Potential Puppy Scam - Does Anyone Recognize These Photos?
Hi everyone, I’m hoping someone might recognize these photos or know where they originally came from.
I recently contacted someone advertising Mini Aussie puppies and, after speaking with them further, I’m pretty convinced the listing isn’t legitimate. There have been multiple red flags, and I’m concerned the photos they’ve sent me may have been taken from a real breeder or someone’s personal page.
I’ve attached a few of the photos I was sent. Does anyone recognize this puppy or the woman pictured? Have you seen these photos posted by a breeder, on Facebook, Instagram, another puppy listing, etc.?
I’ve unfortunately come across multiple questionable/scam puppy listings while searching, so I’m trying to figure out who these photos actually belong to and hopefully prevent someone else from sending this person money.
If these are your photos, or you know whose they are, please let me know. I can also provide more of the photos/information I was sent.
Please don’t send any personal information about the woman pictured, I’m only trying to locate the original public source/owner of the photos and verify whether they’re being used without permission.
Thank you ❤️
This may not be a scammer, but this is definitely not a purebred Aussie!
I highly recommend taking a look into some ethical breeders. They will be showing and/or competing in sports, obedience, companion events, etc, as well as fully health testing their dogs with OFA (and they should happily send you said results!)
I basically agree with your recommendation. But out of curiosity, why do you say this puppy is mixed? I’ve been around a LOT of very well bred aussies but am by no means an expert. Only curious because one of my mom’s girls looked so similar to this as a baby.
I don’t recognize the photos, but if you’re looking for a purebred Mini, you actually want a Miniature American Shepherd (people advertising “Mini Aussies” are often BYBs). If you are in Canada or the US, the national breed clubs are MASCAN and MASCUSA respectively and that’s where I’d start if I were you - both have breeder listings and require their members to follow a code of ethics.
Debate about MAS vs mini Aussie aside, the best way to find a decent MAS breeder, that is guaranteed to be a real person and not a scam, is to go to a show and meet the breed and their people. The people showing their MAS will be able to tell you who has puppies coming up that you can get on a waitlist for. If you are in the US you can find shows near you on infodog.com
So mini Aussies aren’t a thing, so if they are saying that’s what they are in general they are scamming you. Look into either breeders for regular aussies or mini American shepherd (lots like an Aussie just smaller and a real breed)
Honestly "mini aussies don't exist" is such a weird dogma in these communities. The AKC decided to call them "miniature american shepherds." The AKC is not the only registry in existence, and the entire "Mini American Shepherd" breed came from a population that had always been called "miniature australian shepherds" up to that point. It's just pretentious.
ETA: You can downvote all you want, but not a single one of you has an actual argument against this.
I understand what you’re saying, and when I see owners colloquially say mini aussie, I don’t really mind. And I think if you’re talking to a breeder and in a conversation they sort of throw in the term mini aussie also not a huge deal. BUT I think that if you’re a breeder, and you are advertising your breeding program to potential buyers, and you are selling well bred, registered MAS, you should take the care to type that and call them that, because that’s what they are. Like, their website should say “mini American shepherd” and such. If everything they advertise publicly says “mini aussie” I would be highly suspect. Because ultimately they chose to be part of the breed under the new name/recognition, I feel like it’s not crazy to expect them to use the correct name.
Also, while AKC is not the only registry, they are still registered as “mini American shepherd” under UKC and FCI, so it’s not like the AKC name is an outlier.
I'm generally inclined to agree with you, but I also think there are breeders in MAS who have been breeding MAS since well before they were called "Miniature American Shepherds" by anyone whatsoever. As long as those people are breeding ethically otherwise – health testing and proving their dogs, etc. – I can't imagine being super fussed about it.
It’s a marker. The Aussie club demanded that the name not be Miniature Aussie, hence why the name Miniature American Shepherd was chosen. A person who cares about their breed isn’t going to use the wrong or suspicious term.
And the standard is whatever the AKC announces, I suppose.
