Make sure the breeder is s reputable one.
You do know how to spot a good breeder, right?

>>1996904
>You do know how to spot a good breeder, right?

Not OP, but please tell.

>>1996904
Yes inform us please

>>1996898
Dingo, Pig, Goon, Scruff.

>>1996939
Informed, educated owners = happy people and happy pets

A reputable breeder starts off by showing potential breeding stock in conformation shows, in a conformation show an independent judge will check first for soundness and second for adherence to the breed standard. Through conformation judging a breeder will be aware of the dog's faults (there is no such thing as a perfect dog, every dog has faults), and decide from there if the dog is sound enough with the right type to consider breeding. Don't buy from a breeder who cannot provide documentation on three generations of at least champions, because the only reason to not finish a dog's championship is the dog has too many or too large of flaws compared to their peers. Having only a few dogs championed in a dog's pedigree shows structure and type were not considered important in that line and is a big red flag.

Concurrently, a breeder is also active in working or obedience activities. These activities or dog sports can help indicate a dog's trainability/temperament, traits that are somewhat tied to genetics. Which activities a breeder chooses to compete in can be a great indication if their puppies would be a good match for your home. For example, if the breeder competes in Rally or competitive obedience you'll likely be looking at calmer dogs who enjoy working closely with their owners. If a breeder is active in agility, you are looking at more active dogs who will need special exercise and conditioning and an owner who can take the time to learn how to provide clear and efficient training. Plus, this is a demonstration of how important happy healthy dogs are to the breeder. All breeds originated for a purpose and should be provided opportunities to perform it, despite the good amount of money and time it takes. If a breeder is not active in any dog activities it shows their focus is not on the wellbeing of their dogs but rather just producing puppies.

Cont...

>>1996983
From participating in shows and working activities a breeder will have a good idea whether or not they would like to breed their dog, but the next step is to obtain the health clearances to determine whether their dog has an underlying health condition that could be passed on to the puppies. While these health tests are not a 100% guarantee, they are the current most-effective way to reduce the odds of a genetic illness being passed on to the puppies. Reputable breeders view health certifications with such importance because they want to do everything they can to produce the healthiest happy puppies possible. For a list of health tests by breed reference: http://www.offa.org/breedtests.html A good breeder will happily provide documentation as to the health status of the parents, grand parents, and great grandparents (or the registered names so you can check the database yourself). And they should have no problem producing this documentation before you meet a puppy or place a deposit.

And all the above criteria which is important when shopping for a breeder is also important to the breeder as they choose their pairing--a reputable breeder will be looking for a Ch/GrCh with appropriate working titles, and the same in their pedigree. Additionally, since no dog is perfect, a breeder will be looking for a pairing that offsets the flaws in their dog. When you meet a breeder you should ask why they chose this pairing and a reputable breeder will be happy to explain what factors came into play.

Cont...

>>1996984
A reputable breeder will belong to many organizations: the AKC (or your country's comparable organization), the national breed club, one or more regional breed clubs, and maybe smaller kennel clubs (they're the ones that put on the small regional shows) and training clubs (they put on the working events). This is because they want to keep abreast of what's going on in the breed and often times they contribute to these organizations through time and expertise. The best breeders I know are also heavily involved in outreach and rescue. Again, this is because they love dogs and what to do all they can to help even if it's someone else's puppy.

When a breeder does have a litter, by then they will have a list of people in mind who have already expressed interest in a puppy. The way to be on this list is to do your research on who you're looking for in a breeder and reach out to them. The best place to do this is to meet them at a show or event, and give them a brief rundown of why you're interested in A) that breed and B) from them in particular. Depending on how busy they are that might be all you will discuss at the first encounter, from there you should follow up through email or a phone call on a later date. Be prepared to demonstrate what you know about the downsides of owning the breed, and how you will accommodate these. Be prepared to talk about special arrangements you will make to your home and life to ensure the dog's needs are taken care of. For example, if you don't have a fenced backyard what is your plan to ensure the pup is properly exercised? How will you adjust your schedule to accommodate a puppy needing to go out every few hours? If something were to happen to you, do you already have a person lined up who could take over care of the puppy? (Reputable breeders will take a puppy back if necessary, but by having someone else there you demonstrate the level of thought put into this commitment).

