BC breeders for me

[Laurelin]

Again. I'm really trying to do this next dog as right as right can be. I'm going to be pretty picky when it comes to this dog. Got a few breeds on the list, but would like to start talking to breeders including BC breeders. The other main breed I already have the breeder picked if I go that route. Looking for 2014 most likely.

I have a few names I'm looking at but would like to hear from some more BC savvy people as well.

You guys know what I tend to like. Main focus for said dog will be agility. Will probably dabble in something else but I want this to be my first 'for serious' agility dog.

Must haves:
- Full health testing. Breeder must also stand behind their pups if a health problem occurs. I don't expect no health issues ever (unrealistic) but I do expect a breeder to do their best and to offer advice if something happens. This is priority #1 for me at this point in time.
- Well balanced temperament. I want a dog that is nice to live with. However, my 'nice to live with' standards might be a bit skewed lol.
- Must be some kind of performance oriented breeder, not a conformation breeder. Sports or work are both fine by me
- Breeder must be okay with dog being AKC registered (at least a performance listing). Most trials around here are AKC and I don't want to limit myself. I know a lot of working breeders won't allow this.

Prefer:
- Would prefer a breeder that allows pups to be kept intact.
- Smaller scale breeder. 1-3 litters a year max
- Breeder in the US, Canada would be okay too if they'll ship

I swear I had more requirements but I can't think of them at the moment.

One issue I'm running into is the working full time thing. How do you go about convincing a breeder that you will be a good candidate for a pup if you work full time? I'm definitely thinking dog walker or something of that sort. Not sure.

Also if you have some breeders to definitely stay away from let me know. (Pm works too)

[Michiyo-Fir]

Hmm maybe try Martha?

Her kennel is Marcar Border Collies, but she's here in my area, in BC Canada. She health tests a lot for a working breeder and has health guarantees (although I can't remember if it's lifetime or over a few years for hips).

I'm not sure how she feels about AKC registration but I do know she sells to performance and active pet homes. She's one of the top kennels on my list right now.

She also breeds only 1-2 litters every 2-3 years and doesn't produce a lot of puppies. A few people around here have great things to say about her and one lady I know is trialing 2 of her dogs and doing very well.

MarCar Border Collies

[lizzybeth727]

Originally Posted by Laurelin

One issue I'm running into is the working full time thing. How do you go about convincing a breeder that you will be a good candidate for a pup if you work full time? I'm definitely thinking dog walker or something of that sort. Not sure.

Trust me, Lar. If you tell the breeder about yourself and your plans for the dog, he/she won't CARE that you work full time. You're better than AT LEAST 75% of the people he/she'll get inquiries from.

I'd tell the breeder that you're prepared to hire a dog walker if the puppy is having a hard time with you at work full time, but you're doing x,y,z things to make sure the puppy is ok with you being gone.

[Laurelin]

Originally Posted by lizzybeth727

Trust me, Lar. If you tell the breeder about yourself and your plans for the dog, he/she won't CARE that you work full time. You're better than AT LEAST 75% of the people he/she'll get inquiries from.

I'd tell the breeder that you're prepared to hire a dog walker if the puppy is having a hard time with you at work full time, but you're doing x,y,z things to make sure the puppy is ok with you being gone.

Thanks! I sometimes feel like there's no way I'll be good enough for a breeder like the kind I'd want to get a pup from. I think part of it is just the idea of going with something new and not having said experience with the breed. But we've all got to start somewhere.

[BostonBanker]

- Breeder must be okay with dog being AKC registered (at least a performance listing). Most trials around here are AKC and I don't want to limit myself. I know a lot of working breeders won't allow this.

Prefer:
- Would prefer a breeder that allows pups to be kept intact.

Keep in mind, I'm pretty sure you can't get a performance listing with an intact dog, so those two things may contradict themselves. A friend of mine had to deal with that issue recently; her first BC got accepted into the AKC intact because they were still letting in outside dogs or something. Her second from the same breeder she could not get registered or ILP or whatever the options were, because he was still intact.

[Laurelin]

Originally Posted by BostonBanker

Keep in mind, I'm pretty sure you can't get a performance listing with an intact dog, so those two things may contradict themselves. A friend of mine had to deal with that issue recently; her first BC got accepted into the AKC intact because they were still letting in outside dogs or something. Her second from the same breeder she could not get registered or ILP or whatever the options were, because he was still intact.

Yep, that's one problem. If push comes to shove, I'd rather get a dog that can be PAL'd. If I need to neuter, then so be it as long as I get to wait until the dog is fully grown. I'd prefer both but I am willing to compromise on that.

[AdrianneIsabel]

Contact Point or Hob Nob.

I train with a lot of HN dogs, they're pretty fool proof. I also train with a few CP dogs and Iam blown away by their speed, drive, and love their tiny sizes.

There is also Hillcrest with some pretty awesome dogs, I would like to research them further.


I have a few friends with ranch collies but they tend to be ABCA and not AKC, they also vary a lot in temp where the HN and CP seem to be pretty predictable, even if they are primarily sporter collies.

[Laurelin]

What kinds of temperaments are you seeing out of both sets of dogs? I've noticed a lot of DA in the local sports bred collies I've trained with. That is one thing that does concern me about going with a sporter. I either absolutely love them or I think the dogs are obnoxious but that probably depends on the handler too. The obnoxious ones I know come with obnoxious handlers, lol.

I have only been around trial bred dogs at actual stockdog trials. They are certainly impressive in that arena but I don't see them around agility.

I like the idea of ABCA regged dogs more than AKC but I'm realizing around here to limit yourself to non akc venues will be really limiting. Oklahoma is not exactly the hotbed of dog sports and trials. Someone who breeds ABCA dogs but will allow sports owners to PAL or do a limited reg with the AKC would be ideal.

I'm going to start trying to hit up a lot of trials this next year, hopefully both stock and agility. Try to see what is out there a bit more.

[Lizmo]

I think most working breeders can be pretty flexible about the AKC reg stuff if you talk to them about it. But like you said, most will probably do the ILP/PAL, but that requires the dog to be neutered. We couldn't full-up AKC reg if we wanted, but PAL/ILP was fine (but that was never an issue for us).

I think I gave you some names in the past?

[Laurelin]

I think you did and I remember a couple but if you wouldn't mind sending them again just in case, I'd be grateful.

Just trying to expand the list and such right now.