Red Desert Australian Cattle Dogs

Raised by Tara C.

Certified Breeder of Australian Cattle Dogs and Central Asian Shepherd Dogs

  • Preferred Breeder
  • 91% response rate • Responds within a day

Meet the breeder

I'm the breeder behind Red Desert Australian Cattle Dogs located in Mena, AR. Red Desert is founded upon love and respect for all things dog. We are dedicated to placing the perfect pups into loving homes. We breed with a focus on conformation and health, and we adhere to the breed standard. Our pups make excellent show prospects and family companions. It would be our pleasure to introduce you to your next ACD!

Tara’s experience

  • About Tara

    We are a selective program that focuses on conformation and the overall well-being of our dogs. We breed to produce happy and healthy puppies that can continue to excel in their forever homes.

  • What makes Tara’s program special

    Our puppies are raised with love in our home, and we strive to help each one grow up with confidence so they are ready to leave with their new families. They are affectionate, intelligent, and cute as can be!

Puppies

Bear

Available

Male • Ready July 6, 2024

Central Asian Shepherd Dog

Mouse

Available

Female • Ready Nov. 12, 2024

Australian Cattle Dog

Sunny

Available

Male • Ready Mar. 28

Australian Cattle Dog

Bug

Available

Male • Ready Mar. 28

Australian Cattle Dog

Clover

Reserved

Female • Ready Mar. 28

Australian Cattle Dog

Rain

Reserved

Female • Ready Mar. 28

Australian Cattle Dog

Poppy

Reserved

Female • Ready Mar. 28

Australian Cattle Dog

Cassiopeia

Reserved

Female • Went Home Nov. 12, 2024

Australian Cattle Dog

Boötes

Reserved

Male • Went Home Nov. 12, 2024

Australian Cattle Dog

Draco

Reserved

Male • Went Home Nov. 12, 2024

Australian Cattle Dog

Orion

Reserved

Male • Went Home Nov. 12, 2024

Australian Cattle Dog

Girl 4

Reserved

Female • Went Home July 6, 2024

Central Asian Shepherd Dog

Boy 2

Reserved

Male • Went Home July 6, 2024

Central Asian Shepherd Dog

Girl 3

Reserved

Female • Went Home July 6, 2024

Central Asian Shepherd Dog

Boy 1

Reserved

Male • Went Home July 6, 2024

Central Asian Shepherd Dog

Freya

Reserved

Female • Went Home July 6, 2024

Central Asian Shepherd Dog

Girl 2

Reserved

Female • Went Home July 6, 2024

Central Asian Shepherd Dog

Strawberry Shortcake

Reserved

Female • Went Home May 29, 2024

Australian Cattle Dog

Toffee

Reserved

Female • Went Home May 29, 2024

Australian Cattle Dog

Cupcake

Reserved

Female • Went Home May 29, 2024

Australian Cattle Dog

Cobbler

Reserved

Female • Went Home May 29, 2024

Australian Cattle Dog

Streusel

Reserved

Female • Went Home May 29, 2024

Australian Cattle Dog

Muffin

Reserved

Female • Went Home May 29, 2024

Australian Cattle Dog

Cannoli

Reserved

Male • Went Home May 29, 2024

Australian Cattle Dog

Galadriel

Reserved

Female • Went Home Sept. 15, 2023

Australian Cattle Dog

Tauriel

Reserved

Female • Went Home Sept. 15, 2023

Australian Cattle Dog

Legolas

Reserved

Male • Went Home Sept. 15, 2023

Australian Cattle Dog

Arwen

Reserved

Female • Went Home Sept. 15, 2023

Australian Cattle Dog

Keeper

Reserved

Female • Went Home Sept. 15, 2023

Australian Cattle Dog

Éowyn

Reserved

Female • Went Home Sept. 15, 2023

Australian Cattle Dog

St.Nick

Reserved

Male • Went Home Mar. 5, 2022

Australian Cattle Dog

Noelle

Reserved

Female • Went Home Mar. 5, 2022

Australian Cattle Dog

Comet

Reserved

Male • Went Home Mar. 5, 2022

Australian Cattle Dog

Mistletoe

Reserved

Female • Went Home Mar. 5, 2022

Australian Cattle Dog

EggNog

Reserved

Male • Went Home Mar. 5, 2022

Australian Cattle Dog

Peppermint

Reserved

Female • Went Home Mar. 5, 2022

Australian Cattle Dog

Newborn & upcoming litters

Newborn Australian Cattle Dogs from Moose and Rohan

Born July 2023. Ready Sept. 15, 2023

Newborn Australian Cattle Dogs from Moose and Rohan

Born Jan. 2025. Ready Mar. 28

Planned Australian Cattle Dogs from Quigley and Kaci

Due Apr. 2025. Ready May 2025

Planned Australian Cattle Dogs from TBD and Bailey

Due July 2025. Ready Aug. 2025

Newborn Australian Cattle Dogs from Moose and Rohan

Born July 2023

Ready Sept. 15, 2023

Newborn Australian Cattle Dogs from Moose and Rohan

Born Jan. 2025

Ready Mar. 28

Planned Australian Cattle Dogs from Quigley and Kaci

Due Apr. 2025

Ready May 2025

Litter and program updates

Getting a puppy from Tara

Tara has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies. You'll also have the chance to share a bit about yourself and what you're looking for in a new companion. Together, you'll choose the puppy that's right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.

