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Tips for choosing a border collie breeder
Not all Border Collie breeders are reputable. The following questions and tips may be helpful.
1. What registry will the breeder use to register the puppies? Ideally, the breeder will register with registries that promote the working border collie, such as: The American Border Collie Association (ABCA), The American-International Border Collie Registry, Inc. (AIBC), The North American Sheep Dog Society (NASDS), or The International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS).
Note: Other "registries" exist besides the legitimate Border Collie registries listed above. However, you may find that the only breeders who use them may have been expelled from one of the registries listed above. An example of this type of registry is the International Border Collie Association.
The CKC and a few other so called "registries" will register mixed breeds, and dogs without pedigrees. Make sure a breeder has not been expelled from a registry. Sometimes breeders who have been expelled from registries, or may have bought a pet dog that wasn't breeding quality, and registered it with a different registry just to turn a profit.
The International Border Collie Association is a registry that just registers border collies, however, you may find that the only breeders who use them may have been expelled from a registry.
The AKC places an emphasis on breeding for "conformation" which many believe is destroying the breed by breeding for looks and not herding ability. Breeders who have been expelled from a registry, such as the ABCA, may have their dogs registered with a different registry, including the AKC.
More info on this can be found on the ABCA's website.
Simply put, keep in mind that even though the dog may be "registered" it is not a sign of quality.
2. What does the breeder breed for show or work? Breeders of real Border Collies will breed for work. Border collies were originally bred for work, and they were not bred to look this way or that. As a result, we believe that breeders of "Border Collies", or any other type of working dog, that breed for show or anything else other than what the dogs were originally breed for are damaging them. Take a look at the quote below...
"We [the AKC] have gotten away from what dogs were originally bred for. In some cases we have paid so much attention to form that we have lost the use of the dog."
3. Do the parents have pedigrees? Reputable breeders will breed dogs that have pedigrees or at least know their bloodline and may even be Registered On Merit (ROM.). Unethical breeders will breed dogs without even knowing their bloodline. Beware of "breeders" who use the term "papers" because the term is generally only used by uneducated breeders. Educated breeders generally call the registration forms what they truly are. Such as a registration application, which is an application used to submit to a registry to receive the dog's pedigree, and a pedigree, which in very simple terms is the dog's family tree.
5. What accomplishments has the breeder had? Breeders that are reputable will have some type of accomplishment if they have been breeding long enough.
Beware of breeders that advertise breeding since "year here" and lack accomplishments because if they breed truly exceptional dogs, they should get at least a couple of quality puppies during the time that they have been breeding.
6. Pay attention to the prices. Most ethical breeders will not charge more for a different color, or for a female. However, it is a common trait among unethical breeders. Also, higher prices for puppies doesn't necessary mean the puppies are higher quality.
Note: an ethical breeder will not breed a merle to a merle, as that will mainly result in deaf and/or blind puppies!!!
7. What does the breeder feed the puppies? A reputable breeder would feed a premium dog food, such as Science Diet. An unethical breeder would feed cheap dog food to cut expenses.
8. Have the parents been hip/eye tested? It is best if the dogs are tested. However, some breeders of working dogs may not have their dogs hips tested as they generally only breed sound dogs that are capable of working all day in tough terrain. They know they are sound because the dogs would not be capable of working long hours if they were not. If the parents come from non-working bloodlines, it would be very wise if the dogs were tested. Keep in mind that two dogs that are OFA excellent can still produce puppies with HD, so a health guarantee should be offered.
9. How many litters does the breeder have each year? Most reputable breeders do not have a lot of puppies available all the time, and keep a waiting list. Beware if the breeder always has a bunch of puppies available.
10. What are the conditions of where the puppies are kept? Puppies that come from clean conditions are generally easier to potty train...just ask some of our puppy parents! Dirty conditions should signal a red flag.
11. How many breeds does the breeder breed? One or two breeds is acceptable. However, caution should be used when contacting a "breeder" who breeds more than two breeds. Also, caution should be used if the breeder produces "designer dogs", which are mixed breeds that are generally bred for the sole purpose of turning a profit.
12. Is the breeder knowledgeable about the breed? A Border Collie breeder should be very knowledgeable about the breed. Beware if the "breeder" doesn't know much about the breed. Good breeders do extensive research before breeding.
13. Is the breeder willing to answer questions after you took your new puppy home? A reputable breeder would be willing to take your phone calls or emails when questions arise.
14. Does the breeder ask you questions? A reputable breeder would ask questions to the potential buyer to make sure that he/she is a good candidate for a Border Collie, and that the dog he/she is interested in is a suitable match. An unethical breeder wouldn't care if the person is a good match or not!!
15. Do not rely on the breeders word alone! Visit the breeder's facility, ask for references, and talk to the breeder's vet! A reputable breeder will not mind giving you that info!
16. Does the breeder have a puppy contract? Most reputable breeders do. However, some extremely famous working Border Collie breeders may not. Unethical breeders typically have one for the wrong reasons. (Upon reading their contract it is pretty apparent.)
Keep in mind that other factors exist that separate reputable breeders from the unethical breeders.
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