Adopting a Puppy
STEP 1: Join Our Email List
To ensure that you never miss out on updates about our upcoming litters and get early notification about deposit openings, we highly recommend joining our exclusive email list by filling in the form below.
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If you're eager to bring home a puppy from Frying Pan Ranch but not quite prepared at the moment, our email list is the perfect way to stay connected with us.
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If you're currently ready to take the next step and bring home a furry friend, sign up below then move on to Step 2 below...
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STEP 2: Reserving A Puppy
At Frying Pan Ranch, we believe it is important to pick out your puppy in person; based on personality, not pictures or color. Because of this, we take deposits to hold your spot in the picking order, not to hold a specific puppy. ​This allows you the freedom to pick the puppy who best matches with you, once they are 8 weeks old.
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To reserve a puppy, we require a deposit of $300.
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​Click the "Place Deposit" button on our "Available Puppies" page.
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Please review our Deposit Terms prior to sending a deposit.​
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Deposits order is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Deposits are refundable or transferable if you do not find a puppy to meet your needs in the litter.
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Guidelines for refunds/transfers
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Once your deposit is received, we will send a confirmation email within 24 hours.
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Remainder of purchase price is due in cash at the time you select your puppy.
STEP 3: Preparing For Your Puppy
We are committed to providing our puppy families with excellent information and resources to give them the tools to successfully prepare for and raise their newest family member. We want your puppy to grow up to be your ideal dog!
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After placing a deposit our puppy families gain access to our curated collection of educational tools to help you along your puppy journey. This includes training videos, free e-books, TV shows to check out and suggested supplies. Everything we think you may need to set you up for success!
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STEP 4: Selecting Your Puppy
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Individual puppy photos and personality profiles are posted on the website at around 5 weeks of age.
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Puppies are selected by their new families in person, at 8 weeks of age, on the designated "Puppy Picking Day" for the litter.​
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Each family is given an assigned appointment time and a full hour to pick out their puppy
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Your family members, friends and pets are welcome to come help
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Come prepared with an idea of the personality and energy level of the pup you are looking for.
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Puppy selection is not allowed based on color or appearance alone
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If, at any point, we feel you are making a selection due only to appearance, we will decline to allow you to adopt any of our puppies.
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Transport
​We have wonderful families that have adopted puppies from us all over the USA, including Alaska! All options other than in person pickup must be agreed upon 1 month prior to puppy selection​.
Options for Long Distance Buyers:
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You can to fly in to pick your puppy in person and fly home with them same day. We are 1 1/2 hour drive from Denver Airport.
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You can pick your puppy via video call and fly your puppy out via air cargo.
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Cost usually runs around $500, which covers ticket, kennel, transport to airport and health papers.
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Are you within a 550-mile radius of Hugo, CO?
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We own a plane and can offer private puppy delivery to your regional airport for the cost of fuel.​
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Your Puppy's Health
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Puppies will be ready to go to their new homes at 8 weeks of age.
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All Puppies Will:​​
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Be microchipped
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Be up to date on vaccines and deworming.​
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Be released with a full veterinary exam and clearance.
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Have tails docked and dewclaws removed at 2 days of age.
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(No puppies with non-docked tails will be offered)
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All Breeding Parents:
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Are tested for the 8 most common genetic diseases for Aussies.​
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Have orthopedic joint soundness ​evaluated by OFA​
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Have proven themselves as sound and talented working dogs and athletes, able to withstand the demands of ranch dog life and live long productive lives.
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​Requirements
At Frying Pan Ranch, we believe bringing a new dog into your home is a big responsibility, but we trust our buyers know this also.
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We do NOT require a questionnaire or references.
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No co-contract is needed to adopt a puppy.
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We do NOT require a spay/neuter agreement.
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Although not every puppy in a litter is destined to be breeding quality, we maintain it is the owners obligation and right to determine if their animal should, or should not, be bred.
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Our Breeding Philosophy
At Frying Pan Ranch, we take pride in producing smart, healthy puppies with the versatility to adapt to a variety of jobs and families. Our goal is to stay true to the origins of the Australian Shepherd breed, which was originally developed to be a "jack of all traits" ranch dog. These dogs were expected to assertively work livestock, reliably protect the family, and be a gentle companion to children. We believe that these traits are what make the breed so popular, and we strive to maintain these characteristics in our breeding program.
Our small size assures that each of our dogs is a valued companion and working partner first, and a breeding dog second. For this reason, we only offer a small number of litters per year. We believe that every mating should be carefully planned to produce puppies with the best possible traits, and we take the time to get to know the personality and attitude of each puppy in a litter. We want to ensure that our puppies find the perfect homes where they can thrive and fulfill their potential.