BC breeders for me

That farm bred BC I mentioned in a previous post? His sire is merle and he's definitely not from a sport or color breeder. Most of his puppies are sold to other farmers looking for dogs who get the job done and his dogs have an excellent reputation in that crowd. I'm sure he's not the only farmer out there who has dogs that aren't B&W or R&W (maybe...that is iffy for many too LOL). So that argument has always seemed strange to me. Although the people making it tend to be people who think the only true working BCs are the ones that are trialed. They don't seem consider a farmer with herding BCs to be breeding true working BCs, which also strikes me as a bit odd.

I'm confused a bit by this.. Are you saying that Hob Nob doesn't fit the requirements? If they don't, please let me know! I went back and double checked her list and then went back to their website to review and I feel they do fit the requirements quite well.

I didn't list other BC breeders because I don't have any personal experience with other breeders that actually would fit her list. The majority of the agility BCs that are run locally are bred by a working breeder that rarely health tests.

No not at all. I'm saying the type of breeder I would probably look at first for a BC would be a farmer with working dogs but such breeder doesn't fit what Laurelin said she wants, so I listed some more sport or working/sport oriented breeders who have dogs I've liked that I thought would suit her.

Hob Nob seems to be a big name in performance/obedience BCs. A bit pricey and seem to have a fairly strict contract but obviously, a lot of serious performance people think very highly of them. I don't have much experience with their dogs one way or another.

I live in the northwest - HN dogs are EVERYWHERE. With that being said, they are very distinctive both in conformation and temperament for the most part. The ETS is something that I have observed from watching numerous dogs trial. I don't see that many performing well in agility vs. the amount that she sells... look at CP. Almost every dog that they have sold is titled in agility. Karen is much more selective about where they go and tries to only sell to performance homes. The demand for her dogs is enough that usually she only has proven performance homes to pick from.

Another thing about HN I don't like (and this is completely personal) is the way she exercises her dogs. I get that not all breeders can title their dogs in agility or obedience, ect, but I would really think it would count if the breeding stock were out PERFORMING - at the very least, the dogs represented as "herding bred" out with a trainer. Not sure I understand her way of thinking there. JMHO.

She has had knee replacement surgery in both knees and cannot trial from what she told me. Some of the dogs she breeds to are being trialed by other people and are out performing. For example Steeple and Klepto are doing very very well in the agility world I think.

I think she has nice dogs from the 2 or 3 I've met. The only thing that concerns me is the number of litters she has. Which seems to be 6-8 per year in the last few years. A little less in 2011 at 4. I don't have too many problems with breeders breeding a lot but I do like reasons for it and she hasn't really given me any from when I tried to talk to her about it.

Yeah the number of litter HN pumps out a year really makes me leery. I am not super keen on HN for a couple reasons though so maybe I am biased lol.

Yes - I got the same story. I think it could be approached differently i.e the dogs are placed out in homes on co-owns that gives them the opportunity to prove themselves. That's how many breeders I know handle their programs when they are unwilling/unable to "prove out" their dogs themselves.

Oh, another thing. This applies to any breeder I'm interested in - I don't like ones that select dogs based off of colors, or really worry about colors at all.

I have met several Contact Point Border Collies... they are all amazing, and temperament-wise what a BC should be! Confident, active but not bouncing of the walls, intuitive, noble & loyal. They've all been remarkably friendly (not a Lab, but very comfortable with all kinds of people/children meeting them). And you cannot find a better Agility/Flyball/Obedience dog. Their intensity and focus is amazing! CP also proves their dogs' working ability which is important.

Not important, but CP has some of the prettiest, most colorful dogs I've ever seen, too! I would definitely go to them for an agility prospect.

Or Spy's breeder, because Spy is THE HANDSOMEST Border Collie.

I have heard that HN is run by a crazy lady... from many, many BC people. I would stay far away from her based on her reputation and the fact that, quality or not, she's running a BC puppy mill with all of those litters and dogs! I'm not a fan of the way her dogs look either. They have those dull eyes.

Dull eyes?

haha. Yes! As opposed to insane, super-focused, intense BC eyes! At least the few HN dogs that I've met, which were all nice dogs but they definitely had the Barbie Collie look and personality.

If I were you, I'd stay far, far away from lines that multiple people mention having ETS (i.e. HN in this thread) - it's just not worth risking with a dog that has so many hopes riding on it imo.

She's not breeding anymore! I am so bummed about it.

I don't know about the looks part but I agree with this and have heard about her reputation before, too.

I am interested to hear so much good stuff about CP border collies. I am hoping for a pup in the next two years and am already trying to feel out some breeders. CP was on my list of potentials but after hearing all the positive stuff about them in this thread I think I'm going to look into them a lot more.

Aww for real? Spy is, like, the perfect medium between rangy, wild-eyed working BC and fluffy, pretty show BC... he has the best eyes ever. I'm all about the eyes. And it literally looks like you straighten his hair for hours! I love him. <3

We MUST get a CP puppy together!!! 2 years sounds about right. My GSD puppy will be 2 by then. I really want a different colored BC, like a blue merle or a sable merle.

I've seen a couple HN dogs around and they've seemed nice enough, but I wouldn't go there for a puppy. Plus, aren't they super expensive?

I'd totally consider a CP dog, though.

From my limited experience with HN dogs, they are expensive and seemingly very hard to get (waiting lists, etc..)

*shrug* their dogs seem nice and it does seem like have a strong support system and group picnics and that kind of fun stuff.. but I feel like there are lots of great breeders out there

According to their website they are $1500 for a pup w/ a spay/neuter mandate + whatever it costs you to get the hips X-rayed at 25 months and send copies of the rads to the breeder and OFA.

But yeah I just get a really "ick" vibe from Hob Nob. Not one thing in particular just...a general vibe I do not like.

That would be the smart thing and it is an option but I really really like raising my own puppies and I am not sure I'd give that up for competition. It just comes down to the fact that the three dogs we've gotten as adults from breeders, I feel like I could have molded them a little more into what I like in a dog to live with.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys and keep them coming!

I do think I will be checking out adults from breeders though.

I saw a cool new rescue BC over the weekend in agility...was going to try to get a pic of him on Sunday to send you but turns out they were only entered Saturday...dog was just drop dead gorgeous lol. Traditional b/w, fine-boned but not wispy, gorgeous angles and movement, that straight flat nice feathered coat, handsome face, Either a tall 16" or a short 20" jumping dog, can't remember which...<3

CP dogs are usually 2k out the gate, if you're worried about cost.

Cost isn't a huge concern however I'd have to be really really sure that was the best breeder for me to spend any more than I spent on Mia on another dog.