I'm Heather R., the breeder behind By Design ACD located in Lewisville, OH. Each Australian Cattle Dog at By Design is carefully selected for its intelligence, structure, agility, stamina, and innate herding instinct. We focus on the dogs that not only meet high standards of physical and mental ability but also possess the drive to serve with loyalty and purpose.
Q. & A. with Heather
Why did you start breeding?
At By Design ACD, we understand that great working dogs are created intentionally they are bred with purpose and designed to fulfill the role they were always destined for. Whether herding cattle on vast ranches or performing in competitive trials, or in the confirmation show ring, our dogs are designed for the job.
What makes your program special?
Our philosophy is simple: these dogs are more than companions; they are partners, bred to work, thrive, and do what they were always meant to do. We are all, in some way, chosen for our purpose. At By Design, we choose to create dogs that are designed to fulfill their destiny as working partners—strong, capable, and always ready for the job.
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include blue speckled and red speckled. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Vi
Went home
Female
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Getting a puppy from Heather
Heather has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices include a $300 non-refundable deposit and between $2,500 - $3,200 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“Pricing starts $2800. Contact Heather for quote. Non-refundable deposit. Final payment due at the time of pickup and prior to transport.”
Contract & health guarantee
Heather may provide a written contract or
health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps
protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you
both have a clear understanding of the terms of your
puppy purchase. If Heather offers a contract
or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them.
If you have any questions or want to know more,
don’t hesitate to reach out to Heather directly.
By Design ACD meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
Responsible breeding practices
Health of breeding dogs and puppies
Puppy environment and enrichment
Buyer education and policies
Parent dogs
CC, mom
Australian Cattle Dog
About CC
CC comes to us from Big Sycamore Kennel, she is high in drive and intelligence. CC has excelled in dock diving and rally as well as herding on the farm. CC achieved her herding instinct title at our 2024 ACDCA National Specialty. CC is AKC registered and clear in her health testing.
Elbow - Normal
Hips - Good
PLL - Clear/Normal
PRA - Clear/Normal
Puppies are clear in health testing by parentage
Great health testing
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL), PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), +3 more.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Excellent level
By Design ACD reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Australian Cattle Dogs.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Congenital Deafness (BAER, registered with OFA)
A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.