Price

Puppy prices range from $1,500 - $2,500 and include a non-refundable deposit of $300.

Contract and health guarantee

Tara may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Tara offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Tara directly.

Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more

What's included

Enrichment and socialization

We spend lots of time socializing and training our pups so they will have a great foundation of good behavior and neurological development. I utilize the following enrichment methods: Surface & tactile stimulation, Socialized with other animals, Introduced to people of different ages and appearances, Daily handling, Scent introduction, Socialized with children, Car rides, Various sounds, start of puppy recall with treats, Puppy Culture , Livestock Exposure, Outdoors (when Weather permits), crate training, Noises , Touch Desensitization, Socialized with Adult Dogs, Sound Stimulation, Toys, e.g. Ball, Scents, Socialized with Children, Socialized with Elderly, Socialized with Cats, Well socialized puppy that a family can take and enjoy their new family member in their adventures , Weekly Nail Trims , Touch, pets, and kisses are encouraged during human socialization., We begin potty training along with crate training & believe the two go hand in hand., Human Interactions , Early socialization, Litter Box Trained, Basic Manners, Initial House Training, Initial Crate Training, Various Surfaces, Noise Desensitization, Household Desensitization, Socialized with People, and Socialized with Other Animals.

 … 
Puppy health practices

All puppies will be dewormed, vaccinated, and BAER tested, and they will go home with a health certificate from our local vet.

Extras

We send our puppies home with Toys, Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent, Registration, Vet records, Food & treats, Microchip, Bone, Toy with Littermates' Scent, Puppy Collar, Vaccinations, Microchip, Certificate of Health, Blanket with Mom's Scent, and AKC Registration.

Bringing your puppy home

Tara offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.

Pick up your puppy in Mena, AR or nearby

If you’re nearby, you can visit in person to pick up your pup. If you’re far away, you can travel by car or plane.

Get your puppy dropped off to you

Work with a trusted flight nanny or transporter to get your puppy comfortably dropped off at an airport or meeting point close to home.

More about Tara

  • Why Tara started breeding

    We want to do our part to better the breed. Our breeding program focuses on maintaining the unique characteristics specific to Australian Cattle Dogs while striving to produce puppies of superior health and structure.

  • Tara is a Preferred Good Dog Breeder

    Preferred Breeders are recognized for their quick replies and exceptional buyer support.

  • Tara has been a member of Good Dog for almost 4 years

    Tara was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2021.

  • Tara’s program includes six colors

    Tara’s Australian Cattle Dog puppies include red speckled, blue mottled, and blue. Tara’s Central Asian Shepherd Dog puppies include gray, white, and fawn. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • Tara’s links

Tara is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Red Desert Australian Cattle Dogs meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:

  • Responsible breeding practices
  • Health of breeding dogs and puppies
  • Puppy environment and enrichment
  • Buyer education and policies

Parent health testing

Australian Cattle Dog

Breeder-Reported Testing

Excellent level

Red Desert Australian Cattle Dogs reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Australian Cattle Dogs.

  • Hip Dysplasia (Preliminary), Hip Dysplasia

    Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.

  • Elbow Dysplasia (Preliminary), Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)

    Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.

  • Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)

    Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.

  • Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)

    Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.

  • Congenital Deafness (BAER, registered with OFA)

    A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.

  • Primary Lens Luxation (PLL), Cystinuria Type II-A, Australian Cattle Dog Type, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd)

    Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).

Verified owner stories

Hear what other owners say about working with Tara to bring home their puppies.

  • TS

    Tameka S.

    July 2024

    This was the easiest dog buying process. Tara was ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! She was very knowledgeable and responsive. We drove from NC to Arkansas to purchase our new addition and it was love at first...

    Joel D.

    July 2024

    Had a great experience with the entire transaction. I’ve had many questions for Tara before, during and after puppy pick up and still today bother her with random questions haha. Everyone one of my...

    Emily A.

    June 2024

    All aspects of dealing with Tara have been great. She listened to my story, she understood exactly what we were looking for in our new girl. She answered all my questions and believe me I had a few!...

    LR

    Lillian R.

    June 2024

    Tara was so responsive and knowledgeable about the breed. You can tell they really care about their dogs and take pride in how they are treated. They stayed in touch and sent me regular updates about...

    Lauren J.

    May 2022

    Very helpful and great experience. I was looking for a heeler and had great success finding a wonderful breeder. The interaction and response where awesome. I used Tara from Red Desert Australian...

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