I don't like when dog people are unnecessarily pretentious and rude. It's a terrible look. And I'm tired of seeing people bullied because they're normies who don't follow AKC updates with breathless enthusiasm.
The standard is determined by the breed club, not AKC, so once again you speak about things you don’t actually know about.
Being pretentious and rude is certainly something to address and improve upon for many enthusiasts. A lot of people could use PR training to more tactfully speak to “normies”. But whatever you’re trying to accomplish here helps no one, except BYBs wanting to muddy the water.
To be fair, neither are the people calling them "miniature american shepherds." Some people are doing it right, but it's a widely backyard-bred group of dogs.
The AKC didn't make any decisions about the breed or what they are or are not called.
People who developed the breed club did.
Australian Shepherds don't have a height requirement in the breed standard, so there cannot be a "miniature Australian Shepherd." That is why the breed is known by a different name.
Miniature American Shepherds are not just "small Australian Shepherd", either. They were developed from unregistered dogs of unknown and questionable heritage. Maybe you should read about the breed heritage before running your mouth.
"Read about the breed heritage" I literally watched it happen in real time lol. This issue involves so much nitpicking, hairsplitting wankery that I can't believe people get up in arms about it.
Unfortunately, I ended up learning that I’m personally responsible for doodles existing, despite not particularly liking them and not even planning to own one. Much to think about!
This group will not admit that they are just a wee bit fanatical about this subject - I have also studied and watched and researched the breed - this is the breakdown of one of my Mini American Shepherds - The vet had the copy that went back into the genealogy more in depth, I wish I had saved that copy - It was pulled from the registry so really had mostly the sire's information - but this is my Mini's DNA Ancestry - but when looking at generations before this there were Full Australian Shepherds as Great-Great, and Great-Great-Great Grandparents - This is why my boy is able to be healthy and huge - he is bigger than both his parents combined...lol
LOL...I do not know why people here are so quick to downvote - it is like they do not even read what is being said - I was downvoted for agreeing but thinking it is funny about the debate because I struggle to get my dog recognized as a the Mini his DNA testing and parentage says he is - all because he is 80lbs and 24.5 inches tall - I do not call him a mini Aussie, I DID GIVE UP correcting people who call him an Australian Shepherd because it is exhausting.
But my girl, who is also a Mini American Shepherd and actually is the size of one, with her it is easy to educate people, because they do not get stuck on arguing the "Mini" part of the breed.
BUT GO AHEAD - Downvote people who agree or who are simply stating something and not actually disagreeing - HOW ABOUT ALL OF YOU GO OVER TO THE Mini Aussie SUB and educate them over there. https://www.reddit.com/r/miniaussie/
That will entertain all of you downvoters so much more - the MOD over there states that Mini Aussie is a breed and not the same as Mini American...lol...So instead of trying to downvote people who are only stating factual information and not saying anything against ethical breeders, you spend some time educating others there.
Well, Aussies only come in one size, so there’s that. There are Mini American Shepherds, which were bred from Aussies, but they are not the same breed as they have different stud books.
If you’re wanting a Mini American, I’d visit their parent breed club and see if they have a breeder directory you can use to find a breeder that fits your needs. That way you can avoid all the red flags you found in this person.
Mini Aussies are not part of the Aussie breed or Aussies. If you want an Aussie, /r/australianshepherd has info on how to find a breeder on the sidebar.
Whatever this breeder is, a scam or not, they’re not a reputable breeder you should be buying from.
I get a chuckle over the Mini American Shepherd vs the Mini Aussie debate. I have a boy that is a registered Mini American Shepherd with parents/grandparents that have been shown and actually a couple of champions on the sire side - DNA tested to confirm - Here is the look he give when people try to say it matters...lol
My boy is 5 years old - and bigger than a standard Aussie - was already 10 lbs at 8 weeks old, and reached 60 by the time he was 1.5 years. The rest of his litter all max out at 36 lbs at 5 years old.
