Puppy Details

First and Foremost

I WANT FOR MY PUPPIES TO GO TO LOVING FOREVER HOMES. That being said, we need to be sure you have done your research and this is the breed for you, and this is the pup for you. Please click on my “Puppy Details” title under New Puppies heading on the menu and read it. It will help you to understand what I will do for you and what you should expect from this puppy and what I expect you to do for this puppy. Questions? I’m here, contact me. When you buy a puppy from us you have a direct line to me 24/7/365. If you ever have any questions, issues or just fun facts to share, I want to hear from you, for as long as we are Aussie family. If I don’t have the solution, I will do my best to find it for you.

About blue eyed tri’s or BET gene dogs. and by tri that also includes bi’s and or solid coloreds. In order to produce BETs, both parents have to carry the gene for it, not every bloodline in this breed carries it. The BET gene is not the same gene as blue eyes in the merle dogs. Becuz it is a rarity; it is also considered a sought after asset that makes the dogs with blue eyes a little more expensive. Blue eyes do not show up at birth, it can take 3 weeks to 8 weeks to show up, but usually around 4 or 5 weeks.  So, if you are watching results and descriptions of the puppies below and see a change in their eye status, it is perfectly normal. By blue eyes that refers to any variation of blue eyes, full blue, half blue, specks, slashes, marbled, they come in many different forms but are all considered blue eyes. Blue eyes do not have any vision issues.

Coronado’s Aussies was recognized by AKC as bred with HEART Cert.

Dog AKC Bred with HEART Certification

Testing

All puppies bred and sold by Coronado’s Aussies will be genetically clear by parentage for the following genes:

Some of Coronado’s bitches are MDR1 carriers. Puppies are checked and cleared by a Vet Opthomologist at 7 weeks of age and yearly or bi-yearly until present and for their OFA’s are Hips OFA – Good (we do not breed anything less than Good), and Elbows – Normal.

Puppy Buyers Questionnaire

You may download the questionnaire, fill it out and email it to bludogsec@gmail.com for consideration.

Coronado Aussies Puppy Questionnaire

Getting Your Puppy

Each puppy comes with a puppy packet which includes:

The PUPPIES…

..are born in our house. From birth they are handled regularly. They stay here until they begin to demand, usually very loudly, to be out of the whelping pool and connected area, at 2 am because they want to play. When they reach this point, they are moved to the kennel so they have more room to develop and I can keep my sanity! This can be any time from 4-6 wks. There’s more room with our indoor/outdoor runs and they can be outside in a big puppy pen for part of the day, weather permitting. The puppies are played with and evaluated every day and when ready, are expose ( meaning they SEE them but at this age are not allowed near them) to our horses, sheep, kids (when I can get them), company and lots of other dogs. I trim their nails regularly to save wear and tear on mom as well as the rest of us. Being in the kennel, they learn to use the doggie door at a very early age and before weaning time are totally potty trained to go outside.

When socializing your puppy out in public the first couple of times it may get scared of overbearing people, cars, sounds, other dogs or animals. If your puppy gets spooked and is having trouble, CALL ME. Puppies can get spooked easily in public their first couple of times out. Once scared it takes time and patience to get them over it, you have to use common sense in what you choose to expose the puppy too early on.

Tails are docked and dew claws removed at three days. If you are looking for a long-tailed pup, it will have to be chosen and paid in full before 3 days of age, when it goes with the other siblings to be docked.

Do YOU qualify to buy a Coronado puppy?

I am strict regarding the placement of Coronado’s puppies. They are available only to those that meet my qualifications!! Sounds ominous, doesn’t it? Keep reading!

