Our puppies - although born in the house - are raised outside with stock. They get interaction time with other CAS and with a variety of livestock. In addition they are socialized with new people to help form a solid foundation for their future. All of our breeding dogs are evaluated for structure, temperament and health before choosing which dog they’ll be bred to. We do this as objectively as possible so we continue to improve our dogs and the breed as a whole. There is a strategy behind each breeding: relatives/pedigrees, health, temperament, structure/confirmation, and many other factors are all considered. We are always happy to share why we decide on particular sires and dams of the litters. Do not hesitate to ask. We are different than other breeders in that we are with our puppy owners for the lifetime of the dog. Whether your dog is 6 months, 6 years, or 16 years, it is our job as the breeder of that dog to support, coach, and guide each dog's family. We frequently have families come back to us for the next addition to their family or farm. We believe purchasing a dog is a commitment that should be honored by the new family and the breeder. A Word of Warning: Central Asian Shepherds are one of the oldest breeds in the world. This landrace breed has developed over thousands of years. They were bred to be incredibly protective of their people and territory, and inherently, their stock. They bark, a lot. It's part of their job. This breed is not for everyone as they are very tough and can regularly challenge their owners. The appeal to a large, intimidating dog is common, however, the requirements to handle this breed when mature is a tall order. Although the puppies are quite sweet, upon maturity, the dogs grow into their suspicious and combative nature. They can become a liability if not handled correctly. Due to their protective nature, this breed can be difficult to incorporate into a busy home with many guests. And although training goes a long way, there may have to be some additional management within the home for the dog. We do not require a buyer to have livestock or for the dog to live outside, however, experience in training large and independent breeds is a must. They do not have the willingness or biddability like other working breeds have as they are supposed to be naturally independent workers and thinkers. They’re more like a co-worker than a boss/employee relationship. They take what you have to say and consider it instead of unquestioning obedience.

 

Background: Rachels passion started with CAS in 2017 when she met a Central Asian Shepherd at a dog show. She had recently moved to acreage and was having trouble with foxes stealing chickens and ducks, so a LGD ( livestock guardian dog) was a must. Central Asians fit what she was looking for when it came to coat type, temperament, and overall type. Her farm has since grown from a couple birds to now pigs, horses, alpaca, donkeys and yaks. Rachel is a chiropractor for people AND dogs, and her thorough and extensive knowledge of dog anatomy has been an asset to her understanding of canine structure,balance and the importance of it for dogs that need to work long hours patrolling property. Rachel is now a part time chiropractor for dogs and their people and a part-time rancher. Misconceptions: There have been times our dogs are up for adoption or rehome. Adopting an LGD is a wonderful thing to do and it appeals to future owners because of the price tag, and skipping the puppy phase if it's a more mature dog. However - just because a dog - ANY dog, whether purebred or mixed - has an LGD breed in their pedigree, does not automatically mean they’ll be great, trustworthy guardians. They will still need solid training. Many think you can adopt a dog (even a purebred LGD) and toss them in with stock and expect there to be no issues. This is a fallacy. All LGD’s will need some sort of training, and some more than others. Being born in a coop or in a stall with sheep does not guarantee the dog is stock safe.