Available Miniature American Shepherds & Australian Shepherds
Deposit List
Rust Belt Farms reserves the right for first pick puppy from any of our litters to further our breeding program, we will not always hold a puppy back for ourselves but since we breed with intention for each litter we do reserve the right - sometimes we will co-own our keeper puppy with someone so that they are still part of the breeding program but able to compete in various sports. Stud owners may have second pick of the litter depending on the stud contract of each stud owner, they may not take a puppy but it is a possibility.
Our Process:
We raise our puppies with Puppy Culture curriculum for raising puppies to socialization them to new stimuli in the home & world and give them the building blocks to learn and accept training. We begin potty training & kennel training, but at 8 weeks of age it is unrealistic to expect your puppy to be finished with potty training. Puppies are wormed at 2, 4, 6 & 8 weeks of age with Pyrantel and/or Fenbendazole. At 6-7 weeks old, they will each have a wellness checkup with our veterinarian and their first puppy vaccine - heads up! Their next vaccine will be due 3-5 weeks afterwards so mark your calendar and make your vet appointment. We run an Embark DNA test on each puppy, we will include a .pdf of your puppy's results which includes both health test results & color/trait results.
Pricing & Deposits:
We ask for a $300 non-refundable deposit that is applied to the purchase price of your puppy, if you would like to place a deposit please email, message or call us for our application. We like to do a phone or video call with our prospective puppy buyers to get to know you. Once the puppies are born, we will upload photos & videos and then like to do a video chat or puppy meet up around 4-5 weeks when they begin to show personalities, we also try to take the puppies to local small-scale socialization opportunities.
Prices are the same for male & female, all colors. Prices range between $2000 - $2500 for limited registration, prices are subject to change and will be updated on the website.
What is our process for puppy picking? We match you with your puppy, this is a team effort between both myself and your family and takes communication about what attributes I see in the puppies and what traits your family is seeking. If there is a puppy you are interested in that does not align with your goals or would be an poor fit, I will let you know and give you a crystal ball into your future with that puppy and what changes you would have to make for it to be successful. Because we breed for both sport & companionship it is important to us that dogs with attributes that best align to a sport home are matched to a sport home, and the attributes our companion families seek also get matched with those attributes. We do try to offer the choice between at least two puppies as much as possible, and we will discuss their similarities and differences. When looking at our deposit list, please do not take it as an "Order of Pick" because that is not why we publish it; I make it public for the sake of transparency to let folks know I have received their deposit.
International Buyers: If you are from outside the United States and considering getting a puppy from us, we will need to work through the details that are unique to each country. We will not hold a puppy without a non-refundable deposit, full price of the puppy must be paid for by the time the puppy is 8 weeks of age.
Puppy Pick-Up: Puppies may join their families at 8 weeks of age, please plan to pick up your puppy by 10 weeks (unless your puppy is awaiting transportation with a licensed transportation company). We do work with an experienced & licensed ground transportation company that travels the continental United States; I am willing to meet within an hour drive for no-cost - if you need me to meet you at the Detroit Metro Airport, that is not a problem. If your puppy needs to stay longer, there will be costs for boarding at $100 per week and additional veterinary appointments for vaccinations to be sure that they stay current.
Deposit list for 2024:
- RC (Performance - paused until ready)
- XC (Companion)
- C&BH (Companion - paused until ready)
Co-Own Homes:
We are looking for potential co-own partner families for our litters. These would be dogs that would live & compete with you and your family, but would be used for breeding with Rust Belt Farms. This is a partnership that is intended to benefit the breed as well as our breeding program, because factually speaking I can not keep every puppy/dog that has merit and quality; I can keep and raise a few myself and I absolutely do, but if the situation is right then I think co-owns can be blessings for everyone. If this is something you are interested in please message us to discuss the specifics. We do offer a few options for co-ownership & partner families to work together, and because of the level of work required for both parties with health testing, breeding, competing, and producing the next generation - we need families that are good at communication & cooperation; its our goal to be equitable and work with our co-own families. We will only consider homes that compete, whether its 4-H, AKC, or non-AKC that is up to you what venue and associations work best for you and you enjoy. You do not have be at the top of the placings or highly competitive, because we understand that some folks enjoy dog sports not to be competitive but to have fun. If you are interested in co-owning, the best thing to do is reach out and talk with us and get to know each other.
