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I bought a miniature australian shepherd puppy from Willow River Farm. I had it vet checked including parvovirus, which was negative. Less then three days after I received the dog it Deteriorated very rapidly and required immediate emergency hospitalization to be saved.
Additional testing showed that the puppy was infected with the Coccidia parasite.
Here are a few quotes from peteducation.com.
"A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in his intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to his mother's feces, and if the mother is shedding the infective cysts in her feces, then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within the young animal's intestines"
"from exposure to the coccidia in feces to the onset of the illness is about 13 days."
So this mean that the puppy was clearly infected at the breeder facility and most likely from eating feces of another dog that was shedding infective cysts.
The puppy survived and required additional medication.
The breeder refused to cover any of the medical costs including the medication.
They also treated us very unprofessionally and even seemed uncaring and hostile.
I STRONGLY advise anyone looking for a Miniature Australian Shepherd puppy to not even consider purchasing from this breeder:
Barb Wilson
Willow River Farm
Miniature Australian Shepherd
http://www.willowriverfarm.com
I made that mistake and hopefully this information will help you to not make the same mistake.
Thank you.
I agree. This breeder seems to be over breeding - they have at least two litters a month. It's just a business for them and clearly don't have any interest in the breed. They just see dollar signs for a newly popular dog.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I have a down payment on a dog there already. Just saw this an I am pretty concerned now. Any suggestions from anyone?! I am pretty nervous now.
I have been doing some research and have seen this post on numerous websites, and seen people respond that know Barb. In dealing with her thus far it has been a good experience. I will try to post in a few months about how my dog is doing, but I am very confident going back.
I have seen this for myself. She is a puppy mill 100% and she has more than 2 litters a month. These positive reports are Barb trying to make herself look like she isn't in the wrong. When you have 16+ breeding male and female dogs you're not worried about anything but money. She even tried to tell me that my pup was more because he is show quality. 1- you can't show "mini aussie". 2- there's no such thing as a mini aussie. AKC has categorized as a developing breed and the name is "American Shepherd"! If she was an honest breeder Barb would know that! My puppy and the one I picked up for someone else were very very sick. Both puppies had a severe case of worms, ear infections and diarrhea and because of the terrible living condition the puppies were potting in their cages and laying in it. I do still keep in touch with the other lady who bought the other puppy and we both puppies have separation anxiety. I work from home so I did not have the issue with coming home to a soiled puppy twice a day like the other lady did. The puppies never saw outside until I picked them up. While I was there to pick up the pups Barb even encouraged the pup to potty on the floor. As you walk in the house (which is not on a farm!) the aroma of feaces and urine hit you. I could hear all the dogs downstairs and as I was leaving I saw one at the bottom the stairs in a cage. And yes as Barb is sending this litter to their new homes she had two more litters born within a day of each other. One litter was downstairs and the other was in her bathtub. Did I contact Barb to let her know that my pup was still sick? Oh yes she knew the puppies were sick because she told myself and the other lady that we couldnt pick them up at 8weeks becuase they were throwing up, had diarrhea and not eating or drinking. Two weeks went by and Barb said to come get them but they were still not 100%. They were eating and drinking but still had diarrhea...the ride home with two puppies was not fun! She decided not to feed them breakfast or lunch so they were starving too. They drank water like they never got any and when they ate they woofed it down like they didnt get that often either. I was not offered a contract to sign, I was not given their shot records and the "puppy kit" was a cup of dry food in a grocery bag. When I emailed Barb about the shot record it was typed into an email and sent to myself and the other lady. She even tried to add in the email that the puppies had solid stool. I called her out on it and she said she was thinking of a different litter! Barb claims that "mini aussies" are a tad longer than they are tall...no they are not suppose to be. They are suppose to be proportionate in height and length. The other lady and I are happy that we SAVED these puppies but I will never buy from her again. Trying to figure out what was wrong with these puppies as cost both myself and the other lady a good amount of money at the vet's. THIS IS A PUPPY MILL!
Update from my May 21st post.
