For the Xeriscaping, try the Jordan Valley Conservation Water Park.

I'm not doing true xeriscaping, but I've been planting native and non-native low water use grasses to replace the usual KBG and fescue in my lawn. I've been overseeding with a mixture of western wheatgrass, streambank wheatgrass, sheep fescue (all natives), as well as crested wheatgrass and Palestine strawberry clover (non natives). I watered three times last year (but we had a wet June). My plan for this year is to water 2x a month, starting 2 weeks to a month after our last precipitation, then maybe next year, as the natives get more established, I'll try to cut back to 1x per month.

1) depends - are the dogs going to be able to "water" those hedges? And if not, would vines work, or would you prefer evergreens to block the view all year?

2) One of the better (although pricier) options for great Xeric plants is "High Country Gardens" mail order out of Santa Fe, NM.

3) Yes, the machine is called a "Sod Cutter"