Our Process:
We raise our puppies with Puppy Culture curriculum for raising puppies to socialization them to new stimuli in the home & world and give them the building blocks to learn and accept training. We begin potty training & kennel training, but at 8 weeks of age it is unrealistic to expect your puppy to be finished with potty training. Puppies are wormed at 2, 4, 6 & 8 weeks of age with Pyrantel and/or Fenbendazole. At 6-7 weeks old, they will each have a wellness checkup with our veterinarian and their first puppy vaccine - heads up! Their next vaccine will be due 3-5 weeks afterwards so mark your calendar and make your vet appointment. We run an Embark DNA test on each puppy, we will include a .pdf of your puppy's results which includes both health test results & color/trait results.
Pricing & Deposits:
We ask for a $300 non-refundable deposit that is applied to the purchase price of your puppy, if you would like to place a deposit please email, message or call us for our application. We like to do a phone or video call with our prospective puppy buyers to get to know you. Once the puppies are born, we will upload photos & videos and then like to do a video chat or puppy meet up around 4-5 weeks when they begin to show personalities, we also try to take the puppies to local small-scale socialization opportunities.
Prices are the same for male & female, all colors. Prices range between $2000 - $2500 for limited registration, prices are subject to change and will be updated on the website.
What is our process for puppy picking? We match you with your puppy, this is a team effort between both myself and your family and takes communication about what attributes I see in the puppies and what traits your family is seeking. If there is a puppy you are interested in that does not align with your goals or would be an poor fit, I will let you know and give you a crystal ball into your future with that puppy and what changes you would have to make for it to be successful. Because we breed for both sport & companionship it is important to us that dogs with attributes that best align to a sport home are matched to a sport home, and the attributes our companion families seek also get matched with those attributes. We do try to offer the choice between at least two puppies as much as possible, and we will discuss their similarities and differences. When looking at our deposit list, please do not take it as an "Order of Pick" because that is not why we publish it; I make it public for the sake of transparency to let folks know I have received their deposit.
International Buyers: If you are from outside the United States and considering getting a puppy from us, we will need to work through the details that are unique to each country. We will not hold a puppy without a non-refundable deposit, full price of the puppy must be paid for by the time the puppy is 8 weeks of age.
Puppy Pick-Up: Puppies may join their families at 8 weeks of age, please plan to pick up your puppy by 10 weeks (unless your puppy is awaiting transportation with a licensed transportation company). We do work with an experienced & licensed ground transportation company that travels the continental United States; I am willing to meet within an hour drive for no-cost - if you need me to meet you at the Detroit Metro Airport, that is not a problem. If your puppy needs to stay longer, there will be costs for boarding at $100 per week and additional veterinary appointments for vaccinations to be sure that they stay current.
Deposit list for 2024:
- RC (Performance - paused until ready)
- XC (Companion)
- C&BH (Companion - paused until ready)
Co-Own Homes:
We are looking for potential co-own partner families for our litters. These would be dogs that would live & compete with you and your family, but would be used for breeding with Rust Belt Farms. This is a partnership that is intended to benefit the breed as well as our breeding program, because factually speaking I can not keep every puppy/dog that has merit and quality; I can keep and raise a few myself and I absolutely do, but if the situation is right then I think co-owns can be blessings for everyone. If this is something you are interested in please message us to discuss the specifics. We do offer a few options for co-ownership & partner families to work together, and because of the level of work required for both parties with health testing, breeding, competing, and producing the next generation - we need families that are good at communication & cooperation; its our goal to be equitable and work with our co-own families. We will only consider homes that compete, whether its 4-H, AKC, or non-AKC that is up to you what venue and associations work best for you and you enjoy. You do not have be at the top of the placings or highly competitive, because we understand that some folks enjoy dog sports not to be competitive but to have fun. If you are interested in co-owning, the best thing to do is reach out and talk with us and get to know each other.
