Mini Aussies
Our Mini Aussies are born and raised in Sunny Southern California as part of our family. Our goal is to raise happy, healthy, genetically tested and screened puppies that are socialized with children, dogs, and other animals on the ranch.
Meet the owners of Primo & Hazel.
Shaun and Tate Clifton are native to southern California. Shaun grew up owning horses, roping and raising cattle with his parents and older brother on the original C4 Ranch in San Juan Capistrano built by Shaun’s dad. His dad leased 150 acres from the city for 30 years in the hills of San Juan were they raised herds of cattle and horses. In high school, Shaun and Tate met and when their first date was a horseback ride up in the hills to brand the cattle with Shaun’s family, Tate was hooked for life. Married and two children later, the whole family continued owning and riding horses and helping out on the parents ranch as well as raising chickens in their own backyard and dreaming of some day owning their own property to continue the legacy of the C4 Ranch.
Two years ago, that dream became a reality and Shaun and Tate now live on a beautiful 3 acre property covered with oak, pine and sycamore trees. On the ranch they have 2 llama/alpacas, 25 chickens and 2 horses. When their first grandchild turned 3, they added a Shetland pony, Buttercup, to the herd. They plan on adding cows and a Kunekune pig or two in the near future. While Shaun continues his construction business, Clifton Boyz Construction, Tate retired from her 35 year career as a hair stylist/salon owner and started sharing her love of baking with the neighbors which has turned into Tates’ Bakes @ C4 Ranch, her own home baking business where she sells her homemade sourdough breads, cookies and pies.
Dad
Primo is a Tri-Black mini Australian Shepard. He is 17in. at the shoulder and weighs 40 pounds. He has a beautiful show coat and brown eyes.
Primo is a sweet, lover of all with the most gentle soul. Since he was 5 months old, he has gone with Shaun to work on his construction sites. Primo climbs ladders, walks the walls and sleeps under the table saw while it’s on, loving the sawdust as it falls on him. He loves swimming and has been caught swimming in the home owners pool and in the waves at the beach when Shaun wasn’t looking. Every dog owner and dog that passes by the job sites falls in love with Primo. He has taught dogs that were scared of swimming, how to swim and aggressive dogs how to play nice. Primo’s calm and patient nature can be felt the minute you meet him.
Mom
Hazel is a sweet hearted, playful, Red-Tri female miniature Australian Shepard. She is 16.5in at her shoulder and weighs 22 pounds. She has a mix of a show and working coat and beautiful hazel eyes. Hazel loves fetching and returning balls. The farther you throw them, the faster she’ll run. She loves learning tricks and picks them up immediately including horse back riding. Her natural herding instinct has made her so valuable on the ranch. When given the command, she’ll move or round up the llamas and chickens to where she’s told. She goes everywhere with Tate on and off the ranch. In every store Tate takes Hazel, Tate is asked if she’s a service animal because of how calm and obedient Hazel behaves.
Everyone is so excited for the arrival of Primo and Hazel’s puppies. Not only will they be beautiful and smart but sweet natured. Hazel’s expected due date is January 1 1 th , 2025. Once she has her puppies, we will be posting pictures and prices for each puppy.