I'm Theresa G., the breeder behind Desert Willow Aussies located in Belen, NM. My dogs are bred for health, temperament with extreme intelligence. I do not line breed or inbreed with hopes of extension of life. I provide my families with all the information needed to raise a healthy, happy, trained Australian Shepherd and offer lifetime support and teaching on breed-specific protocols. I look forward to connecting with you!
Q. & A. with Theresa
Why did you start breeding?
Our family had an Aussie when I was a teenager. She went with me everywhere and accompanied me to different events with FFA. As an adult, I asked to help a friend's mom pet sit while she went out of town. She saw my ability to manage her dogs and provided me with my first breeding pair. The rest is history! I sought out a mentor and was taught to understand the breed. It has been an absolute joy of a journey, and I am so happy to be able to share these beautiful dogs with other loving families and individuals.
What makes your program special?
I've created a community because my relationships with all my puppy parents are built on trust. I temperament test my puppies to ensure the right dog is always paired with the best-suited family. As new families wait for their puppies, they get homework weekly and are actively involved. I have an open house when pups are four weeks old, which includes food, a photographer, and fellowship. I take pride in my program and would be honored to connect your family with its next lovable Australian Shepherd!
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include black 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.
Getting a puppy from Theresa
Theresa 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 $200 non-refundable deposit and between $1,150 - $1,650 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“There are 3 different prices based on color requests only. We provide service dogs, emotional support dogs, kid-friendly dogs, and standard companion dogs. Temperament tests do not change the price. A $200.00 deposit is required to get onto the waitlist. I go by the date the deposit is submitted. The deposit goes towards the purchase price of the dog and is a commitment that I am working for you.”
Contract & health guarantee
Theresa 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 Theresa 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 Theresa directly.
Desert Willow Aussies 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
Piper, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Piper
Piper is a female Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Theresa decided to make her part of their program. Theresa 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.
Junie Bug, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Junie Bug
Junie Bug is a female Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Theresa decided to make her part of their program. Theresa 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.
Row Row, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Row Row
Row Row is a female Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Theresa decided to make her part of their program. Theresa 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.
Izzy, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Izzy
Izzy is a female Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Theresa decided to make her part of their program. Theresa 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.
Holly, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Holly
Holly is a female Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Theresa decided to make her part of their program. Theresa 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.
Jamie, dad
Australian Shepherd
About Jamie
Jamie is a male Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Theresa decided to make him part of their program. Theresa 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.
Sofie, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Sofie
Sofie is a female Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Theresa decided to make her part of their program. Theresa 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.
Sully, dad
Australian Shepherd
About Sully
Sully is a male Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Theresa decided to make him part of their program. Theresa 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.
Heavenly, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Heavenly
Heavenly is a female Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Theresa decided to make her part of their program. Theresa 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.
Vivian, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Vivian
Vivian is a female Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Theresa decided to make her part of their program. Theresa 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.
Redford, dad
Australian Shepherd
About Redford
Redford is a male Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Theresa decided to make him part of their program. Theresa 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.
Tippi, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Tippi
Tippi is a female Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Theresa decided to make her part of their program. Theresa 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.
Eva, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Eva
Eva is a female Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Theresa decided to make her part of their program. Theresa 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.
Redford, dad
Australian Shepherd
About Redford
Redford is a male Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Theresa decided to make him part of their program. Theresa 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.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Good level
Desert Willow Aussies 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.
Temperament Test, 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.
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).