Crazy Patch Mini Americans
quality miniature American Shepherds since 2009
What stands us apart from most other breeders?
Our program is very small for a reason, so that we can raise our puppies as family members in our home, on our lap & close to our hearts, giving each puppy our full attention.
Our puppies are handled with love & care from the moment they are born & they are played with multiple times per day.
We socialize our puppies, introduce them to other animals, kids, sounds, toys, & various surfaces, take them for car rides & let them explore the world around them so they are better prepared for life after they leave our home.
Our dogs are not raised in kennels, they are raised in our house, they sleep on our beds & are part of our family.
We genetic test our dogs to ensure that we are producing healthy dogs.
Not only do we strive to breed for health & conformationally correct dogs, temperament is one of our number one priorities.
Our dogs are not only our pride & joy, they are our babies & we would like to share the joy our dogs have given us with you! If you are interested in bring one of our Aussie's into your home as a new family member, please feel free to contact us!.
Learn more about each individual dog by clicking the buttons below
Life with our
Crazy Patch Mini Americans
My first mini Aussie - How it all began
Its a spring morning in 2001, I was sitting in the grandstands at a horse show watching my older sister show her young appaloosa stud colt Izzy. As I was sitting there I saw this woman walking the cutest little dog I had ever seen! I was pretty shy about talking to strangers back then but I couldn’t help myself, I had to ask her about her dog. She told me her dog Daisy was a 14” red merle mini Aussie! I knew of standard Aussies & loved the breed but had never seen or heard of a mini Aussie before, I was instantly in love with her dog.
My first mini Aussie Ziggy.
Fast forward about a year, its winter of 2002 & my mother calls me into the living room of our small farm house. There was a woman standing there talking to my mother & she had a small dog with her, my eyes got huge as I realized it was Daisy! the little mini Aussie I had met at the horse show a year ago, I was confused, why was this lady here with this dog? & that’s when I looked down to see three little mini Aussie puppies! My mom asked me what I thought of Dasiy’s cute puppies, with a confused look on my face, I told her they were adorable! my mother continued to talk to Daisy’s owner as my brother & I played with the puppies, still not understanding why they were here. Then out of nowhere my mother said “well, did you pick one?” I looked up thinking she may have been talking to my brother, or maybe I missed some part of a conversation? but that’s when she looked me in the eye & said “Teagan, pick whichever puppy you like” I started to tear up, I was completely blindsided! To this day I’m not sure if my mother knew just how much I was struggling as a teen at that time & how much I needed a little companion dog. All three puppies were so beautiful but it wasn’t hard to choose, Ziggy was so tiny & unique, I had a instant connection with her. My whole life changed after that day, Ziggy was my best friend & helped me overcome so many struggles in my life, I don’t know what I would have done without her by my side for all those years.
My little angel Rigby.
Ziggy was loved by all who knew her, she was the most loving & loyal dog I have ever known, she was the kind of dog you didn’t have to utter a word to, she knew how you were feeling & what you wanted before you even had a chance, she was already doing what needed to be done to make you smile. Ziggy is no longer by my side & I miss her dearly, but she is still warming my heart & blessing our lives with her presences in each & everyone of her beautiful grandchildren. Her grandson Rigby is just like her, he lives to be by my side & make me smile everyday. I have been truly blessed with an amazing little angel. ~ Teagan Zavita 12/4/18
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Beneficent Horsemanship
with Teagan Zavita
Schooling horses with compassion & mutual respect
I've been schooling horses & studying equine psychology/behavior since 1995, I've always been searching to better the connection I have with my horses. This quest has led me on an amazing journey & I'd like to share with you.
Respect is a key word in the equestrians language, they are always demanding "respect" from the horse, but often get the word respect confused with the word obedience. I am not looking for "obedience" from my horses, I am after a relationship with them & that is why I use the words mutual respect. The word respect means to admire someone deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements. To have due regard for the feelings, wishes & rights of another being. To avoid harming or interfering. The majestic horse has only to be a horse to have my respect, but it is our job to be worthy enough to earn the respect of a horse, because you cannot demand respect, it can only be earned.
I no longer train horses for other people, I find that its unproductive in helping people build a good relationship with their horse, the solution? Teach people how to school their own horse, its a much more appropriate, productive & successful way of helping horses & their owners in their quest for oneness.
I school my horses in bitless, bridleless, liberty & tricks using a science based positive reinforcement method. I find this method humane & highly successful in building a strong trusting bond with my horses.
Learn more about about my training methods by clicking the button below
In the presence of horses
I am passionate about Baroque/Iberian type horses. I have dreamed of them since I can remember, now I am surrounded by them. I have rescued or adopted most all of them. Feel free to get to know me & the wonderful horses I share my life with through the many stories posted in my blogs.