I’m looking for owners that understand and appreciate the mentality of the traditional Aussie and are perceptive and willing to observe and direct and/or correct behaviors, as the puppy matures. Owners must be the kind that will automatically pick up the authority-leader role, whenever it might be necessary. Owners need to have enough common sense to realize that on occasion, they might need to correct the dog physically and are not so bothered by this that they are an emotional wreck. What matters is that this dog will be a part of your family or your partner and that it will be guided and taught respect. It must have a pack leader that the puppy will learn to look up to, so that it can live out its life, content, appreciated and useful.***

A person does not need to feel that they can’t get an Aussie because they don’t have 24/7 to train and devote to the dog. These dogs were developed to be a helping hand, and a part of a family, NOT the center of the family and definitely not the pack leader. It’s okay and actually it is good for it to be alone for certain amounts of times during the day. This helps to build and develop its sense of exploration, confidence and security when on its own.

If you have read a lot of breeders’ requirements, then you’ll be surprise at what I’m looking for, probably not what you might expect. I do NOT demand that you be a ‘stay-at-home’ mom , or, ‘doggy parent’, nor that you agree to take the pup to ‘doggy-day-care’, never leave it alone, take it to the vet every 6 mths for ‘wellness checks’ or the ‘doggy-shrink’. Nor that you use all the new age training methods. I do not have a 10 page contract written by a lawyer, nor do I insist that I must co-own every pup I sell.

I am not adverse to placing a puppy with first time owners and have done so many times over the years with great success. To develop a great working partner, whether you are working livestock, doing agility, obedience or just a responsive, well adjusted, well-mannered companion as part of the family, should be the goal. Starting out with puppy obedience classes and basic training at home is a great start.

Yes, they are an active dog and love to participate in activities, but they should easily be able to settle down and lay around the house. There are extremely laid back, easy going dogs throughout the breed as well as really intensely active ones, HOWEVER, neither extreme is the norm.

Over the past 20 years, in attempting to breed a more Suburbs friendly dog, many breeders have selected towards a mellow non-reactive dog. Unfortunately in some cases, this has resulted in the loss or minimizing of many of the outstanding mental qualities of the breed. Qualities that have made this breed so popular. You won’t find that problem here.

One problem I see today is that so many people have done their ‘homework.’ Either they have not done enough or too much. They have listened to and read so many varying and contradictory opinions and ideas, that they are either terrified of doing something wrong or they are afraid to correct the pup/dog, thinking it won’t love them or they use a method that actually encourages the bad behavior (doggie- psycho-babble), or are completely ineffectual, causing the problem to escalate by picking at the pup/dog constantly, instead of correcting him, and getting on with it. (we call this the “nagging mother syndrome”) Puppies/dogs don’t have a concept of ‘bad behavior”. They don’t know that chewing up your new boots is ‘bad’. Or getting in the garbage, or ripping up rolls of paper towels, etcetera.

They bark when they play, just like little kids scream when they are playing, it’s just what youngsters do when they are having fun. They do these things because they are dogs and its fun! “Bad” is a human concept. They don’t do these things because they don’t love you. They are not messing on the floor when they are left alone, just to spite you. They are dogs. The sooner you come to acknowledge this, the better you will be able to train and enjoy your dog.

I know it’s not Politically Correct BUT being PC ie new age- has gotten more dogs of all breeds, put to sleep for temperament alone, than any other problem. When 99 out of a 100 times it is simply a matter of novice people not knowing when or how to correct unwanted behavior, it is preventable. That’s where I come in, you need to contact me if you have any issues you cannot resolve so I can help. Don’t wait until a small issue has become a terrible problem.

Where you live should not be the biggest consideration, all things considered. It does not matter if you live in a condo, an apartment, the suburbs or a ranch, or are hauling 10,000 miles a year on the Rodeo or horse show circuit living out of your pickup. In any situation, care for the safety of the pup/dog must be taken into consideration as well as adequate exercise and supervision.

But puppies are puppies and one must remember that they are going to bark and cry if left alone all day, so allowances must be made. What most Aussies want, is to be with their person/family. As they become older, and have been introduced to the concept of discipline and crated in small doses, the boss can be more insistent about howling and pitching a hissy fit when crated. They do and will get over it.