Litter Plans for 2025
These are our intended plans for 2025 for our litters and are subject to change at anytime. When it comes to breeding dogs the saying "Man plans, God laughs" is quite applicable; there are so many variables that can affect breeding dogs and result in a change of plans. If its an AI breeding - overnight shipping might get lost or arrive too late, the semen might arrive and be infertile, the female might run an unusual cycle and force a change of plans; inclement weather and major holidays might mean that plans are forced to change because the Reproductive Veterinary office is closed or travel would be too dangerous.
With that being said - the breeding plans that are always the most likely are the ones where I either own the stud OR he lives very close. However, I also like to do litters with stud outside of my local area as well, its certainly more work but I do my best to bring the plan together. I do also tend to make a Plan B, and Plan C....but first I work very hard to be successful with Plan A; my back-up Plans are always well thought out and researched too.
With that being said - the breeding plans that are always the most likely are the ones where I either own the stud OR he lives very close. However, I also like to do litters with stud outside of my local area as well, its certainly more work but I do my best to bring the plan together. I do also tend to make a Plan B, and Plan C....but first I work very hard to be successful with Plan A; my back-up Plans are always well thought out and researched too.
Secret x Ryder - Expected Late March 2025
$2200
Secret is here from our good friend Lynette from First Harmony Farms to have a litter with Ryder and we are so excited about this litter! Both parents have very social and bubbly personalities that do great with kids and meeting new people, and come from a family of very talented dogs. We are hoping for puppies that are 13.5" - 16" tall, that excel at performance, and have absolutely amazing personalities. These puppies will hopefully have the absolutely darling personalities of both parents, they are both so charming and affectionate that you can't help but be obsessed with them.
Ryder is the sweetest little dog who comes from Plum Creek Aussies, an ASDR breeder that focuses on conformation, performance, and health testing including OFAs; he is a playful and charming little dog that enjoys jumping into your arms, loves to swim in the water, play with the other dogs, he enjoys playing with tugs and toys, he has interest in herding the goats which is impressive considering that he is 11lbs, and has started some disc foundations. Ryder has his OFA Prelims for Hips & Elbows, Eyes CEAR clear in Jan 2205, and is full panel DNA clear including NAD & nonHSF4.
Link Here to Ryder's page with health testing.
Secret has been one of my favorite dogs at First Harmony Farms for several years, and I have threatened "stealing their dog" because I just liked her so much - when we were offered the opportunity to breed her for this litter, of course I said YES YES YES!!! Secret's sire Magic is one of those dogs that is so incredible, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that my program wouldn't be where it is without him - he was the very first Mini that I bred to and he is the foundation of my MAS line, it breaks my heart to think that he is 14 because he is such a wonderful dog. Magic does everything you ask of him and does it well! Magic has his AKC Champion, and is one point from his GCh, as well as his MASCA Champion and ranked #8 in 2015. He jumps over 20" in NADD, has his CD in Obedience, his RA in Rally, he has his Flyball FGDCH & Iron Dog, more Agility titles in NADAC & UpDog disc accolades than I can list. Magic also sired the 2nd dog to win the MASCUSA Nationals Iron Dog - which is a dog that wins both Most Versatile AND Ultimate Performance at the National Specialty. Secret competes in Disc and has been to UPDIF, she plays with two Junior handlers - for 2025 she is UPDIF Qualified for Boom, Four Way Play, Throw N Go, Frizgility, Funkey, Greedy, Seven Up, and Timewarp. In Spring 2024, she was the #1 ranked Bite Club team with a Junior handler. Her conformation is absolutely lovely, she has an amazing front and topline, good angulation, and clean movement coming and going with a nice side gait - she would do very well in the UKC conformation ring, the only thing that would hold her back in AKC is her tail.
About Secret - Click Here to see Secret's webpage on First Harmony Farm's site.
It would be lovely to have a male puppy in a co-own home doing sports.
