Border Collie Breeders

[AgilityKrazii]

I dont know for sure when I will be getting a BC puppy but it doesnt hurt to start looking at breeders and picking ones I like now. I plan on visiting the breeders home and meeting dogs before I choose the breeder of my BC puppy so I know that will take alot of time/money.

So I thought I would ask for your opinion, experences and thoughts on the my current breeders of interst strickly based on info on their website and some reccomendations from friends.

I want a BC that has the herding instinct because I dont want support a breeder who is loosing that instinct, they dont have to be a stictly herding breeder I just want the dogs to have the instinct.

I plan on taking this dog lots of places with me, doing obedience/rally, agility, flyball, dock diving, disc. So very stable temperament is a must, no noise sensitivity, or fear agressison or anything bad like that. Good health is also a huge must.

Border Collies from Hillcrest Border Collies - - I love that she keeps her dog in her home, she has sheep and it seems all her dogs have the instinct, they all seem to have very nice temperaments and I love how well they all get along around food and while playing. I have met 3 Hillcrest bred dogs, 2 females and one male. I really liked them all, very nice temperaments the one I met just could use some work on manners but she was only 5 months and at her first agility trial. (just to watch)

home - Small kennel, they work their dogs, dont breed a whole lot and have very nice looking dogs.

Orchard Run Border Collies - I know someone with one of their dogs, havent met the dog but the owner cant say enough good things about him or the breeder, all dogs seem to be working dogs.

Rival Kennels working border collies, puppies, and jack russell terriers Palmerston Ontario Canada - Stunning dogs with very nice temperaments it seems. I'm not sure about herding instinct with them tho, as there really isnt any mention that I have seen and one of the dogs she has bred didnt turn on to sheep, so I dont really like that.

Patrick Shannahan - Red Top Kennels: Border Collie Dogs and Training - Def. working breeder, I have met one of the dogs they bred and she was a very nice dog, friendly, playful, loved other dogs.

Blue Moon Border Collies - I really like them but they are all the way in Aust. so the lagistics of visting them and then getting a puppy is hard.

CEDAR BORDER COLLIES - I know someone locally who just got a puppy from them and he seems like a great dog, I will hopfully be able to meet him soon.

So thoughts, opinions, based on the info I gave on what I want out of a BC which breeders would you reccomend. What do you think of the above breeders?

Feel free to post other BC breeders you really like.

If you dont feel like posting thoughts publicly just PM me!

 

[Lizmo]

I personally only recommend working bred Border Collie breeders. So honestly you'll really just need to decide for yourself. Everyone is going to have a different opinion. Some will say working bred only, some will say sporter bred/working bred is fine, some will say anything that they breed for is fine (obedience, show, agility, therapy, etc).

Most working bred Border Collies excell greatly at all types of sports. So don't let that be a big deal for you.

Of the breeders you listed I only have heard of Patrick Shannahan as he's done an excellent job competing at the highest levels with his dogs in sheepdog trials (USBCHA trials).

If you want a Border Collie that is going to be a good working stockdog, then look for ones that have competed in USBCHA Open level trials. Or just Open level trials (not all are sactioned by the USBCHA, but still the same level). Also, if they haven't competed in trials, that's not a *huge* deal but ask the breeder how they work on the farm. Ask to see them working. Just because they don't trial, doesn't mean some of those dogs aren't -tough- dogs.

 

[~Jessie~]

I personally only recommend working bred Border Collie breeders. So honestly you'll really just need to decide for yourself. Everyone is going to have a different opinion. Some will say working bred only, some will say sporter bred/working bred is fine, some will say anything that they breed for is fine (obedience, show, agility, therapy, etc).

Most working bred Border Collies excell greatly at all types of sports. So don't let that be a big deal for you.

Of the breeders you listed I only have heard of Patrick Shannahan as he's done an excellent job competing at the highest levels with his dogs in sheepdog trials (USBCHA trials).

If you want a Border Collie that is going to be a good working stockdog, then look for ones that have competed in USBCHA Open level trials. Or just Open level trials (not all are sactioned by the USBCHA, but still the same level). Also, if they haven't competed in trials, that's not a *huge* deal but ask the breeder how they work on the farm. Ask to see them working. Just because they don't trial, doesn't mean some of those dogs aren't -tough- dogs.

I agree with this. BCs from working breeders can excel at ALL kinds of things, and they tend to have a better off switch as well.

Border collies were bred to herd sheep, and imho it's important that breeders are breeding them for that purpose.

 

[Lizmo]

Oops, sorry Jessie. . .editted while were posting!

 

[~Jessie~]

Oops, sorry Jessie. . .editted while were posting!

There, I edited mine too! :lol-sign:

 

[AllieMackie]

Yup, what they said.

If you're looking for a straight up sport dog, Rival have good dogs... I found the breeder to a bit standoffish when I contacted her way back when. Plus no instinct on sheep doesn't really make me happy. The few combo breeders I was originally interested in at least had dogs that had some basic HT titles on them. Look for a well-rounded dog that is titled in several venues if you go that route, and be sure to meet the dogs if you get the chance - I liked one breeder very much until I met her dogs, then realized they never. Shut. Off.

Definitely look into working breeders first and foremost. Their dogs are sound, without flashiness and usually have solid temperaments. You won't find websites for most working BC breeders, so you might want to contact the ABCA or find out about some trials in your area, go to them, and ask around.

 

[BostonBanker]

We just had a Rival dog join our competition agility class. Can't say much about her yet other than I like her type a lot. She's still a bit of a baby, and I've only seen her a few times, so I will hold my opinions for a while. I will also PM another Canadian breeder whose dogs I've liked very much. I do not post breeders on this forum, as I refuse to see people I respect ripped apart .

 

[Dog-Training-Outlet]

Thanks for the helpful info. I've had a few border collies and definitely the working dogs are the way to go. When they're well trained they respond better and are able to "turn off" the herding when needed.

 

[Paige]

I wouldn't go off a website. Contact anyone you are interested in and talk to them. Things can sound great when they are proof read and edited but that may not be what really is going on.

 

[AgilityKrazii]

Thanks for replys everyone!

 

[BorderCollieLvr]

Not sure where abouts you are from, but if i was to be looking for a puppy at the moment the first things id be looking at would be.

Both parents hip scored, DNA tested for CEA/CL/TNS, had an adult eye test in the last 12months were BAER hearing tested either as a puppy or adult obviously with a clear result, and another latest test is a Glaucoma eye test.

I would also expect the puppy i was purchasing to have eye and hearing tests at around 6wks old, them to come with full puppy packs and breeder backup for life.

Ideally go and meet some breeders and their dogs, ask about temprements, also ask about any epilepsy in the lines, also might be asking other breeders that you aren't planning on buying from if they know of any epileptic lines to avoid as some people do hide this.

As for working or show lines that would be entirely up to you i personally prefur a nice balance of both which there a lot of in the UK.

Really don't just go by the breeders websites, give them a ring they should be asking you LOTS of questions and expect you to ask lots to. If you need anymore advise feel free to drop me a PM