Who are we?
If you are interested in owning one of Lazy D's puppies please feel free to contact me via phone or email anytime.
Today our dogs live happy, healthy lives on our ten acres. Where they are free to chase rabbits, mice, lizards, grasshoppers and any other small creature that crosses their paths. They are never kenneled and live a balanced and free life on our ranch with all the farm creatures. During the hot summer days our minis enjoy an occassional dip in the nearby Rio Grande river. Ours dogs are beloved pets but all do their part in working stock and helping where needed around the ranch. Afterall that is what a "mini aussie is"...
Here is a little bit of who we are...
"We" actually consists of just myself, Dara. When I started this journey five years ago I would have never thought I would be where I am today. My dogs are my life. I have spent countless hours researching, inquiring and educating myself on the correct way to maintain a reputable breeding program. I had a vision of what I wanted this program to become and it is well on its way. I have had no close mentours along the way but A LOT of helpful fellow aussie breeders. No matter who I encounter, I try and see the good in them and/or their programs. Then take that and apply it into my own. I am in debt for the kindness I have been shown along my journey. Most of all, I am grateful to the good Lord for many blessings.
My aussies are my family. I share a couch, bed and home with them. Ive volunteered my bedroom as "whelping box" so I can keep close on eye on moms and babies. I have allowed my living room to be turned into a "puppy nursery" so they can become familiar with everyday things they will encounter in their new homes. This is not only my hobby and passion but its has become my obsession to bless people's lives with as much joy as these aussies have brought to mine.
On a more personal note, I have been a veterinary technician for going on seven years now. I am currently enrolled in college online to receive my certification, meanwhile maintaining a full time job as head technician in a small animal vet pratice. With an all around passion for animals, my other love is barrel racing. Rodeo has been with me since I can remember and has played a big role in making me who I am today. As a hobby, I enjoy being in front of and behind the camera lens, examples of my photography and modeling can be seen scattered throughout the website.
I maintain an extremely blessed, busy life and love every minute of it!
As the years continue to pass us by, the only consistancy is change. I am constantly looking for ways to better my dogs and my program to create that perfect aussie. Everyone's definition of perfect varies. A lot of sacrifices will come my way, but I am committed to preserving this breed in the true form of the australian shepherd. I will continue to pursue my obsession with an open mind and a divine thirst for any knowledge. I will follow what my own conclusions have drawn me to.
Have a blessed day....
Lazy D Ranch is proud to offer some of the finest Miniature Australian Shepherds in the southwest in true aussie form. We have spent countless hours researching and brought only the best mini aussies into our home. We have been striving for years to perfect our program with emphasis on quality, temperament, performance and loyal companions. Our minis have been bred down from standard show, herding and agility champion lines to produce the same quality dogs only in a smaller package. Our minis are smart, loyal, loving companions, hard workers and all over wonderful pets.
Our obsession with the mini aussies started back in Oct of 2006, when we purchased our first two from a family friend. Two siblings, Ali, a black tri female, and Mossy, a blue merle male. We were hooked. They had it all and brought such joy and happiness to our lives. It didn't take us long to realize that they were our ideal breed. Still today we spend countless hours researching and educating ourselves to make an honest effort to improve upon this fantastic breed.
New arrivals...
Our puppies are always whelped inside. Tails and dewclaws are surgically removed by our veterinarian at three days old and are given a full examination, checking their heart, lungs and cleared of any abnormalities. The pups are kept inside their first few weeks to make sure all are healthy, active and growing appropriately. Around four weeks of age the pups are moved outside during the day, increasing in hours as they age, in their own quarantined area, to become familiarized with everyday sights, sounds and smells. It is important for them to interact with the outside world and not be strictly inside! All pups come back inside, at the latest, when the sun goes down to ensure their safety. Potty training basics are enforced during this time and off leash training begins. Crate training starts at six weeks of age and only takes one or two days to become part of the puppies routine.
Registries...
Puppies will be registered with any or a combination of the following organizations:
AKC (American Kennel Club) as australian shepherds ONLY,
MASCA (Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America),
NSDR (National Stock Dog Registry),
IMASC (International Miniature Australian Shepherd Club) and
ASDR (American Stock Dog Registry).
Every puppy that comes from Lazy D Ranch is registerable unless otherwise stated. Registration applications will be released to "pet" puppies new family when proof of alteration is rendered to be no earlier than 6 months of age. Breeding/Show quality puppies will receive registration papers on their second birthday after proof of PRA, OFA, and cardiological clearances have been provided
Guarantees...
We offer a health guarantee on all of our puppies under contract. When puppies are available we will put their expected size at maturity in the description. We will always do our best to give accurate descriptions according to parent's measurements and past puppy statistics, although size is never a guarantee.
The following is an overview of the entire process we follow in our program.
With the help of our veterinaians.
We work closely with several different specialists all over the country!
Please realize that mini aussies are a working breed and do
require a heavy amount of exercise to stay healthy mentally and physically.
Aussies can be amazing pets and companions
however they are NOT for everyone.
We as breeders reserve the right to refuse any sale.
What next...
If you are interested in a puppy from Lazy D Ranch please inquire, either by phone or email, about a prospective puppy to learn more about him/her and to ask for additional pictures. We want any potential buyer to be 100% satisfied with their new family member. We are always willing to take more pictures so you are aware and happy with the puppy that you are adopting. The amounts posted on the puppy page are pet ONLY prices. This means the puppy must be spayed/neuter before reaching 6 months of age. Upon proof of aleration their registration papers will be released. As with most breeders, we prefer our puppys go to wonderful pet homes. However, on occassion we may select a puppy with exceptional qualities and allow him/her to be purchased with breeding rights. Breeding rights can be purchased for $500.00 additional to pet price. No matter if a puppy is purchased as a pet or breeder, a contract must be signed. Terms of the contract can be found at the bottom of this page.
