All About Starrynight Aussies
Welcome to Starrynight Aussies, located in southern Alberta, Canada. We are a small, home based breeding operation with a passion for raising amazingly awesome and adorable Australian Shepherds, Miniature American Shepherds, and Chihuahuas! Our goal is to produce well-socialized, healthy, and intelligent companions that thrive as beloved family pets and excel in a variety of canine activities.
Our dogs are cherished members of our family, and their well-being, temperament, and genetic health are some our top priorities. Through thoughtful selection and breeding practices, we strive to uphold the standards for our registered purebred breeds, ensuring our puppies are not only beautiful, but also true to the character, instincts, and heart of their lineage.
An important aspect of our program is a commitment to species-appropriate nutrition. All of our dogs and puppies are fed a raw, unprocessed, meat-based diet that mirrors what canines are biologically designed to eat. We believe that proper nutrition starts before birth, with a strong foundation of maternal health, and continues throughout each puppy’s development. A natural, whole food, unprocessed, nutrient-rich diet plays a vital role in supporting strong immune systems, balanced growth, and mental stability, and can also help reduce the risk of both the occurrence of congenital conditions and preventable metabolic disorders. Nutrition isn’t just a preference, it’s a crucial part of raising truly healthy, resilient dogs.
Our involvement into the well-being of our puppies extends beyond the day they leave our home. Our policies are built with a firm commitment to ensuring that none of our dogs ever end up in animal shelters. Every puppy is raised in a stimulating environment and is thoroughly socialized from an early age with the aim to help prevent behavioral issues that could otherwise lead to rehoming. We also take great care to match each puppy with the right family by considering the personality of the dog and the previous dog-handling experience of the potential owner. This thoughtful placement process helps ensure that high-energy puppies are not paired with inexperienced owners, reducing the likelihood of mismatches and the need for rehoming.
In addition, every puppy leaves our care microchipped, allowing us to track and recover them if they are ever lost or surrendered to a shelter. As part of our recently updated microchip policy at Starrynight Aussies, owners are no longer permitted to alter the microchip registration information, Starting from 2025 it must now remain under our contact details, the new owner's contact information may be added by Starrynight Aussies as a secondary contact method if desired. This ensures that we are always the first point of contact if the dog is ever found or taken in by a rescue. To further safeguard their future, our Return to Breeder contract clearly states that if an owner can no longer care for their dog for any reason, the dog must be returned exclusively to Starrynight Aussies. This policy ensures that we can continue to take responsibility for, and protect every life that we bring into the world.
We believe that the emotional well-being of our breeding dogs is just as important as their physical health. That’s why several of our breeding dogs reside in guardian homes, carefully selected families who provide a loving, permanent homes for our breeding dogs while allowing them to remain part of our program. This approach ensures that our dogs are raised in a kennel-free, family-centered environment where they receive individualized attention, companionship, and care. Guardian homes allow us to continue our breeding goals, while giving each dog the highest quality of life as a cherished family member.
At Starrynight Aussies, we are committed lifelong support for every puppy and their family. Whether you’re looking for a devoted companion, or a motivated partner for dog sports, we’re here to help you find the perfect match and support you throughout your journey as puppy parents!
About the Breeds
Australian Shepherd
Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd was developed in the United States during the 19th century. The breed’s origins are believed to trace back to the Basque region between Spain and France, where shepherds utilized agile and intelligent dogs for herding livestock. Many of these shepherds emigrated to the U.S., bringing their dogs with them. Some accounts suggest that these shepherds traveled through Australia before settling in America, which may have contributed to the breed’s name .
Australian Shepherds are renowned for their intelligence, versatility, and strong herding instincts. They possess a striking appearance, often featuring merle coats and expressive eyes. Their high energy levels and eagerness to work make them excellent partners for various activities, including herding, agility, obedience, and search and rescue.
Standard height ranges between 18"-23", and weight 40-65lbs for Australian Shepherds.
Starrynight pups of this breed typically seem to mature to be between 17"-23" tall at the withers, and weigh 37-50lbs
Miniature American Shepherd
The Miniature American Shepherd originated in California during the late 1960s. Breeders aimed to create a smaller version of the Australian Shepherd without compromising its working abilities and intelligence. By selectively breeding smaller Australian Shepherds, they developed a compact, versatile herding dog that quickly gained popularity, especially among equestrians who appreciated their manageable size and trainability .
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2015, the Miniature American Shepherd stands out for its loyalty, agility, and adaptability. While they share many traits with their larger counterparts, their smaller stature makes them well-suited for families and individuals seeking an active yet more compact companion.
Standard height ranges between 13"-18", and weight 20-40lbs for Miniature American Shepherds
The term "Toy Aussie" is not an official term, but typically refers to a dog that is shorter than the standard height for a Miniature American Shepherd, and is defined as being under 13" at the withers, and under 20lbs in weight.
Starrynight pups of this breed typically seem to mature to be between 10"-16" tall, and weigh between 10-25lbs.