Partner Families

What is a Partner Family?

A partner family is a family that purchases one of my Miniature American Shepherd puppies from me and then keeps it intact for me to use for breeding and is compensated each time a litter is born and puppies are sold, for females, or a stud service is provided for a female that I do not own, for males.

How Does It Work?

A puppy that is evaluated at 8 weeks of age and is determined to be an outstanding example of the Miniature American Shepherd breed may be eligible to go to a partner family as a loving companion for the same price as a puppy sold on a spay/neuter contract. The partner family is encouraged to show the puppy in conformation, performance, obedience, and other events. Between the ages of 1 year and 18 months, the puppy will be evaluated to determine if it is still breed quality. If it is not, then the partner family must spay or neuter the dog. If it is, the partner family can start doing the required health testing at their own cost.

Health Testing Requirements

A partner family is responsible for the health testing expenses for the Miniature American Shepherd that it is keeping intact for me. The Miniature American Shepherd cannot be bred, and the partner family cannot receive the associated compensation, until after the health testing is done.

The current required health tests are:

Eye Certification

This must be done yearly by an ACVO certified veterinary ophthalmologist. If a dog fails, it must be spayed or neutered. This is covered by our 26 month health guarantee, and the family will be compensated if the dog fails within that timeframe. Price: An eye certification usually costs between $30 and $40 at a clinic.

OFA hip evaluation at 2 years of age

This test only has to be done once. If a dog fails, it must be spayed or neutered. This is covered by our 26 month health guarantee, and the family will be compensated if the dog fails within that timeframe. Price: Prices for OFA hip evaluations vary depending on the veterinarian. It costs about $220 where I live.

MDR1

This test only has to be done once, and must be done through Washington State University, the patent holder for this test, but it might not be necessary if both of the dog's parents have Normal/Normal results. Price: This test costs $60.

Compensation for Males

If a male Miniature American Shepherd living with a partner family is determined to be breed quality between the ages of 12 months and 18 months and passes all of his required health testing, the male may be bred to my females or to outside females that I approve.

When the male is hired for stud for a female that I do not own, either:

• His partner family receives $300 if they host the female for the breeding, OR
• $150 if I host the male and the female for the breeding, OR
• $150 if the breeding is done through artificial insemination.

All costs associated with breeding are covered by the owner of the female, and the male is required to remain intact for 5 years, unless otherwise agreed upon.

Compensation for Females

If a female Miniature American Shepherd living with a partner family is determined to be breed quality between the ages of 12 months and 18 months and passes all of her required health testing, she may be bred to one of my males or to a male that I approve.

When a female has a litter that is raised at her partner family's house:

• His partner family receives $300 if they host the female for the breeding, OR
• The partner family advertises, sells, and guarantees the puppies.
• I get first pick pup and the option to buy additional pups for $600 each.
• Puppies are sold under a spay/neuter contract unless approved for breed homes by me, sold to approved buyers, and co-owned with me.
• The partner family receives all of the money from puppy sales.

When a female has a litter that is raised by me:

• I pay for all expenses associated with picking her up and returning her to her partner family.
• I pay for all breeding expenses.
• I advertise, sell, and guarantee the puppies.
• The partner family is compensated $100 per puppy sold.
• The female is returned when the puppies are 8 weeks old.

The female must have at least two litters, unless otherwise agreed upon.