My pup is doing ok. He is a good dog. BUT when he was 6 months old I emailed her asking the size of his sire and dam because at 6 months old he was still bigger than my standard that is a month younger than him and he measured at 19inches (up to his shoulder). I took him to the vet today to get him fixed and he weighed in at 50lbs! He is now 21inches and still bigger than my standard! She replied only with the sizes and weight of the sire and dam.
Barb Wilson saw my comment on here and called to confront me about it. Accusing me of trying to hide that it was me cause I didnt put my name on the post. This woman has serious issues.
She tried arguing with me about it...SERIOUSLY?! Am I upset about his size? Yes, he was only suppose to be max 30lbs and maybe 17 inches. Would I get rid of him? NO WAY! Regardless of his size he is my baby. But Barb Wilson decided (with a raised voice) say "Well then give him back?". I immediately said "No" and she hung up on me.
Breeding these dogs is nothing but an income for her. Her pictures dont even portray where she lives. Very sad! I looked at her website recently and she now has "Standard Aussies" on there. Guess I wasn't the only one complaining about the size my pup has gotten too. The lady who lives by me that bought his brother has the same problem...he just kept growing LOL Do yourself a favor and dont buy from Barb Wilson at Willowriver Farm. Youll save yourself a lot of trouble.
I am adding a photo of my two. Blue Merle (on left)...from Barb Wilson...suppose to be a Mini Aussie (Mini American Shepherd) and the Red Merle (on right) is my Standard Aussie. You can see for yourself that he is bigger.
Sometimes that happens. My second Aussie (not from barb) was a standard that I showed because he was beautiful. But when he was fully grown he was 85 lbs and 29”, very trim but thick bones and muscles. If you know the breed than you than this is too big and he was disqualified after he matured. But I loved him just as much regardless of his size. I bought a mini red tri after that and he grew up with the standard, also grew to 18” and 40lbs so boarderline. Oddly the vet said sometimes that happens with breeds he actually said he sees it more often when the dogs live together they tend to grow more than a dog in a house alone.
I bought a puppy from barb Wilson at Willow River Farm and regretted it so bad I didn't even bond with my baby until he was 6 months because I was seriously considering sending him back. But she lied about everything she told me so I knew she was not honest enough to give me my money back! After you pay $1350 for a puppy you expect papers as promised. Never got them! Not to mention a pedigree!
VERY SICK PUP
Bought a pup from Barb wish I would of done more research. Wife traveled from North Dakota to Michigan to pick it up but the day before pickup Barb contacted us and said puppy was sick and we could not pick it up. Three days later we were allowed to pick her up wife drove the rest of the way to Michigan to her surprise NO FARM and was right in town barb was on front steps with the puppy as wife walked to the house the smell was horrible and she could hear dogs MANY barking from back yard and house. We were informed that the brother was sick also wife asked to see him Barb said no. Finally wife was on the road she called me as she drove away telling me puppy stunk bad like crap and did not look well I told her to call are Vet and head straight there as see got to the vet I received a phone call from Vet stating you bought a very sick pup and Vet gave it a 50% chance of pulling through pup was infested with worms and Parasites pup and a 9 month old pup weight of 2.8 pounds were on day 4 to early to tell what is going to happen. Barb is a CON she stated to me when I purchased pup that they were breed and raised on a farm and told me to check out the farm online. We never got any paper work as of shots etc. I contacted Barb with Vet info she stated my Vet of 35+ years did not know what they were talking about told me I had no reason to be upset its normal for puppies to be in the=is shape it takes time to get them well. Sent the bill to her nothing about paying said she would come get pup and give money back my reply was ( n=NO WAY IN H--- WOULD I EVER PUT A PUPPY GO BACK TO BE TREATED LIKE THAT AND THE WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY PUPS) The condition of the pup concerned my Vet to the point she asked me for all of Barbs info hope someone can put a stop to this PUPPY MILL and that is all it is. Legal action to follow would like a list of people with same experience gwalker686@gmail.com
Where in Michigan is she located? We are supposed to pick up a puppy Monday and have no clue where our puppy is.
