Our Breeding Philosophy

STOP looking for a puppy ... Start looking for a BREEDER ... Then you'll find the PERFECT PUPPY when the time is right!

If you are interested in a Sakari Australian Shepherd, please read all the information below before contacting us.
All potential owners must fill out an application. Inquiries asking only about availability and pricing will not be answered.

Here at Sakari, we are dedicated to producing healthy Australian Shepherds that have great temperaments, with nice structure and movement. We also strive for versatility - aiming to create the perfect mix between Show Lines and Stock Lines. Beautiful dogs that can go from the show ring, to working the farm, jumping through hoops, saving lives or simply making a wonderful family companion. Putting a great amount of time, research and thought into what we are trying to create and achieve with each individual litter. Most of our litter plans take years to come up with and are subject to change until the actual breeding between the sire and dam take place. We produce each litter with the intention of keeping the best puppy(ies) for ourselves, to help improve the next generation of the Sakari Australian Shepherd breeding program.

Before becoming a part of our breeding program, all of our Australian Shepherds get health clearances done, based on the recommendations set forth by the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), at a minimum of 2 years of age. Some of these tests include hip and elbow x-rays that are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for official ratings. We do not breed any dog that does not have ratings of Normal, Good or Excellent. Eyes will be examined by a certified ophthalmologist and sent into the Canine Eye Research Foundation (CERF) / American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). As well as genetic testing, such as: Hereditary Cataracts (HSF4), Multi-Drug Resistance 1 (MDR1), Pelger Huet Anomaly (PHA), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) and along with other genetic tests that become available to the breed over time. For more information on health and genetics, click here.

The First Few Weeks of Life

How we raise our puppies is very important to us - we strive to send home well adjusted, happy, healthy and confident puppies! Our puppies are whelped and raised in our home as part of the family, so they can become accustomed to "new" (yet everyday) sights, sounds and smells. Experiencing the bathroom, living room, kitchen, garage, etc. Raised with Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) exercises and Avidog (Good Dog) protocols. Touching upon the five senses; sight, sound, smell, taste and texture - to make for a well rounded pup.

The whelping area is set up a week or two before the puppies are due (either in our bedroom or living room), so Mommy can get used to sleeping in the whelping box and can begin her nesting process. Within the first three days of birth, all puppies will have their tails and rear dew claws removed. When the time comes to wean the puppies from their mother's milk and introduce solid food, we'll do this by soaking puppy food in water and mixing in milk replacer. This mixture is then added into a flat feeding dish for the puppies to eat from. Eventually the food will no longer be soaked and the puppies will be eating hard kibble.

As the puppies grow, so does their space - they will be transferred from our bedroom or living room and into the “dog” room - that will be set up like a giant play room for them. Puppies will start potty training in a litter box, then work their way up to pee-pads, and the next step is experiencing the big outside world and start leash training. Grooming is an essential part of every dog’s life, so we like to get a jump start as soon as possible. From the beginning, we make it a point to touch the puppies’ paws, trim their nails, brush/comb them, plus the puppies will also have their first bath and blow dry session. We begin socializing by introducing the puppies to the rest of our gang, so they can interact with older/other dogs and learn proper doggie manners. We also allow the puppies to have visitors (adults/children) come play with them.

Puppies will be dewormed every two weeks until they go to their new homes. Puppies will go to the vet for a check-up, have a stool sample taken (to make sure they are parasite free), be vaccinated with their first round of shots (we believe in minimal vaccinations and follow Dr. Jean Dodds’ vaccination protocol) and be microchipped all before going home. The puppies will be fully evaluated and matched with families that are best suited for them - NOT based upon color and/or gender alone!

How We Place Our Puppies

We do long term relationships - not short transactions! When you take home one of our puppies, you are taking home a piece of our heart. We DO expect to stay in touch with you over the years; receiving pictures/updates about your four-legged loved one, and being there to answer any questions you may have along the way. Because of this, our puppies are available to and placed in approved homes only! Giving preference to homes that are familiar with the breed and have a good understanding about health issues, grooming, temperament, energy/drive, training, etc. Also favoring homes that share similar views, such as; altering (spaying/neutering) as late as possible to avoid health complications, excellent diet and nutrition by feeding high quality kibble and/or human grade raw and/or organic meals, minimal vaccinations and other chemicals, such as flea/tick, heartworm, etc. Newcomers are always welcome! We will help guide you on your path to owning your very first Wiggle-Butt! =) You can read more about the Australian Shepherd on our Meet The Breed page, or visit our Info & Links page.

Application: In attempts to place all of our Aussies in loving, responsible, forever homes - we ask that all potential owners complete a Sakari Owner Application. This helps give us a better understanding of you, your lifestyle and if an Australian Shepherd is right for you. Our goal is to find what's best for you and place our puppies in the best homes possible! Once we've received your application, an interview will be set up - either in person or over the phone, with follow up emails. If we feel that you would make a great addition to our Extended Sakari Family by providing one of our puppies with a wonderful home, we will notify you and place you on a Waiting List for our next upcoming litter.

Waiting List / Reservation: A reservation fee is required to be added to our waiting list and/or reserve a specific puppy. Reservation fees are non-refundable, but they are transferable (should a breeding not produce a specific quality, color, or sex reserved in advanced, or should the buyer not want the puppy we feel is best matched to them and their lifestyle; the buyer may choose to use their reservation towards a different puppy of equal quality from the same litter, or wait for a puppy from a future litter). All reservation fees will be deducted from the purchase price. No puppy will be held without a reservation. A reservation may be placed on a specific color and/or sex but not necessarily a specific puppy - not until at least 8 weeks of age, after the puppies have been completely evaluated to determine proper placement for quality (companion, performance, show/breeding) and temperament - as we never know how the individual puppy is going to turn out.

