The Why Behind Waiting: Puppy Reservations Explained
I have frequently been asked about why I wait until my Australian Shepherd puppies and Miniature American Shepherd puppies (also known as Mini Aussies and Toy Aussies) reach 6-10 weeks of age before allowing reservations, in several recent conversations. Today, I want to take a moment to share the reasoning behind this practice, a common approach among many responsible breeders.
The captivating nature of color is hard to ignore, especially when considering breeds as vibrant as the Australian Shepherd and Miniature American Shepherds. We all have our preferences, and it's easy to be drawn to a puppy based on its appearance alone. I've experienced it myself – scrolling through adorable newborn pictures posted by fellow breeders, feeling the urge to reserve that irresistibly flashy pup or even the puppy sporting my favorite color, blue.
However, selecting a puppy solely based on color at a young age can lead to unexpected and unfortunate challenges. At worst, it can be a recipe for disaster. Allow me to illustrate with two adorable boys, both black tri with blue eyes and adorable ticking. While visually similar, Spruce and Hemlock are very different in temperament and personality.
Spruce is a lively, playful, and confident pup who loves to explore and engage. He is high energy, and quite demanding of attention. On the other hand, Hemlock exudes a quieter confidence, patiently waiting and playing gently. Spruce thrives on activity and needs an energetic family who will have the capacity to keep up and the energy to train him appropriately, whereas Hemlock is more adaptable and could thrive in a less active environment, perhaps even in an apartment setting.
Imagine if I had sold Spruce at two weeks to someone attracted to him solely for his appearance without considering their activity level. This mismatch could set both Spruce and the family up for a challenging experience, and perhaps even leading to Spruce needing to be rehomed due to the incongruence. This could be devastating for the family, and for Spruce.
As a responsible breeder, it's my duty to ensure that each Australian Shepherd puppy and Mini Aussie puppy / Miniature American Shepherd puppy aligns with the lifestyle of the family they'll be a part of for the next 12-15 years. Waiting to allow for reservations once puppies are older and more developed allows me to observe their unique personalities, providing a better chance for a harmonious match between the puppy and their forever family. It's all about responsible breeding and ensuring a happy, lifelong companionship for both pup and owner.
