About Us
Our family lives in Northwestern Wisconsin, (approximately 1 ½ hours away from the Twin Cities) where we live along with our 3 children, 4 dogs, 4 cats and 3 horses.
Having owned several dogs and cats over the years, it was always our dream to purchase a dog we could show and possibly breed. Over the past few years, we spent a great deal of time researching a dog breed that fit our family.
In 2005, we discovered the Australian Terrier. We fell in love with this charming little dog. They were and are still a difficult breed to locate in our area, Wisconsin or Minnesota. Our first aussies came to us in 2007.
Our two younger daughters work with a very experienced trainer twice a week, teaching our dogs both conformation and obedience. We actively show our dogs in local AKC dog shows, in both conformation and Junior Showmanship. This is a great family activity!
We are very proud to be members of the Cambridge Kennel Club and thank them for their knowledge, information and mentorship. We are also proud to be a member of the Australian Terrier Club in South Australia, home to the original Aussie. Great people, great dogs! We were invited to join the Australian Terrier Colorado Club, the members we have met have been so welcoming.
Our Dogs
We have beautiful, Australian Terriers that come from Champion bloodlines. Our newest dog, Beckham is a Champion and our female Dakota is also a Champion having been shown by our daughter, owner/handler Ellie Goiffon. We're so proud! While our dogs are show dogs, they are first and foremost our companions. They are allowed to be dogs, to run and play, sleep with our kids.
Aussie's are GREAT with children and the eldery. They are good with other animals even cats! They are spunky, sturdy little dogs, with a friendly outgoing personality, yet are very happy to curl up next to you and just be loved. While they are small (approx 15 pounds as adults) they are not the typical fragile or “yappy” little dog.
They love to be outside and explore, but they don’t like to get too far away from home. They are a non-shedding breed, that unless you plan on showing your dog, experienced grooming is not necessary as their coat requires very little maintenance. They are wonderful travelers too!
Our Program
Our litters will be few, focusing on healthy, sound Aussies. Puppies are available to companion homes or show homes. Finding loving homes for all of our puppies is our primary concern and responsiblity. Certainly there is nothing wrong with show home placement it is just not our first priority. Placing our happy, well socialized puppies with wonderful families is our first priority!
All adoptee's of our puppies will be provided with a health guarantee against any genetic related problems, if the unlikely should occur. We health test our adult Aussies prior to breeding, such testing includes but is not limited to patella, eye cerf and thyroid.
The environment in which a puppy is raised is very important. Our dogs receive constant socialization with not only adults but children. These factors contribute greatly to a dogs well being and help them achieve their full potential. Our pupppies play daily with our adult dogs, our Shepherd and our 4 cats. This consistent and early exposure to other animals and children will make for a very secure and happy dog when he joins his new forever home.
If you would like a copy of the new Australian Terrier Puppy handbook from Dunham Lake Australian Terriers, please e-mail or call me and I would be happy to send or e-mail you a free copy! It is information provided by the ATCSA along with helpful information we've gathered for famlies adopting one of our treasured little puppies.
We give back to the Aussie community in many ways, visit our Giving Back page to see how we help others in need.
Helpful Tips on choosing a breeder:
- At Dunham Lake Aussies we breed for quality not quantity, therefore, our future adoptive families may expect to wait for a puppy from us for up to a year. While I can tell you it is well worth the wait, I will also be very happy to refer you to another quality breeder.
- Appropriate health testing the breeding parents prior to breeding is important, as is socialization for the puppy.
- While a puppy can be adopted as early as 6 weeks and commonly adopted at 9 weeks, it is best that they remain with their mother dog until 12 weeks. If the puppy isn't receiving any socializing with the breeder, than adopt the puppy earlier. If this is the case, introduce the puppy to as many things you can, it's very important! Many vets I have consulted on this subject agree, whenever possible, it's best for the puppy to stay with its mother dog until 12 weeks of age.
- When looking for a breeder, please make a site visit or get solid references.
- Not all breeders are alike and when you are looking to add a new family member to your home, it's a long term commitment. Doing some research not only on the breed but the breeder is very important. Make sure the breeder is committed to their dogs and will provide you with kind and knowledgable support for the life of your dog.
- The primary interest and concern of a good breeder, whether they participate in dog shows or not, should be to raise healthy, sound temperment dogs that meet proper conformation standard for their breed.
For more helpful tips and information visit my blog "Aussie Talk".
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in the Midwest-Wisconsin and Minnesota
715-689-2675 or 651-233-6933