Evaluations / Placement: Puppy evaluations between at 6 weeks of age. Puppies will not be placed in their new homes until 8 to 10 weeks of age, after they have had their final evaluations. From there we will determine what home is best suited for the individual puppy, as each puppy will be placed according to his/her specific quality, personality and needs - not based on color and/or sex. Because of this, we can not guarantee a particular puppy's availability until after final evaluations. Once all the puppies have been evaluated, buyers may reserve specific puppies that are available to them. We will work with you to try and find the right puppy for you and your lifestyle, but if you decide that you do not want the puppy we feel best fits you, you are under no obligation to take the puppy and may use your reservation towards another puppy. Sakari always has first pick of a litter, followed by any co-breeder and/or potential show homes, then companion homes. Keep in mind that most puppies in a litter will be suitable for and placed in Companion/Performance homes.

Difference In Quality & Contracts

The American Kennel Cub: Everything You Need To Know About Breeder Contracts

Companion / Performance / Non-Breeding: When deciding on the puppy(ies) we want to keep from our litters, we like to set our standards high. The puppies that do not meet our expectations are considered to be non-breeding quality and will be placed in companion and/or performance homes. Non-Breeding quality simply means that these puppies may not meet the breed standard correctly - for example; possibly exhibiting improper color that prohibits them from showing in the American Kennel Club (AKC) and/or the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) conformation ring. However, these puppies are healthy and physically sound, make great family companions and may compete in the ASCA Altered Championship program, as well as AKC and/or ASCA performance events such as: agility, herding, obedience, rally, tracking and much more! Puppies come with a strict spay/neuter contract! The contract also guarantees the puppy against genetic defects. Failure to meet this guarantee will result in a replacement puppy - upon proof of altering and availability from one of our upcoming litters. Puppies will carry Limited Registration papers with AKC and ASCA. Limited Registration indicates that these puppies are of companion and/or performance quality and can not be shown in the conformation ring and can not be bred for reproduction - if bred, none of the puppies can be registered.

* All Sakari Australian Shepherds will be placed in Companion and/or Performance Homes, on a spay/neuter contract, unless stated otherwise!

Show / Performance / Breeding: As mentioned before, we breed for ourselves - to carry on and improve the next generation of Sakari. Keeping only the best of the best, so it's rare that we have show puppies available. However we can't always keep them all, so occasionally we'll offer show prospects to experienced homes of the trade, on private treaty, under strict contract! These puppies exhibit proper breed type, structure and color well within the breed standard, with no disqualifying faults and no known hereditary defects affecting their suitability to compete in the conformation and performance ring, or for breeding purposes. Puppies will be co-owned and carry Full Registration with AKC and ASCA.

Picking Up Your New Sakari Aussie!

It is recommended that you pick up your new puppy in person (or be hand-delivered by us), seeing as you can expect to spend some time for this encounter (meeting the parents/other related dogs, going over the contract, feeding schedule, training, vaccinations, etc.) before letting our babies go off to start their new lives with you. If distance is too great and traveling by car is not an option, we encourage you to fly in and bring your puppy home with you as a carry on - the cost typically averages about the same as a flight via cargo. We like to save shipping our puppies via cargo as a last resort. We will not ship over seas. All shipping costs will be the responsibility of the owner - this includes a vet visit, health certificate, rabies shot/certificate (if of age), an acclimation letter, a shipping crate, time off to travel to the airport and anything else that is needed. If we are delivering your puppy to you, you will only be charged for our transportation time.

What Does Your Sakari Aussie Come With?

Before going off to their new forever homes, all Sakari Aussies have;

been checked by a licensed Veterinarian
had their eyes examined by a certified canine Ophthalmologist
received their first set of vaccinations
been dewormed
been micro-chipped for permanent identification

All Sakari Australian Shepherds also come with a Puppy Packet, including;

Sakari Australian Shepherd contract and health guarantee against genetic defects
AKC / ASCA registration papers and pedigree
Photocopies of the parents AKC / ASCA registration papers and health clearances
Pictures of your puppy, the parents and the litter as a whole
Information on the Australian Shepherd breed
Some supplies to get you started (food, grooming, toys/treats, etc.)
A lifetime of breeder support & mentorship

How Much?

Our prices vary from litter to litter and puppy to puppy - depending on the individual quality of the litter/puppy, and what goes into producing each individual litter. The non-refundable reservation fee will be deducted from the purchase price. The finial payment is due after evaluations (upon pick-up), before the puppies go to their new homes.

My thought is ... if people are willing to spend the money they do on pet store puppies, why not spend that same/similar amount of money on a well bred puppy, that comes will a health guarantee, with health tested parents (for past generations), with records of championships and other titles, bred for and with love, bred for a purpose - not for money. I mean think about it, how many stories have you heard of someone buying a puppy from a pet store and the puppy was sick! After spending an arm and a leg to buy the puppy, they then spending another great deal of money at the vet. They could have spent less than that and gotten a healthy puppy, had they just went to a reputable, responsible dog breeder.

How Do I Get A Sakari Aussie?

Before contacting us, please take a moment to read the following links to make sure you are up for the task of owning an Australian Shepherd!

When you are ready, send a detailed email about yourself, what you are looking for in an Australian Shepherd and why you would make a good home. Title the email "I Want A Sakari Aussie!" and send it to Stephanie at; sakariaussies@gmail.com. We'll be in touch within a few days!

Meet the Breed • Thinking of Owning an Aussie & Finding the Right Breeder • But I Don't Need A Show Dog • Puppy Buyer Etiquette