First Solid Meal

 

Around 4 weeks old the puppies were given their first semi solid meal.  You can pick out pickles with his long tail on the left.

First Visit

The first time we met the puppies they were 2.5 weeks old.  Their eyes and ears had just opened.  They didn't seem to mind or even really notice being picked up or petted.  They could move around by slithering on the ground with their back legs splayed out behind them.

Happy Birthday

Pickles and his brothers and sisters were born on January 4th, 2011. From left to right their litter names are Picklez, Bananaz, Pirate, Snap, Suh, David, Bindi. Three of the puppies (Picklez, Bananaz, Bindi) were born with long tails which the breeder kindly allowed them to keep.

Mom and Dad

Papa Stella

Mama Darcy

 

The coloring of Australian Shepherds is quite complicated with multiple colors and markings. A simple explanation is that Aussies can come in either black or red.  The color can be either solid or merle producing four standard colorings: black, red, blue merle, and red merle.  Stella is a black with white and copper trim called a black tri.  Darcy is a red merle: red splotches over a white coat.  Black is dominant over red and since Stella has no red factor all the puppies in this litter will be black or blue merle.  Blue merle is diluted black splotches over a white coat giving the impression of blue.