensive research to ensure that we are adhering to the priorities we deem important in a strong, successful breeding program...physical health, appropriate temperament, type, movement, and aesthetics.
All our puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA), unless otherwise noted. Puppies are from parents who have had extensive health and genetics testing, including hip and eyes (OFA), and a panel of hereditary diseases through PawPrint Genetics to ensure we give our puppies the very best shot at a long, happy, and healthy life. In addition, all puppies have their eyes checked by a Certified Canine Ophthalmologist at 8 weeks of age. When our puppies leave us, they have had their first rounds of shots (DHLPP and Bordetella), worming, and are microchipped.
We often receive questions about the difference between a Companion puppy and a Show/Breeding Quality puppy.
Companion Puppies: These are puppies perfectly suited as family members, best friends, and outstanding companions. They can be shown in all AKC performance and companion events such as agility, obedience, herding, nosework, dock diving, and more. They have simply been determined by us not to be used for breeding or shown in the conformation ring. An example might be a puppy with non-standard markings such as too much white.
Very few puppies meet our strict requirements when selecting potential show/breeding prospects so the majority of our puppies are sold as companions. We generally make our final evaluations on puppies by eight (8) weeks of age.
Companion puppies are available for $2,000 with the guarantees and health clearances noted.
Show/Breeding Prospects: These puppies have been determined by us at eight (8) weeks to be prospects for the conformation ring and breeding programs, and are sold with full breeding and registration privileges. Please note that due to our own strict evaluation process, very few puppies are sold as Show/Breeding prospects and will only be sold to serious show homes. Please contact us for pricing on Show/Breeding prospect puppies.
Puppy Socialization: We are very proud of the lengths we go to produce healthy, happy puppies, and we believe early socialization is key to a well-rounded companion. Our puppies are born and raised in our home, and from the time they are born are exposed to a wide variety of everyday sights and sounds they will encounter throughout life.
Based on research about puppy developmental stages, we follow a strict protocol developed for both mental and physical stimulation at critical age markers. In addition, we developed an audio stimulation program that employs a variety of noises that adult dogs often find startling, including thunder, fireworks, loud applause, etc., and the puppies hear this from the time they are born for desensitization. When appropriate, our puppies interact with our adult dogs and cats so they will easily assimilate into homes with a variety of furry friends.
At a very early age, our puppies are acquainted with the crate-training process and house-training routine. It amazes me how often we get comments from puppy owners such as "not one accident in the house!" To be clear, we do not guarantee a house-trained puppy, but you can trust that your new companion will be well on his/her way to understanding the basics when they leave us.
Reservation Process
If you feel a Stonehaven puppy might be right for you, please contact us to be placed on our waiting list. We do not take deposits as we have yet to find a way to place an order with Mother Nature, and therefore cannot guarantee the colors or sex composition of a litter before they are born. While we understand preferences for your future companion puppy, we believe health and temperament should always be the primary factors in selecting your new family member.
When it is time to receive your puppy, we prefer that you come to our home but realize that is not always possible. We are lucky to have easy access to Washington Dulles International, Reagan National, and Baltimore-Washington International airports within one hour from our home and have successfully flown puppies around the world. In addition, we have worked with a number of Pet Transporters who will drive your new puppy from our door to yours. The safety and well-being of our dogs is paramount and we will go to great lengths to ensure your new puppy arrives safely.
When it is time to receive your puppy, we prefer that you come to our home but realize that is not always possible. We are lucky to have easy access to Washington Dulles International, Reagan National, and Baltimore-Washington International airports within one hour from our home and have successfully flown puppies around the world. In addition, we have worked with a number of Pet Transporters who will drive your new puppy from our door to yours. The safety and well-being of our dogs is paramount and we will go to great lengths to ensure your new puppy arrives safely.
Contacting Us
Contact us at the email link below. If you have not heard from us in a reasonable amount of time, please feel free to give us a gentle nudge. We won't be offended.
When you contact us, please take the time to tell us who you are, your living situation, why you are interested in an Australian Shepherd, dog ownership experience, and any specific requirements you have in terms of color or sex for your new companion.
Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you!
When you contact us, please take the time to tell us who you are, your living situation, why you are interested in an Australian Shepherd, dog ownership experience, and any specific requirements you have in terms of color or sex for your new companion.
Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you!
Email (preferred): stonehavenaussies@gmail.com
Phone: (240) 674-7158
Phone: (240) 674-7158