Our Breeding program

This website is updated and designed by Muddyfeet Copyright 2011
No pictures or content my be used without permission

Just some fun photos of the dogs around the house!

I have owned or been owned.. By Aussies for over 25 years, during this time, I was involved
with 4-H, Obedience, Agility and work with and support rescue.. Met a lovely man in collage
that also loves the dogs and puts up with me.. I have been very lucky to meet and learn a
lot from numerous friends and others in the hobby, and been very lucky to be trusted with
their dogs. Our First "Muddyfeet" litter was in 2005 and we have continued to limit the
number and frequency. This is a hobby and a interest for us, not a primary job or source of
income.
Our dogs live with both my husband and I as companions in our home. They are not kennel
dogs, we do not have them just to produce puppies. We own a limited number of dogs here
and Co-own a few special individuals living elsewhere with very special owners. Sorry we do
not breed often, we put a lot of time effort and consideration into each litter we may breed.
We often do not have puppies "today" or right now..

When we do breed, We focus on Aussies with both a active mind and sound body. Our dogs
are not over the top, or hyper they are Aussies. .Aussies are active, smart dogs and are not
pretty accessories or couch potato's. As Aussies as a breed are not suited for every home,
our puppies and dogs are not suited for just anyone looking for a dog, or even every home.

We breed first and foremost for ourselves and a dog we admire and can be proud of. We
try to produce a dog that has "The whole package" a all around Aussie that has moderate
coat, size and substance. We like a dog with nice structure, type and correct but have a
very set idea as to the personality and ability of the dog. As well structured dog ages
better, A smart intelligent dog makes a better companion and working Partner. It is the
personality and abilities in addition to looks that makes the Aussie the breed it is.

We do more then just breed our dogs, breeding or being able to breed them IS NOT our
reason we own them. We enjoy owning them for their companionship and doing things with
them.. We are proud of them, so showcase them. This includes not only the dogs out
winning awards, but YES even dogs serving the roll as beloved companion and pets too!. Or
dogs are versatile and fill many rolls.

We welcome questions and visits

We enjoy and welcome questions from you. We expect someone seeking a new dog to have a lot of questions, as we expect to be evaluated and even
compared to other breeders by someone interested in our dogs. We prefer people interested in us or our dogs make their "own" decisions as to if we are
the breeder for you. We encourage anyone thinking of getting a dog to slow down, take some time, meet some dogs, meet some breeders.. After all it is a
decision on a dog that will be with you for the next 10+ years.. We also are very happy to answer questions for people perhaps just seeking information. As
we often do not have puppies or dogs for sale all the time, we do a lot of referral and education too. It is not only about if you buy a dog from us. It is about
ensuring each potential Aussie home has their questions answered and given the information they may be seeking.

We ask that Visits be by appointment. We actually do expect (require in most cases) you will want to come visit our home, meet the dogs and us directly
and in person. Keep in mind however, our litters and dog placement/sales are not a source of income for us. Any money we may have from our occasional
litters goes directly back into the care of our dogs. So Both my husband and I DO have normal jobs to pay the bills. We also often off doing things and
events with the dogs and family on our free time. We may not be available at short notice if you are "in the area" or want to stop by unannounced. IF you are
looking to come and tour some big "kennel" , you will be disappointed, as we do not have one. Our dogs live with us and interact with us daily in the home.
We are not a large commercial kennel, broker or pet shop, puppy palace or puppy farm with store hours.

Every call is important. But I cannot call you back if you don't leave a message. Your calls and questions are never a inconvenience. However, I cannot and
do not always answer the phone every time it rings. This is not because your call is not important, but I may be at work, working the dogs or even at a event
and in the ring when you call.
So please leave a message.
We do generally respond to calls and e-mails within 24-48hrs.
If you have Not heard back from us within this time we may have not gotten your message.

Members of
Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA)
United States Australian Shepherd Association
(USASA)
Australian Shepherd Club of New England (ASCNE)
American Pet Dog Trainers Association (APDT)
American Kennel Club CGC Evaluator
Muddyfeet is a ASCA & AKC Registered kennel
AKC Breeder of Merit Recognition.

A little about us
and our dogs

Our puppies for sale, are from the same litters we also are selecting a puppy from. We do not breed just to fill
demand. We do care about the overall quality of the of our litters, puppies and dogs. We care about their
temperaments, we care about them being livable, we care about long term health.