Hi Barb and Willow River Farm! I just wanted to give you an update on my baby Gus. He went to the vet yesterday and he
is a perfectly healthy baby boy. I have two other dogs, both from breeders, and Gus is by far the most-trained puppy I’ve
received. I can tell that in your care you spent a lot of time with him – in just four days he has adjusted to our daily routines,
crate training and so much more – I’m so impressed! Thank you so much for such a wonderful puppy. Also, thank you for
all your advice and interaction before, during and after the adoption process. It is obvious how much Gus meant to you
and how passionate you are about all your dogs and your business – this is very comforting as I know he was well cared
for and loved very much in your care. Working with you has been such a positive experience and the puppy you raised for
the last 8 weeks is amazing – Good Job and THANK YOU so much! I will recommend you to everyone who falls in love
my baby Gus and wants one of their own. And I will be back for another one later down the road .
Hillary L.
Wausau, WI 7/29/2015
there is lies being told so sad, embellishment to make reports sound bad.
I know people who have bought pups from this breeder. I personally have raised Standard, Mini, & Toy Aussies and been in veterinary medicine for 24 yrs. Even the BEST breeders have things pop up. In my experience if the puppies are routinely dewormed and vaccinated, coccidia can still be missed. It is not killed by the regular dewormer. Another Important point is most puppies do NOT show signs of coccidia (it is stress induced most of the time) unless exposed to stress of some sort. Then it hits fast. I imagine a plane ride would be high on that list. Also, I raise aussies as I said. My kennels are cloroxed & parasite free...Now that said, I live in the country in a ag community w/chicken farms & i wave a pond. Coccidia is everywhere!. I let one preg female out and she returned a few min later with the back end of a jack rabbitt. She ended up w/coccidia as did her puppies. I truely understand the frustration on the buyer end. If it was me I would help offset a portion of the cost (only me not a suggestion). However to claim this makes them a disreputable breeder seems unfair.
Again, I do not know these people but I have friends that have gotten pups and were 100% pleased. I only came across this site because I was interested. What I (Istress only i, not giving advise) would have the pups tested fo coccidia before putting them on a plane ONLY after reading this post. Again, the puppies can show NO clinical signs at all until stressed! That is my opinion for what its worth.
After reading the negative report about Barb and Willow River Farm, all I can say is that the buyer must be completely ignorant of contracts and puppies.
I have known Barb for many years, have been to their farm to see the operation and how they raise their dogs and have purchased several puppies from them. The facilities are clean, the dogs are cared for better than most people treat their own pets and Barb is almost obsessively concerned for the well being of her puppies. She still contacts me on a regular basis to check on them and is always asking for current pics of the dogs.
If the buyer had even read the contract he signed, he would have known to call her as soon as he noticed something was not right with his new puppy. Even if he didn't read the contract, wouldn't common sense tell him to call the person he got the puppy from? Every puppy I have ever purchased ( I have gotten several from Barb over the years) has been taken to my local Vet immediately for a check. The initial examination always includes worm/parasite tests. I don't know what Vet he uses but any Veterinarian that I know would have first checked for parasites if he knew the puppy had just been received and had been shipped, especially if the dog didn't appear well. If you had a cold and went to your doctor, would you not think something was fishy if he sent you for a brain scan, an MRI of your shoulder and an EKG?
I feel bad for this buyer, it seems like he may have been taken advantage of by this vet. I feel even worse for the new puppy, he/she suffered needlessly.
Barb runs a first rate operation, cares for her dogs and their puppies and is very knowledgeable about their healthcare and health issues. To slander her for this buyers' mistakes and not contacting her concerning this new puppy is inexcusable and wrong.
I hope and pray the puppy is doing well.
Did you not realize that all the comments you put from "different people" are under your same user name. Which is your name. Give me a break. She is literally posting fake positive reviews to try and save her skin.
