Frequently Asked Questions
We believe an informed family is the best family for our dogs. Every question below has been asked by real families just like yours. Read through — and if you still have questions, Toni responds personally within 48 hours.
Credentials & Legitimacy
Yes — and the credentials to prove it are public and verifiable. TAGA Ranch was founded in 2009 by Toni Robbins and has spent 17+ years building one of the most credentialed breeding programs in the United States. AKC Breeder of Merit. AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. ASCA Lifetime Member. BBB Accredited A+. Licensed Iowa Breeder. OFA health tested. Beyond the breeding credentials — Toni is also a Licensed Commissioned Holistic Therapist, Certified Animal Aromatherapist, Quantum Energy Practitioner, ordained minister, and adopted member of the Native American Indigenous Church. No other Australian Shepherd breeder in Iowa or the country holds this combination of credentials.
We are completely legitimate — and we encourage you to verify everything. There are too many scams in the dog world and we want you to feel completely confident. You can find and verify TAGA Ranch through every organization listed below. We recommend always verifying any breeder before making a commitment.
TAGA Ranch is a closed-kennel operation — and this is intentional. The highest quality breeders maintain closed kennels to protect puppies from disease exposure and developmental stress during critical early weeks. This is a mark of quality, not something to be concerned about. In place of facility visits we offer personal video calls and video visits where you can meet Toni, see the puppies, ask every question you have, and build a real relationship. We also maintain active social media pages with regular updates — follow us at @tagaranch on Instagram and @TAGAAussies on Facebook.
Health, Care & Nutrition
TAGA Ranch conducts comprehensive OFA health testing on all breeding dogs — including hip evaluation, elbow evaluation, and eye examinations performed by licensed veterinary specialists. All results are registered with OFA and publicly searchable under TAGA or TAGAs. Every puppy receives a full veterinary health certificate before going home.
As an AKC Breeder of Merit and AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. breeder — health testing is a verified, non-negotiable commitment. Not optional. Not occasional. Every single time.
Yes — TAGA Ranch offers an industry-leading 7-year health guarantee for families who follow our recommended nutrition and care protocols. This is one of the longest health guarantees offered by any breeder in the United States and reflects our complete confidence in the quality of every dog we raise.
The guarantee is tied to following the specific recommendations in our contract — including our holistic nutrition program. Families who follow our guidance have the full protection of this remarkable guarantee. Families who deviate from our recommendations take on full responsibility for their own choices.
Every TAGA Ranch puppy is fed pet food formulated by a holistic veterinarian that Toni has personally used for over 8 years with her own dogs, puppies born at the ranch, and hundreds of families across the country. Proper nutrition is foundational — because what goes into your dog directly determines their health, temperament, longevity, and quality of life.
Detailed nutrition guidance is provided with every companion. Following our nutrition protocol is required to maintain your 7-year health guarantee. Learn more at healthyforpaws.com or visit our Pet Nutrition page.
Every TAGA Ranch puppy receives a level of holistic care that no other breeder in the country provides. From day 3 of life every puppy begins Early Neurological Stimulation protocols that build stress tolerance, immune resilience, and confident temperament. They receive species-appropriate natural nutrition from birth, certified animal aromatherapy, quantum energy healing, and sacred earth medicine care guided by Toni's credentials as a Licensed Commissioned Holistic Therapist and adopted member of the Native American Indigenous Church.
These are not extras. This is the TAGA Ranch standard for every single puppy — every single time.
TAGA Ranch Australian Shepherds are known for their exceptional temperament — confident, emotionally stable, deeply loyal, and powerfully bonded to their families. Early neurological stimulation from day 3 builds the neurological foundation for a calm, resilient, and loving companion.
Toni personally temperament matches every companion to their family — ensuring the right dog goes to the right home every time. Whether you need an active partner, a gentle healing companion, or a devoted family dog — you will get the dog that is truly meant for you.
One of the longest health guarantees offered by any Australian Shepherd breeder in the United States. A reflection of our complete confidence in the quality of every dog we raise.
Pricing, Process & Partnership
Because what we offer is simply not available anywhere else. TAGA Ranch is not a commercial breeding operation — it is a faith-based ministry sanctuary led by a Licensed Commissioned Holistic Therapist, AKC Breeder of Merit, ordained minister, and adopted member of the Native American Indigenous Church with 17+ years of dedicated expertise.
Every companion receives Early Neurological Stimulation from day 3, holistic veterinarian-formulated nutrition, certified animal aromatherapy, quantum energy healing, earth medicine care, comprehensive OFA health testing, a 7-year health guarantee, lifetime breeder support, educational materials, and private community access.
For families who understand that a dog is a healing companion — not just a pet — the investment in a TAGA Ranch companion is one of the most significant and rewarding decisions of their lives. Our families do not ask why our dogs cost more. They ask why they waited so long to find us.
Getting on our waitlist involves three simple steps. First — complete our online puppy application so we can learn about your family and your lifestyle. Second — Toni will reach out personally for a video or phone call to ensure it is a genuine match — for your family and for the dog. Third — place your $500 reservation donation which secures your place on the waitlist and is applied toward your total donation.
Deposits are non-refundable but can be transferred to a different litter for up to 18 months if needed. There are so many scams in the dog world — we want to make sure you are completely comfortable with us, and we want to make sure you are the perfect home for one of our companions. Call or text 401.468.PETS or email Toni@tagaranch.com.
TAGA Ranch families receive lifetime breeder support — for the entire life of their dog — for families who follow our recommendations and contract. This includes ongoing guidance on nutrition, health, training, and holistic care. Access to our private TAGA Ranch family community. Referrals to trusted local and online trainers personally vetted by Toni. Educational materials covering holistic care, natural nutrition, and healing practices. And Toni herself — personally available for your questions throughout your dog's life.
The relationship does not end at go-home day. It is just beginning.
Life is unpredictable and we understand that. If you ever find yourself needing to rehome your companion — please contact Toni immediately. We will help you find a loving new home and in certain circumstances we will accept a dog back ourselves. Return transportation is at the owner's expense. We never want one of our dogs in an unsafe or unloved situation — ever. Call or text 401.468.PETS or email Toni@tagaranch.com.
Are Australian Shepherds Good for Healing?
For the right family — a TAGA Ranch Australian Shepherd is not just a pet. They are a profound healing companion. These are velcro dogs — deeply bonded, emotionally intuitive, and powerfully present. They sense when you are struggling. They stay when others leave. They love without condition.
Founder Toni Robbins credits her own dogs with pulling her through her darkest days. Real trauma. Real healing. Real dogs. Every TAGA Ranch companion is raised with holistic healing principles woven into their very foundation — natural nutrition, frequency healing, earth medicine, and quantum energy care from day 3 of life.
For families facing trauma, anxiety, grief, loss, or simply seeking a profound healing bond — a TAGA Ranch Australian Shepherd offers something the world cannot manufacture. Unconditional presence. Sacred loyalty. Ancient healing energy.
"This is "young" Aryanne — Toni's youngest daughter and right hand at TAGA Ranch. She has been doing this her whole life.
Every puppy raised here is loved like this — every single day." 🐾
Still Have Questions?
Toni responds to every inquiry personally within 48 hours — no automated responses, no runaround. Just a real conversation with a real person who genuinely cares about matching the right dog with the right family.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Companion?
Join 300+ families who have welcomed a TAGA Ranch Australian Shepherd into their home — and their healing journey. Apply today and Toni will reach out personally within 48 hours.