Born March 29, 2025
1. Emu - Black Tri Male with full tail - Available (Gensol tested, carrier for PRA & DM)
2. Kanagaroo - Black Tri Male with full tail - Available (Gensol tested, clear for PRA & DM)
Kangaroo - Kangaroo is the type of puppy who is a dude at heart, he has an easy going and steady-eddy temperpment and is more people oriented than toy oriented. He would be equally happy to hang out with the family and play, or do some dog sports for the fun that he has with you. He is the largest puppy in the litter, and he isn't much taller than the rest of the litter but he does have more substance and build to him.
Emu - Emu is an ABSOLUTE BLAST! If you want a very playful puppy with a Lets Do It! personality, Emu is absolutely your guy. He would a lot of fun to do dog sports, he loves to tug and play, he is curious and bright, he is social with people and new situations and he is also the puppy that was doing awoo-woos at me when he was about 4-5 weeks old, so I would expect that he will bark or sass a bit when he is playing. He is available because he is a double carrier for PRA & DM - he will never develop either disease because he only has one gene and it takes two, but my breeding program can't work with that.
Ryder is the sweetest little dog who comes from Plum Creek Aussies, an ASDR breeder that focuses on conformation, performance, and health testing including OFAs; he is a playful and charming little dog that enjoys jumping into your arms, loves to swim in the water, play with the other dogs, he enjoys playing with tugs and toys, he has interest in herding the goats which is impressive considering that he is 11lbs, and has started some disc foundations. Ryder has his OFA Prelims for Hips & Elbows, Eyes CEAR clear in Jan 2205, and is full panel DNA clear including NAD & nonHSF4.
Link Here to Ryder's page with health testing.
Secret has been one of my favorite dogs at First Harmony Farms for several years, and I have threatened "stealing their dog" because I just liked her so much - when we were offered the opportunity to breed her for this litter, of course I said YES YES YES!!! Secret's sire Magic is one of those dogs that is so incredible, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that my program wouldn't be where it is without him - he was the very first Mini that I bred to and he is the foundation of my MAS line, it breaks my heart to think that he is 14 because he is such a wonderful dog. Magic does everything you ask of him and does it well! Magic has his AKC Champion, and is one point from his GCh, as well as his MASCA Champion and ranked #8 in 2015. He jumps over 20" in NADD, has his CD in Obedience, his RA in Rally, he has his Flyball FGDCH & Iron Dog, more Agility titles in NADAC & UpDog disc accolades than I can list. Magic also sired the 2nd dog to win the MASCUSA Nationals Iron Dog - which is a dog that wins both Most Versatile AND Ultimate Performance at the National Specialty. Secret competes in Disc and has been to UPDIF, she plays with two Junior handlers - for 2025 she is UPDIF Qualified for Boom, Four Way Play, Throw N Go, Frizgility, Funkey, Greedy, Seven Up, and Timewarp. In Spring 2024, she was the #1 ranked Bite Club team with a Junior handler. Her conformation is absolutely lovely, she has an amazing front and topline, good angulation, and clean movement coming and going with a nice side gait - she would do very well in the UKC conformation ring, the only thing that would hold her back in AKC is her tail.
About Secret - Click Here to see Secret's webpage on First Harmony Farm's site.
It would be lovely to have a male puppy in a co-own home doing sports.
Born March 29, 2025
1. Emu - Black Tri Male with full tail - Available (Gensol tested, carrier for PRA & DM)
2. Kanagaroo - Black Tri Male with full tail - Available (Gensol tested, clear for PRA & DM)
Kangaroo - Kangaroo is the type of puppy who is a dude at heart, he has an easy going and steady-eddy temperpment and is more people oriented than toy oriented. He would be equally happy to hang out with the family and play, or do some dog sports for the fun that he has with you. He is the largest puppy in the litter, and he isn't much taller than the rest of the litter but he does have more substance and build to him.