I don’t expect everyone to be ‘the Dog Whisperer” in their understanding of dogs, and I don’t need this kind of owner for every puppy, but the ability to pick up some understanding of dog behavior and be willing to put forth the effort to guide the pup at appropriate times, is what’s necessary for a successful, rewarding relationship. Not only do assertive, confident puppies need a leader, but the softer, gentler pups do too. No matter the pup’s nature, be assured that if someone is not leading; it’s the nature of canines to fill that spot. Even if your entire household, humans and animals alike, are all a pack of cream puffs, the humans must be the mentally strongest cream PUFFS. Believe me, you won’t like it if they are running the household. These are dogs that are bred to control and oversee hundreds of head of sheep and cattle. They have the ability to problem solve situations and make decisions that they think will keep their stock safe. They are so much smarter than you give them credit for, remember that when they start making decisions in your household, if you don’t leader up and take that position.

What I’m looking for is an owner that is going to be the ‘leader of the pack”. Someone that is not only planning for the dog to be with them for the rest of its lifetime but that understands what the concept of the leader role is and how essential it is to the mental well-being of the pup. I’m looking for people that love and appreciate dogs for being dogs and realize that they are not little people in furry suits aka ‘furkids’. There is nothing wrong with spoiling the puppy with toys and treats, and attention. Actually these are ideal training times and are perfect to begin to set down rules and limits. “Spoiling’ only becomes a problem when there are no limits on behavior.

I operate under the assumption that people who buy puppies from me are going to be responsible for the safety and the proper upbringing of said puppy and will provide for its needs. I am always here for people that might need advice, and under the right circumstances will take a dog back. However I am not sympathetic towards the buyer, with a problem which they discuss with every owner or other breeder, on every Aussie list there is, and have tried every harebrained new-age training method, that there is, before contacting me. By that time, the puppy is usually ruined for anyone but an experienced dog person and there are not many of those around that want a companion quality, neutered dog, with an annoying problem to overcome.

I realize that I have been repetitive but in doing so, I hope to emphasis what is necessary for one to successfully own a member of this breed and thus prevent those not wanting this kind of commitment, from purchasing a pup.

Breeding Quality/Potential

Beginning in 1962 after getting my first Aussie, it didn’t take long before I was caught up in the excitement of this new breed. We had Aussies that helped on our ranch where we raised cattle, sheep and other livestock. They were our best hired hands and protectors, and my best friends. I did not get into professional breeding or showing until the late 1980s. My goal was to consistently produce Aussies that were like the ones I was raised up with. Over the years it became obvious the breed was changing and I didn’t like most of the changes so the conscientious decision was made to continue to concentrate on the qualities that made up the old style type Aussie that was versatile with sound breeding behind them, to consistently reproduce those qualities without adding or perpetuating any serious hereditary defects. Coronado’s is a definite genetic bloodline, where I have selected superior herding and show dogs to cross with mine to create a consistent dog that represents the Australian Shepherds for their mental, physical, and genetic qualities that I admire and depend on.

Puppies with breeding potential are available only to those who appreciate and understand the 40 plus years that have gone into this bloodline. The Coronado bloodlines have many genetic virtues and even pups/dogs that might not ‘show’ in the breed ring, yet can make a large contribution to breeding programs because they carry these virtues BUT do not carry the majority of the inherited defects. I am willing to share my knowledge with those that are serious about becoming students of the breed. If you are just looking for a dog to raise puppies and get rich (haa haa) with, please look someplace else.

Evaluations

Observing the puppy’s development begins at birth and is on going. I never judge puppies by color or markings, (as long as they are a recognized color). Starting about 5-6 wks, I can get an idea of structure and temperament, but everything seems to come together between 7 and 8 ½ wks. This age will show the balance and proportions the puppy will have as an adult. I can only say this about my own dogs since I have developed them, selecting the individuals with the traits I wanted and building the pedigrees behind the dogs we now use, what traits the pups will likely mature to possess. This age will also be a very good indicator of the temperament and personality of the puppy. I obviously try to help match puppies to people. The strongest, boldest puppy in the litter should not go to a retired couple looking for a dog to go for walks in the woods.