My name is Michelle and I live in Ohio and I would like to comment on a Rip Report I recently read about Willow River Farm. I find the report to be very inaccurate and untrue. I have been to Willow River Farm on three different occasions in the past five years to pick up puppies I have purchased from Willow River Farm. Most recently in September of 2011 to pick up a puppy I purchased for my Son. I have purchased a total of 4 beautiful Aussie's from this breeder and none of these puppies had any issues when I first brought them home or now for that matter. I can tell you this farm is not a puppy mill as stated by the person who wrote the rip report. If the purchaser had the puppy ship to them then obviously they did not visit the farm. It is a beautiful property were the dogs are turned out in huge fenced areas to run and play. It is unfortunate that this particular puppy that was mentioned in the rip report was sick. However I also am very aware of the Health Guarantee that is signed by all individuals purchasing a puppy from Willow River Farm. I have signed four of them one for each puppy I have purchased. The contract clearly states that if a puppy does not pass the physical or has any serious health problems documented by a licensed veterinarian the breeder should be contacted before any treatment is started or the contract will be void. Sounds to me like this particular individual did not follow the rules of their signed valid Health Guarantee Contract and medically treated the puppy without contacting the breeder and therefore voided their contract. It is unfortunate that they now feel the need to make trouble for this respectable Aussie breeder.
Do you know how this works? You lie to make your complate sound terrible. HAVE YOU SEEN WHERE THE PUPPIES STAY? Why would you comment on there living conditions if you have not seen them? IT WAS SAID PUPPIES NEVER GO OUTSIDE AND SIT IN THERE POOP, Are you
so sure? Why? YOU MUST SEE THEM WITH YOUR OWN EYES FOR YOU TO CLAIM IT AS FACT. This is sad and what kind of person is so vindictive
and evil they would go out of there way to try to ruin a reputation? IF IT WAS SO BAD WHY DIDN'T YOU LEAVE? Why did you buy a puppy and post a healthy wonderful dog on face book? Unfortunately puppies can get tummy problems, even with the best of care. A kind and mature person will work with the breeder and vet with the puppies best interest.
I have been to the breeder and the dog's are in special kennels that allow excrement to fall through onto trays which are cleaned on a regular basis. The animals do not stay in the kennel all day. She let's them out regularly for exercise, socialization, and TLC. The puppies especially get personal attention. The adult dog's spend many hours daily out doors weather permitting, where they can run and play. I purchased an 8 week old puppy from here in Nov. 2017, and I could not be happier. I haven't had any health issues. I also have experience with sick pets, and I do all natural deworming etc. which is non-toxic. I am also very picky about what I feed my animals, and most dog food on the market isn't fit for dogs, and there are recalls on tainted food and especially treats coming from China. After you get a pet, it is up to you to make sure you feed healthy nutritious food. I am probably more picky about my pet's food than most people are about their own food. My last dog died at age 18. Knowing that most people do not even know what Genetically Modified food is, leads me to believe that they also trust brand name dog food, thinking that brand names are always safe choices. Consider supplementing your best friend with a quality vitamins, minerals, and probiotics just to be safe. Learn more about GMO's and feeding dog's a species appropriate diet, because if given a choice, a dog would not eat corn, soy, or wheat.
Look at who left the good reviews they are all from Barb herself who is the liar her not ME and PURE PUPPY MILL and all about the money! Everything about the purchase was a lie and Vet of 30+ yrs I think I'll go with there thoughts long before someone who runs a Mill !
I bought a puppy in the fall of 2015. I had no issues whatsoever with his health other than he had some worms which is entirely normal and treatable. He's beautiful and a great pet. He's about 19" tall which is kind of on the tall side for a mini but that was our preference. I would buy another puppy from Barb.
This is beyond awful. These people are not "reputable breeders", they are a puppy mill hiding behind a breeding license. The lady and her husband don't even live together. She keeps 20+ dogs in her basement in tiny cages. They are covered in feces and urine, the entire house reeks of ammonia. All the puppies are infested with fleas and mites. Most of the time her puppies contract coccidia and parvo from these horrible living conditions. She throws them in the trash.
