Breeding Dogs

[greyhorsewoman]

Here is a link that gives a pretty basic understanding of the 'merle gene' ~~ http://hubpages.com/hub/PuppyColoring

There are several active agility clubs in your region.

Here is a link to the USBCA -- focused mostly on the working dog (we attended their nationals in Gettysburg in 2007, that was awesome) http://www.bordercollie.org/core.html The nationals are in Virginia for 2010.

Here is a link to one breeder referral site: http://www.bordercolliesociety.com/BC_Info/Breeder_Referral/breederdir.htm

Here is the link to Sheepy Hollow Farm: http://www.northeastpennsylvania.com/SheepyHollow.htm

 

[PandoraTaylor]

I would read all the info available, then go pick one up and begin! there are many breeders that have puppies right now listed on the internet. including listing all their Registrations and guarantees. Health info etc.
There is also a new training book out for just Border Collies that explains some of the things you might run into and ways to train that work'
"Border Collie Savvy" by Fiona Jackson

I read her ad and the book would be a good investment.

i would love to have another one, but I don't have the energy~!

 

[greyhorsewoman]

Well..i think when people go to buy a Border Collie they know what kind of dog they want...
most people know they are hyper and herding dogs that run around alot... its kinda common sense. hu
EVERY breed has its problems...its the BUYERS responsibility to know what they are buying..IMO..

I'm going to disagree with you on this, redhen. I raised, trained, and showed Belgian Tervuren for 35 years. While my breedings were always motivated by wanting to 'grow and show' my own line, that results in additional puppies for sale. MANY of the people interested in my dogs hadn't the slightest clue what the breed was all about. They liked them because they thought they were 'pretty' ... 'wolflike' ... 'great guard dogs' ... and sometimes, because they were 'rare' and so they thought there was big money to be made raising them.

As a conscientious fancier, I really had to be careful of puppy placements. I spent more time talking people OUT of buying my dogs (or any other Belgian). And, as far as 'buyer beware' .. I'll accept that with toaster ovens, but in the case of a dog, if it isn't compatible to the family, it gets tossed (to shelter, some other owner, out to a dog house, etc). I refuse to contribute to the ongoing problem of unwanted pets, so, I stayed in regular contact with all my puppy buyers for the first two years to be sure they continued to meld. And if something happened, my puppies had a 100% return policy ~ any age, any time.​

 

[redhen]

Quote:
I'm going to disagree with you on this, redhen. I raised, trained, and showed Belgian Tervuren for 35 years. While my breedings were always motivated by wanting to 'grow and show' my own line, that results in additional puppies for sale. MANY of the people interested in my dogs hadn't the slightest clue what the breed was all about. They liked them because they thought they were 'pretty' ... 'wolflike' ... 'great guard dogs' ... and sometimes, because they were 'rare' and so they thought there was big money to be made raising them.

As a conscientious fancier, I really had to be careful of puppy placements. I spent more time talking people OUT of buying my dogs (or any other Belgian). And, as far as 'buyer beware' .. I'll accept that with toaster ovens, but in the case of a dog, if it isn't compatible to the family, it gets tossed (to shelter, some other owner, out to a dog house, etc). I refuse to contribute to the ongoing problem of unwanted pets, so, I stayed in regular contact with all my puppy buyers for the first two years to be sure they continued to meld. And if something happened, my puppies had a 100% return policy ~ any age, any time.

Its okay to disagree..

And i commend you for having that return policy!

It will help keep more dogs from going into shelters and rescues...

 

[RabbitMage]

Quote:
This right here is the hallmark of a good breeder. If the breeder you're looking to buy from doesn't do this, don't buy from them. If you yourself aren't willing to do this, don't breed.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
I'm glad that you kept in touch with the buyers as a follow up. Sometimes just having the return policy isn't good enough. My DD adopted a purebred Scottish Terrier from the pound. The people that dumped him there left his registration papers with him. They never filled them out and sent the papers in to put the registration in their name. The pound gave DD the blank papers so she had the name of the breeder. She contacted the breeder and the woman went hysterical because the dog had been dumped. She is a careful breeder, screens her buyers, guarantees their health, charges high dollar for puppies and has a policy to take dogs back if they don't work out for any reason. Now she knows to keep in contact with people too. I guess it was easier to take the dog to the pound than it was to call the breeder and have her take it back. The lady was grateful that he was adopted to a real forever home. DD occasionally sends her updates and pictures.

 

[Cara]

Quote:
I'm going to disagree with you on this, redhen. I raised, trained, and showed Belgian Tervuren for 35 years. While my breedings were always motivated by wanting to 'grow and show' my own line, that results in additional puppies for sale. MANY of the people interested in my dogs hadn't the slightest clue what the breed was all about. They liked them because they thought they were 'pretty' ... 'wolflike' ... 'great guard dogs' ... and sometimes, because they were 'rare' and so they thought there was big money to be made raising them.

As a conscientious fancier, I really had to be careful of puppy placements. I spent more time talking people OUT of buying my dogs (or any other Belgian). And, as far as 'buyer beware' .. I'll accept that with toaster ovens, but in the case of a dog, if it isn't compatible to the family, it gets tossed (to shelter, some other owner, out to a dog house, etc). I refuse to contribute to the ongoing problem of unwanted pets, so, I stayed in regular contact with all my puppy buyers for the first two years to be sure they continued to meld. And if something happened, my puppies had a 100% return policy ~ any age, any time.

I've come across the same ignorance with my breed of choice, the Bloodhound. The breeder that I bought my current dog from had an inquiry from someone who wanted one for retrieving ducks! She suggested he look into a retriever. Many seem to think they are hunting dogs, but they were created for the exclusive purpose of man-trailing.

 

[redhen]

MOST people will have looked into the breed they want... IMO (not ALL people do though..)
maybe not spent weeks and months researching them..BUT..most people want a certain breed for a reason..
otherwise they just get mutts...
again..just my opinion.

 

[lishah2000]

I would do tons of research on border collie breeders. There are plenty who breed these dogs without thought to health and temperament. And many who get the breed who don't know what they are getting into. I have one who is the result of both of those drawbacks. While his physical health is good, his mental health is VERY bad. He is a rescue, so I have no idea where he came from or what happened in his first 8 months of life.

I love so much about the breed and one day will get another - BUT - only from well researched lines and a quality breeder or a well respected rescue group. I will never regret adopting my boy, but he taught me what you want in a border collie and what you don't want.

If you want a working dog, I would look into puppies from breeders with working dogs. There are almost two different breeds of border collies out there. I think you should raise one, train one, live with one, and learn all about them and their health problems (including mental) - then think about if you want to breed or not.

 

[lorieMN]

Quote:
the problem isnt that they are hyper and run around a lot,,the problem is most BC are smarter then the people owning them..I would suggest to the OP,,get one first and see how it goes before thinking your going to breed them,,they are not the easiest breed to sell,place,home or whatever you want to call it..seriously,if you dont know about a dogs cycles you have A TON OF INFO TO LEARN BEFORE YOU START BREEDING..