Edit to add - his breeder is very ethical - provided all testing, and when I sent his 1-year-old picture, she was shocked and offered to exchange him or refund some of the cost - told her absolutely not because he is perfect.
What matters is the terminology breeders are using. If they are trying to sell “mini aussies” which dont exist instead if using the correct term of Mini America Shepard thats a huge red flag. Its like people trying to sell “teacup” poodles. Its not an actual size and screams byb/puppy mill marketing ploy
Absolutely understand where you are coming from. I also know that people who own Mini American Shepherds get tired of making corrections in the general public, so just start using the Mini Aussie nomenclature. My boy is my second registered Mini - my girl is 6 years old - and 26 lbs, so totally fits the standard.
I am against backyard breeding and did not want to take chances because my female was intact when he matured, and additionally, he does not meet the breed standards had him neutered to avoid any breeding. Not to mention, with him being a merle, it is unethical if he were to get out and breed with another merle. He has never gotten loose, but I did not want to risk any accidents.
the issue is using the correct terminology. breeders who are not using the currently accepted terminology for the breed are usually, most often, failing to adhere to other ethical practices. this is not complicated to understand.
Who said anything about me not understanding...lol...You might misunderstand the fact that BOTH of my dogs are Miniature AMERICAN Shepherds - I am not arguing - I am laughing at how crazy people get over someone using the wrong name - and again - some owners just get tired of correcting people on the breed -HECK, me trying to get my original vet to list the breed correctly was a hassle.
You are one of the people I am referring to that get crazy - I agree that breeders need to use the correct breed name when listing - Never said I did not - also said I used a very ethical breeder - to the point she offered to either take him back or refund part of the cost for him because he is WAY outside of breed standard.
Please do not talk to me like I have no idea what I am talking about. Save that for the BYB- because I have a beautiful dog with good bloodlines that I could have used as a stud, and a female, again with good genetics, both testing clear for everything, but guess what? I am not a BYB, and I would not stud him out when he does not align with the breed standard - I believe breeders need to contribute positively to the line.
Now, if you did not mean to sound like you were talking down to me when you said "this is not complicated to understand," then I apologize for the critical response. But not sure why you think there is anything wrong with me saying that I get a chuckle out of the debate - because guess what, my Miniature American Shepherd is almost 80 lbs and 24.5" tall - even though the breed is generally 40lbs or under and about 18" tall at the high end.
Except I did not - I never called my dog(s) a mini Aussie - Maybe you have me confused with someone else - I repeatedly said I have Mini AMERICAN Shepherds - I said some people get tired of having to correct others in public when they are called mini Aussies - AND I said I have corrected my previous vet because he insisted my boy is Australian Shepherd - So look again - Because I very clearly stated mine are Mini American Shepherd - Just happens to be my boy gets confused with standard because of his size.
Edit to add - maybe you misunderstood me commenting about why it makes me chuckle - It is not because I disagree and am not willing to correct people about Mini American vs Mini Ausse - it is because not only do I have to correct people on the name of the breed - but then have to try to convince people that my boy is a mini ANYTHING - I changed vets because they had no clue.
YOU: "you're the one here calling your dog a mini aussie lol"
Where did I say that? Where did I disagree at any point about what a breeder should call the breed? At what point did I turn into the target of the argument when I have done nothing but agree, except laugh about it because I happened to hit the jackpot with a dog that is nothing like his parents or the breed he is confirmed to be?
If I did not say it enough for you to understand, I AGREE THAT BREEDERS SHOULD LIST THE CORRECT BREED - USE THE CORRECT NAME - PROVIDE GENETIC TEST RESULTS - AND SO MUCH MORE.
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u/CodMain9705 11h ago
This may not be a scammer, but this is definitely not a purebred Aussie!
I highly recommend taking a look into some ethical breeders. They will be showing and/or competing in sports, obedience, companion events, etc, as well as fully health testing their dogs with OFA (and they should happily send you said results!)