Her husband is no better. He keeps between 80-100 dogs on his farm at any given time and they switch the dogs back and forth so it doesn't look like they own so many. His "stock" is absolutely horrid to eachother, and horrible to other animals. They have ganged up on his sheep to break their legs and have a living meal. All of his dogs are unsocialized, all of her dogs are unsocialized. You will get a very skiddish, and sickly puppy if you EVER even think about buying from these people.
The police have already been contacted on multiple occasions and unfortunately they can't do anything because of
1) this "breeding license" they have and
2) they have refused to let police see the horrible living conditions.
DO NOT under any circumstances buy anything from these people.
Why are you anonymous? Are you the same person complaining just under another name? Where’s your proof? If you have this many facts and proof there is no reason they wouldn’t be charged with animal cruelty. Also, there are Aussie associations you can turn all the alleged facts into and they will review them too. Also, breeders have to be licensed so you can turn these alleged facts into the licensing board who can do more than the police. Sorry, there is so much more you can do than post on a blog, if it is true. How do I know you aren’t just some competing business just doing unethical things and running WRF through the mud to get rid of competition?
Almost five years ago now, I bought a seven month old puppy from this breeder. Although we love our dog, he came to us very "broken" for full breeder price. Barb was less than pleasant to deal with, and I finally had to stop talking to her. Miniature Australian Shepherds will be adorable wherever you purchase them from. Do your research and support a reputable breeder, it will be worth your time and effort.
We got a miniature aussie from barb and when we showed up, it was a little dirt hole and smelled of urine and feces. She had one dog in the room where the puppies were, in a cage and he was so covered in pee that he was yellow. Our puppy hid the entire time and before we left she pooped out dandy looking diahrrea. We drove from Michigan to Wisconsin to pick her up and thw entire drive home, she was throwing up and her poop was pure liquid rocketing out all over. We took her to the vet and they kept her for 3 days. We contacted barb and all she said was that she would replace the dog but we could not get our money back or send her back. She is a very anxious dog and tried to bite many people as she got older. She has settled down a bit but that was with major training, amd a muzzle when people came over.
I urge anyone reading this not to buy from her. Any of the other comments saying it isn't a scam and she has clean living quarters are pure falsehood and our probably people close to her or even barb herself, trying to keep this atrocious puppy mill up and running
First I have to say that I love my Aussie that I got from Willow River. This breeder was recommended to me from my friend in New Jersey, who after much research, had decided to get her adorable mini aussie from Barb Wislon . I live in New York and my dog had to be flown here from Wisconsin. Barb was wonderful every step of the way. Answered all our questions, gave us advice for getting her adapted after the trip and contacted us to see how we were doing. She sent us a wonderful, healthy puppy, which we chose from litter photos, that has perfect checkups and brings us joy every day. If I had the room I wouldn't hesitate to get another puppy from her.
First you can say what you want but, I will tell you I am NOT barb, a friend, or anyone even remotely related to her, so don’t try to twist this into something it is not! I purchased Oliver, my boy from her in Jan 2018. Barb was very good the entire time and with the bad weather even volunteered to have someone drive him half way to meet me. Now, I cannot say anything about the living conditions because I wasn’t there. What I can say is when I picked him up, he was full of life had a sparkle in his eye and I fell in love immediately. I took him the next day to the vet to be checked out and standard stuff for puppies but otherwise normal. We took all precautions because I read all of these bad reports and they made me nothing but sick with worry and I wanted nothing more but to get the puppies out away from her. But the truth is the dog is great. Barb also was aware about how I felt because we were constantly talking. Puppies, just like humans, can be born with or get things and my vet says a report here and there isn’t uncommon, he’d actually worry more about the breeders who have no issues and no puppies with problems because that is absolutely impossible, not just improbable. Are those breeders killing the sick or ill dogs? Are they hiding the truth? It happens, it doesn’t mean the breeder is bad or inhuman to the dogs. Puppies have no immune system and they are curious about everything in the world, they will get into things they shouldn’t. If you don’t know this and cannot comprehend what I’m saying, don’t bring a dog into your home, please!
