Crickhollow Australian Shepherds
- Holley, NY ·
Upcoming litters
Australian Shepherd litter
Expected Dec. 2026
Meet the breeder
I'm Heather W., the breeder behind Crickhollow Australian Shepherds located in Holley, NY. We are a small, family based Australian Shepherd breeding program located in Western New York. Our passion is preserving the wonderful qualities that make this breed so special, with an emphasis on sound structure, excellent temperament, health, and versatility. As an owner handler and preservation-minded breeder, I enjoy showcasing our dogs in the conformation ring, but I believe their greatest accomplishments are the lives they share with their families. A beautiful dog is wonderful, but a well rounded, healthy companion is what truly matters. I'm also an AKC approved evaluator for CGC, CGCA, CGCU, ATT, and Farm Dog, and I place a strong emphasis on temperament, trainability, and responsible puppy raising. Our litters are thoughtfully planned, with careful consideration given to health testing, pedigrees, and the qualities each pairing can bring to the next generation. We believe raising puppies is about more than producing beautiful dogs. It's about giving them a strong foundation for a lifetime of success. We love getting to know our puppy families, helping them find the right match, and remaining a resource throughout their dog's life.
Q. & A. with Heather
Why did you start breeding?
My love for Australian Shepherds grew into a passion for showing and preserving this incredible breed. Breeding became a way to thoughtfully contribute to its future while raising healthy, well rounded puppies who could bring other families the same joy our Aussies bring us.What makes your program special?
We believe breeding is about quality, never quantity. Our focus isn't on producing litters, but on raising exceptional puppies who will thrive as cherished family members. Every pairing is thoughtfully planned, every puppy is raised with love and intention, and every family is carefully considered. Our greatest success is seeing our puppies flourish in their forever homes.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 a kennel on my property.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Elanor
Went homeFemale
Marigold
Went homeFemale
Primrose
Went homeFemale
Ruby
Went homeFemale
Merry
Went homeMale
Frodo
Went homeMale
Rosie
Went homeFemale
Pippin
Went homeMale
Samwise
Went homeMale
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, 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.
Heather partners with buyers to find the best match as the puppies develop and their personalities take shape. Typically, matches are finalized when the puppies reach about 8 weeks old.
“At 7 weeks, we evaluate structure and temperament using Volhard's Puppy Aptitude Test, thoughtfully matching each puppy to a family's lifestyle, experience, and goals for the best lifelong fit.”
Price
“Every puppy includes a microchip, health certificate, age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming, an ophthalmologist eye exam, prepaid AKC registration, and a health guarantee. Will be applied to final cost of puppy.”
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.
You’re protected
on Good Dog
When you pay and communicate on Good Dog, you’re covered by Payment Protection.
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
- Surface & tactile stimulation
- Socialized with children
- Socialized in new places
- Scent introduction
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
- Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Microchip
- Vet records
Extras
- AKC registration
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
- Puppy starter kit
- Initial potty training
- Toys
- Basic obedience & manners
- Registration
- Food & treats
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Heather.
Breeder's location
Meet in Holley, NY
3901 miles away
·
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Rochester Airport
3892 miles away
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Meet in Albany, NY
3759 miles away
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More about Heather
Club memberships
Heather is a member of United Kennel Club, United States Australian Shepherd Association (USASA), and Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA).
Certifications & recognitions
CHIC Certified, Puppy Culture Breeder, AKC Breeder with H.E.A.R.T..
Heather has been a member of Good Dog for about 4 years
Heather was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2022.
Heather is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Crickhollow 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
Emmy, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Emmy
Emmy is a female Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Heather decided to make her part of their program. Heather has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Good health testing
OFA/CHIC DNA Repository, Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA).
Parent health testing
Excellent level
Crickhollow 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 (Preliminary), 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.
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
Patellar Luxation
Knee testing reduces the chance of passing down Patellar Luxation, which results in the kneecap becoming displaced or dislocated and can cause mild to severe joint pain.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
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.
PawPrint Genetic Panel (Breed Specific), DNA Coat/Trait Panel, Animal Genetics Panel, Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), Multiple Drug Sensitivity (MDR1)
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).
