Part 2: The Search | Vetting the Breeder and the Puppy Who Chose Me

Finding the right human behind the dogs was the next challenge

Once I settled on the Miniature American Shepherd (MAS), the real work began. Choosing a breed on paper is one thing. However, finding reputable dog breeders in Australia who prioritise the care of the mother and the early socialisation of her litter is another; this is a vital element of ending up with a well-balanced puppy with a good temperament.

The Final Reality Check

Before committing, I took one final “due diligence” step. I visited a White Swiss Shepherd breeder. The pups were beautiful and the parents were majestic, but it confirmed my gut feeling: I was no match for a fully grown version of that breed. It was a vital step that reconfirmed the “Mini” was the right move for my lifestyle.

The Search for a MAS in Australia

To my surprise, the MAS is not a common breed here in Australia. This is ironic, given the breed originated from the Australian Shepherd. Back home in Austria, it is much easier to track down a reputable MAS breeder. Here, the options were slim.

By January 2022, I had located only two. One wasn’t breeding, which left me with exactly one option in NSW. I did my homework, read everything available, and sent a long introductory email explaining our lives, our cats, and our motivations.

The “Interrogation”

A few days later, the breeder requested a phone interview. I still remember how nervous I was. She asked a long list of screening questions, even requesting our social media accounts to get a picture of who we were.

As invasive as it felt, I took it as a great sign. She truly cared where her puppies went. Her contract also included a “buy-back” clause to ensure her dogs would never end up in the wrong hands. After several more calls covering DNA tests, ASDR (American Stock Dog Registry) registrations, and health guarantees, I was told I might have a chance if a few people dropped off the list.

The Waiting Game and a Trip Home

In March, a e-mail finally came: I had officially made the list! Two of her dogs were pregnant, with a scan due on March 17th.

The timing was perfect. After three years of COVID borders, I finally had a trip to Austria planned to see my family. It was the welcome distraction I needed. I hoped the first photos would arrive while I was with my mum so we could share the excitement.

By late April, I received word that the puppies were healthy and “super cute.” However, due to privacy and COVID, the old tradition of visiting the litter to “pick one” wasn’t an option. I had to choose based on photos and descriptions of their personalities.

The Day Everything Changed

On May 22, 2022, while I was in Austria, the first photos arrived. I narrowed it down to two: a cheeky Blue Merle boy and a “non-traditional” brown Tri-colour boy. Based purely on the photo, I chose the Merle and named him Milo.

On June 16, when we finally went to pick him up, fate intervened. Instead of a park meeting, the breeder invited us to her home. Walking in was “puppy heaven.” I finally met the little Merle I had chosen, but the breeder pulled me aside with a word of caution.

“He is the bossiest, feistiest of them all,” she warned. “His energy is next level. I am concerned a standard yard and morning walks might not be enough for him.”

The One Who Stayed

It was heartbreaking, but I trusted her expertise. I sat on the floor, and she let the available puppies out. While most wandered off to play, two stayed. A tiny black Tri-colour girl and the little “brown bear” I had originally seen in the photos.

I sat there for ages. The little brown one simply would not leave my side. He was the “odd one out” because of his coloring, but in that moment, I just knew. He had chosen me.

We filled out the paperwork, and started the hour-long drive home.

He was a dream, sleeping the whole way. As he took his first “wee” on the grass at our house, the world felt perfect. We just had one final task: we needed to find him a name.

