Frequently Asked Questions

There’s no better feeling than when we match one of our precious pets with their caring new owner. It’s why we put so much time, love and effort into making sure these special animals continue to be bred.

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How much are your puppies?

$1500-$2500

 

Black or red tri/bi $1500.

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Merle $2000

 

The above pricing is based on Limited registration (Pet only). Full registration (breeding/showing) is offered at an additional cost and only after the breeder's evaluation. There may be exceptions to the price scale above.

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***No puppy will leave our custody until payment, in full, is collected.***

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Payment

We accept cash, cashApp, Paypal, Zelle, and payments through Good Dog. You, the buyer, are responsible for any transactional fees the payment venue may apply.

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Do you have a Waiting List or accept Deposits?

Yes! A family/individual (known as family hereafter) can place a deposit towards a selected puppy from a litter that is born or can place a deposit to reserve a puppy not born to ensure their spot on a waitlist. A deposit form (issued shortly after) is signed at the time of the deposit and an approximate timeline is discussed. Upon submitting the Deposit, you are agreeing to all terms and conditions cited in the deposit agreement. 

 

We accept two deposit types:

 

-A ‘Selection’ deposit to reserve a puppy from a specific litter until puppy is old enough to be placed with the family (usually at 8 weeks). This deposit is $500 and is non-refundable.

 

-A ‘Waitlist’ deposit for a future litter (when no puppies are available or not yet born). This is a holding fee that secures your spot in the selection order. The deposit is $500 and is refundable (until a puppy is selected).

 

All waitlist deposits that are accepted for future litters are notified once the pregnancy is confirmed. Once puppies are born, families from the waitlist are contacted in the order the deposit was accepted and each is given the opportunity to reserve a puppy from the litter, if available.

 

If a family agrees to use their deposit towards a puppy, pickup date and the remaining balance will be discussed. If a family decides not to apply the deposit towards the offered puppy, they remain on a waiting list without losing their spot and will be contacted with the next litter; or receive a full refund if they choose.

 

More about the Waitlist: We do not disclose any private information about our families. Our waitlist is not posted anywhere. When we update all families on our waitlist that are hoping for a puppy from a nearest litter, we may include our waitlist with FIRST NAME only – this ensures our transparency with all families. 

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The selection order is determined by the order the deposit was accepted. Selections begin within the first or second week. 

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Do you guarantee the Gender/Color?

It is understood that we cannot guarantee a gender or color in a future litter – so, if a family from the waitlist wants a puppy of a specific gender or color, then their place on a waitlist matters. As the priority is given to those families that placed their deposit earlier. For example, if there is only one male puppy, a family that placed their deposit earlier is contacted first and allowed their selection.

 

If a specific gender/color preference was discussed beforehand and the requested puppy was not available within the litter, the family can opt for a a full refund of the deposit or it can be applied towards the next litter. 

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Once a puppy is selected and reserved, they are no longer available to other buyers. The Deposit now becomes non-refundable. 

 

We reserve the right to keep any puppies from any litter. The waitlist applies to all puppies available after our pick(s), if any, have been made. 

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TERMS of submitting a Waitlist and Selection deposit:

BREEDER reserves the No1 1 spot on the list of every litter for her kennel.

BREEDER reserves the right to void this transaction and refund the deposit at any time BREEDER deems placement of puppy is not suitable with the family.

BREEDER will refund the deposit if she is unable to produce a puppy to family, at family's request.

 

Can you Hold a Puppy for Me?

Only once you have paid a Deposit, even if you have expressed serious interest.

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Once the deposit is received, that puppy will be marked as Reserved and will be held for you until it is time for their new home.

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Can I keep my puppy's natural tail?

Yes! For Australian Shepherds, breed standard calls for docked tails and its dewclaws removed. My breeding program follows this standard; however, I offer you the opportunity to keep your puppy's natural tail, if requested. Tails are automatically docked unless previous arrangements are made.

 

Tails are docked between 3-5 days from birth, so time is of the essence with your request. Also, this means you will have to choose your puppy within days of their birth.

 

A payment of 50% of the total cost of the puppy is required when you request to keep the tail natural; therefore, an additional amount will be collected once your puppy is chosen.

 

As a reminder, once a puppy is chosen, any money collected at that time becomes non-refundable. 

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How large will my Mini Aussie grow?

We CANNOT guarantee any specific size.

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Sizes of a fully grown Mini Aussie can vary a lot! Sizes could range from 15-30 lbs from one mating to 30-40 lbs with another mating. Also, genetics in the parents' generation play a large role.

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We attempt to give an estimated maturity size/weight, but there is still a decent chance that your puppy may end up smaller or larger than the range given. 

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What color will my Mini Aussie's eyes be?

Did you know that your puppy's eyes can continue changing color even after you take them home? This is why no breeder can guarantee eye color. ​​​

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Puppies open their eyes around 2 weeks, and all puppies have blue eyes, at this point. However, their eye color can begin to change around 3-4 weeks of age. So around 4-5 weeks, an experienced breeder with a trained eye should be able to tell if the puppy's eye color is beginning to change. 

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It is most obvious if the puppy's eye color is changing to brown. 

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However, if the puppy's eye color is changing to amber or hazel, the eyes may still look blue when you take the puppy home! This blue may have a greenish hue to it and may eventually change again.

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Mini Aussies may have different colored eyes. Typically, there will be one blue eye and one brown eye. Or an eye with multiple colors is also known as marbled. 

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There are wonderful combinations!

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How do you Prepare a Puppy for their New Home?

Our goal is to make sure your Aussie puppy comes home to you ready for family life. From the moment they are born, they are hearing sounds of daily living. As they grow, they are being played with, interacting with other dogs, and introduced to a crate, potty training, leash training and short car rides. We seek to ensure they are well socialized by the time they are old enough for their new home. 

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We want to make sure YOU have the tools needed to make your puppy's transition to their new home as smooth as possible.

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What is Included with a Potomac River puppy?

Your puppy will come with all of the following:

• 1-Year Health Guarantee for genetic/hereditary diseases

• Veterinarian visit and check up

• Up-to-date deworming and age-appropriate vaccinations

• American Kennel Club (AKC) registration form

• American Stock Dog Registry (ASDR) registration form

• Microchip

• A personalized report of puppy's growth chart and health notes

• Copy of Parent's pedigree showing your puppy's lineage

• Copy of Genetic health tests of parents

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Puppy pack will include:​

• Family photo of mom, dad and littermates

• Transitional puppy food

• Transitional potty-training items

• Snuggle Puppy

• Blanket that smells like mom and littermates

• Rope Toy

• Chew Toy

• Poop bags - 2 rolls

• Info for Bella & Baxter benefits

• Info for Trupanion benefits

• Lovingly loaded into a custom Potomac River Aussies tote bag

...and much more!

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We understand that many families are not happy that they will have to wait for some time to receive a puppy from our program, but we are a small quality breeder and only produce a few litters every year. We believe that raising a puppy must be done with the same level of love and care, as bringing a child into the world. Working with families that are willing to wait also ensures us that families are responsible in the decision to add a companion and their decision is not impulsive or driven by emotions.

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To find out more, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer any questions!