In the long run, what the puppy becomes is up to the owner. When they leave here, their little brains are just like sponges, ready to absorb anything and everything you can teach them. These puppies have great intelligence and trainability as they descend from generations of the same kinds of dogs that our ancestors depended on and I have worked diligently to see that they stay that way. You shape the dog that that puppy will become from the moment you take it home. Remember that.

Bits and Pieces

I have successfully placed pups in many of the mainland states as companions and working dogs, as well as show/breeding and performance dogs of every sort. I am very proud of the fact that we have so many repeat companion buyers that come back after their wonderful friend has passed away. European breeders have taken a strong interest in Coronado breeding and I have sent a good number of dogs to many countries, where they have made a strong contribution to the gene pool.

Although I breed for MY perfect temperament, there are some variables between the litters and in the pups within the litters. Most are outgoing and friendly, occasionally we may get a puppy that is a bit shy. The vast majority will become protective, to some degree. Most are accurately discriminating. If a situation should become serious, nearly all will back up their protective behavior. I believe that this is particularly true regarding old fashioned Aussies which have not been bred towards a generic, soft kind of temperament. Do not think that the traditional Aussie is more likely to bite and is not friendly as that is NOT the case. They simply have the discrimination and intuition to react to a real or highly suspicious, real or perceived threat.

It is up to the owner to provide safe confinement and security, whether that’s a fenced yard or pen or a crate in a private area of the house, or total verbal control. Remember, I am counting on you to keep that puppy/dog safe. A fenced area for safe exercise is an excellent idea, particularly if you live in an urban or suburban area.

Protectiveness is a quality that most Aussies will exhibit. This runs from just barking to actually biting if really provoked or seriously challenged by someone perceived as a threat. When out in public or properly introduced to strangers, Aussies should be accepting of them. However, remember that this is not a golden retriever! Dogs bred closer to the old tradition don’t understand complete strangers, wanting to grab them around the neck and get all licky-kissy ! How would you react if some complete stranger grabbed you on the street and started hugging and kissing on you? You wouldn’t like it either! It’s up to you to protect your pup/dog from both people and other dogs that have no sense of Aussie decorum!

Training

The first 12 months is the most important. The guidance, training and corrections the puppy receives during this time period will shape his entire life. The first 12 months is also the time period that so many people ignore, or let slide, missing all the opportunities for training, because the puppy is young. This is the period that so many people look back on and realize how many little signs they either ignored or didn’t want to bother with, that set the stage for the issue that became an issue.

With the mentality today of many people, the question “Can I make him happy ?” or “will he be happy without sheep or cattle”, is sometimes asked. People that have the concept that they are suppose to make their dog happy, are people looking for trouble without even knowing it.

Aussies want to be with you. Having a leader that they respect, is what makes them “happy” and content, although I’m not sure that ‘happy’ gives the right impression. Many Aussies love to catch a Frisbee, or run agility, or are intense to work livestock, but not doing these things is not going to make them unhappy. If you are fawning all over the puppy/dog, trying to make it ‘happy’ you are setting yourself up for heart break. Dogs understand pack order and want a pack leader.

If you want an Aussie but selective breeding with a well thought out pedigree from a knowledgeable breeder doesn’t matter to you, there are a lot of generic pups throughout the country. Many of these might work out for you, although if you want your dog to possess specific qualities of the Australian Shepherd breed that has made them so popular, there is risk involved. If you want to have a dog that is as genetically healthy as possible, then you need to research bloodlines. No one wants to buy a dog for a “good” price and then pay the vet ongoing thousands to keep the poor thing alive and surviving whatever disease it is afflicted with. IF a dog isn’t going to have a good quality of life, it isn’t fair to it to buy from breeders that are morally corrupt and do not care about the health and well-being of the puppies they continue to breed and sell. Buying from those kinds of people only supports and encourages their cruelty. No one animal or person deserves that.

After reading this statement I hope you will understand a little bit more about my dogs and my requirements for them to have a long happy, healthy and enjoyable life with their new owners.