Cont...

>>1996985
Breeders like to know all the information they can about you and your lifestyle because that is how they determine which puppy fits in which household. A reputable breeder places puppies rather than lets owners choose because breeders know the personalities of these puppies inside and out and know which types of home will suit them best. For example: one dog may be energetic and outgoing when you meet her, which may place her at the top of your list, but the breeder has noticed this puppy has a higher working drive than the rest and is best placed with someone active in dog sports.

I've written a lot here, and I still haven't talked about other important stuff like the measures reputable breeders take for socialization or what should be included in a contract or why many reputable breeders don't take deposits. I'm going to have to call it quits for now, but the best advice I can leave you with is to seek out a breeder referral specialist through your national breed club. They can tell you what breeding practices are important, and who the good breeders are in your area. It's sad, but 99% of breeders out there just aren't doing it right and it's you the consumer (and your puppy) who pays the price.

Best of luck with finding your perfect puppy, I'll be lurking throughout the day if you have any specific questions.

Here's a nice page with lots of good links fill of information on responsible breeding: http://www.australiancattledog.com/Choosing%20_A_Breeder.htm

Thanks for the comprehensive answer Admiral.

>>1997005
Happy to help, too many times I hear about puppies dying at a year old because the breeder never did the recommended cardio check for SAS. Or the happy, bouncy two year old that needs a total hip replacement and the breeder just says, "Sorry, not in the contract." and just keeps on breeding those same parents. Or the beloved family puppy who started out so sweet, yet despite extensive socialization and training just grows more and more aggressive due to an inherited poor temperament.

It's really sad how breeders not taking the right steps can ruin these dogs and ruin these families, and they don't even care they just keep on breeding for the money.

Sorry, /rant

>>1996898
Australian Cattle Dogs are so cute.

>>1996898

My ex mother in law had one and the fucker constantly tried herding me by biting my ankles.

>>1997117

You fat woolly bastard.

>>1996986
tl;dr lol
Got my pupster from a bunch of caravan-dwelling gipsies by the motorway. They had a cardboard box full of puppins, the whole place stank. I love my pupington though.

>>1997141

I am, actually.

That damned dog derailed every bathroom trip I took directly into the nearest corner.

Any herding dog is gunna have the herding instinct, just be calm with telling it to fuck off, don't make it a game. Get 'leave it' happening as soon as poss (I teach it with a hand full of treats, they sniffle and bite at it say leave it just once, as soon as they look away, drop them a treat) then use this command for when they have your trouser cuff.
Also a herding dog has in it's genetics what I call 'hunnit ten pursint' it will go and go and go and it's up to you to judge when to stop the activities because the dog will go til it dies of exhaustion.
Also bear in mind it's extreme intelligence and independence, a herding dog has to be on it's toes reay to catch a stray sheep at a seconds notice so is prone to shooting off over anything it sees in it's periphery and deems worthy.
Also, it's not just about taking them for exercise everyday, it's jus making them please you, people who think you have to run it all day ever day don't ever think 'what do dRmers have them doing in the off season?' The answer to which is fuck all. Obviously exercise it, train it, get it happy that it's impressing you, but don't endanger it's healthy with insane amounts of exercise.
Herding shit towards you will be the route of any problems you have with it, in a park one day it might just start bringing some kids your way, if they're not down for it, it might bite them in the face a bit to coerce them, stuff like this is easily avoidable however.
What are your plans for the dog OP? Agility? Obedience trials? actual work?

>>1997209
I'm gonna train her to retrieve birds, and I was definitely planning on bringing her around people when she's a pup. I've heard countless horror stories of people not training or getting their heeler comfortable with strangers

>>1997162
I like that idea way more than a bunch of scholars rating dogs and culling the pups that aren't up to standard. I'm getting my pup from and couple of people who have two purebreds who breed them from time to time

>>1997423
Then you are dangerously ignorant of proper breeding practice and general canine health.

>>1997419
Then why wouldn't your get a breed designed to retrieve?

>>1996898
Name it Paul Bunyan