We choose to take advantage of available screening programs and test for genetic diseases.
In addition we also Verify trough DNA - parentage- with AKC and ASCA. All our dogs are
Hip/Eye/Elbow/MDR1/CEA/PRA/HSF4 screened with OFA, PennHip, CERF Optigen, Washington state university
and Animal Health Trust. (see our links page)
It is all Important to us as it effects what you produce. It is only though careful use of pedigree research and
extensive use of testing programs can a breeder reduce the odds or eliminate/reduce the risk for genetic disease.

YES! We do train, work and show our dogs. I am a Owner. I am also a Dog Trainer and competitor. I am not just
someone who just "breeds" or breeds a dog because it has papers, or some CH in the past pedigree.
We do not show and train our dogs to increase their "value" or to say we produce "show" dogs. We do these things,
because we ENJOY doing stuff with our dogs as proud owners. This is why we own them! Aussies are a working
breed, they do need a outlet for their energy and intelligence. They need a job, so we give them one. Every owner
pet/show/performance has to find a way to keep their Aussie happy and engaged. - This is a key trait needed in a
good Aussie owner.

Our dogs are COMPANIONS first and foremost to us and doing stuff with our dogs has a impact on happy our
dogs are, and how much we enjoy them. It is not just about puppies, show wins, awards or producing "show"
dogs.

Because we do breed, we do believe it is important to work, train, show and title our dogs before breeding. It is
important.. A breeder should have first hand experience living, training and showing dogs, AND outside
IMPARTIAL evaluation as to their merits and quality. "should they be bred" are they good examples of the breed.
Can they evaluate their homes and dogs to ensure good fit? Are they willing to take back and provide home for any
dog they bred for its lifetime? I do believe that as a hobby breeder and professional that there is no excuse not to
take breeding very seriously. A standard to choose breeding dogs not to mention the proper health testing, care
and treatment of our dogs also be professional and ethical.
It does not matter that some (most of) of our puppies may be placed as "pets" we care about the quality and care of
EVERY dog we produce Pet, performance or show.

Many homes may not be looking for a show star or competitive performance prospect, but are looking for a Aussie
and a carefully bred, cared for and loved dog. It is important to look for someone who DOES more than just
breed their dogs. If not, you can end up with a dog that may not look, act, mature into the dog you wanted. You run a
higher risk at long term health or temperament issues that are common in the breed. You very well end up
supporting a puppy mill, a Broker, or just someone who really only looking to sell some puppies. Keep in mind, It is
this type of "breeder" that makes rescue and shelters needed in the first place.

No REAL Reputable and professional hobby breeder would ever consider or allow
their puppies to be sold or placed by anyone else or in a pet store! There are NO
exceptions to this, it is against the Code of ethics of every single breed club not to
mention a hobby breeders code of ethics.

A legitimate hobby breeder is NOT selling something different or above what a Aussie appropriate COMPANION
home is looking for. They are not just a "show" breeder that only sells dogs to "show" homes. I like other hobby
breeders try to produce exceptional, talented puppies that can or may be shown, BUT consider that these same
qualities, abilities and traits are also VITAL in producing a well rounded good quality Aussie period! Saying our
dogs are not "pets" is silly, as EACH and EVERY dog we have bred, placed and own is a companion/pet dog. We
do not breed with the goal to only produce whole litters of pets. A excuse used to fill demand to skip stuff, to not
take breeding seriously. We may not ALWAYS have puppies.. We take time and put a lot of effort into each dog we
may breed, We do so screen our homes to make sure a Aussie is even a good idea for you. We care about our
dogs and puppies from the moment they are born till the day they pass over the rainbow bridge.

The quality and effort that goes into each puppy and litter DOES vary considerably. Getting a quality puppy is the
result of that "breeders" breeding program. The effort, the breeder, the quality of the dogs that produced that puppy.
It all matters. This is why good Hobby breeders are a great source for A "pet" puppy, not just someone looking for a
"show dog" a PET IS that litter mate to that next champion, or a litter mate to the dog that the breeder kept and
worked for years to produce. A pet is not just any puppy, or a puppy that was bred without care and effort. It is
not that dog from a breeder who thinks it does not matter, as they breed "just pets" and pet homes don't care.