  • A top-down shot of three newborn Miniature American Shepherd puppies, only a few days old, huddling together on white and blue disposable puppy pads. Two of the puppies have dark brown coats with white markings on their necks, while the third is black with a distinctive white blaze on its face and white paws. The puppies are curled up in a corner against a dark grey wall
  • An eye-level shot of a black Miniature American Shepherd mother dog resting in a grey whelping box with her newborn puppies. The mother has long, dark fur with white markings on her chest and front paws, and she is looking off to the side with her tongue out. Three tiny puppies, two brown and one black with a white face, are huddled near her on a white fabric sheet.
  • A wide eye-level shot of a black Miniature American Shepherd mother resting in a large grey plastic whelping box with her newborn puppies. The mother is lying on a white fabric sheet, looking toward the left with her mouth open and tongue visible. Three tiny puppies—two chocolate brown and one black with white markings, are huddled near her. A wooden cabinet and a brick wall are visible in the background
  • A top-down shot of a litter of young Miniature American Shepherd puppies, a few weeks old, piled together while sleeping. The litter includes a variety of coat colours: a blue merle, a black bi-colour, and a red tri-colour puppy lying on its back with its white belly and paws exposed. They are resting on a grey padded mat placed over a blue and white striped fabric surface.
  • A vertical close-up shot of a blue merle Miniature American Shepherd puppy named Milo being held. The puppy has a mix of grey, black, and tan facial markings with a white muzzle and chest. He has dark, round eyes and is looking directly forward while being supported by someone wearing a blue and red hooded sweatshirt. A brick wall and a dark wooden cabinet are visible in the background.
  • A close-up shot of Milo, a blue merle Miniature American Shepherd puppy, curled up and sleeping on a blue and white striped fabric. The puppy has a thick coat with a mix of light grey, black, and tan patches, featuring a white blaze on his forehead and muzzle. One small white paw is tucked near his chest, and his dark tail is curled toward his back. Other puppies in the litter are partially visible in the blurred background
  • A vertical close-up shot of a young brown Miniature American Shepherd puppy with large, light-coloured eyes. The puppy is lying on a white textured surface with his front paw visible, featuring lighter tan fur. In the background, a cushion with a navy blue and tan tropical leaf pattern is visible.
  • A vertical eye-level shot of a young brown Miniature American Shepherd puppy being held in a kitchen. The puppy has a thick, fluffy chocolate-coloured coat and exceptionally light, amber-coloured eyes that are looking directly at the camera. The background shows a white-tiled kitchen with a window looking out onto a green garden.
  • A vertical eye-level shot of Monte as a young chocolate-brown puppy sitting in a grey plush dog bed at a breeder's home. He has strikingly light, curious eyes and is looking directly at the camera. A small bright green tennis ball is visible in the foreground inside the bed, which has a blue and tan tropical leaf pattern on the exterior.
  • A vertical top-down shot of a grey pet travel crate prepared for a new puppy. The crate is lined with a blue and white striped fleece blanket and contains a white plush Snuggle Puppy, a pink plush pig toy, and a small blue chew toy. A black 'Dog Treat Pouch' rests near the centre. In the background, a large black 'Pawmanity' car seat cover leans against a white wall on polished timber floors.
  • A view from the dashboard of a car driving down a narrow, unsealed dirt road lined with tall eucalyptus trees. The sun creates long, dappled shadows across the sandy track, which stretches straight into the distance under a clear blue sky. The reflection of the trees and sky is visible on the car's windscreen in the foreground
  • A side-profile shot of a smiling woman with a ponytail, wearing a grey striped hoodie and a blue patterned scarf, holding up a blue merle Miniature American Shepherd puppy named Milo. She is lifting the puppy toward her face, and Milo is gently touching his nose to hers. The background shows a rustic living area with a stone fireplace, wood-panelled ceiling, and a wire puppy pen.
  • "A side-profile shot of a woman with her hair in a ponytail, wearing a grey striped hoodie and a patterned scarf, holding a blue merle Miniature American Shepherd puppy called Milo. She has her eyes closed as the puppy reaches up to lick her nose. The background shows a living room with a television, a wire puppy playpen, and a large window.
  • An over-the-shoulder shot from behind a woman with light brown hair in a ponytail and a patterned scarf, looking at a blue merle Miniature American Shepherd puppy named Milo. The puppy has one bright blue eye and one brown eye, and is looking directly back at her with a curious expression. The background shows a rustic room with a stone fireplace, wood-panelled walls, and a wire puppy pen.
  • A side-profile shot of a woman with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing a grey striped hoodie and a patterned infinity scarf, smiling down at a group of puppies. She is sitting on a parquet timber floor and holding a black tri-colour Miniature American Shepherd puppy that is reaching up toward her face. Another puppy is partially visible in her lap, and the background shows a wooden cabinet and tiled flooring.
  • A side-profile shot of a woman with a ponytail, wearing a grey striped hoodie and a patterned scarf, sitting cross-legged on a parquet timber floor. She is leaning forward to interact with three Miniature American Shepherd puppies huddling in her lap. One black puppy is pressed against her chest, while a chocolate-brown puppy rests against her leg. The background shows a dark wooden cabinet and a sunlit doorway
  • A woman with light brown hair in a ponytail and a patterned scarf sits on a parquet timber floor, holding up a small black and tan Miniature American Shepherd puppy named Daisy. The woman is smiling as she looks at the puppy, who is standing on its hind legs in her hands and looking back at her intently. The background shows a sunlit living room.
  • A profile shot of a woman with light brown hair in a ponytail, wearing a grey hoodie and a patterned scarf, holding a fluffy chocolate-brown Miniature American Shepherd puppy up in the air at eye level. They are looking directly at each other in front of a glass sliding door. The background shows a rustic room with red brick walls, a wooden dining table, and a wire puppy pen.
  • A close-up shot of a woman with her eyes closed, wearing a grey striped hoodie and a patterned scarf, leaning back into a grey plush chair. She is holding a fluffy chocolate-brown Miniature American Shepherd puppy, The puppy is reaching up to lick her nose. The puppy has white and tan markings on his chest and paws. The background features a rustic red brick wall and wooden panelling.
  • A woman with a bright smile sits in a grey plush armchair, wearing a grey striped hoodie and a blue patterned infinity scarf. She is looking directly at the camera while gently cradling a chocolate-brown Miniature American Shepherd puppy, Monte, on her lap. The puppy is resting calmly, facing away from the camera. A purple patterned pillow and a glimpse of timber wall panelling are visible in the background.
  • A shot taken through a screen door of two adult dogs and a puppy on a brown textured mat outdoors. In the foreground, Monte, the chocolate-brown puppy, is lying on his back playfully while his mother, a black and tan Miniature American Shepherd, leans over him for a final nuzzle. In the background, another black and white dog stands on the grass facing away from the camera.
  • A high-angle shot of a fluffy, chocolate-brown Miniature American Shepherd puppy curled up and sleeping deeply on a blue and white striped blanket during a car journey. The puppy is tucked in next to several plush toys, including a large white teddy bear and a colourful stuffed rabbit. The pup is resting on a white absorbent pad inside a grey pet travel crate.
  • A close-up, eye-level shot of a chocolate-brown Miniature American Shepherd puppy lying on a white absorbent pad and a blue blanket. The puppy is looking directly into the camera with large, soulful brown eyes, his chin resting on the white surface. One of his front paws, showing tan and white markings, is visible near his face.
  • A top-down shot of Monte, a chocolate-brown Miniature American Shepherd puppy, curled up and sleeping deeply during his drive home. He is nestled on a white absorbent pad inside a blue and black fabric carrier. Beside him lies a tan and orange plush rabbit toy with a stitched smile, and the corner of a white fluffy Snuggle Puppy is visible at the top of the frame.

Ready for the next chapter? Part 3: The Arrival | Theory Meets Reality: Putting 18 Months of Research into Practice

Similar Posts