About
The following questions are answered below:
- Who are you and where are you located?
- How many dogs do you have? Tell us more about them.
- What American Kennel Club (AKC) relationships do you have?
- Are you members of the Australian Terrier Club of America (ATCA)?
- How frequently do you have litters?
- What questions do you ask prospective owners?
- How much do you charge to purchase one of your dogs?
- Besides price, what are your other purchase terms?
- I don’t live within driving distance. Can you ship a dog? Is it safe?
- Where can I learn more about the breed?
- What is your position on dog welfare issues?
Who are you and where are you located?
We’re Bob and Karen De Young and we have both owned companion dogs throughout our lives. We have been interested in the sport of conformation and other AKC events for some time. We decided to become active in conformation in 2005. We chose the Australian Terrier as the ideal breed for us and brought our first Aussie home in April 2005.
Through constant study and practice and help from many friends, we have achieved much since becoming actively involved in conformation. Those friends include:
- our breeders, Susan Bentley (Benayr Australian Terriers) and Janet Maas (Akiba Australian Terriers),
- our primary handler, Betty Bossio, and other handlers including Gabriel Rangel and Barbara Weiner, and
- mentors too numerous to list, but most notably, Pamela Levy, Sue Holsinger, Charlie and Sherry Dahly, Adelene Pardo, Roland and Carolyn Taub and everyone in the Houston All Terrier Club and Australian Terrier Club of America.
We are located in the East Mountain area near Albuquerque, New Mexico, but started in Texas (the origin or TexAun and TexAustralian). We live on two acres with our dogs, two of our three children and Karen’s mom. Our oldest son is in the US Navy.
Regarding TexAun Aussies and TexAustralian Kennels, at one point we were as confused as you may be now. When we started out, we decided to do business as TexAustralian Kennels. When we realized that TexAustralian would reduce our options for AKC registrations due to name length limits, TexAun was born (for example, we could never have had “TexAun Mr Bojangles Is Really A Girl”). Hence, we do business as TexAustralian Kennels, but our breedings include “TexAun” in the registered name.
How many dogs do you have? Tell us more about them.
The number varies, but we currently have four “foundation” Australian Terriers that are champions: Shelly, Lily, Polly and Phil. Shelly, Lily and Phil have received Terrier group placements. Phil is a multiple Terrier Group winner and was ranked as the Dog News #1 All Breed Australian Terrier in 2007. All of our foundation dogs participate in conformation and earthdog trials. We also have, Mac, a golden/lab rescue that is a wonderful “big” brother for the Aussies. Pedigrees for the Australian Terriers can be found in the “Dogs” pages of the website.
Shelly (Ch Benayr in a Nutshell) came to us as an adult in 2005 and was born in November 2000. She was competitive thoughout 2005-2006, including receipt of a group placement at the Humble Kennel Club show in October 2005. She is retired and we intend to keep her as one of our “forever” dogs. However, if you are interested in a mature, affectionate Aussie and can convince us that your home is a great place for her retirement, please contact us.
Lily (Ch Benayr Tiger Lily) came to us as a puppy and was born in January 2005. She is showdog through and through…the world revolves around HER based on her attitude. She received multiple group placements in shows during 2006 and 2007, won sweepstakes at the Australian Terrier national specialty show in May 2006, completed her championship within ten months and has won best opposite (best female when a male wins best of breed) in many notable shows. Lily is semi-retired…we still show her at select shows.
Polly (Ch Benayr Norwegian Blue) came to us as a puppy and was born in March 2005. She was very competitive throughout the seventeen months she was shown. Polly is our most obedient and mischievous dog (having that “who me, couldn’t be” attitude). We plan to channel that energy into obedience, agility and/or rally events beginning in 2008.
Phil (Ch Benayr Wild-Eyed Philosopher) came to us as a puppy and was born in March 2005. Phil is a muscular Aussie with “good bone” and rich blue and tan coloring, the tan being a richer than normal chestnut. Phil completed his championship within seven months. We campaigned Phil throughout 2007 and as noted above, he received 27 Terrier group placements, two Terrier Group wins and was ranked as the Dog News #1 All Breed Australian Terrier in 2007. We will show him selectively in 2008 and plan to campaign him again in 2009.
What American Kennel Club (AKC) relationships do you have?
All of our Australian Terriers are AKC registered. An individual cannot be a member of the AKC, but can be a member of affiliated clubs. We are members of the Australian Terrier Club of Colorado (ATCC), Copperstate Australian Terrier Club (CATC), Houston All Terrier Club (HAT) and Rio Grande Kennel Club (RGKC).
Bob serves on the legislative liaison committee for RGKC and served as legislative liaison for HAT in 2006-2007. As a legislative liaison, Bob works with AKC member clubs and the AKC to improve the knowledge and understanding of the public and public officials related to dog welfare and dog owner rights.
Are you members of the Australian Terrier Club of America (ATCA)?
Not yet. We have completed requirements for membership and submitted our applications to our ATCA sponsors. We hope to become ATCA members in 2008.
How frequently do you have litters?
We generally average one to two litters per year. The average litter for Australian Terriers is four puppies, but we have had as many as seven in a litter.
What questions do you ask prospective owners?
A sample of the questions we may ask are found at the TexAun Aussies Owner Questionnaire. Before placing a dog, we will have several conversations and speak with at least two of your references and your vet.
How much do you charge to purchase one of your dogs?
The purchase price varies and proper placement of our dogs is of paramount importance, not the price we receive. In general, our asking price ranges from $1000 to $1500 depending on the breeding and intended purpose (pet or show prospect) for each dog. In the rare instance that we sell an established champion, the price would be higher. We do work with individuals that will properly care for our dogs, but are unable to afford the high upfront costs associated with the purchase of this rare and wonderful breed.
Besides price, what are your other purchase terms?
Proper care of all of the dogs we place and an ongoing relationship with owners is of utmost importance to us. We maintain a lifelong commitment to the care of dogs we have owned and bred. On that basis, we use a contract that provides mutual benefits and requires mutual commitments. Each sale is unique and the contract is tailored to each sale, but we do have a TexAun Aussies Sample Contract.
We provide two signed copies of the contract upon receipt of a deposit of $250 and require that one copy be returned to us prior to delivery of a dog. Although the contract indicates the $250 deposit is nonrefundable, in most cases we will refund the deposit. We understand unforeseen circumstances occur.
Unlike some breeders, our contract does not impose substantial penalties for “violations”. We understand unavoidable or inadvertant situations occur and we are here to help. Punitive action and litigation is an option of last resort we have never had to take.
I don’t live within driving distance. Can you ship a dog? Is it safe?
Australian Terriers tend to travel well and we have never had a safety concern because we take appropriate precautions. In every case, we work with you to identify the best travel arrangements for you and your new family member. We can ship to all major airports around the world. We stay with our dogs until they are picked up to be boarded on a plane and generally prefer to use Continental’s industry leading Quickpak service which offers same day, airport-to-airport delivery. Quickpak offers features designed to ensure an animal’s comfort and safety, including climate controlled environments from pickup to delivery.
Regarding shipping costs, we supply the kennel free of charge. Air transport is a buyer expense and generally costs about $200-$300 within the continental US.
Where can I learn more about Australian Terriers?
Start at the AKC’s Australian Terrier Breed Standard. You can also check out the Australian Terrier Club of America website.
What is your position on dog welfare issues?
Refer to our separate page of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on dog welfare issues.
