IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR BUYERS

If you're considering adding an Australian Shepherd—or any breed—to your home, only buy from KUSA-registered breeders.

KUSA (The Kennel Union of Southern Africa) is the ONLY officially recognised all-breed registry in South Africa. Other Registries are not recognised and do not uphold the same standards of ethical breeding.

What You Should Receive with Your Puppy:

At a minimum, your puppy should come with:

• A veterinary card showing at least one inoculation
• Confirmation of being dewormed at least three times
• A microchip and vet health check
• A written agreement of sale—be sure to read and fully understand the terms
• Proof of relevant health testing (DNA and screening for hereditary conditions)

KUSA Registration

A KUSA registration certificate is your proof of your puppy's pedigree and should be issued around 4-6 months of age. This ensures your pup comes from a breeder who follows ethical and regulated breeding practices.

You can verify any breeder’s registration by contacting KUSA directly.

Avoid Backyard Breeders & Online Scams

Purchasing dogs through platforms like Gumtree, OLX, or puppy mills supports unethical breeding and puts your future pet at risk.

Always visit your breeder if possible, ask questions, and verify KUSA registration.

Visit Puppy Scams in South Africa on Facebook to avoid being scammed. Alternatively, contact the Club for guidance on legitimate breeders.

If you choose to buy a puppy from a breeder not registered with KUSA, be aware of the risks:

• Parentage cannot be guaranteed
• No official guarantees or breed verification

Report Concerns

If you encounter any issues with listed breeders—especially unethical behaviour—report them to KUSA. Breeders found to be unethical will be removed from our list.

Thank you for helping us protect the integrity and well-being of our beloved Aussies!

Silver Tier Breeders

• 4-5 breed-specific DNA tests
• Hip & elbow evaluations (elbows must be 0-0)
• Involved in dog community
• Puppy Culture or equivalent
• Registered pups with contracts & support

Bronze Tier Breeders

• 2-3 breed-specific DNA tests
• Hip & elbow evaluations
• Partial testing, new breeder or small-scale

White Tier Breeders

Little or no health testing. Buyers must verify health screening and request proof independently. Minimal support and possibly unverified registrations.

Disclaimer

Australian Shepherd Club Western Cape (ASCWC) does not itself sell puppies and does not offer puppies for sale at any time. ASCWC instead offer breeder referral to link prospective Aussie buyers and breeders, but does not endorse, guarantee recommend or approve any particular breeder and disclaims any liability or obligation for the health, temperament or any aspect of Aussie puppies purchased through Aussie breeders on this site.

Ethical Behaviour of KUSA Members as Breeders

Members who breed dogs shall:

• Pursue the fundamental goal of dog-breeding, i.e., strive to breed functionally and clinically healthy dogs with a construction that conforms to the Breed Standard adopted by KUSA for the breed in question, free of exaggeration, and with a temperament typical for the specific breed, which will have the expectancy of a long and happy life for the benefit and pleasure of their owners and the dogs themselves.
• Only breed with a view to promote the health and wellbeing of the progeny and the bitch, and base their selections for breeding on knowledge, research, honesty, and international cooperation.
• Take all reasonable steps to reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases, including researching the bloodlines for the occurrence rate of hereditary diseases and commissioning the available health tests for the hereditary diseases for which the breed shows a predisposition.
• Cooperate with scientists, veterinarians, and other breeders on genetic health issues and make every effort in the selection of breeding lines to prevent unhealthy offspring.
• Take all possible steps to ensure that dogs bred do not suffer from any disorder that impedes their sight, breathing, or movement, or which might otherwise be detrimental to the dog’s comfort and wellbeing.
• Not sell or dispose of dogs unless they are in peak health or, if not, only with full disclosure to the new owner and a signed acknowledgement that the dog was accepted with a specific pre-existing condition.
• Ensure that Registration Certificates of all dogs afflicted with health or disability conditions contain the endorsement: “N/P Progeny not Eligible for Registration.”
• Not breed specifically or predominantly for a pet-supply or commercial market but for the purpose of improving the quality or working ability of the breed and by improving their knowledge of the breed.
• Except in extenuating circumstances (judged by the Executive Committee), not breed from a bitch under twelve (12) months of age, in line with Schedule 2 Regulation 12.2.
• Except in extenuating circumstances (judged by the Executive Committee), not breed a bitch to the extent that she whelps more than twice within eighteen months, per Schedule 2 Regulation 12.3.
• Preserve or preferably extend genetic diversity by avoiding matador breeding (using the same stud dog excessively) and heavy inbreeding.
• In the interest of genetic diversity, generally avoid first-generation matings (father-daughter, brother-sister, or mother-son).
Avoid further breeding from bitches that:
• Failed to give natural birth due to anatomical issues or inherited inertia,
• Showed mental instability in accepting puppies, or
• Were diagnosed with hereditary agalactia (inability to lactate).
Not permit purebred dogs registered with KUSA to mate with:>
• Dogs of a different breed (except permissible inter-variety matings per Schedule 2 Regulation 4.1),
• Unregistered dogs of the same breed,
• Cross-bred dogs, or
• Dogs registered with unrecognized organisations.
• Except in extenuating circumstances (judged by the Executive Committee), not allow a bitch to whelp more than five times in her lifetime (Schedule 2 Regulation 12.4).
• Not mate a bitch of eight years or older unless a veterinarian certifies she is in peak breeding health (Schedule 2 Regulation 12.5).
• Register all puppies in a litter that are alive on the date of registration within twelve (12) months of whelping (Schedule 2 Regulations 4.3 and 4.6), and apply Breeders’ Restrictions to unsuitable puppies.
• Not transfer any puppy under eight (8) weeks of age unless required by special circumstances.
• Not knowingly transfer a puppy to a person in a foreign country involved in the meat trade, dog-fighting, or dog-racing.
• Ensure that new owners are informed in writing (preferably via a signed contract) that the Registration Certificate has been or will be endorsed, and that the new owner acknowledges this in writing.
• Ensure that persons acquiring a dog understand responsible ownership and have the facilities and time to care for the dog properly.
Provide agreed documentation to the person acquiring a dog, including:>
• A copy of the signed, witnessed contract (if applicable),
• Vaccination and deworming record,
• Microchip certificate,
• Dietary and immunisation details,
• Breed-specific information,
• Responsible dog ownership guidelines,
• Depending on the agreement, the dog’s Registration Certificate, or copy thereof. Should the Registration Certificate not be available yet, a signed declaration by the Member that the Registration Certificate (or copy thereof) was owing to the person acquiring the dog and that, depending on the agreement, the documentation would be delivered/sent as soon as it became available.
• Any other information considered relevant, such as nutritional guidance, puppy training advice, socialisation suggestions, etc.
Keep detailed records of:
• All litters bred,
• Registration and Microchip Certificates,
• Contracts and contact information of new owners,
• Maintain reasonable contact and offer advice or assistance post-adoption.
• Not misrepresent the characteristics of a breed to encourage a sale.
• Not sell dogs to pet shops or commercial pet traders.
• Not transfer a dog to a person declared persona non grata by the Federal Council.
• Keep detailed records of all stud services and resulting litters.
• Keep detailed records of all co-owned dogs not residing with the Member and maintain written co-ownership agreements.
Not engage in any activity that violates:
• Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962,
• Veterinary or Para-veterinary Professions Act No. 19 of 1982,
• Animal Improvement Act No. 62 of 1998.
• Familiarise themselves with the FCI International Breeding Strategies published by the FCI.