Hello

I am looking to get a puppy border collie but just for a pet not to show and was looking for any helpful hints or things to be careful when choosing my puppy.   Also looking to find out a bit more about the border collie in general.

Many thanks

Chyril Adams

Hello Chyril

Welcome to the world of Border Collies, it is nice to see someone do their research before buying. 

Firstly, even though your puppy will be a pet often the best route to look for a puppy is from a show breeder.  Don't forget for every seven or so pups they will be lucky if they get one or two good enough to show, the rest go to pet homes.  By going to a show breeder that is on the lists I can give you, ensures all the health checks have been done.  The sire and dams hips should be scored and eyes tested.  The pups eyes should be tested at 5-7 weeks and some hearing test too.

Another reason to go to a show breeder I feel, although some will disagree with me, is on the whole they are calmer as pets, a BC from working stock can be quite a handful, especially if it is your first collie.  A good breeder should also give you all the back up you need if you have a problem.

The following website will give you some information on the breed www.bordercollieclub.com.  There are some good books about too, easily obtained from Amazon and well worth reading in advance of your puppy.

If you would like to e.mail me at sanmilo1@aol.com I will send you list of people who hold the clubs puppy lists.

Good luck
Sandra

do not get one from a farm if you are only wanting a pet as these will have very high drive & really do need something to do!

a really good book is understanding the border collie -carol price

border collies are FANTASTIC,but quirky,(but i love that)

they are happiest doing stuff,so although you may not want to show be prepared to be dragged off to participate in any of the dog sports!

hips/eyes/deafness are all potential probs,some lines also contain epliepsy

Yet more generalization about working bred BCs & show dogs making better "pets"

Not all working bred BCs work & some Show bred BCs can be hyper & not all working bred dogs are ISDS registered

It all depends on your lifestyle & previous dog owning history

I have only ever had ISDS(working)bred BCs & would never own a show bred BC fo several reasons-mainly because of the risk of storage disease(& not just from the one well publized carrier imported from Australia), the incorrect structure(thick heavy bone & far too much coat, CEA known carriers being bred from & puppies registered with the KC from known carriers, some "sharpness"from certain lines & poor temperaments from others.

All BC's go back to ISDS dogs whether they be from NZ, Aus, USA or ISDS breeding. What show people do is breed for the external looks with health tests thrown in to prevent court cases & some even care about the health of the breed. ISDS bred dogs are bred to work & be "biddable" No good having a dog that is brilliant with stock that rips your arm off when you touch it

Not all working bred dogs work & not all Show dogs have perfect temperament & looks & health

It comes down to personal preference & of course a working "farm"bred collie does not coat as much as a "pet"show dog-not one of my reasons for preferring ISDS dogs tho'

hi michelle

it always makes me laugh because people are told if they want a pet get one from a show breeder not from working stock, Ricky is from Ginny Folley and is all ISDS and yet he is the laziest, calmest BC i have ever seen! (apart from when it comes to agility!!) where as Tia is from show stock and is very active and naughty! :)

but in reply to guest, your best bet would be to get one from a show breeder, make sure hip scores are done and eyes tested. if you email the person on www.bordercollieclub.com I am sure he'll be able to help you with a list of people who currently have puppies as he was very helpful when I spoke to him.

Char