4 Paws Policies
Deposit Information
To place a deposit on one of our puppies, we require $200.00 down payment on your choice of puppy. Checks are acceptable for the deposit as long as there is time for it to clear before puppy is shipped. The remaining balance plus shipping fees must be paid by the time puppy is 7 weeks old. If the puppy is over 7 weeks old payment must be received before shipment or puppy is picked up. Final balance Payments are ONLY accepted via U.S. Postal Money Order . We DO NOT ACCEPT personal checks or bank money orders/cashier's checks for final balance. We can accept payment through Pay Pal with a 3% charge. Please contact us for more details.
Deposit monies are NOT refundable. If something happens to chosen puppy before delivery, monies will not be refunded, and breeder reserves the right to choose a replacement puppy of equal or better quality out of the same litter or next available litter. Deposits on puppies are taken on a first paid basis.
No puppy will be held without a deposit longer than 5 days, allowing for deposit payment via mail.
Email me to place a deposit.
Shipping Information
1. We ship puppies anywhere within the continental U.S.
2. Puppies CANNOT be shipped until 8 weeks of age.
3. The cost of shipping an 8wk old puppy will run anywhere from $175-$250.
4. Shipping prices for puppies over 16 weeks will depend on weight/size of puppy/dog.
5. Cost Of Health Certificate for a 8-15 week old puppy: $50.00 [includes vet check, health papers and certificate of acclimation (if needed)]
6. Cost Of Health Certificate for a puppy over 16 weeks: $65.00 [includes vet check, health papers, rabies tag and certificate of acclimation (if needed)]
6. Shipping crate for a 8 wk old puppy: will depend on the size and number of puppies shipped. Please email me for quote. Crate will be yours to keep.
7. Total shipping charges are the responsibility of the buyer. Payment for all shipping charges (flight, shipping crate, and certified health certificate) must be paid IN FULL and monies cleared, before shipment of any puppy.
8. All contracts must be signed and returned to seller before puppies shipping date.
9. We ship with Continental Airlines pet safe program, all year round.
4 Paws Miniature Aussies
Contact Debra for a contract
Local Pick up information
1. You are welcome to come to our place to pick out or pick up a puppy.
2. Deposits are encouraged.
3. Deposits are non refundable.
4. You will be informed which puppies are available to select from prior to your visit.
5. Balance of puppy must be in cash for same day sales.
I would be willing to drive part way to meet someone. I will charge for mileage unless the sale of a puppy/dog is part of a trade.
GENERAL POLICIES:
Mini Aussie puppies come with full or limited registration. Registrations will be one or more of the following:
ASDR, NSDR & NAMASCUSA
All puppies have their tails docked and dew claws removed by a licensed veterinarian between the age of 3-5 days old.
Health Testing
OFA:
Is the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals that provides radiographic evaluation, data management, and genetic counseling for canine hip dysplasia. All our breeding dogs are xrayed by a certified vet and evaluated by OFA. OFA certification involves having a veterinarian take x-rays of the dogs hip joints. The x-ray is then sent to OFA for evaluation and the dog is given a "grade". OFA grades of Excellent, Good, and Fair are all considered normal, non-dysplastic grades. OFA certification can not be done until a dog is 2 years old, although a preliminary evaluation can be done prior to that for breeding purposes. All 4 Paws dogs are certified or have a preliminary evaluation prior to breeding..All dogs in our breeding program are rated good or better. One of our females that was planned to be a breeding female had a OFA that show slight dysplasia. She was pulled from our breeding program and spayed.
For more information on OFA click here.
CERF:
Is the Canine Eye Registration. It is a means to examine a dogs eyes to determine if it has an inheritable eye disease. Genetic eye problems are common in almost all breeds of dogs. A CERF test is performed by a certified veterinary opthalmologist. During the test, the vet looks for approximately 25 different heritable eye defects. A CERF rating of "Normal" means that no signs of any of the defects were found. We have all our breeding dogs examined by an American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (A.C.V.O. ) diplomat, for eye disease. One of our young males, was found with an eye disorder before breeding age and we pulled him from our breeding program. For more information about CERF click here .
PRA:
prcd-PRA test is a DNA-based test that helps you avoid one form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). PRA refers to a group of diseases that cause the retina of the eye to degenerate slowly over time. The result is declining vision and eventual blindness. “prcd” stands for “progressive rod-cone degeneration” which is the type of PRA known in several breeds including the mini aussies . A DNA test is available to determine if the dog is "Clear" (does not carry the gene), is a "Carrier" (has one copy of the gene), or is "Affected" (has two copies of the gene). "Affected" dogs will have the disease. Since "Carrier" dogs only have one copy of the gene, they do not have the disease, but can pass the gene on to their offspring. As long as a "Carrier" is only bred to a "Clear" dog, then there is no chance of the offspring being "Affected". All 4Paws dogs have been DNA tested for PRCD. For more information click here
4 Paws strives to ensure that all our puppies will be happy, healthy, life long companions for you and your family no matter whether you are looking for a show, herding, agility or companion dog.
All breeds of dogs are predisposed to certain inherited diseases and genetic defects.Through DNA testing, veterinary evaluations, and careful planned breedings, these risks can be greatly minimized if not eliminated altogether. All of the dogs at 4 Paws have undergone the necessary evaluations to ensure that our puppies are the healthiest they can be.
Even if you don't purchase your puppy from us, be sure to ask ANY breeder that you are considering doing business with, if their dogs have been tested, for what test, what were the results and what kind of health guarantees they offer.
Topics: Deposit Info Shipping Info
Shipping InfoLocal Pick upContractHealth Testing General
Many of my customers have asked how does the mini size compare to the standard size.
Lets compare a standard Australian shepherd to a miniature australian shepherd
Standard Australian shepherd - about 21" and 70 lbs
Miniature australian shepherd - 15" and 21lbs
Miniature australian shepherd - 17 1/2 " and 45lbs
A
B
C
A. The Standard Australian Shepherd ranges from 19" to 22". Maverick is an example of a standard.
B. The Miniature Australian Shepherd ranges from 14" - 18". Cajun is an example is a smaller mini. He is 15". I favor this size and am trying to build my program around this size. This size takes several generations of careful downsizing to get to.
C. Simon is an example is a larger mini and is very close to the top scale of the mini's and lower end of the Standards. You can see from the picture that he is very close to Mavericks height. This size dog could have one parent that is a standard or he could be from two minis and because the breeding is close to the standard lines he is born on the larger end of the minis.
