Placement Process
Availability
MountainAsh Australian Shepherds are available to approved homes. Our goal is to find the right match between each dog and their forever home. Preference is given to experienced homes that will follow our guidance and commit to healthy lifestyle choices, including:
  • mental enrichment and structure from training (e.g. obedience, rally, agility, tricks, games, etc)
  • an active lifestyle with age-appropriate exercise while avoiding injury and obesity
  • excellent nutrition from a balanced raw food diet
  • vaccination protocol with antibody titer testing to maximize disease protection, prevent over vaccination, while minimizing vaccine related health risks
  • holistic approach to health care and limited exposure to flea/tick pesticides
  • spay/neuter no earlier than 18 months of age to ensure proper physical and mental development, while reducing the risk of musculoskeletal issues, autoimmune diseases, cancers, and more

Price
Companion puppies are $3,200 regardless of colour or gender. A $200 deposit is required to secure your name on our waiting list. This deposit is deducted from the purchase price of your puppy.

Show and performance prospects are available by private treaty. Adolescent and adult dogs who have additional training and socialization are available on occasion and priced accordingly.

Puppies are placed with the following:
  • A non-breeding contract with health guarantee, including a strict requirement to spay/neuter between 18-24 months of age
  • Lifelong breeder support and guidance, boarding services at a nominal fee
  • Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) registration, and eligibility for registration with the American Kennel Club and/or Australian Shepherd Club of America, if desired
  • Wellness examination by a licensed Veterinarian, health certificate, age-appropriate vaccination, fecal examination and deworming if needed
  • Permanent identification by microchip - registered with the CKC and CanadaChip Recovery database
  • Eye examination by a certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist to screen for hereditary eye defects
  • Puppy package including a supply of raw food, bones/chews, high-value training treats, martingale collar, leather leash, biothane long line, interactive toy, and other items
  • New Owner Guide booklet containing the puppy's current daily routine, raw feeding guide, vaccination schedule, health record, suggested books and articles, details on exercise, training, safety, general care, grooming regime, breed specific supplies, tools and equipment

Placement Process
Although our dogs are all the same breed, each dog is an individual with their own unique characteristics, including personality, temperament, appearance, structure, energy level, drive, and instinct. We take these factors into consideration and their overall suitability for the home - not simply colour or gender.

Puppies remain in our care for 9-10 weeks. Assessments are ongoing as the puppies develop, with evaluations for temperament and structure taking place at 8 weeks of age. These evaluations help us place the right puppy in the appropriate forever home.  

Puppy placements cannot be finalized until after their evaluations, veterinary examination, and ophthalmologist eye examination. For this reason, puppies are not specifically destined for their forever homes until 9-10 weeks of age.

Lifelong Breeder Support & Guidance
MountainAsh Australian Shepherds are an integral part of our family. Each and every puppy we raise remains an extension of that family. If you welcome one of our dogs into your home you will be joining the MountainAsh family. We make a lifelong commitment to provide support and guidance for the well-being of our dogs and their families.

We encourage keeping in touch and invite owners to join our private Facebook group to connect with the other members of the MountainAsh family. This group is a great space to talk about dogs, share adventures, brags, photos and videos, celebrate birthdays, arrange reunions and events.

Boarding Services
We are happy to have MountainAsh Australian Shepherds back to visit and offer boarding services at a nominal fee. The dogs often enjoy spending time with their Aussie family. It is not necessary to use a boarding kennel that requires unnecessary vaccinations and exposes the dog unpredictable dogs and pests.

While in our care, the dog will receive individual attention along with physical and mental stimulation to maintain a sound body and mind. We also maintain a grooming regime.

Questionnaire
If you would like to be considered for a MountainAsh Australian Shepherd, please complete our Questionnaire. The questionnaire is a tool to help us learn more about you, your household, lifestyle, dog experience, interests and goals for your dog, while also giving you the opportunity to clarify your thoughts about owning an Australian Shepherd.

After your questionnaire has been reviewed, you can expect some email correspondence and a phone conversation as part of the interview process. Approved homes can then make arrangements to meet us and our dogs.

We welcome your questions throughout the process. Please don't hesitate to reach out. References from MountainAsh Australian Shepherd owners are also available upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions
Visit our FAQ page for frequently asked questions and learn more about our approach to raising and caring for Australian Shepherds.