Cahaba Australian Shepherds

Terri W.

Breeder of Australian Shepherds

Helena, AL
Responds within a day

Meet the breeder

I'm Terri W., the breeder behind Cahaba Australian Shepherds located in Helena, AL. Cahaba Australian Shepherds (CAS) is a small preservation breeder in Alabama. Our dogs are all AKC registered and most dual registered in ASCA and some are additionally registered in the UKC. We are lifetime members of the ASCA. Temperment, health, intelligence, versatility and beauty are our goals while maintaining breed standard. We do genetic testing as well as OFA hip, elbow, and eye clearances. We enjoy ALL color varieties of Australian Shepherd allowed by the breed standards set forth in the ASCA and AKC. We participate in conformation, but our dogs are our companions first and foremost. Our puppies are born into our hands, raised, and sociallized in our home with our family. We offer lifetime availability and support to our Aussies’ extended families. We collaborate with Cahaba Ghostlights on occasion.

Q. & A. with Terri

Why did you start breeding?
I breed for love of the Australian Shepherd breed, preservation by maintaining the breed standards, and a desire to share these incredible dogs with others.
What makes your program special?
We participate in conformation, but our dogs are our companions first and foremost. Titles are very nice, and we DO work toward them, but not at the expense of the diversity of the gene pool, original purpose/instincts of the breed, intelligence, or health of the breed. Well rounded, versatile dogs are an important goal in our program. Our puppies are born into our hands, raised and socialized in our home with our family. We do not keep kennels, preferring to live with our dogs as companions. We offer lifetime availability to our dog’s extended Aussie families.
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include black, red merle, blue merle, and red. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home and guardian homes.

Getting a puppy from Terri

Terri has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.

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 $200 deposit and $1,400 final payment, before taxes & fees.

“The posted pricing is for companion puppies with limited AKC registration unless otherwise noted. These puppies are eligible for participating in AKC events other than conformation. Some puppies may be available for full AKC registration. Full registration dogs/puppies are still loved companions. They just have an additional option to be bred and shown in conformation. I sometimes have an adult or an older puppy available for adoption on occasion. Adoption fees are minimal. My goal for is a happy forever home. They are for companions-only. Most adult dogs available for adoption are crate trained, house trained, loving, snuggly, spayed/neutered, and up to date on all vet care and monthly parasite prevention. I prefer to place adults in a household where they are the only dog. If you are looking for an adult dog, please tell me on your application. I take a $200 holding fee to reserve a current or future puppy. The holding fee can be applied to the total owed at the time of puppy pickup. Top priority is placing pups in good, responsible homes that are eagerly anticipating their new companions. We have waiting lists for those that have reserved a puppy with a holding fee and are committed to providing a good home for a pup. Our holding fees are necessary to assure the commitment and good will of the person wishing us to hold a pup for them. IF you reserve a puppy with a Holding Fee of $200.00, the puppy will be held until 8 weeks of age. This means that a pickup time must be scheduled by the time the puppy is ready to go home at 8 weeks. *** I reserve the right to REFUND a holding fee and refuse sale at any time if I believe the family is not a good match for us and/or our puppy moving forward. This is in our puppy’s best interests.”

Contract & health guarantee

Terri 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 Terri 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 Terri directly.

All contracts are handled securely through Good Dog.

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What's included

- From Good Dog
  - Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
  - 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
  - Puppy Training Program & private community
- Enrichment & socialization
  - Various sounds
  - Car rides
  - Socialized with children
  - Daily handling
  - Socialized with other dogs
  - Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
- Puppy health practices
  - Vet check
  - First round of shots and deworming
  - Vet records
  - Microchip
- Extras
  - Initial potty training
  - Puppy starter kit
  - Toys
  - Food & treats
  - Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
  - AKC registration
  - Registration

Location & pick-up

You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Terri.

Breeder's location

Meet in Helena, AL

661 miles away

Other pick-up locations

Meet in Huntsville, AL

585 miles away

More about Terri

Club memberships
Terri is a member of Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA).
Terri has been a member of Good Dog for over 6 years
Terri was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2019.
Terri’s links
- Facebook

Terri is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Cahaba Australian Shepherds 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

