We have a couple litters planned for 2026, with the first likely to be born late Spring. A waitlist has begun for our litters and it is highly recommended to contact us to join the waitlist! More information about the parents to be posted once pregnancies are confirmed.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE OUR PUPPY QUESTIONNAIRE
ABOUT OUR PUPPIES AND PLACEMENT PROCESS
At Hightide Australian Shepherds, our puppies come with a comprehensive health guarantee, a sales contract, AKC and ASCA registration, microchipping, the first set of vaccinations, deworming, and an eye exam by a canine ophthalmologist. Our pet, companion, and performance puppies are priced at $3,000, while show prospects are sold by private agreement starting at $4,000+. We invest immense time, energy, and love into raising our dogs and puppies, and we kindly request that no inquiries for discounted prices be made.
We require a $300 non-refundable deposit for pet and performance puppies and a $500 non-refundable deposit for show/breeding prospects. Prospective buyers must complete a Puppy Questionnaire and have a conversation with us before being added to the waitlist and submitting a deposit. This non-refundable deposit will be applied to the sale price of the puppy and ensures your commitment to owning one of our dogs, just as we are committed to supporting you for the next 10+ years. If your color or sex preference is not available in the litter, we can transfer your deposit to the next litter.
Puppy selections are made between 6-8 weeks after completing health, temperament, and structural evaluations. Breeders make their choices first. We provide weekly photos and videos, but final puppy assignments are made closer to 8 weeks. While we will consider your color preference, Australian Shepherds should be admired for their unique coloring. We prioritize matching puppies to families based on activity level and temperament over coat or eye color. Remember, adding an Australian Shepherd to your family is a 12-15 year commitment, so it’s essential to prioritize temperament and compatibility over color.
WHY PAY MORE FOR A PUREBRED DOG FROM A SHOW BREEDER IF YOU AREN'T PLANNING TO SHOW?
Puppies from show breeders, even if not destined for the show ring, are more likely to be healthy and possess sound, breed-appropriate temperaments. Ethical preservation breeders conduct extensive health testing before breeding, ensuring that their dogs are free of heritable defects and possess excellent temperaments. Quality breeding increases the likelihood of a healthy, sound pet, although it is not an absolute guarantee due to the complexity of genetic defects.
Show breeders aim for physical soundness, including proper movement and structural conformation. If you are going to share your life with a pet, wouldn’t you want them to have the best possible chance to be healthy and sound?
At Hightide Australian Shepherds, our dogs are shown to earn AKC Championships before breeding. This ensures they meet the breed standard for movement, structure, and temperament. Our dogs undergo comprehensive health testing, including Hip & Elbow X-rays evaluated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, annual eye exams by certified canine ophthalmologists, and DNA tests for hereditary conditions like cataracts, MDR1 gene (multi-drug resistance), and CEA (collie eye anomaly).
We never view breeding as a profit-making venture. Our mission is the well-being of our dogs and the continued betterment of the breed. We breed for show, performance, and, most importantly, to provide happy, loving pets.
We invite you to explore our site, learn more about our commitment to the breed, and discover why an Australian Shepherd from Hightide Australian Shepherds is the perfect addition to your family.
- Available Adults-
On rare occasions, we make the difficult decision to place select adult dogs into new homes. These placements are not made lightly, as each dog is a cherished member of our family, and their well-being is our top priority. When we do consider placement, it is never because the dog is lacking, but rather because we believe they may thrive in a different environment, whether that’s contributing to a reputable breeding program, pursuing competitive success in performance or conformation, or enjoying life as a well-loved companion. At this time, we do not have any adults available.
For more information about Australian Shepherds, please take a look at the websites listed below:
United States Australian Shepherd Association • Australian Shepherd Club of America • American Kennel Club
If you cannot find a breeder with a puppy available, please consider the option of rescue:
Aussie Rescue & Placement Helpline • Aussie Rescue of the Mid Atlantic • New Spirit 4 Aussie Rescue