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Why adopt from a breeder?
Why adopt from a breeder?
Pet owners who adopt from shelters have no choice but to adopt their young puppy after sterilization surgery. Puppies as young as 6 weeks old lose their hormones needed for healthy growth, bone, joint development, and healthy teeth. When you adopt from us, we ask you to wait until your pup is between 9-14 months old to get them sterilized. This gives them the benefit of growing with their natural hormones and having a healthier, longer life.
Pet owners who adopt shelter puppies may spend thousands of dollars over their pets life on health issues related to joint, bone, teeth, and overall poor health that could have been prevented by allowing the pup to grow with their natural hormones.
Our DNA testing ensures we are not passing down known genetic issues and instead, breeding responsibly.
We also ensure a positive training start for our pups and desensitization methods so they do not come with fears or traumatic experiences before you adopt. We handle pups daily and make sure they are used to being bathed, having nails trimmed, and learning basic training before they go to their new homes.
Families who adopt from us keep in touch and can ask us about training challenges, getting support at home during the transition and years beyond.
Where are you located?
Where are you located?
We are located on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hilo side. If you are flying from a neighboring island to pickup your pup, plan to fly into Hilo (ITO). Pups can fly inter-island without any vaccines or health records needed. They fly in cabin with you in a soft sided carrier that fits under the seat.
When are you next having a litter?
When are you next having a litter?
Our next litters are planned for March - June 2026. For future litters, if you have not filled out an application form showing your interest, please do so right away as spots go quickly. A deposit is required to reserve a place on the waitlist to select from our litters.
Can I choose my puppy's color or gender?
Can I choose my puppy's color or gender?
Yes, you can state your preference of color and gender when you fill out an application. If a candidate opts to wait for a specific color/trait/timeline/etc. in a puppy, they may wait longer to find an exact match. We prefer to take deposits on our litters from families that are flexible on their color or gender preferences. Our focus is finding families a puppy that will best match their personality, and living situation.
When can I come see the puppies?
When can I come see the puppies?
Families that have filled out an interest form and have accepted an available pup and made a deposit will be invited to visit their pup when he/she is between 4-6 weeks of age. Until this time, mom is very protective and unsettled by visitors. Puppies are still relying on mom for milk and all their needs, so we don't want to disturb this important relationship.
What colors can I choose from in an Australian Shepherd?
What colors can I choose from in an Australian Shepherd?
Australian Shepherds can come in four colors:
Black Tri
Red Tri
Red Merle
Blue Merle
Occasionally you will find an Australian Shepherd that is a Bi-color (missing tan or missing white) or Self-color (missing tan and white) which is where the Aussie shows any of the four standard colors, missing tan or both the tan and white respectively.
These color options are only present if those genetic options are included in the Stud and Dam paired.
Are your dogs AKC certified?
At Hawaii Australian Shepherds, we focus on the health and temperament of our dogs, not just registration status. AKC registration documents pedigree, but it doesn't guarantee health testing or early socialization. Our program carefully selects breeding dogs based on health testing, stable temperaments, sound structure, and their ability to produce healthy, well-adjusted family companions. We believe these factors have a much greater impact on a puppy's lifelong health and quality of life than registration status alone.
It's also important to understand that kennel club registries, including the AKC, operate as closed registries for purebred dogs. This means only dogs with registered parents can be added to the registry. Closed registries help preserve breed type and lineage, but they also limit the introduction of new genetic diversity. Some researchers and veterinarians have raised concerns that closed breeding populations can contribute to higher rates of certain inherited diseases over many generations if breeders are not carefully selecting for health. However, those risks are influenced by many factors and are not unique to the AKC itself.
For that reason, our breeding decisions are guided by comprehensive health testing, genetic diversity whenever possible, excellent temperament, and responsible puppy-raising practices. We prioritize early neurological stimulation, age-appropriate socialization, and raising puppies in a clean, enriching home environment. We believe these practices give our puppies the best possible start in life and help them grow into confident, healthy companions.
Adopting a Puppy
All puppies are sold on a companion contract with a sterilization agreement (to be fixed between 9-14 months of age). Companion puppies are NOT undesirable, this just means that they will simply not be used for breeding. We retain the right to hold, maintain or keep any puppy first. Additionally, we allow other approved breeders to get first pick after we have chosen. Earnest Deposits ($600) are non-refundable and collected for potential candidates to be added to our earnest wait-list. This is a "first come, first serve," policy, we go down our wait-list numerically, as we feel this is fair. If a candidate opts to wait for a specific color/trait/timeline/etc. in a puppy, they can be transferred to a future litter. We have every family's best interest in mind, so at times we will have to hold a puppy who will need a specific type of family dynamic. Our efforts are in finding our families a puppy that will best match their needs, not in finding a color to match their desires. If it is a specific color you're after, that is no problem! Just understand you may wait longer to have that puppy matched to you!
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Waitlist Deposit Policy
Your deposit reserves your place on our waitlist and guarantees you the opportunity to be offered an available puppy from a future litter in the order your deposit was received.
If you are unable to adopt from the litter in which you are offered a puppy, your deposit will automatically roll over, and you will retain your place on the waitlist for the next available litter. There is no expiration on your deposit, and it may continue to roll over until you are ready to adopt.
Once you accept a specific puppy from a litter, your deposit becomes non-transferable and non-refundable. If you later decide not to proceed with the purchase of that puppy for any reason, your deposit will be forfeited.
The purchase price of your puppy will be the current advertised price at the time you accept a puppy, regardless of when your original deposit was placed. While we make every effort to keep our pricing consistent, market conditions, breeding costs, and demand may require occasional price adjustments. Any future puppy purchase will be subject to the pricing in effect at the time of selection.
Final payment for your puppy is due 2 business days before pickup (cash and check buyers may pay at pickup). All arranged transport needs to be confirmed with us 2 weeks in advance to the designated "Go Home" week.
Breeders: We are thrilled to collaborate with you! Please contact us with the form below about our priority rates for having first choice from our litters to select the best traits. We have a breeder contract that requires ethical breeding and communication with us about all litters.
Current Pricing:
Current Pricing:
Male or Female?
Male or Female?
Males tend to be a bit more affectionate but are also more exuberant throughout life. Australian Shepherds are very attached to their people. They are inclined to be more steadfast, reliable, and less moody. These dogs also tend to be a little more food motivated. Females tend to be independent in some ways but also a velcro dog to their special human.
Keep an open mind when selecting a puppy, don’t let preconceived notions of its gender sway you one way or the other, doing so you may be missing out on the best companion that you could ever have! In the end, much of a dog’s character is shaped by YOU-how you socialize your pup and how much attention and training you give him/her. Overall, Australian Shepherds all tend to be pleasers, affectionate, and playful. They are one of those rare breeds of dogs who truly seem that they can read your mind. All they want to do is be around you and enjoy every minute of their life side by side.
Koi and his human
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