Emu - Emu is an ABSOLUTE BLAST! If you want a very playful puppy with a Lets Do It! personality, Emu is absolutely your guy. He would a lot of fun to do dog sports, he loves to tug and play, he is curious and bright, he is social with people and new situations and he is also the puppy that was doing awoo-woos at me when he was about 4-5 weeks old, so I would expect that he will bark or sass a bit when he is playing. He is available because he is a double carrier for PRA & DM - he will never develop either disease because he only has one gene and it takes two, but my breeding program can't work with that.
Entropy x Waylon - $2200 Due Late March
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Entropy was bred with Waylon from Tresrullah Miniature American Shepherds in Ontario, Canada. Waylon is a STUNNING male with phenomenal type and movement, with a very steady personality who has sired some outstanding Miniature American Shepherds in Canada for multiple breeders, he is also the grandsire of our wonderful girl Sorry. Waylon is oversize and Entropy is in size but at the top of the height standard, we are expecting larger Minis and some that will be oversize too in this litter. Entropy will bring her athleticism and fantastic build, and Waylon will bring his fantastic nature and beautiful conformation and movement. This litter should have the whole package - we are planning to keep a puppy back or in a co-own home from this cross.
Entropy is a Natural Bob Tail, we are docking the puppies that are born with natural bob tails and leaving the puppies who are born with full tails. All puppies will be DNA tested for PRA & NAD. We are planning to hold back one puppy or place in a co-own home.
Born April 6, 2025 - Country Music Stars from 2024-2025
1. Beyonce - Blue Merle Female, Natural Bob Tail - Docked (Sold)
2. Kane Brown - Black Tri Male, Full Tail - (Reserved)
3. Kelsea Ballerini - Black Tri Female, Natural Bob Tail - Docked (Sold)
4. Shaboozey - Blue Merle Male, Natural Bob Tail - Docked (pending)
5. Jellyroll - Black Tri Male, Natural Bob Tail - Docked (Sold)
6. Dasha - Black Tri Female, Full Tail - She tested as a confident, playful & drivey sport prospect.
7. Tracy Chapman - Blue Merle Female, Full Tail (Sold)
Entropy is a Natural Bob Tail, we are docking the puppies that are born with natural bob tails and leaving the puppies who are born with full tails. All puppies will be DNA tested for PRA & NAD. We are planning to hold back one puppy or place in a co-own home.
Born April 6, 2025 - Country Music Stars from 2024-2025
1. Beyonce - Blue Merle Female, Natural Bob Tail - Docked (Sold)
2. Kane Brown - Black Tri Male, Full Tail - (Reserved)
3. Kelsea Ballerini - Black Tri Female, Natural Bob Tail - Docked (Sold)
4. Shaboozey - Blue Merle Male, Natural Bob Tail - Docked (pending)
5. Jellyroll - Black Tri Male, Natural Bob Tail - Docked (Sold)
6. Dasha - Black Tri Female, Full Tail - She tested as a confident, playful & drivey sport prospect.
7. Tracy Chapman - Blue Merle Female, Full Tail (Sold)
Peach x Mackinaw - Born May 21, 2025 $2500
Peach will be bred on her next heat cycle - which we are still waiting for, it should be anytime now - she has passed her OFA examinations. Maddie and I decided to use Mackinaw for Peach's first breeding because they will compliment each other in both conformation and in drive/personality. Peach is a co-own with our good friend Maddie from Trilo Miniature American Shepherds. This will be a litter that is likely to have some very versatile puppies that have what it takes to do both sports and conformation and hang out with the family on the couch at the end of the day too.
A waiting list has begun for Peach's litter, it does have a few names on it - we have one opening on this list.
**This litter will be raised by Maddie at Trilo Miniature American Shepherds in Minnesota**
Welcome to the Candy Shoppe Litter!
1.) Jelly Bean - Red Merle Female Full Tail
2.) Bon Bon - Black Bi Female NBT
3.) Gobstopper - Red Merle Female NBT
4.) Licorice - Black Bi Male Full Tail
A waiting list has begun for Peach's litter, it does have a few names on it - we have one opening on this list.
**This litter will be raised by Maddie at Trilo Miniature American Shepherds in Minnesota**
Welcome to the Candy Shoppe Litter!
