One of the most popular dogs in the country is the Australian Shepherd. Commonly known as 'Aussies', this breed is favored for their trainability and versatility. Finding a trustworthy breeder of an Aussie can be challenging, but not impossible.

The most logical place or event to look for breeders is at dog shows. Besides being a good way to get to know the breed, dog shows give you the opportunity to speak with many breeders of Australian Shepherds at one time. Once you find one, take the opportunity to learn about the breed by talking to the breeder and asking questions about the dog's characteristics, etc. Don't stop there, ask for the breeder's contact number in case you need to get in touch with them in the future, and communicate with them every once in a while. When you do decide to get an Aussie for yourself, it'll be much easier to buy one from a breeder you trust.

Be wary of breeders who pressure you into buying one right away. If the breeder doesn't encourage you to come by their facility first and take a look at the litter before you decide to buy, then you should by weary. Most likely the puppies have defects which is why the breeder is likely trying to get rid of them immediately. Australian Shepherds are known to inherit health problems such as back, hip and vision problems. Irresponsible breeders do not take the time to have their dogs tested for genetic problems, which can result in a bad litter. Be careful of breeders who only want to sell.

So how do you evaluate a good breeder? For starters, a good breeder loves dogs. They will most likely entertain all your questions about the Australian Shepherd and give suggestions on how to take good care of them. It is characteristic of a good breeder to talk about their dogs' achievements, and may even tell you about the breeding pairs. They may also have a few questions to ask you, to evaluate whether you are responsible enough to take care of a dog, and if you have the capacity to love such a dog (since it is also known that Australian Shepherds are very active and craves human companionship). Take the time to visit the litter, to get to know the characteristic and disposition of the puppy that you are planning to take home.

Finding a good breeder is not as hard as some may think. How a breeder talks about his dogs will reveal what kind of a breeder he or she is. The foremost priority of any breeder should be finding a good home for their litter. A good breeder understands the needs of an Australian Shepherd, and knows how to take care of it and keep it happy. Some are even willing to take back the dog if the buyer can't take care of it anymore. A mark of a good breeder is hard to miss.