Now what I will say is I’ve had Aussies as my companions all of my life (that’s a long time!) and this Aussie is a bit different than any Aussie I’ve ever seen in my life. Oliver isn’t even 6 months old and he is as tall as my 3 year old mini Aussie, not as long or heavy, but all legs. At 4 months he was already 17” and 22 pounds at the vet. His hair is super short like a Jack Russell, not an Aussie and it isn’t going to grow out according to my vet. There are short haired Aussies and boarder collies so it is possible, that’s what I have. However, his mussel and head are a bit square and do not look like a regular Aussie. We’re going to run a genealogy on him this month when he is in to be fixed. Also my vet stated that just because the sir and dame were 14” and 17” dogs means nothing, because they could have been runts or could have been Ill and didn’t have the normal growth. He stated I need to see the line back at least 4 generations and this will give a gauge. He is definitely going to be a standard, not a toy that I bought and not a mini either. He’s still a good, intelligent and courious dog just like an Aussie, but not the fur ball I was expecting; I’d never trade him for anything but, I’m also not sure I’d ever get another Aussie until I check out everything correctly. I tried to put some photos here but the website is weird and putting them upside-down...very odd.
Anyhow, my point is every breeder will have a dog here and there with issues (puppies and parents), the ones that never do, are the ones to watch out for. Even adult dogs get sink unexpectedly, mine all have! Puppies have no immune system yet and they will pick up anything easily. Look if you had a baby in the hospital or adopted a baby and a few days after getting it home, it got a virus or something would you expect the hospital or adoption agency to pay for it? No, it is your responsibility for the rest of its life! I think the expectations are way out of wack here for a puppy. I never like to hear about sick puppies having to start their life off that way but I’m glad you were their care giver and helped them through.
I think that many of the positive thing were, as folks said, Barb defending her business, but I also think many of the complainers are the same repeat person (not just this board but everywhere on the web) and their friends and family just telling their story over and over to scare people because they have a sad story that unfortunately could happen to anyone with any breeder. Folks, I’m sorry you got a sick child home that you had to care for, love, bond with, and pay bills on. But that experience created a bond that nobody can take away and you love that dog or you’d take barb up on her offer to take the dog back.
Again, say whatever make-believe thing you want about me but I am a verifiable customer; not in anyway a friend, relative or whatever else you want to dream up to offset your one sad experience, with my wonderful experience. Take me to court or whatever so you can see I’m telling the truth as much as you are. Please stop ranting and being negative on every website that will allow you to post your sad story. We get it, living things can get sick and even die and nobody can predict that, it is the responsibility you take on as the caregiver for that living thing that matters and you proved yourself to be a good caregiver so stop! let’s move on and enjoy what we have. Stop rubbing everyone’s nose in this a dwelling on regular stuff that happens to everything this planet that is alive.
Also those people that say they visited her place and it is as aweful as you’re alleging it is, where’s the pictures? Where’s the proof? Why did you take the dog if it was that bad? Why didn’t you call the police immediately and give them the proof and testimony? Sorry to me this is the same angry person from 2012, that cannot get over the fact that living things get sick and 5+ years later is still blasting the business instead of enjoying what she has in this world. Barb, maybe you can take pictures of where the dogs are kept and the homemade food you make and give them everyday, the area they have to run around in, and the adults that are around. Let’s take this myth and trash it once and for all with verifiable proof!
Why did my comment get removed?
Why is my comment only available if logged in?
We bought a blue Merle from Barb years ago and honestly this was the BEST dog I have ever owned and Barb was pleasant to deal with the entire way. We have been in contact on occasion in the very beginning. I am thinking of getting another one soon and highly considering Barb. It's too bad that someone has a bad experience and they have to try and ruin someone's reputation and their business.
We got our tri-color girl f I'm Barb about 7 years ago. The farm was beautiful, the dogs looked great and Flo has been the most amazing companion ever!
I have purchased two dogs from this breeder. She has a clean facility and wonderful healthy dogs and I absolutely love mine and am very satisfied. My oldest dog is 9 years old and we still keep in touch.
Do you have contact for Barb? We got our boy from her back in 2012, and we just lost him to cancer this week. I wanted to let her know. He was the BEST boy ever. So very missed.