Shades of Blue Mini Aussies of Iowa
Meet the breeder
I'm Darcie C., the breeder behind Shades of Blue Mini Aussies of Iowa located in Fairfield, IA. My program offers tops quality puppies with the goal of maintaining the traditional look and structure of the regular size Australian Shepherd, but in miniature form.
Q. & A. with Darcie
Why did you start breeding?
Our grown daughter has 2 miniature aussies and I absolutely fell in love with them. I bought my first in 2019. Like most people, once you own 1, you want another. We farm and built our home surrounded by many acres of land. This is the perfect place to raise dogs so I decided to have a kennel built. They have the best lives here with climate control in their kennel and unlimited outside space.What makes your program special?
My breeding program is meant to be kept small so that I am able to continue to give special care and attention to each and every dam, sire, and puppy. I love that we are able to provide out dogs with hours of outdoor living every single day, while providing a kennel for shelter with heat and air conditioning. My dams and sires are all genetic panel tested clear. That has been an important component of my searches for the best dams and sires that they have clear panels. Another requirement for my dams and sires is that they are built and look like a full size Australian Shepherd, just in a smaller size.What are the different breed sizes in your program?
Our puppies are miniature size. Sizes will vary depending on the parent dogs.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include blue merle, black tri, red tri, and red merle. 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 Darcie
Darcie 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 $500 deposit and between $700 - $2,000 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“The price includes the guarantee, AKC registration, first round of vaccinations, deworming, puppy socialization. Deposits are not refundable, but can be used for a different puppy of same litter or future litter.”
Contract & health guarantee
Darcie 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 Darcie 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 Darcie directly.
Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more
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
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Vet records
Extras
- Basic obedience & manners
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
- Food & treats
- Toys
- Puppy starter kit
- Initial potty training
- AKC registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Darcie.
Breeder’s location
Meet in Fairfield, IA
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Eastern Iowa Airport
Flexible meeting point
Darcie can meet at a location that works for both of you
More about Darcie
Certifications & recognitions
Puppy Culture Breeder.
Darcie has been a member of Good Dog for 2 months
Darcie was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2025.
Darcie’s links
Darcie is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Shades of Blue Mini Aussies of Iowa 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
Macey, mom
Miniature Australian Shepherd
About Macey
Macey is a female Miniature Australian Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Darcie decided to make her part of their program. Darcie 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.
Great health testing
Hyperuricosuria (HUU), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), +9 more.
Nash, dad
Miniature Australian Shepherd
About Nash
Nash is a low drive boy and is goofy in nature. Very sweet and always ready to play fetch.
Great health testing
Hyperuricosuria (HUU), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), +11 more.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Great level
Shades of Blue Mini Aussies of Iowa 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 Miniature 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.
Vet Wellness Exam
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.
Intestinal Cobalamin Malabsorption (IGS CUBN Exon 53), Border Collie Type, Intestinal Cobalamin Malabsorption (IGS), Australian Shepherd Type, Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis, Hereditary (Juvenile) Cataracts (HC; JC), Australian Shepherd Type, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), Neuroaxonal Dystrophy NAD, PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), 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).
