I'm David and Karin H., the breeder behind Zia Country Aussies located in Soccoro County, NM. Hi! We're a small, family-run outfit featuring only 1-2 litters per year. Anchored in ASCA Foundation bloodlines, we strive to preserve the best qualities of this amazing all-around breed! Our ever-present goal is to offer warm, confident dogs who can add a unique richness to other families' lives.
Q. & A. with David and Karin
Why did you start breeding?
My pastor's wife has raised quality dogs (of another breed) for decades, and one day she asked us to watch over one of her expectant mother's while she was at work. I found it fascinating to watch the entire birthing process, and began to consider raising quality dogs myself. She and another top breeder became our mentors, and we embarked on this indescribably wonderful journey. We love it!
What makes your program special?
Honesty and integrity! >
Top quality ASCA parents. > Pup's lives begin inside our home, then later graduate to a roomy, safe yard to breathe clean country air! >> Each pup is hugged and loved on every single day! >> They acclimate to many sights/sounds, from horses to trains to big machinery. >> We're students of the breed, consistently trying to learn and improve. > Our pups are very friendly!
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include black & white, red merle, black tri-color, and red tri-color. 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.
Lady Latigo
Went home
Female
Lady Lariat
Went home
Female
Lasso
Went home
Male
Ricochet Mae
Went home
Female
Rodeo Sweetheart
Went home
Female
Rio Grande Crossing
Went home
Male
Rawhide
Went home
Male
Ramblin' Rose
Went home
Female
Rosetta
Went home
Female
Riata
Went home
Female
Ranch House Belle
Went home
Female
Getting a puppy from David and Karin
David and Karin 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 $775 - $1,800 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.
“Price includes first vet check, shots & worming. Each pup goes home with their vet records; a schedule for future vet care; 2 servings of food; a blanket with mom's scent; & an ASCA registration app. Our puppies are priced based on markings and color. Conformation also plays a part.”
Contract & health guarantee
David and Karin 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 David and Karin 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 David and Karin directly.
Zia Country 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
Tinker, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Tinker
Tinker is full of life! She is always alert and up for an adventure. I chose her for her outstanding ASCA bloodlines (Coronado ana Boyd Ranch, along with the amazing "Certik-Bertik" who is highly revered and awarded as the most versatile and agile Australian Shepherd in history. Tinker herself is high in herding instincts and never misses a chance to run the fence when our horses go by.
SweetPie, mom
Australian Shepherd
About SweetPie
Whelped by a quality breeder in Tennessee, SweetPie (originally named 'Moonpie') came to us via Indiana. Another top breeder there--who kept this dog for a year--had 3 livelihoods and way too much on her plate...so she made the very difficult decision to let this nice girl go. "I'm a sucker for the solid reds with copper trim," she said, "and I wanted so badly to be able to breed her." >>> Always painfully shy and borderline silent for unknown reasons, SweetPie needed another safe place to land...and we did plenty of communicating and documenting of "our-story" to convince that breeder that her girl would have a loving and patient home here. We eventually earned the breeder's trust, and Sweet Pie made an overland journey to us in July 2023. >> Thank the Lord we have had the time to invest in her, for SweetPie now accepts hugs, plus has found her voice! She's also developed a boatload of courage through whelping, and then fiercely protecting, her maiden litter of pups. We've had the pleasure of watching her grow into an exceptional mama, counting heads and making sure all her offspring are always safely rounded up. And she produced so many handsome puppies!! We are very proud of this lovely liver-red girl. 🐶
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Good level
Zia Country 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.
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).