Welcome to the blog for Southern Star Mini Aussies, now also known as Miniature American Shepherds, affectionally called "Wiggle Butts". This is a wonderful breed that is very intelligent, loyal and can be somewhat active and may be reserved with strangers. Many excel in performance events such as herding, agility, disc dog, flyball, dock diving, rally, conformation, and enjoy most being your best buddy. Mini Aussies range in size from 14"-18" top of shoulder and 20-40lbs. The smaller versions are referred to as Toy Aussies. These fur-kids are very much like potato chips and you can't have just one. If you would like to be owned by an Aussie, we would love to talk to you.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

A Puppy of Her Own

Meet my daughter Angel and her very own puppy "Boo"
Watch for them in the Show Ring in 2011


Saturday, February 5, 2011

Color - RETIRED to Pet Home

CoatTails Color Me Up
16"  approx  34 lbs

Ally - RETIRED My Couch Potato

Patchworks Pick a Little Allison
15" and Approx 28 lbs

Willow - RETIRED

Smoke Valley Blue Willow - FOR SALE
14"  Approx  23lbs.

Aspen now in Utah

Heartlands Aspen Glow of SSTAR
15"  Approx 25lbs

Lady - SOLD

Celebrity Wards Leading Lady
15.5"  Approx 30 lbs

Ivy

Multi GRAND Champion Best In Show
Southern Star Poison Ivy
2010 Blk Tri - 15.5"  Approx  28lbs

Raven

Multi CHAMPION
Linderlands Flyin High @ SSTAR
2010 Blk Tri - 17.5"  Approx 32 lbs

Boo

Rock'n C Blue Moon over SSTAR
Still Growing

Elle

Bluebell Hollow Elennia
2010 Blue Bi - 16" approx. 30 lbs

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Looking for More Information?

What our New Fur Families have to Say ...

How We Raise Our Pups

Thank you for viewing my blog.  I hope that you enjoy looking
through my dogs and find the content within the site informative.
Buying a puppy is a big commitment, and although this breed is
awesome, they are not for everyone.  With that said, when you
contact me about a puppy, please give me a little information about
yourself, and your expectations in a puppy.  Please do not be
offended if I follow up with more questions as I look for those
wonderful forever homes for my pups.  That is my responsibility
as a breeder.  Most puppies leave here on a spay / neuter contract.

What We Do

We carefully plan our litters and do not breed our adults until they
have had thier health clearances done.  We strive to deliver healthy,
happy puppies that will make our future families wonderful companions.
Our puppies are born right here in the house with us where they can
be monitored and handled daily.  For the first 16 days of thier life we
utilize the "Super Dog" protocol which is a series of steps that provide
early neurological stimulation that is known to have lasting effects on
the puppies.  (www.breedingbetterdogs.com)

As soon as the puppies begin to pull themselves around we try start
giving them a daily challenge even as simple as some may be.  This
starts even before the eyes or ears have opened and continues through
the 8 weeks they are here.  They learn to handle stress and helps to
build confidence later on.

Starting at 2 weeks of age the puppies are wormed and have follow
up wormings every other week after that.  

As eyes are opened, toys of all colors, shapes, and sizes are added
to their pen.  As ears open they are exposed to various sounds from a
CD called "Puppy Sounds" by Dean Lake.  This CD has noises from
trains, planes, autos, barking dogs, daycare, geese, you name it and
it is probably on there.  In addition to that they hear all the household
noises while they enjoy time in the middle of our living room.

As they are up and moving around we start litter box training...
"Its not just for cats anymore".  They are provided with a sleep area,
play area, and elimination area and you would be surprised how well
"most" of them do.  We do not guarantee puppies to be 100% litterbox
trained, but their effort is greatly appreciated.

As mom begins to have enough of her little sharp teeth devils, we
start feeding the pups a mush made of quality kibble dog food
(no can food) several times a day.  This is a time that we are really
glad they know a little about the litter box :).

At about 4 weeks provided the weather/temperature cooperates the
pups start  having some outside playtime where they experience even
more sights and sounds.  Eventually they will meet other members of
our pack supervised and through a fence for the most part.

We typically keep our pups inside our home the full 8 weeks, but
there are occasions that we have unusually large litters where it
becomes impossible.  At these times about 6.5 - 7 weeks they are
moved to a puppy play & housing area.  They have a large covered
pen to play in then they can use a doggie door to go inside where
there is heat / air conditioning.  They still have daily interaction with
our family !  You will never find a litter locked away in a horse stall
inside a barn.

During this time we also like to take the puppies for short car rides.

As thier 8 week departure time comes near we start to seperate the
pups from each their a few hours a day into individual crates.  Seems
this helps them transition into thier new home easier and no we cannot
guarantee a quiet puppy the first few nights away from mom, littermates,
and the only surroundings it has known.  We do provide you some tips
that have worked pretty well for us.

My new puppy families will receive a puppy packet that includes health
record, pedigree, registration application if applicable, copy of the
contract, training tips and other information as well as a picture CD
of thier puppy since Day 1.  Most importantly my contact info should
you have any questions regarding your new family member.

I take pride in our puppies, they are a direct reflection on me as a
breeder.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
contact me. 
Visitors Alway Welcome w/Appointment