Princess (AKC/ASCA, sweet, clever, funny, outgoing), mom
Australian Shepherd
About Princess (AKC/ASCA, sweet, clever, funny, outgoing)
Owned by GhostLights AKC and ASCA registered Orivet Genetics full breed Australian Shepherd panel clear and retested for full panel by Paw Prints, also clear. Red factored OFA hips excellent OFA elbows normal On the smaller end of the breed standard range at 18” at withers, she produces average sized offspring with a large male. Mixture of outgoing and sort-of submissive belly up for rubs Very, very funny girl and very smart Gives super cute air kisses Nickname “Bella-bella” because she looks like a belly dancer when her whole body wags with her tail nub and because she loves to show her belly for rubs.
Great health testing
Orivet Genetics, Full Breed Profile, Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), +1 more.
Dilly (grand champion sired AKC) fun, funny, active, happy, loves everyone, a super wonderful family dog), mom
Australian Shepherd
About Dilly (grand champion sired AKC) fun, funny, active, happy, loves everyone, a super wonderful family dog)
AKC Owned and Bred by Cahaba Grand champion sired (daughter of Jack and Shadow!) Sweet, loving goofball. Her theme song is “Girls Just wanna Have fun”. Loves playing with kids, goes up ladders and down slides, and finds all sorts of things to do…She’s a very FUN dog, and smart too. She loves everyone she meets. Fun, fun, fun!
Great health testing
PawPrint Genetic Panel (Breed Specific), Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), +1 more.
Justice (CHAMPION AKC/ASCA) AKA “Big Boy”, a big, handsome marshmallow), dad
Australian Shepherd
About Justice (CHAMPION AKC/ASCA) AKA “Big Boy”, a big, handsome marshmallow)
Champion AKC ASCA Owned by Cahaba but lives in another family home. Also AKC champion sired OFA certified hips “Good” OFA certified elbows “normal” Full dentition/scissors bite Australian Shepherd genetics breed panel CLEAR except one copy DM (not affected). Not red factored (can produce only black and blue Merle) Justice is a sweet boy with a tender heart. We got him when he was seven months old. He had only had the experience of a kennel/run to that point. He came out of his shell and he is a sweet and gentle “BIG BOY”. We love him and he has some really cute ways of communicating. He talks a bit, in a low voice, and he turns a circle when he wants to say yes, or is anticipating something that makes him happy. He isn’t much of a barker. He loves to get his rump scratched. He smiles and often gets a lip stuck on one of his fangs in a goofy look. It makes you laugh and I think he knows it. He loves his family and is aloof to strangers. After a while of quietly checking someone out he makes acquaintance when he gets our ok. He’s not the sort of dog to jump up on people, which is good because he really is a big guy. He’s playful when we are and calm and chill when we are. He’s a softy.
Great health testing
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), Hip Dysplasia Finals (OFA, PennHIP, BVA, SV, FCI).
Jack (GRAND CHAMPION AKC CHAMPION, ASCA CHAMPION, super loving, easy going), dad
Australian Shepherd
About Jack (GRAND CHAMPION AKC CHAMPION, ASCA CHAMPION, super loving, easy going)
Grand champion AKC Champion ASCA OFA hips certified Good OFA elbows certified normal OFA CAER eyes certified normal Pawprint Full breed Genetics panel CLEAR Red factored
Excellent health testing
PawPrint Genetic Panel (Breed Specific), Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), +2 more.

Parent health testing

Breeder-Reported Testing

Excellent level

Cahaba Australian Shepherds 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 Shepherds.

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.
Dentition, Brucellosis
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.
GenSol Diagnostics DNA Testing, PawPrint Genetic Panel (Breed Specific), D Locus (Dilute) DNA test, Animal Genetics Panel, DNA Profile
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).

Verified owner stories

Hear what other owners say about working with Terri to bring home their puppies.

Kevin O.
Verified owner · Oct. 2024
Terri was very professional, detail oriented and super easy to work with! I was a little nervous during the process because I had never done it but couldn’t have gone any smoother. I love my new pup, Fenway and he has been nothing short of a great dog who loves back. Thank you, Terri!
NH
Nicholas H.
Verified owner · Jan. 2023
Extremely easy to work with and very knowledgeable! The male tri colored Aussie (Finn) that I got is the best dog I’ve ever had. I recommend Cahaba Australian Shepherds to ANYONE looking for a quality Aussie!
Maria V.
Verified owner · Apr. 2022
I’m so happy that Good Dog asked me to share my experience with Cahaba Australian Shepherds! From the very start, I knew Terri was a caring, conscientious breeder. The questions she asked on her application told me she really cared about the environment her dogs were going into and that she was doing her best to make sure her dogs went to loving, prepared families. Once she selected us, we have remained in close contact. I feel like she is our Aussie baby’s godmother and we text and share photos regularly. I’m grateful for all that she does to birth and raise and nurture the babies before they go to human families. She and her family are truly amazing.
JC
Jay C.
Verified owner · Feb. 2023
Great experience. I met Teri in Dothan Alabama to pick up Charlie. Charlie quickly acclimated to his new home. We live next to a park and every time we take Charlie for a walk, he quickly gets all the attention from the neighbors and the people at the park.
KS
Kristine S.
Verified owner · Jan. 2023
Terri is amazing! She is so helpful and informative. She has so much love for her dogs. She really wants each puppy to have the perfect home. Our puppy is a little over 3 months now and we are enjoying her so much!