In search of a border collie

[Fenners]

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Hi,
I am new to this forum and it looks great. I used to have dogs but had a few years out due to life circumstances. I grew up on a farm in Mid-Wales with border collies have decided to look for a puppy. I can find reputable breeders through the KC website but none of my messages to them have elicited a reply. Maybe I'm going about this the wrong way but it seems like breeders either don't have the time or inclination to respond. Does anyone have any advice on how best to go about the process of getting a border collie puppy from a reputable breeder of working dogs?
Thanks,

Fenners

 

[excuseme]

Are you actually wanting a genuine working type or show type ?
What type of lifestyle are you offering?

 

[excuseme]

Here are some puppies.
Border Collie Dogs and Puppies For Sale - Forever Puppy

They look like the working types.

 

[Fenners]

Are you actually wanting a genuine working type or show type ?
What type of lifestyle are you offering?

I was always used to working types on the farm but no longer live on a farm so would be interested in your opinion. I work full time so it would be an hours walk on a morning and a couple of hours walk/run on an evening during the week. Weekends will be long hikes. I'm not opposed to the show type if that would be more sensible.

 

[Fenners]

Maybe I was barking up the wrong tree contacting breeders. This seems to have lots of options. I was only concerned as lots of advice online says only to buy from KC registered breeders to avoid health problems.

 

[JoanneF]

If avoiding health problems is important - as it should be - I have heard that there isn't a line of border collies in the UK that doesn't have epilepsy in the line. So you might want to ask about the parents, grandparents and even great grandparents, to reduce your risk.

 

[excuseme]

Back in 1987 we moved from a farm environment to a more built up area near Chichester.
We had always worked on farms and our dogs always came to work with us. My husband had a couple of working type border collies ( mother and daughter). Mother was used for bringing the cows in when required and other odd jobs when my husband needed an extra pair of hands, her grown up puppy was still with L plates.
When we moved all of our lives had to change including the dogs, my Cocker spaniel managed quiet well and so did the older Collie. Unfortunately the younger Collie could not adjust, she needed more to do, and being shut up all day and just a morning and evening walk during the week was just not enough. She became quiet destructive so we decided for her well-being and ours to re home her in a working home with livestock.
As with many of the Show type / Working type of many breeds, the show dogs are bred to a design for the show bench, this would be simply a pretty dog that the Kennel club consider fit for work! (many are not fit for work because of the exaggerated designs the kennel club have requested) and not for their working ability.
If this would suit you as a family dog it would be your choice, but for the true working/farm bred dogs that have not been designed by the kennel club and vary so much in how they look, would need much more mental stimulation and consideration to their mental welfare and energy levels.
There are hereditary problems in the Border Collie that are worth looking into before making any purchase. Please take care and do some research first.

 

[Fenners]

Back in 1987 we moved from a farm environment to a more built up area near Chichester.
We had always worked on farms and our dogs always came to work with us. My husband had a couple of working type border collies ( mother and daughter). Mother was used for bringing the cows in when required and other odd jobs when my husband needed an extra pair of hands, her grown up puppy was still with L plates.
When we moved all of our lives had to change including the dogs, my Cocker spaniel managed quiet well and so did the older Collie. Unfortunately the younger Collie could not adjust, she needed more to do, and being shut up all day and just a morning and evening walk during the week was just not enough. She became quiet destructive so we decided for her well-being and ours to re home her in a working home with livestock.
As with many of the Show type / Working type of many breeds, the show dogs are bred to a design for the show bench, this would be simply a pretty dog that the Kennel club consider fit for work! (many are not fit for work because of the exaggerated designs the kennel club have requested) and not for their working ability.
If this would suit you as a family dog it would be your choice, but for the true working/farm bred dogs that have not been designed by the kennel club and vary so much in how they look, would need much more mental stimulation and consideration to their mental welfare and energy levels.
There are hereditary problems in the Border Collie that are worth looking into before making any purchase. Please take care and do some research first.

This is really useful advise. Maybe a working dog is a bad call. I have research health issues but isn't this an issue with most breeds?