Payment...
When the time comes you are ready to pay, a non-refunable deposit of $500 is required to hold him/her. Deposits will be accepted when litter is born, at which time, upon receiving signed contract, puppy will be placed "on hold" until completely paid for. We are always patient with payments, which can be made at your conveinience in whatever intervals you choose as long as all money is cleared before puppy leaves our home. We accept cash, check, money order and paypal (please add 4% to amount being sent to cover paypal fees). When payment is complete puppy's status will be changed to "sold" and arrangements can be made for pick-up, drop-off, delivery, or shipping. We can ship puppies worldwide at buyers expense.
Shipping available...
Shipping expense within the 48 states normally runs $350 and up (flight $200-250, new crate $50, health certificate $100). We do not charge for the drive to the airport. Again, we are very flexible with shipping arrangements as well. We try to ship at your convenience- weather permitting. For people outside 48 states, we will always consider shipping a puppy to you, however it can be very costly depending on your location. We are more than happy to do research and let you know the approximate cost before a deposit is placed.
Upon arrival...
After receiving your puppy we will check with you the next few days to make sure that your new friend is settling into your home to your expectations. Although most, if not all, research about the miniature australian shepherd breed should have been done, we realize that unexpected/unpredictable questions arise. We are always available to you afterwards to answer any of your questions about your puppy, from the simplest to the complex. If we don't have the answer, we will find it! We also enjoy getting random pictures to let us know how the puppy is doing and maturing.
100% satisfaction is our goal because everyone and every mini aussie deserves to be equally happy... Together.
We want to make sure your puppy stays happy and healthy throughout his/her entire life.
We are currently in the process of health testing all of our dogs to ensure they are free of prone genetic diseases.
(Our testing: PRA/PRCD, MDR1, HC, Glaucoma, BAER hearing test, hips rated by OFA, and cleared of any cardiological abnormalities)
When we receive the test results, that information will be released to you and displayed in each aussies description.
All pictures on this website are the sole property of Lazy D Ranch.
Any unauthorized reproduction is probitted by law.
I work very hard at taking pictures of my dogs.
If you would like a copy, please don't steal them, just ask.
Growing up in a farm/ranch home, we have a more pratical approach to running our program. First we must have a foundation to our program- our home! We run our household as calm and assertive leaders. Our dogs are respectful, trusting, loyal, pleasing and more so, balanced- physically and pyscologically. We communicate with our dogs through their language, not ours. The easiest way for a dog to understand new teachings is through body language, energy and voice tone. Calm and firm requests with quick reward is key to providing a balanced life.
We stress that these are purebred- true australian shepherds in miniature form. They are a working breed and need a job! We love the saying the "aussibilities are endless". There is no limit to what they can learn! We encourage new families to utilize, nourish, encourage and strengthen their natural abilities and instincts.To keep a balanced pack we have adopted this mentality in our program and it is working out wonderfully. We feel our dogs are more balanced, relaxed, happy and overall healthy!
We believe that by breeding, working and training privately on the ranch we can develop an exceedingly high set of expectations for our dogs as companions and workers. By following breed standard loosely, we are creating a "type" that is completely based on our own personal vision of the working aussie in miniature form. Our goals are to develop a recognizable line of miniature australian shepherds that are unique in style, appearance, work ethic, temperment and trainability in a one complete package that can be found no where else but Lazy D Ranch. Some of the characteristics you will find in our dogs are as follows:
They are of moderate height and weight (16 in. 30 lbs.). Athletic build for speed, agility, endurance and physical durability. They will posses strong working instincts, even at a young age. Extremely biddable, intelligent, sensible and easy to train no matter the methodologies. We have adamently bred into them an "off" switch that enables them to readily adapt to being house dogs and companions. True to aussie nature they are reserved with strangers, but not aggressive to humans or other dogs. Our dogs have a traditional "old school" aussie appearance. They are resilient and adaptable, and react reliably in stressful situations. Lazy D Ranch minis are purebred working aussies first and foremost.
The Works...
Puppies are not released to their new homes until they are 7 weeks old, (8 weeks if they are flying) to receive as much puppy to puppy interaction and pack setting mentality as they can get, as this is a critical time in a young puppy's life. All pups will be UTD on preventative care that includes atleast three dewormings for intestinal parasites and atleast one distemper/parvo combo vaccine. Prior to leaving each puppy will be temperment tested and given a rating based soley on personality and disposition. Breeding prospects will be struturally evaluated at 8 weeks. Also they will receive a full health exam by our veterinarian atleast twice before departing us. At every vet visit, the pupppies will be looked over and checked for abnormalities. Our vet will exam their physical apperance- eyes, ears, bite, knees, elbows, patellas, testicles. As well as their internal organ system- heart, lungs and abdominal area. We want to ensure they are 100% healthy. Only the best for our puppies and dogs.
Our Keepers...
As we continue to grow we push ourselves to be better in every aspect of our lives, being a dog owner is no exception. Keeping a large pack number in a healthy balanced home is not easy. A common question we receive is how are we able to keep peace with so much freedom and trust given to our dogs in such a large pack or in a family AND social setting? Our best advice for our new puppy owners is to do their research and experiement with what type of training methos works best for them. Here, we use a combination of correctional/dominace and positive reinforcement (+R). Dogs are individuals and while one technique works best for one, that does not mean that same balance of technique(s) will work for another. Positive reinforcement and behvior correction are two drastically different training techniques but can create harmony and overall confidence and balance in your dog the the rest of their life if applied correctly.
"Being able to bring out a dog’s natural instincts is a key component to keeping him happy and fulfilled. It’s the secret to a calm and balanced life."
-Ceasar Millan