1.) Jelly Bean - Red Merle Female Full Tail
2.) Bon Bon - Black Bi Female NBT
3.) Gobstopper - Red Merle Female NBT
4.) Licorice - Black Bi Male Full Tail
Sorry x ?? - Litter due Early Summer 2025
Sorry is our girl that we purchased from Tresrullah Miniature American Shepherds and Australian Shepherds in Ontario Canada, she is a wonderfully sweet dog and easy to live with; Sorry has phenomenal conformation and took Best of Winners and Best of Opposite over other fantastic Minis with 20 dogs entered; at MASCUSA Nationals Sorry placed 3rd in Open Blue Merle Bitches as well. Sorry has decent athleticism, and likes to do the Aussie jump & spin mid air, she has a lot of food drive, has not yet displayed toy drive and handles high stress environments smoothly. I would say that Sorry is low-medium drive and energy, but she has excellent focus; granted I did purchase her as an adult and did not raise her as a puppy to see what she was like as a youngster. Sorry is gentle, affectionate, and just a wonderful dog to live with - she is the type of Mini that everyone adores and gravitates towards because she is cute and good natured.
I will be updating with a litter announcement to announce the sire of this litter - they will have loads of potential to be Minis that can do just about anything sport or conformation!
I will be updating with a litter announcement to announce the sire of this litter - they will have loads of potential to be Minis that can do just about anything sport or conformation!
Available Older Puppies & Adults
(Pending) Macha - ASDR Miniature Australian Shepherd
This one is going to break my heart, Macha is a really special dog to me. She is the sweetest dog to her person, has a very quick mind, and she is highly athletic. Macha loves to play disc, and is the perfect right hand dog - much like her sire; she has a lot of love to give but she she is not an affable/silly Golden-Retriever type personality, she loves deeply and will follow the command of her person and has great biddability. She has handled large-show environments well, but she does not have much experience competing although she has a lot of talent for dog sports. She trains well with play and with treats, she has gone with us to many stores and farmers markets and large dog competitions. I have really struggled against making her available, because I just love this dog's whole personality - if you like old-school Aussies, that is who she is! She will correct other dogs if she thinks they are rude, this has caused an issue between her and Entropy. When Macha had her puppies, she did nip when people from outside our home came over - momma dogs can be protective.
Macha produced two amazing litters for us and gave us Bluey & Cheezy.
Macha's ideal home understands old-school Aussie with a quick bright mind; she LOVES to play disc, she is good around livestock and poultry and would do good on a farm or homestead, she does well with my kids and family - but I would monitor that in a new home just to be sure there is a smooth transition.
Macha produced two amazing litters for us and gave us Bluey & Cheezy.
Macha's ideal home understands old-school Aussie with a quick bright mind; she LOVES to play disc, she is good around livestock and poultry and would do good on a farm or homestead, she does well with my kids and family - but I would monitor that in a new home just to be sure there is a smooth transition.
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Entropy - Spay appoint 6/20/25
Entropy will be available to join a pet home after she recovers from her spay on June 20, 2025. She is a bright, affectionate, energetic, athletic dog - she love to chew on bones, play with toys, swim in the water and catch frisbees and discs. She has gone to many competitions with us and done pretty well and she got half way to her AKC Champion in conformation. She does well in the house and with our kids, enjoys car rides, and being a member of the house. Entropy does bark at strangers in the house, but if you give her a tasty bone to chew on then she settles down. She does prefer to be the boss and can get testy with other females, generally she is fine but she has given some attitude before with other females who challenged her. Her ideal home would spend time on the water often, because she really loves to play in the water whenever she gets the chance.
We decided to retire Entropy, she had a few struggles with nursing her puppies although she was a very loving and attentive mother who adored her puppies. She produced two litters, one in March 2024 and the other in April 2025.
Entropy is available for the cost of her spay $400
We decided to retire Entropy, she had a few struggles with nursing her puppies although she was a very loving and attentive mother who adored her puppies. She produced two litters, one in March 2024 and the other in April 2025.
Entropy is available for the cost of her spay $400