 

[excuseme]

Yes unfortunately there are so many dogs these days with health issues, it is always wise to research the breed that you are interested in and wait until you can find the right puppy or dog with genuine parentage health tests/certificates. (it must be the most sensible thing to do)

 

[Feverfew]

I agree that health is important, but so is the lifestyle you are proposing for the dog. Possibly you being out all day would not suit an energetic dog, which collies tend to be. (I'm also unsure how anyone would rear a puppy if they were out all day.)
Unless your heart is set on a border collie (and I can understand why it might be), how about looking at some young adult dogs with fewer requirements?

 

[excuseme]

A young adult is exactly what ours was when we decided it was not fare to keep her. (18 months to two years) was her age and she was totally frustrated with being left at home all day and I don't believe in leaving a dog caged for convenience all day

What are the fewer requirements that you suggest.
.

 

[JoanneF]

@Fenners, I suggest this to a lot of people thinking of getting a pup. If you are looking at energetic breeds, this would be a minimum amount of commitment.

For the next month, act like you have an adult dog. Get up an hour earlier than normal, take an hour long walk. Do the same in the evening after work - and come straight home from work; no shopping, gym, socialising. Do this every day, without fail, regardless of the weather.

Be aware of the season, and remind yourself every morning that for several months of the year you will be doing this in the cold and dark.

Also put away what you think a dog will cost for food, insurance, vet bill excesses, toys etc, then add 10% because we always underestimate these things.

That will give you a good insight into some of the commitment you will need to make.

Don't think about what a dog will bring to your family, think about what your family can offer to a dog.

 

[Feverfew]

A young adult is exactly what ours was when we decided it was not fare to keep her. (18 months to two years) was her age and she was totally frustrated with being left at home all day and I don't believe in leaving a dog caged for convenience all day

What are the fewer requirements that you suggest.
.

Sorry, I wasn't clear, but I was thinking of a dog from a non working background. I don't like to mention specific breeds because it kind if stigmatises dogs and besides, there are many wonderful mongrels out there in the shelters.
That said, if I were out all day, and couldn't take my dog with me in a way that worked for the dog and the people I worked with, I wouldn't have dogs. I am very fortunate in working from home, so the longest time mine are ever alone is 4 hours. (They also have each other.) People's circumstances change, of course, but what I mean us, I wouldn't start out with a puppy of a working line if I was not going to be 100% with the dog.

 

[Fenners]

Thanks again for your responses and advice. I kind of am set on a collie as I grew up with them and love the breed. I thought it could work out as my friend was in exactly the same situation with work and managed ok with a working cocker puppy. In my experience they're even more high energy than collies. I fully take on board your points though and so will certainly think of options before I make the commitment. Perhaps I could pay someone to come for a couple of hours each day and sit with the pup/take for a short walk etc. Maybe my work would allow me to bring it in, who knows.

 

[Feverfew]

Don't think about what a dog will bring to your family, think about what your family can offer to a dog.
That's a lovely way of putting it.

 

[Feverfew]

Thanks again for your responses and advice. I kind of am set on a collie as I grew up with them and love the breed. I thought it could work out as my friend was in exactly the same situation with work and managed ok with a working cocker puppy. In my experience they're even more high energy than collies. I fully take on board your points though and so will certainly think of options before I make the commitment. Perhaps I could pay someone to come for a couple of hours each day and sit with the pup/take for a short walk etc. Maybe my work would allow me to bring it in, who knows.

It's so nice to hear someone who is thinking hard about how they can do their best for a new dog. Good luck in your search. I completely get why you would want a border collie, especially if you grew up with them.

 

[Fenners]

It's so nice to hear someone who is thinking hard about how they can do their best for a new dog. Good luck in your search. I completely get why you would want a border collie, especially if you grew up with them.

Thank you, yes every time I see one it takes me back to being on my Grandad's farm as a child - amazing memories. I fully understand that I won't be offering the dog a farm life though. I guess my situation is not 100% ideal, maybe not even 80% but I hope that doesn't mean I shouldn't get one. I'm actually moving to a new country in August so will definitely wait until I've settled in and scoped everything out before getting a puppy. I might meet a neighbour who is home during the day and would embrace a day care role for example. Every problem has a solution!